Behind the scenes with illustrator SAYA! How does she bring her captivating original characters to life?
On Artist's Spotlight, we interview artists around the globe who are active on pixiv to shed light on their work and how they create their illustrations.
These interviews often discuss topics related to the business of illustration, such as how to take your skills to the next level as a creator and things to keep in mind as a professional, making them a valuable source for both aspiring and professional illustrators.
For this feature, we spoke to SAYA, a Korea-based freelance illustrator whose original character Chiyori has charmed so many fans!
We asked SAYA about everything from the process behind her recent works to her secrets for creating captivating characters.
Introducing SAYA and her illustration work
── Could you briefly introduce yourself, tell us about your main creative focus, and share a few of your representative works?
Saya's original character Chiyori
SAYA's favorite illustration and its creation process
── Of the works you've created recently, which one is your favorite?
Among all the illustrations I've done of Chiyori, my favorite is the one where she's wearing a bunny girl outfit on the subway. I paid special attention to bringing out the subtle nuances in her embarrassed expression, and I think that perfectly captures Chiyori's personality.
SAYA's pick: Chiyori riding the subway in a bunny girl costume.
── What inspired this illustration?
Chiyori's signature look is her bunny girl outfit! I've drawn many illustrations of her wearing it in different situations.
Of course, this situation in particular is something that would never happen in real life, but nevertheless, I thought, "What if a super cute bunny girl were riding the subway? What kind of expression would she have in that moment?" I wanted people to enjoy that little touch of the extraordinary in an everyday setting, and that's how this piece came to be.
── Why is this illustration so special to you?
It got over 90,000 likes! That makes it incredibly meaningful to me. One of the best feelings as an artist is when your work gets noticed and appreciated. I've been drawing for a long time, but I've always struggled with visibility.
This piece felt like a big turning point, almost like I was finally being rewarded for all those years of effort. I've had fan art pieces getting a bunch of likes before, but getting that kind of love for an original character hit differently. It made me feel truly grateful and happy.
── No wonder this is such a meaningful work for you. What was the most enjoyable part of creating it?
▼ From the initial sketch to the finished piece
── Was there any part that was difficult or challenging?
── Were there any details you paid extra attention to?
I really focused on showing how flustered she was: not just in her face, but down to the redness in her ears! I spent time thinking about things like: how many blush lines should I add? How long should her mouth be? I even spent a bunch of time thinking about her hair. I added a slightly sweaty look to make the moment feel more real. I was especially careful with those subtle details around her face and hair.
The finished illustration. Pay close attention to the details: the blush on her cheeks and ears, her mouth, and the rendering of her hair!
How to create captivating original characters
── Your characters always have such expressive faces that draw viewers in: sweet, but with a hint of melancholy. What do you focus on most when drawing facial expressions? And how do you make sure the expression fits the mood or message of the entire piece?
That's why my original characters often have a cool, aloof vibe, but show they care a lot in subtle ways. I want the mood of the piece to reflect the kind of character they are, like a slight frown or a faint blush that says more than words ever could. When I draw expressions, the most important thing to me is personality.
── Do you have any personal branding strategies that help you keep creating, connect with fans, and make your art sustainable as a career?
At the same time, I keep sharing my art on platforms like pixiv and X to expand my reach, which has led to illustration jobs. As for branding, I try to create a wide range of illustrations to match different tastes—some love soft, emotional illustrations, while others enjoy cute and sexy characters. By creating art that speaks to both, I think I've found my own niche for personal branding as an artist.
── Lastly, could you share a message for your fans and those reading this interview?
To all the fans who always support me, I'm really sorry for being less active lately. I imagine many of you have been waiting patiently, and that makes me feel so grateful. Out of the many talented illustrators out there, the fact that you chose to connect with my art means the world to me. You're the reason I've been able to keep going all this time. Honestly, just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.
And finally, thank you to everyone who has taken the time out of their day to read this interview!
── Thank you very much!