Behind the scenes with illustrator Myabit! How does she use light and character design to captivate her viewers?

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.

This time we interviewed Korean illustrator Myabit about the behind-the-scenes of her recent works and what she does to make her characters believable!

Index

Introducing Myabit and her illustration work
Myabit’s favorite illustration and its creation process
The interconnectedness between various elements lends additional credibility to the character details
I'm choosing to form connections in a way that allows me to enjoy the creative process
Check out past Artist's Spotlight interviews!

Myabit
South Korean illustrator.
She has created the character design for Akane Lize of the VTuber group StelLive, as well as numerous commemorative illustrations for popular games such as Brown Dust 2 and Goddess of Victory: NIKKE. She is also active in a wide range of fields, including the release of a figure based on her original character, "Mia."
Her work is characterized by vibrant yet soft pastel colors and rich expression. She infuses diverse costume concepts with her signature warm and lively atmosphere, creating an approachable charm that captivates viewers.
pixiv
X

Introducing Myabit and her illustration work

── Could you briefly introduce yourself and your work?

Hello, I’m Myabit, an illustrator.

My work primarily focuses on illustrations featuring original characters, and I also have the privilege of participating in various commercial projects.

One project I’m particularly fond of is the design of Io for the game Destiny Child. I also had the opportunity to design Akane Lize, a member of the VTuber group StelLive, so I imagine many people may have discovered my work through her. Recently, I was also commissioned to create illustrations for a commemorative event for the game Brown Dust 2.

heatwave

by myabit

One of Myabit's original illustrations

Myabit’s favorite illustration and its creation process

── What’s your favorite thing you’ve drawn recently?

Of my recent works, my favorite is "arrest," which is included in the LOG post on my illustration blog.

Myabit's current favorite piece

── What made you draw it and what was the inspiration behind it?

This piece is based on a composition where part of the face is hidden by a raised arm. Actually, I had attempted a similar composition quite some time ago, but I wasn’t able to fully capture the appeal I wanted to back then. It wasn’t just a matter of the composition. I was left feeling that I hadn’t managed to depict the partially visible face in a way that left a lasting impression. This time, I believe I redeemed myself and was able to bring out the character’s charm more effectively by rebuilding the overall atmosphere while drawing on that past experience.

── What do you like about this particular image?

I had fun creating a somewhat dreamlike atmosphere by deliberately emphasizing the dramatic lighting. With this piece, I was able to capture not only the facial details and composition but also the lighting exactly as I had intended from the start. While working on a piece, it’s common for the final result to drift slightly from my initial vision, but when the vision I had in mind from the very beginning comes to life exactly as I imagined, I feel a particularly strong sense of accomplishment.

▼ Here's a little behind-the-scenes!

── Which part of the process was the most fun?

As I mentioned earlier, my favorite part of the illustration process is adding light. The moment light is applied to the skin and hair tones I’ve already established, the original colors take on a completely different hue, creating an atmosphere I never could have imagined. It’s not just about the colors changing; the process of shaping the overall mood of the illustration is incredibly fascinating, and I always get excited when working on the lighting.

── On the other hand, what was the most difficult part of the process?

Fortunately, I didn’t encounter any major difficulties with this project. It went relatively smoothly from start to finish, which is actually quite rare. (laughs)

The hidden part of the face

Actually, if I had to say something was difficult, it would be committing to hiding the face. I usually don’t draw compositions where the face is hidden, so I did feel a bit conflicted about having to cover the face with an arm after I'd gone through all the trouble of drawing it just the way I wanted it! But if I hadn’t hidden the face, it wouldn’t have matched my original intention to challenge myself. So, in the end, I have no regrets.

── Was there an aspect that you paid particular attention to?

I paid particular attention to how I could make the eyes, the most prominent part of her face that is still visible, look as captivating as possible. Since only a limited amount of her face is exposed, it was essential for that small section to convey the character’s charm in a split second. I focused intently on this aspect because if I didn’t stay mindful of it, I wouldn't be able to achieve what I wanted with the character. However, I also recognize that the moment the expression becomes excessive, the charm can be lost, so I always strive to maintain a delicate balance, never going overboard.

The interconnectedness between various elements lends additional credibility to the character details

── Your original characters are so beloved by fans that they’ve even been turned into figures. What do you focus the most on when designing your characters? Also, could you share any tips on how you refine your illustrations to ensure they translate effectively into three-dimensional figures?

I love designs that are simple yet distinctively unique. The more something leaves a lasting impression at first glance and etches itself into memory, the more joy I feel while drawing it.

When it comes to creating convincing details and forms, I place great importance on the interplay between the character’s body, clothing, and hair—how they fit together and influence one another. I strive to create something where each element interacts with the others and blends naturally, rather than simply having the clothes rest on the body. While I constantly worry about whether I’ve fully captured this in my work, I believe that the process of consciously building up these minute details one by one is what ultimately shapes the final result.

I'm choosing to form connections in a way that allows me to enjoy the creative process

── As you continue your creative work, do you have any unique methods of branding that help you generate income and connect with your fans?

Rather than forcing myself into a specific style, I have always followed my instincts—drawing what I want to draw and expressing myself in whatever direction feels right at the moment. As a commercial artist, I understand that this approach doesn’t always work to my advantage. While some may expect a consistent body of work, I believe that this flexibility is what makes me unique and defines my personal brand.

Ultimately, enjoying what I do is the most important thing for sustaining a long-term creative career. I believe that, through this process, connections with people who resonate with my work will form naturally.

── Finally, please share a message for your loyal fans and everyone reading this article.

I rarely get the chance to talk about my illustrations in such depth, so I really enjoyed sharing my thoughts and feelings through this interview. I am truly grateful to everyone who has followed my work and given me such warm support. Moving forward, I hope to continue creating art that resonates with you all, while steadily producing the kind of illustrations that I love the most.