Behind the scenes with illustrator Tokkyu! How does she refine her personal style and add sparkle to her work?
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 Tokkyu about the behind-the-scenes of her recent works and what she considers especially important when creating an original illustration!
- Tokkyu
South Korean illustrator.
She has served as an instructor for a wide range of educational content on platforms such as the online learning service Fast Campus, teaching everything from drawing courses for beginners to advanced illustration, as well as how to create VTuber models using Live2D. She also actively creates illustrations for various fields, including gaming and VTubers.
Her illustrations are rich in detail and have a strong sense of spatial expression. She often uses a gem-like, sparkling color palette to depict delicate and beautiful character features.
Introducing Tokkyu and her illustration work
── Could you briefly introduce yourself and your work?
Tokkyu's original illustration
Tokkyu's favorite illustration and its creation process!
── What’s your favorite thing you’ve drawn recently?
A piece called "Bone Angel"!
Tokkyu's current favorite piece
── What made you draw it and what was the inspiration behind it?
I’ve always enjoyed expressing a variety of textures, but what really sparked this project was my desire to try drawing textures like opals—with their translucent quality and sparkling glow—and holograms.
I also wanted to create a powerful impression amidst a sense of stillness, so I began this work with the idea of combining an angel with the element of bones.
── What do you like about this particular image?
I mostly draw original illustrations with a relatively everyday feel, so “Bone Angel” is one of the first pieces where I really emphasized the design and world-building.
By experimenting with changes to my art style, I was able to discover new possibilities within myself. I feel this work helped me grow as a creator, so I’m particularly attached to it. Also, I’m grateful that it’s been selected to be made into a figure, and I’m already really looking forward to the moment when I can see my work in reality.
▼ Here's a little behind-the-scenes!
── Which part of the process was the most fun?
It’s definitely meticulously rendering the details of the bone-like parts of the wings or the holographic texture of the costume.
In the past, I focused most of my energy on facial expressions—and I absolutely loved drawing them—but my preferences have changed recently. Now, I place greater emphasis on motifs that symbolize the theme of the work, such as wings and costumes, rather than faces. That’s because rendering those elements with precision creates a stronger overall impact when the piece is viewed as a whole.
── On the other hand, what was the most difficult part of the process?
I really struggled with the background design. To be honest, since I decided on the character design and concept first and started drawing those right away, I ended up putting off the background for a little while…
At first, I planned to use a solid color, but that felt a little lacking. So, after much deliberation, I decided to pair it with a space- or planet-like background to further highlight the fantastical atmosphere. It filled the empty space in the upper right just enough. I’m satisfied with the final results because I feel it adds to the sense of a transcendent being—one that truly fits the angel concept.
── Was there an aspect that you paid particular attention to?
I already talked about how I depicted texture, so if I had to name another aspect I paid special attention to, it would be the character’s hands.
I think this pose, with the hands pressed together like this, is very beautiful. It gives the impression that the character is focusing their gaze more intently than simply looking at the viewer, and since it’s a pose that suits a quiet character perfectly, it really brings out their personality.
Since the nuances conveyed by a pose are so significant, I decided on it firmly right from the start. However, to make it look as natural as possible, I took my own photos and referred to them while drawing. Whenever there are complex poses or parts I want to depict more naturally, I sometimes take my own photos to use as a reference.
Beginners should focus on more than just drawing well
── You’ve been very active as an instructor. Were there any specific points you focused on when preparing courses for beginners?
When I teach beginners, I always make a point of not making it too difficult. The world of art is full of complex elements, but beginners don’t need to dig to the bottom right from the start. I was in the same boat myself.
For that reason, when it comes to aspects like theory and proportions, I prepared materials that would help students grasp their own standards and made sure they could learn them easily. For the parts that are difficult to draw, I explained how to make them easier to draw and incorporated plenty of live demonstrations where I actually drew them myself.
If you’re reading this article and are currently learning to draw, I want to tell you that learning how to express your passion and love is far more important than practicing just to draw well. That passion is what creates your identity as an artist, and it ultimately leads to improvement in your drawing.
Pursuing a distinctive but varied style
── As you continue your creative work, do you have any unique methods of branding that help you generate income and connect with your fans?
I think it’s important to clearly showcase your unique tastes and strengths. This means establishing an image that answers the question, “What does this creator like, and what kind of atmosphere do their illustrations convey?”
If you stick to the core of that image while gradually introducing variations, you can make the most of your artistic identity while also continually bringing fresh new ideas. After all, if you produce the same kind of work every time, people might get bored of it quickly. With recent advancements in technology, I feel that variation has become even more important.
In conclusion, pursue your unique artistic style while gradually introducing evolutions and changes. This is my approach to branding. As for me right now, I strive to maintain consistency using three elements: sharp, crisp lines, a translucent color palette, and relatively simple detailing. Moving forward, I want to make my unique artistic voice even more distinct.
── Finally, please share a message for your loyal fans and everyone reading this article.
To all the fans reading this article, thank you so much. My past self would never have dreamed that a day like this would come...
I don’t usually interact much with my fans, but that’s exactly why I’ve always wanted to express my gratitude for your continued support of my art. I still love drawing more than anything, and I believe I still have plenty of room to grow. I’ll do my very best to keep bringing you lots of wonderful works in the future!
── Tokkyu, thank you so much!
