Lectures from the creators themselves are the best! We tried out the new function, pixivFANBOX #pixivFANBOX

Interview: Mitsufumi Obara

pixiv's new service FANBOX is a special space for fans and creators to interact. pixivision will be doing a 4-day-long special on FANBOX! We'll have you in love with it by the end of this series.

What is pixivFANBOX?

pixivFANBOX is a new function on the illustration community service, pixiv. Creators can set up their on FANBOX on pixiv, and upload private (chargeable) content for their fans. It's a space for creators to update their fans on their current projects and private activities, and basically a source of information for fans.
By purchasing the rights to view a creator's FANBOX, you're showing support for creators of various fields, and will be able to enjoy regular exclusive content, and close up the gap between you and the creator.

The creator we'll be featuring today is fan-only lectures in the form of Q&As and corrections. What are these lectures like? You get to receive direct instructions from illustrators, and get to interact with the creators you look up to? We went ahead and checked it out!

What makes lectures held by creators so attractive? We tried it out!

You've probably wondered how popular illustrators draw when you see their artwork.

The main charm of FANBOX is that you can receive personal help from the creators themselves. It's a rare chance to find out more about the techniques and tips your favorite creators have for you. Without further ado, let's check it out.

Learn detailed color pencil techniques! Ryota Hayashi's FANBOX - Tokyo Sketch

初秋の交差点　志木市柏町

by 林　亮太

▲Hayashi's scenery illustration

The first one we tried out was Ryota Hayashi's FANBOX, Tokyo Sketch. Hayashi's work stands out due to its realistic touches that make his drawings look just like photographs. He actually publishes tutorial books, and appears on TV, and is now organizing a FANBOX-exclusive color pencil tutorial!

In addition to tutorials of his new work, he may be analyzing his old work as well!

▲ Tokyo Sketch - 1st Tutorial

Hayashi regularly teaches art classes, but it may be hard for some of us to match our schedules to it. But his services are now available online, which has definitely pleased many of his fans and others interested in color pencil art!

My latest illustration tutorial features the process from after the completion of the draft. Adding on to that, I have a recommended question corner. You can ask anything you want to if you couldn't catch something in the tutorial, and it'll be a Q&A section.

Illustrations are easy to enjoy but hard to start drawing yourself. There're many of us who give up because of the steep learning curve. However, if there's someone you can imitate and receive advice from, your skill level is sure to increase sharply.

Packed with techniques in the game industry! lack's FANBOX - The Den of a Coffee Gentleman

暴龍事変ガイグレン

by lack

▲ The popular character found on the covers of card games

Up next, we have the FANBOX of lack, who does games and trading card game related work, The Den of a Coffee Gentleman. The first upload had an interview regarding the popular card game, Duel Masters by Takara Tomy.

Apart from illustration techniques, he also told us more about the unique points of card game illustrations, such as the difference between rare and common (normal) card illustrations. Reading his interview may revive memories of your childhood days.

獅子頂龍　ライオネル

by lack

▲ Super rare characters in the game as well!

According to him, the most important thing to take note of when drawing super rare cards is "Can this character get into the deck of the protagonist or the rival? Can it become the ace?". Marking that difference between the normal and rare cards is not about a difference in level of drawing, but "the ability to understand the users".

Apart from art techniques, lack also advised us on things to take note of when in the game industry. He also plans to talk about job hunting, and other topics like the future requirements to be an illustrator. These are all valuable gems you want to keep if you're interested in this line of work.

Also, you might have already noticed, but isn't FANBOX a little too grand.....? Even without any prior experience, you can learn at your own pace, or even just sit back and enjoy the uploads. (It'd be great if you could use it before the official release...)

Not only that! Introducing pixivFANBOX creators that focus on lectures and Q&As!

There's a long list of users that focus on Q&A, lectures and corrections on FANBOX that you can check out on the release day, December 1! What are you waiting for, be their fan right now and deepen your relationships with them!

mocha's FANBOX - Cotton

mocha
Illustrator specializing in game and anime backgrounds. In addition to the fantasy-like backgrounds, school scenes and Japanese-style rooms, mocha is also selling a large range of work at the BOOTH. Most of her uploads on FANBOX showcase corrections for background illustrations.
pixiv
pixivFANBOX Cotton

Backgrounds are one of the hardest things even in the illustration industry. Apart from the drawing itself, being able to receive information from the work site itself is very useful for people looking to go professional. You can learn from viewing the process of his work through tutorials, and also get corrections from his valuable point of view.

▲Let's start from learning how to draw the sky

Houtengeki's FANBOX - Korou-kan

Houtengeki
Illustrator that focuses on illustrations of original female characters. Also is involved with the illustrating of adult-targeted goods and other games.
pixiv
pixivFANBOX Korou-kan

エルフ（弓）

by 方天戟/げっきー

He will mostly upload tutorials about female body parts. From the draft to the coloring and shadowing, his tutorials are information packed. It's a great chance to learn from the pros.

The best thing about it is that you can request for previous characters he has drawn to be in a specific pose or outfit. It's your opportunity to learn how to draw female characters, or difficult positions, or simply for the male fans to bask in....!

Ryota Hayashi's FANBOX - Tokyo Sketch

Ryota Hayashi
Color pencil artist who draws landscapes. The main contents in his FANBOX are color pencil tutorials, new upload tutorials and exclusive lectures.
pixiv
pixivFANBOX Tokyo Sketch

時の道　名古屋市西区

by 林　亮太

He summarizes the main points through his lecture reports, making it easy for beginners to follow. He takes questions from participants as well, and is just the right thing for people who want to polish their skills.

lack's FANBOX - The Den of a Coffee Gentleman

lack
Once a designer at a game company, he now does freelance illustrations for Trading Card Games (TCG), and social consumer games.
pixiv
pixivFANBOX The Den of a Coffee Gentleman

赤竜騎ジル

by lack

The main contents in his FANBOX include illustration presents, TCG-related information and advice regarding job hunting. He releases advice about the changing scene of the game industry, and is very valuable information for people looking to be an illustrator in the future.

pixivFANBOX will begin 1 December! Don't miss this exclusive space for fans

pixivFANBOX begins on December 1. More popular creators have expressed their interest in uploading exclusive content, so don't forget to check it out!

▼Find pixivFANBOX here▼