pixiv's High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2021 Results - A record edition with 1,100 entries!

It's brilliant how the author has expanded on the theme of "dancing" by depicting the interiors of a mansion and mouse maids. The limited use of colors is also remarkable; although they only used bright colors in yellow tones, it's very fine work. The main character has some red accents, while blue details are used for the mouse in the foreground so that the latter doesn't overshadow the first.

I also selected this work for the lighting. For example, you can clearly see how the artist carefully picked each leaf that the light should shine on. The silhouette of the mirror stand at the back of the room also stands out thanks to the lighting. On the other hand, secondary elements are in shadow because they're not vital, so they don't pack as much detail ー but the author didn't shy from laying out all the features of the elements that should catch the viewer's attention.

When drawing deformed characters with short arms and legs, it's very hard to create cute proportions and poses. The characters here all do a great job capturing the moment, especially the maid to the left, whose back view must've been particularly difficult to draw. I was impressed by how well the artist portrayed the various shapes: the soles of the shoes, the bent knee, and the duster in the maid's outstretched right hand... All these elements draw the viewer's attention and make the character in the foreground more realistic.

I love the quiet atmosphere and emotional narrative of this work. The artist is very good at separating the parts that the viewer needs to see from the others. Their composition skills and impeccable color selection are extraordinary. Reminds me of Norman Rockwell. Using warm colors (red and yellow) as the main colors and cool colors (blue) as accents has a contrasting effect that makes this artwork feel warmer and the space where it's set look deeper. It's a great example of how the use of color can tell a story.

The color placement shows some rhythm. Black is placed next to red, and green is right at the edges, a combination that makes the colors collide and stand out ー which makes the viewer get a splash of energy just by looking at the picture.

Although the composition is plain, the use of colors and solid shapes is quite compelling. The combination of the two elements makes this artwork look very mature. The subjects have a good presence, making this work all the more convincing. There is a letter in the lower left, and I wondered what it was — maybe it came with a gift? The fact that there seems to be a story behind this illustration makes it even better.

I like the way the characters are shaded. The entire scene is lit from a light source on the ceiling, so the shadows fall on the characters' feet, as they should. However, to add something more, the artist added a crisp shadow on the right side of the main character in the middle. I think these kind of small lies are essential for illustrations, but it's absolutely necessary to adjust these untruths so that the viewer doesn't feel uncomfortable, and the author has achieved that beautifully. I like the way they've arranged the canvas by repeating such detailed adjustments.

Good observation work. The kimono and parasols are very well-drawn from all angles. The illustration's title, Odoriko-so (踊子草) refers to the name of a flower that looks somewhat like a dancer (踊子, "odoriko" in Japanese) holding an umbrella in their hand, just like in this artwork. It takes a great deal of skill to take that idea and make it into a picture. Odoriko-so, or white nettle, is a spring flower, and the colors of this illustration are surely reminiscent of the season. The atmosphere is really nice too. I like how the dancers sway, with their hands all folded in different directions.

When I think of dancing, I tend to focus on the dynamism of the situation, but the artist has chosen to place importance on careful observation instead — creating a piece that is coherent with the theme and shows outstanding technical skills.

I imagine the artist began by observing how petals move when spinning a flower around, and then replaced the petals with human figure; it's not easy to draw something like this.

Great work on the dancers' perspective. I think this is probably the entry with the most complicated perspective in the entire contest. Even though the artist doesn't use any straight lines, the result is that of a wide-angle lens. I guess they've done a fair bit of research — even a pro would have a hard time drawing fingers like this.

You can even discern the legs of the woman in the back, even though they're not clearly visible. Normally, you wouldn't notice something like this... it's like you're able to see beyond the picture.

The art style and other aspects of this work are unlike any other illustration we have selected so far, but I can tell that the artist showed confidence and successfully portrayed something valuable to them.