How illustrator Houkiboshi draws female characters

Illustrator Houkiboshi, known for her female characters whose delicate beauty is evident in every detail, will be holding her first solo exhibition, Secret·Angel, until Monday, May 6th, 2024 at pixiv WAEN GALLERY in Omotesando! The exhibition will mainly feature never-before-seen illustrations created especially for the event, as well as drawings of Houkiboshi’s original character, Momoko-chan.

In this interview, we asked her about her work process, tips on drawing female characters, and more.

Index

On overcoming parental disapproval and becoming a game animator in one year
Use photos as reference, but know when to omit and simplify
Feeling down or losing your confidence is only natural if you have the will to improve
Envisioning a tea party in the sky
Houkiboshi’s first solo exhibition, “Secret·Angel,” is open through May 6th!
Merchandise is also available online!

Houkiboshi
Houkiboshi is an illustrator who enjoys drawing female characters embodying an unblemished and delicate beauty. She mainly works on creating doujin illustrations.
pixiv
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FANBOX

On overcoming parental disapproval and becoming a game animator in one year

── When did you first decide to pursue art as a career?

I’d known with certainty that I wanted to become a professional illustrator since I was in high school. Unfortunately, I was unable to go against my parents’ wishes back then, and I ended up going to university and majoring in Science and Technology Studies instead. When I was in my final year of university, however, I came to the realization that drawing was what I was truly passionate about, so I had a talk with my parents. After some discussion, we reached a compromise, and they gave me one year to become a game animator.

── One year... That’s tough. Is there a reason you chose to join the gaming industry?

I chose the gaming industry simply because I loved games. I knew my parents wanted me to have a stable income, but I wanted to give this path a shot, so I persevered. During that final year, I studied relentlessly and acquired as much knowledge as I could about key animation and succeeded in joining a gaming company as a key animator. After working there for about two years, I switched to my dream company and worked for another year before eventually becoming a freelance illustrator.

── When did you start sharing your art on social media?

In 2021, when I began playing Genshin Impact. There were many cute girls in the game, and I really loved the visuals too, which prompted me to start drawing fan art. Usually, I’ll doodle for a bit after coming home from work, but since I started playing Genshin, most of the illustrations I draw in my spare time have now become Genshin fan art. I started posting my doodles on Twitter in lieu of keeping a sketchbook, and before I knew it, three years had passed. Looking back, it’s kind of scary how quickly time passes.

デート #上

by ほうき星

An illustration posted in 2021.

── Besides social media, you’re also an avid user of services for creators such as FANBOX and Fantia.

I am. For those, I usually draw and post variants of freebie illustrations, but lately, I’ve taken to holding monthly events where I accept requests from my fans who support me as a way of interacting with them more often. Thanks to all my fans who purchase these plans, I’m able to pour all my efforts into creating art, for which I’m extremely grateful.

＞＞Check out Houkiboshi's FANBOX here＜＜

Use photos as reference, but know when to omit and simplify

── What sort of drawing practice have you done up until now?

I’ve always been doodling ever since I can remember. When I got older, I began copying illustrations, focusing solely on how well I could reproduce a piece instead of trying to create anything original. After learning the basics of sketching, I gradually began to think about the various parts comprising an illustration as a whole, such as composition and lighting.

── I do feel that your illustrations depict your characters beautifully by showing how the light hits the body and casts shadows.

I believe that balance is key for any illustration. When I’m drawing, I make sure to pay attention to the overall balance of the piece I’m working on and divide it into sections, checking the balance of each section as I go along. That said, drawing this way tends to mess with my brain a lot. (laughs) I still have plenty of room for improvement, so I’ll work harder at practicing my craft.

モモコちゃん

by ほうき星

── It seems that you’re very particular about the way you draw female characters. Is there anything you like to keep in mind when drawing them?

Drawing girls is so much fun! I absolutely adore cute girls, and I try my best to depict their charm and softness in my illustrations. Photos are my best friend, and I use lots of them as references to study which parts of the body change in shape when a model does a particular pose. I also place a lot of emphasis on lines so I can produce more visual impact in my drawings.

── I see. Come to think of it, it’s less common to see illustrations where the characters are standing completely straight. Is there anything you keep in mind when coloring your drawings?

During the coloring process, I focus on the lines of the muscles and try to follow them as closely as possible, which I feel adds dimension to my drawings. At the same time, I also pay close attention to the shapes of shadows. I believe that in bishōjo illustrations, it’s important to know when to omit or simplify things. For the finishing touches, I do my best to recreate the look and feel of skin, such as by keeping in mind where the light source is and increasing the saturation of the edges that it hits.

モモコちゃん

by ほうき星

── I feel like you strike a great balance between the realism of photographs and the two-dimensionality of illustrations.

Although I use photos as references, my goal isn’t to make things look perfectly realistic. I like to consider the overall effect a piece has and prioritize what is visually stunning, which involves some beautification or simplification. I also sometimes use animation storyboards as a reference because I like how they make the screen pop even more by exaggerating or distorting certain aspects. Animators truly are remarkable people, and I’m always in awe of how much I can learn from them.

Feeling down or losing your confidence is only natural if you have the will to improve

── You mentioned animators earlier, but who are some of your favorite illustrators?

I especially admire Yoneyama Mai-sensei, Murata Range-sensei, and Modare-sensei, and I’m truly grateful for the incredible senpais I’ve met throughout my illustration learning journey! I feel like whenever I’ve been stuck or lost, my senpai creators’ works have always inspired or spurred me on and shown me the path I ought to take.

── It seems that encounters with various artworks have been the lifeblood of your creative process. Do you have any role models in fields other than illustration who have influenced you?

I learn a lot from professionals working in photography and visual design too. For example, I love the work of photographers Marat Safin and Takahiro Sakai, because their work has a wonderful balance of light and shadow, incredible composition, and a raw, unfiltered beauty to them.

Seeing good works of art, including those of the illustrators named above, has been a crucial experience for me and a huge motivating factor to continue drawing.

明星ヒマリ

by ほうき星

── Do you ever find yourself in a slump?

Oh, definitely! I believe that drawing means to constantly deny and challenge your current self. It’s a continuous process in which you come up with ideas, make changes to them, and at times, flat-out reject them.

Sometimes, I bemoan the fact that my best wasn’t enough after finishing a piece or succumb to self-loathing after seeing other people’s amazing works. I believe that’s only natural as an illustrator, however, and it’s important to maintain motivation and continue making an effort to improve your craft.

── To deny and constantly challenge your current self in order to evolve is a very stoic approach to have.

I always tell myself, “Don’t overthink things, let go of any expectations, but hold on to the desire to express yourself through art.” As long as I keep drawing, there will always be a next time—and the one after next should that fail—to create what I hope to express. Illustrations are full of second chances!

Of course, if you can’t solve something on your own, talking with your friends about it can be an effective strategy too.

フリーナ

by ほうき星

── What advice would you give to people who want to pursue drawing as a career?

If you’re a beginner, don’t make things overly complicated and simply enjoy the process of drawing. Being able to recreate what’s in your head on paper is already an incredible feat in itself.

If you’ve already started your professional journey, keep drawing as much as you can, for it’s important to maintain the desire to create and express something. Remember, you’re not alone—let’s work together towards our goals!

Envisioning a tea party in the sky

── I’d like to hear more about your solo exhibition. What sort of image did you have in mind when you created the key visual?

Momoko is my original character, and she embodies all the qualities that I admire in a girl. At times, she felt like a friend who would cheer me on by my side, and she helped me out a lot during this solo exhibition. In the end, I envisioned a secret garden that existed in my mind when deciding the layout of the venue and coming up with potential designs for merch. The exhibition is essentially a tea party in the sky filled with an abundance of beautiful things.

Secret·Angel

by ほうき星

── That’s lovely! Is there anything in particular you’d like to point out about this illustration?

My favorite part is the harmony between the islands floating outside the window and the relaxed atmosphere of the interior. In the slowly floating castle in the air, an angel in cute clothes is brewing flower tea and waiting for her guests in the living room, where the curtains sway gently in the breeze. I also imagine the room is filled with the scent of tea, and you can almost smell it through the drawing if you get close enough!

── I’d like to know what you would like visitors to pay attention to or which merchandise you’re looking forward to at the solo exhibition as a whole.

For this exhibition, I worked with the staff to decide the layout and interior of the venue, and I think it turned out extremely adorable! We also created as many different types of merch as possible before gradually narrowing them down to the best of the best. My favorite item is the specially framed art prints, so please check them out!

── Lastly, do you have any goals you hope to achieve or things you’d like to try in the near future?

I’d like to continue learning more about illustration and CG. In terms of things I’d like to try, I hope to work on a game someday. While creating a game is no easy feat, I’m sure the satisfaction you’ll get upon completing it is immense. Giving birth to a wonderful game is truly a work of art.

Houkiboshi’s first solo exhibition, “Secret·Angel,” is open through May 6th!

pixiv WAEN GALLERY by TWINPLANET × pixiv, a gallery jointly operated by pixiv and Twin Planet, is currently holding Houkiboshi's first solo exhibition Secret·Angel through Monday, May 6th, 2024.

In addition to never-before-seen illustrations, the exhibition will feature drawings of Houkiboshi’s original character Momoko-chan. The theme of the exhibition is “an angel’s tea party.” Please enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Momoko-chan’s secret tea party held in a garden in the sky, and we look forward to welcoming all of you.

Dates: Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 to Monday, May 6th, 2024

Free admission

Address: Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 5 Chome-46-1 TWIN PLANET South BLDG. 1F

Hours: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

*Some illustrations may feature characters in revealing clothing.

>>pixiv WAEN GALLERY website<<

>>Official X (formerly Twitter)<<

Merchandise is also available online!

Some of the merchandise sold at the exhibition will be available for purchase on BOOTH. We have a variety of carefully curated items, such as specially framed art prints—Houkiboshi’s top pick—so please take a look!

>>View on BOOTH<<