This short excerpt from Yuko Shimizu‘s blog post considers the importance of developing a unique visual vocabulary. After reading this article, consider how you can use your sketchbook as a tool to developing your own visual vocabulary. What are your areas of knowledge, passion, or curiosity?
“ I believe many of you who are reading my blog are aspiring illustrators. If you are, here is something you may want to remember, or to work on, if your art school instructors haven’t taught you already: we have to be remembered by something we are good at, so when a prospective client sees a topic that needs to be illustrated, they know who to call.
The most obvious themes prospective clients think of in connection with my work are Japanese or Chinese themes. I am Japanese, but I had also studied Cantonese for three years, and I have strong interest in Chinese culture. And people somehow see that in my work. There are other themes, like sexy girls, action and sports, comic-book look, snow, and water and underwater themes.”
What kind of things are you interested in drawing?
What visuals might become important visual signatures for you?
I remember reading this in Illo 1 and never actually focusing on her words after that one day. Looking back now at some of my work, I do see some of the same visuals done over and again: baked goods!, (subjectively) handsome men, fashion figures to name a few.
My interests for drawing range from renaissance buildings, ancient temples (mostly japanese), traditional asian clothing, men in suits, k-pop idols, and food!
I’m interested in drawing face profile, animals, and nature. Although drawing isn’t my strongest, I get inspired by scrolling through Pinterest and finding pencil drawing strokes of beautiful animals and face profile.
There’s something that I’m really passionate about but I’m still trying to find my own style and what kind of technique is better for me, I just know I love drawing figures and fashion illustrations. I had used ink, watercolor and I didn’t work for me but I still want to get better at it at. I always look at some fashion illustration artists to find inspiration.
I’m interested in drawing people, animals, and clothing styles throughout history.
I really enjoy history and I think clothing styles tell a lot of about the time period and the people who lived in it. For my sketchbook I want to study the intricate details in clothing and maybe incorporate it into my work.
I’m interested in drawing cartoon characters, people, profiles, and animals. I would find inspiration in watching anime and cartoons (both old-time and modern). This is because I love cartoons in general and would like to design characters for animation. I would also find inspiration on Pinterest, where I would also get tips on drawing certain characteristics.
When I was young, I’d like to draw comic book characters and as I grow older, I found myself enjoy watching anime and playing video games. I like trying different subjects that I am interested, such as anime characters, 2D animation, 3D modeling, landscape pencil sketching, and some portraits.
What kind of things are you interested in drawing?
I’m interested in drawing character designs and themed pieces with backgrounds. In terms of visuals my signature is probably African American girl with brightly colored hair doing things ranging from mundane to strange.
What kind of things are you interested in drawing?
I’m interested in drawing character designs and themed pieces with backgrounds. In terms of visuals my signature is probably African American girl with brightly colored hair doing things ranging from mundane to strange.