The benefits of illustration are manifold. Unlike photography, which is very much restricted to the fabric of reality, illustration can bring your wildest imagination to life. And doing so doesn’t come at a hefty price tag. In fact, illustrating doesn’t require more than a pen and paper.
Recently, we’ve been inspired by Yumi Kitagishi’s playful illustrations. Born in 1982 and based in Tokyo, Kitagishi studied graphic design before finding her true calling in illustration.
According to Kitagishi, her style developed through time and practice. Kitagishi is in fact, so committed to her practice that she shares her illustrations daily, with her 366 Days series a helpful catalyze to her success both online and offline.
“When I started the project, I had no idea it would end up as a book, so it’s been a lovely surprise!” she explained in an interview with Flow Magazine. Her characters, naive, colorful, and textured, are inspired by children’s picture books, and include playful themes like cute animals, girls with bobbed hair, and men with mustaches.
But Kitagishi also finds inspiration in the day to day. Anything from eating delicious food, chatting with her friends and family, and coming across cute cats in her neighborhood. Her Instagram page might just inspire you to get creative!
