This illustration series revisits and reinterprets the visual language of ukiyo-e, the Japanese 'pictures of the floating world', through digital techniques like vector drawing, digital painting, and custom texture integration. While the pieces stand alone as individual artworks, they collectively explore how traditional visual styles can be represented through modern tools.
This illustration series revisits and reinterprets the visual language of ukiyo-e, the Japanese 'pictures of the floating world', through digital techniques like vector drawing, digital painting, and custom texture integration. While the pieces stand alone as individual artworks, they collectively explore how traditional visual styles can be represented through modern tools.
Each illustration in the series draws inspiration from different corners of Japanese culture: film, folklore, nature, and fine art.
Each illustration in the series draws inspiration from different corners of Japanese culture: film, folklore, nature, and fine art.
Influences from Art Nouveau surface in the organic lines and decorative flow.
Inspired by 1970s Japanese cinema and the haunting presence of actress Meiko Kaji, this piece blends scanned paper with precise vector linework, later rasterized and distressed to mimic the tactile imperfections of vintage woodblock printing. Deep reds punctuate the scene (subtle nods to cinematic violence) while the restraint in color mirrors the limitations of early printmaking methods.
Inspired by 1970s Japanese cinema and the haunting presence of actress Meiko Kaji, this piece blends scanned paper with precise vector linework, later rasterized and distressed to mimic the tactile imperfections of vintage woodblock printing. Deep reds punctuate the scene (subtle nods to cinematic violence) while the restraint in color mirrors the limitations of early printmaking methods.
A custom Photoshop brush was developed to replicate the softness and irregularity of ukiyo-e ink lines. Reconstructed details from original woodblock prints are woven in with new compositions, blending subtle gradients with flat, traditional tones.
A custom Photoshop brush was developed to replicate the softness and irregularity of ukiyo-e ink lines. Reconstructed details from original woodblock prints are woven in with new compositions, blending subtle gradients with flat, traditional tones.