Cygames Calendar, March 2023: White Day
Liven up your PC or smartphone with the Cygames Calendar! We have one of our illustrators create a uniquely themed image each month and ask them to tell us about their creative process. The theme for March is White Day!
Click here for this month’s calendar image.
- Illustration TeamNanae
- Nanae studied fine arts in university, and it shows. As an illustrator tasked with drawing stand-alone pieces for Cygames titles, she is skilled at depicting realist imagery, often of muscular and older characters.
A Valentine’s Day return gift sure to
make a special someone’s heart go aflutter!
Please tell us why you decided on White Day* as your theme for this month.
- Nanae
- I thought that it would make a fitting continuation to last month’s Valentine’s Day theme.
*White Day falls on March 14, exactly one month after Valentine’s Day on February 14. It is customary for those who have received gifts on Valentine’s Day to return the favor by gifting something to loved ones on this occasion. White Day is said to have originated in Japan, and is a popular custom mainly in East Asia.
Would you mind telling us more about your artwork?
- Nanae
- This piece depicts an earnest businessman who is dedicated to his work, but also makes ample time to enjoy his time off the clock with his loved ones. He has bought some presents for White Day on his way home from work, as evidenced by the work bag slung over his shoulder. Despite appearances to the contrary, he’s actually not so familiar with the day’s customs.
I’m really curious as to who’s on the other side of the phone call! Can you explain what kind of thought goes into producing works with an innate narrative quality like this one?
- Nanae
- One consideration to have when drawing original characters is that viewers are not aware of anything pertaining to their backgrounds and personalities. As an illustrator, you are able to add little hints that can lead a viewer to think about how the character conducts themself, and even to speculate on what is going to happen next. I achieved that with this piece by having the man blush slightly as he shyly speaks over the phone.
As for who he is talking to on the phone? Well, I’ll leave that up to your imagination. (laughs)
It’s actually quite rare to see an older gentleman featured within this illustration series. Is there anything in particular that you keep in mind when drawing male characters?
- Nanae
- Since male characters tend to have comparatively neat and contained hairstyles and are often dressed in more simple clothing from a design standpoint, I tend to focus on portraying their faces in a very distinct manner. I incorporated strong backlighting into this piece for dramatic effect, which also serves to highlight the texture and complexion of the man’s skin.
Were there any distinct challenges that you encountered while working on this illustration?
- Nanae
- I would have to say that striking the right color balance was a little tricky. White and blue are the colors most often associated with White Day. If they are overused, you may find that your illustration is awash with too many cooler tones. In order not to spoil the excitement and exuberance of White Day, I balanced the overall lighting with the warm colors of the setting sun (orange) and concentrated the blue color on small items such as the bouquet and balloons.
Did you enjoy drawing from a young age?
- Nanae
- Yes. I began by drawing manga, and my love for story-laden artwork grew naturally from that as time went on.
Did you study art in your pre-university days?
- Nanae
- I began studying fine art in earnest during my third year of high school, and then went on to do the same at an art college.
Are there any times when you feel especially gratified that you became an illustrator?
- Nanae
- Sometimes I come across clothes that I would never wear personally, or trinkets that don’t fit with my own sense of taste. I’ve come to realize that they still have value to me because I can use them in my work. I feel like my perspective on the world and the myriad things that occupy it has been broadened.
Do you also draw in your free time?
- Nanae
- Yes, and those works tend to be even more realistic in nature. To give an example, I’ve drawn my friends on their wedding ceremony welcome sign.
Is there anything else you want to share with our readers?
- Nanae
- White Day is a special day where you return the gifts you received on Valentine’s Day. I hope that you all feel the sense of excitement and anticipation that comes from imagining what you might get from that special someone.
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