Cygames Calendar, June 2023: June Bride
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 this month is June Bride!
Click here for this month’s calendar image.
- Art Director, Cygames Saga StudioChihiro
- At Cygames, Chihiro provides art direction for a multitude of projects, ranging from character designs to illustrations. His talents lie in capturing the subtle complexities of the human body.
Here’s to a long and happy marriage!
Set in a world of fantasy, an enchanting wedding transpires
Why did you choose June Bride as the theme for this month’s illustration?
- Chihiro
- I was split between Rainy Season and June Bride, so I picked the one I thought I’d enjoy drawing more.
Note: The term “June bride” refers to the Western tradition of getting married in June. Europe especially enjoys fair weather during that month, and it is also a time when flowers are in full bloom, making it a beautiful season to hold a wedding. In Japan too, many couples choose June for their wedding celebration.
The bride’s outfit and accessories feel like they’re from a different world. Where is this wedding taking place?
- Chihiro
- The wedding is in a fantasy land, so I wanted the design of her outfit to give off an ethereal, otherworldly aura. I also added dwarf characters to the background to highlight the festivities and create visual balance.
What references did you use to create this piece?
- Chihiro
- Snow White was a big inspiration for it. In order to recreate the quaint and charming atmosphere often found in fairy tale illustrations, I went with a minimal color palette and added in some motifs like the stained glass and dwarfs.
There are lots of interesting elements in this illustration! What part came most naturally to you during the drawing process?
- Chihiro
- In my work, I often lean towards geometrical patterns. When you look at the dress and the background, you’ll notice there are lots of angular and symmetrical shapes.
I don’t use a lot of tools to try and get those lines right—most of what you see was actually done freehand. The only exception here is the stained glass. I used a setting where my brush strokes would get mirrored over a line of reflection.
I’m amazed you managed to freehand everything! Would you say that was the most challenging aspect?
- Chihiro
- Actually, figuring out the color palette was the hardest. I wanted the piece to be relatively monochromatic, so it was tough finding which colors would complement each other the best.
Did you enjoy drawing from a young age?
- Chihiro
- Oh yes, definitely. Back in elementary school, I doodled a lot in the margins of my textbooks.
What made you want to pursue becoming an illustrator?
- Chihiro
- To be honest, I just wanted an excuse to get out of my hometown. (laughs)
That’s a bold move! Did you major in art at university? What was the beginning of your career like?
- Chihiro
- That’s right. The first big step I took towards my career was getting into art school.
After graduating, I was able to land a position at a video game company and started building my portfolio. I did a lot of work, ranging from pixel art to character designs.
What is the best part about being an illustrator?
- Chihiro
- There are definitely a lot of things that I love about being an illustrator. First, I enjoy getting positive feedback about my work. It’s always nice hearing that people enjoy my art. And second, drawing is one of the most important things in my life, so the fact that I was able to turn my passion into a career is huge. I don’t regret leaving my hometown—if it wasn’t for me taking that leap of faith, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Is there anything about your job that creeps into your day-to-day life?
- Chihiro
- Absolutely. It’s hard to not look at things from an analytical point of view, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing. As an artist, it’s important to have a wide variety of visual input. For example, when I’m out walking, I often find myself taking notice of billboard designs, logos, and fashion styles. Plus, it’s nice admiring the things around me, especially clothing—I’ve always had an interest in it.
Is there anything else you want to share with our readers?
- Chihiro
- I would be very happy if my illustration resonated with someone out there.
This interview brings us to the end of Cygames Calendar’s serialization. We truly appreciate your support throughout these years!
Stay tuned with Cygames Magazine as we continue to bring you the latest updates in the world of entertainment!
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