MANGA.TOKYO has been interviewing otaku creators working in Japan! We ask them about their stories and the efforts they made to establish their place in Japan.

Today we meet with Sato Ukime, a 19-year-old illustrator who is famous for his neat illustrations rich in atmosphere! You can find most of his illustration in his  Pixiv page.  To be frank, his old works are not something too amazing technique-wise. But, having kept most of his older works on his page, lets you see, through a brief comparison, a great and rapid improvement in recent years.

We were very curious about the way he works, what he thinks when he illustrates, and a few tips and tricks he could share with us.

Interview with Sato Ukime

Q. Could you please introduce yourself briefly?

Sato Ukime: I’m Sato Ukime. I’m a freelance illustrator, mainly drawing characters. I’m currently accepting job offers. Please kindly keep that in mind. [laugh]

さぎりちゃん pic.twitter.com/XYDUOWnh0i

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) April 28, 2017

Q. What made you aim to become an illustrator?

Sato Ukime: Originally I wanted to become a manga artist, but I learned about the occupation of an illustrator when I first read light novels as an upper-grader at elementary school.

３/９ pic.twitter.com/2AaLyHrhef

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) March 8, 2017

Q. You are now 19 years old. How old were you when you started illustrations?

Sato Ukime: I was drawing scribble-like pictures with pencils on notebooks from as far back as I can remember. I was a high school student when I seriously started drawing as a profession.

Q. When did you manage to be good enough to satisfy yourself with your own works?

Sato Ukime: I haven’t managed to do so yet… I’m still trying, and I will be trying more.

Q. Are there any illustrators that you want to be like or that you pay attention to?

Sato Ukime: Yes, there are, but there are too many to list… I adore and respect all the illustrators I follow on Twitter.

騎士王 pic.twitter.com/kCAtIUTPgi

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) December 30, 2016

Q. Since you are currently accepting job offers, tell us what kind of genres you’re good at or what kind of works you are interested in.

Sato Ukime: There are no special genres I’m especially good at, but I think I’m better at modern ones! I can draw boys too, and of course girls! I’d like to work on illustrations for novels, like front cover pictures and illustrations inside..!!
I’m also interested in character designs for games! I’m looking for job offers! [laugh]

酒吞童子ちゃん pic.twitter.com/gwkpqoGwOf

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) February 6, 2017

Q. Tell us about the tools you generally use, both hardware and software.

Sato Ukime: I’m using a Windows 10 desktop computer, with SAI, Clip Studio, and so forth! I’m considering to get Photoshop soon, too!

Q. Are there anything you keep in mind to make your work better?

Sato Ukime: I think drawing well is of course important, but I pay attention to creating something that looks interesting rather than better.

Q. Please leave a message to those aiming to become illustrators overseas.

Sato Ukime: I’m still a fledgling, and not in a place to be able to say something lofty… I’m looking forward to working with you sometime in the future! Please do your best and keep working!! Drawing is fun!

濡れあきつ丸ちゃん pic.twitter.com/KpIa9vvdiI

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) September 29, 2016

はかせ pic.twitter.com/5L93XDp6Sa

— 憂目+お仕事募集中 (@ukimesato) April 20, 2017

Where to Find Sato Ukime

HP : http://siisasiis.wixsite.com/ukimesato
Twitter : https://twitter.com/ukimesato
Pixiv : https://pixiv.me/ukimesato

Please check out the traces and the fruits of his labor that Sato Ukime left on Pixiv. His improvements after hard efforts are very clear and obvious from his works.

Let us introduce some of his works

Give us your comments to Sato Ukime for support!