Lovely Little Yōkai
digital illustration
(Scroll to the bottom of the page for time-lapse videos of the drawing process.)
Many yōkai—supernatural entities or phenomena in Japanese folklore—have been depicted in Japanese art and storytelling for centuries, particularly starting in the Edo (1603-1867) and Meiji (1868-1912) periods. These unexplainable experiences and stories are still retold presently with a plethora of variations. The behavior of yōkai ranges from kind, passive, and benevolent beings to dangerous, deceptive, and malicious monsters. Sometimes, a yōkai can be a blessing for one group but a disaster for another.
I am particularly intrigued by yōkai who started as ordinary humans but have then transformed into yōkai—or yōkai that can eventually change themselves into human guise or possess human qualities. Living or dead, many of these beings still possess ordinary thoughts and emotions while existing in the living world. It almost begs the question of what constitutes being human or monster—or yōkai. Is it behavior or physical characteristics? What would scare people the most? A monstrous human or a human-like monster? Does being good or evil even correlate being more or less human or monster, or is it all just a spectrum? This series of six digital illustrations explores a variety of human-like yōkai with the mixture of beauty and eeriness, and curiosity and danger.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
Delia Williams is a painter and illustrator with a focus on digital painting, watercolors, and acrylics. Her style varies from realistic to cartoons, and subject matters range from portraits to concept art. Despite these being her go-to concentrations, she feels restless sticking to one particular thing for a while. She believes she bounces around a wide variety of art styles and media due to the hundreds of artists and teachers that have influenced her throughout her artistic journey.
It has taken Delia a while to build self-confidence and self-worth as an artist, but she finds it motivating and encouraging when others are impacted by what she produces. She enjoys making art for herself and seeing how others interpret their own stories through her brushstrokes and markings. Delia hopes her work can do the same for you.
PROFESSIONAL DIRECTION/CAREER ASPIRATION:
I currently freelance with private commissions. I hope to open up my commissions more to the public and start my own art business to sell merchandise online or in conventions. Post-graduation, I’d like to get into a career of illustration or concept art.
WEB PRESENCE:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creative.calibre/
Drawing Time lapse
All six time-lapse videos. There are timestamps for each yokai.