I was impressed by the quality of the recent free software. (lol)

--How was your experience with using FireAlpaca for this illustration?

The first time I used FireAlpaca was about 8 years ago, but I don't remember it at all. I often use the brushes with dry and rough texture, and I had an impression that the quality of brushes in free software was not good. When I used FireAlpaca this time, however, I found that brushes were as good as Photoshop ones, which I usually use. And when I chose the brush and applied color to it, it turned out pretty good. I am very impressed by the recent free software quality. (lol)

-- I'm glad to hear that!　Are there any features that you recommend?

I would recommend “Tone Curve*” and “Unsharp Mask*. I usually make the final adjustments with those tools.
*You can find those tools from Menu > Filters. Tone Curve” corrects colors and ‘Unsharp Mask’ sharpens the outline.

--Do you use Unsharp Mask to make the brush texture clearer?

That's too, but I just wanted to imitate my favorite artist's technique. (lol) I found this method of using Unsharp Mask from the artist's art book. I myself like artowork with rough texture.

--I see, thank you very much. If you have any requests for us to improve FireAlpaca, please let me know!

My suggestion will be applying Tone Curve to layer. That would be quite useful. When I used FireAlpaca, I had applied Filter after merging all layers. But I changed the size often, it would be nice to have a layer for adjustment.

How far can I create my usual artwork with FireAlpaca?

--Let's move onto some questions about this illustration. First of all, thank you very much for the beautiful illustration! I was very surprised the use of such a bright blue for shadow!

Thank you. I like to use colors in a unique way like this.

--Please tell us about any thought or passion on this illustration.

Since the illustration was goint to be used for the website renewal image, I wanted to create the image that gives an impact to visitors who would feel “Wow!". So I tried to create a vivid and clean illustration. I also wanted to prove that you can create this much quality illustration with freeware. I used all my technique that I normally do with Photoshop and tried to draw how far I could take it.

--You have drawn many countryside scenery.

I do often draw summer landscapes. Just because I draw a lot and am good at it, but I think I like the rice paddy field. (lol)

--What do you think about the brushes you used for this project?

I liked all the brushes, but I mainly used “Dry Square Brush” and “Dry Flat Watercolor Brush". I used "Dry Square Brush" for color sketch and it mixed colors softly.
I used "Dry Flat Watercolor Bursh" when I needed a bit harder brush than "Dry Square Brush", when I wanted to create a strong silhouette, or when I wanted to create both soft and hard areas.
And I also used "Spike" brush on the road at right side. That's the only place I use this brush though. (lol) Regular brushes seemed missing something.. so I was looking for some other brush that gives a punch. Then I used "Spike" brush, which added random crossing lines.
I tried "Dry Acryl" and "Bumpy Art Pen", in the same way as "Dry Square Brush", when I wanted to add a little soft texture.

--Looking at the movie of production process, it seems that you draw people and background on the same layer basically.

Yes, it's alomst just one layer. When I want to add Overlay, I create a new layer for Overlay above the current layer. Then I create a regular layer above Overlay layer and draw over. (lol)

-The brush strokes moved fast and looked never strayed. How long did it take you to create the illustration?

I would say I rather create anillustration faster than the average. I finish up mostly within two or three days and spend a day or so on fine-tuning. Linework alone probably took less than an hour, although lines are not so clean. I spent majority of time on coloring, which will be roughly 10 to 15 hours.

I love drawing, and it's so much fun to see myself improve.

--Next question is about an illustrator profession. What is your usual production environment?

I use Wacom's pen tablet “intuos pro” M size, “TourBox NEO” for left hand device, and “FlexScan” display by EIZO. I have three monitors. The second monitor is for documents, and the third one is for playing YouTube, etc. (lol). I use Windows OS and Adobe Photoshop.

--When did you start drawing?

I started drawing when I was in elementary school, but then there is blank period. I started uploading my works to pixiv around 2015. My college classmate liked drawing and showed me various artists' illustrations, that inspired me to start drawing again. At first I used a Smartphone app that I created dotted images. After a while, I bought a small pen tablet and used FireAlpaca, which I think it was the beginning of my digital illustration history.

--When did you start thinking about becoming a professional illustrator?

At first I didn't think I would become professional at all. (lol)
I wanted to be a game designer or programmer when I was looking for a job in 2017, but my job search didn't go very well. I guess that was the first time that I wanted to become a professional illustrator. 　After all, I became an ordinary programmer, but I didn't stop creating illustrations. I started receiving an illustration offer around 2020. Since the programmer job wasn't going so well, I decided “Well, I'll become a professional illustrator". (lol)

--I would imagine that it was quite challenging to continue creating illustrations while you had worked as a programmer. What motivated you to keep drawing?

I really loved drawing, and it was so much fun to improve my drawing skills.

--(Looking at the list of illustration done so far) I can clearlu see how you have been improving!　At first you mainly drew portraits, but gradually you started to draw backgrounds as well. Background might be difficult to draw. What caused you to start drawing background?

I started painting backgrounds because my interest shifted to background from portrait. I feel that t is easier to draw backgrounds with thick painting technique.

--I see. When did you start using a thick painting technique?

I established the current drawing style later on, but I think I started layering colors roughly in my earlier career. It allowed me to draw backgrounds easier. So I gradually shifted to focusing more on background from drawing portrait mainly with minimum background.

--Do you have anything to keep in mind in order to improve your drawing?

I don't produce rough sketches much but draw illustrations to fully complete. But I always try to do one thing that I have never done before. For example, I use motifs that I don't usually use, or I try to use colors that I have never used before by referencing someone else's illustration. A tiny challenge is fine but I always try to do something new.

--What do you particularly keep in mind when working on an illustration work?

I want my client to be happy and satisfied with my work for sure, but I also try to make sure that my work is as good as my personal work so that I am satisfied as well.
It is quite challenging to achieve it though. (lol) A client has a vision, which restricts me from doing whatever I want to draw freely. It is challenging every time, but I try to create the best illustration for client and myself.

--Do you have any particular illustration style you like? It can be from illustrations that you usually draw.

I like the impressionist style, and I am influenced by the use of colors etc. I don't know much about it though. (lol) I refer to Chinese and Korean illustrators who are very good at using vivid colors.

--Besides illustrations, please tell us your favorite works, comics, anime, novels, movies, etc.

There is an amateur game called “Touhou Project,” and I have been creating a derivative creation for about 8 or 9 years. The game is set in Nagano prefecture and countryside, so it fits well in the nature scenery. And the character design is really good too. I think it is a very good game, including the mood.
I don't watch movies or read novels much. I have been listening to music recently, and I often listen to a rock band called “Hitorie”. I used to play music instruments and was in the pop music club in high school. I play a guitar occasionally these days. I like rock music too. Actually I started creating music first, and I used to make songs for Vocaloid.

The most important thing is to face yourself and just enjoy drawing.

--How do you get an idea for your illustrations?

Ideas often come to me when I take a walk. I like walking very much, so I go for a walk every day if it's not raining. I often walk around the rice paddy field. While I walk, I can turn my thoughts around faster and find my feeling and metal state. Then naturally an idea comes to me "I want to draw this moment." Also I go for a walk to clear up my mind when I get stuck. I may go for a walk too often. (lol) I will say that moving your body, taking a breath to circulate fresh air into your body, and taking sun-bathing is very important.

--Do you have a regular rhythm in your lifestyle?

Lately, my regular life pattern is a bit broken. (lol) I take a walk around 11 pm, sleep during the day, and work through the night.. (lol)

--Please share your experience when you faced difficulties or had troubles creating an illustration.

I sometimes don't know what to do because I am a freelance illustrator and don't have any backup or any illustrator connections. I haven't figured that part out yet even to this day. But fortunately I got to know other illustrators who give me tips and valuable information.

--Have you ever had a trouble about technical difficulties or wondered about your design style? I would imagine that many artists struggle to establish own style.

I don't think about my style much, but I always have a regret that I could do better. I believe that everyone has this feeling. (lol) It's not easy when it comes to work and I need to satisfy client's vision.

--There may be many artists who are affected by comments on SNS. How have you dealt with those comments, and have you ever concerned about the number of Likes that didn't increase as much as you expected?

Yes, I have. But I realized that my art style doesn't change much even though people lookat my illustration and the number of Likes increase. I used to think that the job offer would increase if I got more and more followers. But I realized it would not change the fact that I still draw by myself alone even though the number of views and Likes increase. Since then, I stopped expecting that from SNS. I started to compare illustrations to my own other works, not to other artists' works, and to learn which illustrations are well accepted or when will be the best time to upload for better viewing chance. It feels like playing a simple game.

--Have you ever thought of quitting when you see someone who does much better than you do?

I have never thought about quitting. I like to draw and improve my drawing skills, so looking at impressive illustrations will motivate me to immitate and study the drawing technique.
When I discover good illustrations on pixiv or Pinterest, I can't resist to compare my own work. (lol) But I try not to do so.

--Do you have any future goals as an illustrator or any illustration styles you want to try?

I have been a freelance independent illustrator about a year at this point, but I still need to appeal my illustrations to public views. So I want to increase my work load and become a popular illustrator.
As for the illustration style that I want to try, I would love to draw a cover of book. One day I hope to draw a cover illustration for textbooks. So I will keep brushing up my technical skills.

--You upload a new illustration at a quite fast pace. Is there a reason for keeping that fast pace?

It is not so much about the speed to finish up but rather about the time to focus on an illustration. No matter how short or long time I spend on an illustration, my goal is to keep the same motivation from the beginning to the end. It may cause to drop the frequency of posting my work online, but I rather prefer to make time to practice technique and improve my skills. I guess those are the reasons why I keep the pace. I keep in mind to face my work each day while keeping consistent motivation and practicing to improve my skills.

--Lastly, please give some advice to folks who aspire for becoming an illustrator.

I myself am not yet a well established illustrator yet, so it would be a bit presumptuous of me to give such advice. (lol) If you have a clear vision of the type of work you want to pursue, such as drawing a game or an animation background, or have a favorite artist that you want to become like him or her, it will guide you to find a way by own researching. If you just love to draw and happen to become an illustrator like me, I would say not to stick to an illustrator as a profession. The most important thing is to think what makes you happy to draw and just to enjoy drawing.

--Thank you very much for your time today!