Q. How long have you been a member of the IRODORIAL group?

I started in January of this year, so it’s been about 10 months at the most. It hasn’t been a year yet!

– I see! How and why did you join?

I wanted to work with them. I had seen IRODORIAL’s activities for a while, and I thought it would be really good for me, so I asked if I could join! I entered in the form of “Please let me participate!”

– Have you noticed any changes in your own style or activities since you joined?

Well, for example…when I was in school, I used to passively do things that were prepared for me. But since joining IRODORIAL, I’ve started to create my own projects, send out my works through SNS (Social Media), analyze how I can make them more visible to others (what people want to see and show it), and take new actions on my own. In that sense, I think I’ve become able to “take action on my own”, which I never did before!

– I see! So you’ve changed from being passive to taking action!

Q. When did you start drawing with colored pencils?

Well, I started drawing landscapes with colored pencils when I was a freshman in high school. (12 or 13 years old) So, I’ve been using colored pencils for, I guess, this is my third year.

What was the appeal for you when you started using colored pencils?

I think it’s often said that it’s very easy to use. It may take some time, but the range of expression – the range of things you can express with colored pencils – is quite wide, so I think it was easy to start!

– When you say “range of expression”, what do you mean by that?

For example, you can use a lot of colors to create a realistic look, or you can use thin layers to create a pale look. I can create completely different textures by applying different amounts of force to the pencil!

– For example, when you draw water, do you draw lightly or thin?

Water… Mmmm. When I draw water realistically, I draw it with layers and I put a lot of effort into it. It’s not very thin.

– Understood. So, what kind of things do you draw thinly and lightly?

Rather than what kind of objects, I think there are many different ways to draw them depending on the person. The drawings of the artists of IRODORIAL are rather dark and look realistic, while others draw fluffy, pasted colored pictures. So I think that colored pencils have such a wide range of expression!

– I see. By the way, have you ever done watercolor or oil paintings?

I haven’t done any watercolors, but I have done some oil paintings.

– Do you see any similarities between oil and colored pencils?

When you get used to it, there are many parts that you think are similar in your mind, but…what’s really different is that colored pencils are drawn on paper, so there is a limit to the number of colors that can be applied. With oil painting, you can paint over and over, so it’s like creating colors by layering a lot of colored glass. With colored pencils, you have to create colors in one layer on the paper, but with oil painting, you have to create colors in many thin layers, so I think there is a difference.

Ｑ. The motifs of your works are often natural landscapes, but I think you draw both Japanese and foreign landscapes. Comparing them – – there seems to be a slight difference in the way that your draw them?

I drew these overseas landscape paintings when I was just starting out with colored pencils. It’s a copy of a photo book of landscapes published by a particular publisher. Of course, I didn’t take the photos, so in a sense I just copied them! On the contrary, the Japanese landscapes I’ve been drawing lately, I took the photos myself and chose the angle and compositions myself. So, in other words, I’ve been painting them with the passion and emotions that I wanted to have before I started. So in that aspect, I would say my painting style and my way of drawing is different…and has changed a bit.

– So…the fact that you went to the location, decided on the composition, took the pictures, and then started to draw the picture – makes a difference in how you feel about it?

That’s right! I think there are things that you can’t achieve – – just by looking at a photo. I think there are things that come out unconsciously because you’ve been there, smelled it, and felt it!

Q. What kind of things do you want to depict when you draw?

What I enjoy most about drawing with colored pencils is the depiction of individual objects. For example, the stone pavement (a cobblestone) is a little chipped, crumbled, and falling apart. I think that’s what I enjoy the most when drawing detailed things and places. I really like drawing messy places.

– So you like places that don’t seem to be lined up in a normal, orderly fashion?

That’s right! For example, let’s say there is a place where a western town has been recreated. It doesn’t have any atmosphere because no one actually lives there. It does not appeal to me. It doesn’t have any appealing flavor or taste.

– You are quite different than other people your age! You’re amazing! You like centuries-old buildings, but you don’t like fake uninhabited ones. You like to feel things that are filled with real people and real life!

Exactly!!!

Q. What are some of the difficulties you face in creating your work?

The most difficult part was the painting/drawing of the shopping street called Hatsune Koji. In that scene, there were a lot of wires and things were just jumbled up! In the end, the most difficult part was to draw out all of the details.

– But, you also like details too – – don’t you?

Yes (Laughing), I like it too.

– I guess it’s also because you love it – that you want to draw it carefully. That picture of Hatsune Koji must have taken a lot of time?

It did… It took me about 5 months to draw it! It’s a bit dangerous, isn’t it? (Laughing). To be honest, I like the feeling of accomplishment – of actually knowing “I drew it!”

– I see! But, when you’re a high school student, you want to have time to hang out with your friends, and you also want to draw. It must be difficult to allocate your time?

Well, I mean … I spend all my time painting (laughs), so now I’m in my third year of high school and the number of days I go to school is in the double digits. And I’m like – – wondering what would actually be my high school life?

– Well, I think it’s great to spend your time doing things you want to do for the future, but it’s also good to have fun once in a while – – to relax (smiling)!

Yes, I do play once in a while!

– Well, the balance is important.

Q. Is there anything you would like to try in the future?

I’ve recently started painting with oil, and I’ve been learning more about painting. I started to learn more, by looking at other paintings. It’s like looking at a photograph and painting everything out. But there is something more that you want to convey to people. Unlike a photograph, a picture allows me to deliberately manipulate the canvas or paper to emphasize it… I’d like to try my hand at creating such elements, feelings, and images – – while submitting my work to public exhibitions. I’d like to challenge myself in that way!

– There are various public exhibitions, and great chances there! We all hope that you will take these challenges!

Q. Do you have a favorite artist in particular?

For Japanese artists, I would have to say Ryota Hayashi, who was the catalyst for me to start drawing with colored pencils. When it comes to oil paintings, Naohiro Ito’s oil paintings really touched my heart! Overseas…Rembrandt is the one who inspired me to think about oil painting!

Q. What kind of work/activities do you plan to do after you enter the university? Are you going to continue your activities with IRODORIAL?

Of course I will continue. I would like to continue working with colored pencils as well. I’d like to keep my theme the same for both – works drawn with oil and works drawn with colored pencils. But, I’d also like to experiment with slightly different ways of creative expression.

– That sounds interesting! I am very much looking forward to seeing what you do in the future!

Q. IRODORIAL unit published the Coloring book-style colored pencil drawings that can only be seen in photographs basic provisional. Can you tell us about the pages of your book, “Colored Pencil Painting: Basic Drills”? Also, have you published any other books?

I don’t have another book – This book was the first for me! It’s the first time I’ve ever explained how to draw… I am not satisfied with my sentences.

– Is that so? I think it was explained clearly.

No, no. I don’t think that’s true. If I looked at it as a beginner, I think that I might not be able to draw it. If there is a next time and I have another chance, I would like to give a more clear explanation. When I did a live broadcast (Live Stream) on IRODOREAL a while ago, I gave a light explanation of how to draw it, and I thought – that would help people finally understand it.

– I see. I especially thought the way you drew the shadows was very impressive! It was amazing and I liked it!

Thank you very much. It’s not black because it’s a shadow, and there really isn’t an actual black color…After creating a complex color palette of red, blue, yellow, etc., black is added to slightly de-saturate the color. It’s like that!

– Your drawn shadows are very soft and gentle colors, aren’t they?

Yes, they are. When I was creating landscape paintings overseas, I used black for the shadows. But in reality, if you look closely, you can find vivid colors in the shadows. So, I think I would paint in a different way now.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to mention to conclude our interview?

What do I want to say? That, I will do my best to study hard for my exams! (Smile)

-Good Luck! Please do your very best! (Smile)