Pixiv is gearing up for its fourth annual Drawfest, set to run on both Saturday 10 June 2023 and Saturday 17 June 2023. Through a partnership with Wacom Co., Ltd. Pixiv aims to draw over 10,000 art enthusiasts worldwide for this online event. This year, Drawfest4 will feature notable artists, including multimedia artist OMOCAT, illustrator Ogipote, and the artist collective KawaiiSensei.
One of the key highlights of Drawfest4 include:
OMOCAT’s presentation titled “How OMORI was born: Draw your own HEADSPACE.” The art director of the RPG “OMORI” will give an in-depth look into the production process of the game and share insights into how mental images can be transformed into illustrations. Participants will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her creative process and gain insights on how to draw their own original “headspace.”
The artist collective KawaiiSensei will present a masterclass on Anatomy & Composition. Famous for their ‘how-to-draw’ tutorials on TikTok, KawaiiSensei will provide valuable hacks for illustration, focusing on composition and figure drawing. The collective will introduce their “construction lines diagnostic” approach, aiding participants in determining which construction lines work best for their style.
Illustrator Ogipote will conduct a workshop called “Let’s Draw Vshojo Ironmouse with Ogipote’s “Anime-Style Coloring ver. 2.0.” In this session, Ogipote will illustrate the VShojo talent Ironmouse, sharing tips on character design, composition, and techniques for creating dynamic anime-style colouring effects.
In addition to these workshops, Pixiv will host an illustration contest “Draw! Draw! Draw!” from 1 June 2023. Co-organised by Wacom, the competition will include prizes like a Wacom One Creative Pen Display, among other rewards.
Pixiv’s Senior Management of International Marketing and Branding, Reina Hamayoshi, had the following to say about the announcement of the fourth annual Drawfest:
Drawfest is a one-of-a-kind event, in which renowned creators from around the world teach master classes in drawing and creative techniques, and participants complete works of their own during the event. This year Drawfest will be supported by Japanese-to-English consecutive interpreting, and we’re debuting Chinese and Korean support which has been added via a secondary audio channel. Drawfest is truly an international event and our increased support and resources will allow more creators and fans than ever before to join the Pivix community.
Adding to this, Takahiko Kato, Pixiv’s Vice President of the Creator’s Platform Department shared this positive commentary on Drawfest, and that over half of 2022’s participants were located outside of Japan:
Drawfest is a unique forum for artists to build connections with people from around the world. At last year’s Drawfest, 52% of participants were located outside of Japan. Our goal is to nurture an inclusive space where a diverse array of creators will connect with one another, transcending language barriers and build an exciting, vibrant space for everyone to enjoy creative activities.
Drawfest4 commences with a Study Day on 10 June, from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm JST, where viewers will have a chance to interact with lecturers. The event continues with Feedback Day on June 17th, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm JST, where lecturers will review and provide advice on artwork inspired by the program. To participate, pre-registration is necessary, open right now and closing on 16 June 2023. Joining Drawfest4 will offer participants an exclusive Drawfest4 digital artbook by creative group SSS, and three free months on Pixiv Premium.
To register for DrawFest4, click HERE.
