Japanese-Inspired Illustration Specialization: Master Traditional and Digital Techniques

Mika started her career working on animation production series, as well as illustrating books for editorials and magazines such as Biruta, Rocco, Melhoramentos, Lote 42, and V&R. In recent years, she has collaborated with independent publications such as A Samurai 1 and 2 by Mylle Silva, 312 Fast Comics Vol 2 by Felipe Cagno, and Selva Gráfica by Joel Lobo.

Her editorial work includes illustrations for comic book covers such as Um cara que caiu do Céu (e não conhecia a vida), Selva Gráfica Vol 2, and Realezas Urbanas. She has held various collective exhibitions such as Contínua (Clube dos Criadores) and Donas da Rua (ONU and Mauricio de Sousa), as well as individual exhibitions like Peças de um Quebra-Cabeças in the Galeria Hipotética. Her published books include Ink Stories and Além dos Trilhos.

Koshu is an artist and qualified shodō Master with a deep connection to the Zen philosophy of Japanese calligraphy and sumi-e painting. She became a qualified calligraphy teacher at 24 and had her own calligraphy school with over 250 students until she relocated to the UK. She continues to share her passion with others through workshops, online teaching, demonstrations, and lectures.

Koshu creates commissions for a wide range of international clients. Her work can be seen on labels for KokoroGin, at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and in advertising campaigns for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her calligraphy work featured in the Hyper Japan Festival 2022 and her first sumi-e painting book is to be published by Bloomsbury in 2024.

After receiving a degree in graphic design and multimedia at Brassart, illustrator Paiheme took two eye-opening trips to Japan and the country has remained in his graphic universes ever since. He has worked with agencies for big brands such as Pepsi and Segafredo and has taken part in countless collaborations.

Based in Caen, he loves nothing more than to reappropriate vintage styles with a modern approach. Captivated by cultures, he communicates his passion for Japan and the visual universes that are dear to him with tons of enthusiasm.

Lil Sire started out exploring the worlds of ceramics, embroidery, and jewelry, before specializing in illustration. This creative journey through several artistic disciplines taught her patience and the importance of consistent practice in creation.

After being discovered by fashion brand Anthropologie, she worked for Lefranc Bourgeois as well as magazines The Tōkyōiter and Psychologies. She has also designed book covers and even sent an illustration into space!

Yohey Horishita is a Japanese freelance illustrator and art professor at the Maryland Institute College of Art. He studied illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design, before moving to New York City for eight years, then later to Baltimore to teach.

He’s collaborated with publishers such as Penguin Random House and newspapers like The New York Times and Yomiuri Shimbun. Yohey has also participated in projects with The New York Metro, Canon, and Casio.