Shirako (しらこ) is an up and coming Japanese illustrator who is now gaining great attention in the industry for his/her dreamy art work, a style of painting in which I best describe as “contemporary Impressionism”; with depictions of mundane, everyday life rendered in loose brushstrokes that eschew detail but nonetheless capture the essence of mise-en-scene beautifully.

In 2020 Shirako illustrated the cover art for the Japanese edition of the 2019 New York Times Bestseller novel Where the Crawdads Sings, which likely propelled the artist’s popularity as well. This is the artist’s first published art book.

I’m really liking Shirako’s simple but striking compositions; the artist’s understanding of lighting, color, shape and form are amazing, and through a skillful combination of the aforementioned elements craft idyllic and engaging scenes that really capture your attention. The use of reflections is a recurring theme as well. In some ways, Shirako’s art style is similar to yet another Japanese illustrator Kumaori Jun, whose art book is released by the same publisher Shoeisha.

Included in the book are 2 pieces of art work that are accompanied by step-by-step painting tutorial ( in Japanese language only ), as well as a short interview with the artist at the end of the book.

I very much enjoy the dream-like quality of Shirako’s art works, which invoke a certain feeling of serenity and is somewhat therapeutic to the eyes and mind. I look forward to seeing more of the artist’s work in the future; this book comes recommended.

“Shirako – Illustration Making & Visual Book しらこ イラスト 作品集” details :

– Dimensions – 26.1 x 19.4 x 2.5 cm
– Softcover, 192 pages
– Full color, in Japanese

  
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