Yamazuki Mari, AKA Yama Moon, is a graduate of the Department of Graphic Design at Tohoku University of Art and Design in Japan, but she gravitated more towards illustration and digital art.
As an illustrator, she blends new and traditional influences in artworks for book covers, manga and character design. Her images are often dark and mysterious, with a folk quality to them, and they vividly portray humans and beasts, in particular wolves and cats, or catlike creatures.
Here she introduces us to some of her characters and artworks. For more inspiration, see our character design tips.
Whisper of the Wolf
Describing this piece, Yama says: “Through the still mountains, a traveller encounters a mystical wolf spirit that shifts between a human form and a graceful beast.”
The New Moon Sabbath
“A hidden sabbath sits beneath the new moon, where the silver witch flaunts her towering black wolf with pride,” Yama says of this artwork.
Circe's Collection
Circe is a captivating collector... in more ways that one. “Her treasures are mostly animals, but when a man arrives, she smiles. Perhaps her collection will grow once more,” Yama says.
May and Mii
“May and Mii, the mischievous Nekochi – a cat-like species – are inseparable. They are always side by side and are ready to cause playful mischief.”
You can see more of the artist's work on her website.
For more inspiration, see Tony Valente's tips for making a manga.
Start you own art journey
If you're inspired to start practising digital art yourself, here are the latest holiday deals on drawing tablets that we've reviewed on Creative Bloq.
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
