Interview #32: The art of Kim Minji
Kim Minji talks about her deep passion for watercolors and fairy tales
Hello art community!!! I’m so honored to have Kim Minji here. We know very little about her as an artist. But we certainly know that her illustrations go straight to the heart. I hope you enjoy this interview! :)
For those just finding me - I’m Madalina, an artist and illustrator who loves discovering and talking to many fellow artists. I now share these conversations through monthly interviews available to read for everyone :)
Kim Minji is an illustrator and character designer based in Seoul, South Korea. She loves illustrating fantastical stories and fairytales like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz. Looking at her art you'll be captured by whimsical characters inhabiting magical lands and unexplored forests. Her watercolors are soft and delicate. But also colorful and joyful. Let's find out more about her and her artistic background!
★ Hi Kim and thank you for joining forArtists. Could you tell us what was your artistic path that led you to where you are today?
From a very young age, I loved drawing and comic books. I was reading comic books over and over again. Drawing and imagining them. I was committed to becoming a cartoonist. Talent is another thing though, and unfortunately I didn't have the ability to create a good story. So I thought, wouldn't it be okay to fit a story in just one picture? Then I tried to draw like that.
I wanted to make a career from drawing, but at that time I didn't know how to do it. I practiced drawing by myself and making works while I was majoring in design and working on related tasks. I built my portfolio over a long time. At some point, I was working as a character designer in a company and basically had two jobs: as a designer and an illustrator.
Even though I don't work as an illustrator and no one knows me, if I prepare and keep working, one day I will get to draw, I thought. To promote my work, I constantly uploaded my paintings online. Two years later, I started receiving requests for fairy tales and became a freelance illustrator. It took me 7 years to start illustrating storybooks!
★ What were the main challenges you encountered in the transition from animation to the publishing industry? And how has your style changed to fit the the picture book needs?
The main challenge I faced was to be able to express myself through watercolors. I was more used to drawing on the computer and I was not so good with this traditional medium. However, the style I wanted to draw with was definitely watercolor, so there have been many struggles due to the lack of skill.
I thought deeply about what my strengths were. The answer was drawing relatable characters. I also liked drawing fantasy elements along with the characters. And I wondered if my personal preferences might be related to the professional work. Luckily I started getting requests for fantasy illustrations from my clients.
And that's how it's going so far.
★ What is the project you are most proud of? And what is the one you have struggled with the most?
The most meaningful work was illustrating the Little Prince book. I think it was the first book published in the fantasy style that I wanted to express. And the project I am most proud of was working on a children's book with Disney. When I was working as a designer, I was thinking how cool it would be to work with them. For a moment, it felt like a dream come true!
The most difficult project instead, was the 2020 Christmas campaign for LOTTE Department Store. I had to do the illustrations and post-production work needed for the animation, but I didn't have enough time. And since the illustration was also printed in a large format of over 10 meters, it required additional effort to achieve good quality.
The process was difficult, but it was really great to see the characters I made actually being created and moving.
★ What would be your dream project?
When I was young, my dream was to become a painter, and even now, I always want to live by painting. So everything I do now is a dream project.
★ What are the main aspects you focus on when creating a character and the world he lives in? How do you keep everything consistent and cohesive?
I want my characters to be somewhere in between reality and fantasy. They are full of fantasy elements, but close to reality.
To do this, the characters have to interact with things like animals, stars, clouds, and so on. I like to put a lot of elements into the picture so that the viewer can create a story on his own.
And I often enjoy placing the characters in the real background around me. That’s when the fantasy becomes more real.
★ You work in your own studio, which you called Lunavis. What's the meaning behind its name? And what are the objects or spots that most inspire you to sit down and draw right away?
Luna means moon and Navis means ship. The moon is the sky and the ship is a traveler. So the name means a traveler who flies in the sky.
My daughter's English name is Luna. All my female characters resemble her when she was young.
I’m also very inspired by clouds. I have a big window in my studio, and on days when the clouds are floating beautifully, I like to imagine that there’s another world behind them.
★ Your watercolors are so delicate and graceful, but still carrying a lot of contrasts when it comes to lighting. What tips do you have for mixing the right color for a shadow without making it muddy?
Light and shadow are very important parts of my painting. If the two complement each other well, the painting gives a more realistic feeling. Yet watercolor is a difficult medium.
I usually paint shadow with a mixture of purple and blue. Not too much purple though, so it doesn’t get muddy.
★ What tools and brands do you rely on most when working on a new piece?
I use paper and paint a lot, and sometimes I use the iPad for sketching. I prefer sketching on paper, but I also work on the computer to add color to the sketches.
I use Photoshop for the finishing touches. Arches brand for the paper and Schmincke for the painting process.
★ What have been your main influences throughout your career?
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the cartoons I watched when I was young created my worldview. In Korea there’s a cartoonist named Kang Kyung-ok. She draws fantasy cartoons, and her works still make my heart flutter. Also works like anime, Future Boy Conan and Galactic Railroad 999, are imprinted somewhere in my body and continue to influence me.
I love the paintings of Arthur Rackham and Norman Rockwell, from whom I learned a lot: great techniques, fairy tale elements, warmth and inner interaction. There was a time when I was torn between watercolor and digital work. Looking at Lisbeth Zwerger's books, I decided to practice watercolor more. Thanks to her work, I thought a lot about clear, understated expressions and watercolors. I also learned a lot from my husband, who is the art director of a video game company. He was able to tell when I was having trouble completing a painting.
If there is nothing uncomfortable in the painting, that is completion. This word has been a great guide for me. Because, ultimately, I want to draw a better painting than a well-drawn painting. I’m trying to make comfortable and effortless paintings.
★ What is the question you receive most often in your dms?
What should I do to become an illustrator? I get this question the most.
If you draw well and are good at social networking, you may get job offers even if you have no experience.
It's easier to get started as an illustrator than before, but you have to ask yourself if you’re able to do quality projects. Whether to design a picture that fits the client needs. Whether to meet a client who is looking for your drawing style. If you want the latter, I encourage you to strengthen your drawing style and debut with excellent drawing skills.
I send my support and encouragement to everyone who dreams of becoming an illustrator ♥
☆☆ To learn more about Kim's work you can visit her Instagram and website. Her books are available indigostory.
