Fastest way to improve your illustrations -- Naoki Saitoh

3-Month Improvement Method

A painting improvement method that consists of five stages and applies the PDCA cycle to drawing.

Ideal Self

A picture or model that represents the person's aspirations in the realm of drawing or artistry.

Role Model

An illustrator whose style serves as a model for improvement and imitation during the 3-month training.

Perspective

A technique used in drawing to create an illusion of depth and space, often by adjusting sizes of foreground and background elements.

Eye Guidance

A technique used to direct the viewer's attention to the main subject of an illustration.

Common Features of Good Pictures

Elements that are typically found in attractive illustrations, including space, focus, and idea.

Trimming

A method of focusing on the key parts of a drawing by cutting out unnecessary details.

Color Saturation

The intensity or purity of a color, affecting how vibrant or muted a color appears in an illustration.

Wireframe

A basic outline or skeletal version of a drawing used to understand structure and proportion before adding details.

Invincibility State

A mental state achieved during intense drawing practice where the artist feels extremely confident and capable.

Discomfort in Learning

The feeling of unease experienced when challenging one's own artistic standards or imitating another artist's style.

Habits in Drawing

Routine practices that contribute to continual improvement in an artist’s skill and observation.

Thumbnail Drawing

A small, often quick drawing that captures the essence of a larger piece, focusing on composition and idea.

Over-Information

When an illustration contains too much detail or content, detracting from its overall appeal and cluttering the viewers' perception.

Reflected Light

Light that bounces off surfaces and adds depth or dimension to characters in an illustration.

Three 'NOTS'

Guidelines for improving an artist's focus and sensitivity: Do not search for feedback, do not end up as someone else's problem, do not hide information.

Shuhari

A Japanese concept in martial arts reflecting three stages of learning: Protect, Break, and Leave.

Personal Style

An artist's unique way of expressing ideas that emerges after mastering techniques from role models.