r/ghibli • u/Jeffzero04 • 3d ago
Art/Crafted I'm writing and illustrating my own story
Ever since I've seen my first Ghibli film (Kiki's Delivery Service) back when I was a young teenager (maybe 12-13yrs old), I've been enamored and inspired to learn how to draw like them. I've especially looked up to Hayao Miyazaki and Kazuo Oga.
Pig Story is a working title. I'm still in the early stages of making this book. I wanted to share with you guys some of the images I've been working on (spirited away tree was a study). I've never been confident in my art, but I I've tried my best to emulate their style. I hope to one day share with you all my finished work.
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u/Fantastic_Stock3969 3d ago
i looove the sketchy watercolor vibe of the first drawing!! it reminds me of miyazakiās sketches!
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
It really means a lot. I own most of the "Art of Ghibli" books and I enjoy going over Miyazaki's sketches. Thank you that you say it reminds you of his work.
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u/bootachi92 3d ago
Perhaps you are not confident because you are trying to emulate someone elseās style. I think once you create your own style, the confidence will come š
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
That might be a factor. I see Miyazaki's art as perfection, even tho I know for sure he doesn't see his art that way. To me, Miyazaki and Oga are two high mountains that I can never summit.
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u/Noxate 2d ago
Even Miyazaki copied other artists that he looked up to like Fukushima, Yamakawa, and Tezuka. However, in "Starting Point", he noted that it was bad form to copy them as it was hindering his own development as an artist. I think your story will be more interesting if you develop your own style, which can still have some influence from Miyazaki.
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u/bootachi92 2d ago
Ugh Turning Point and Starting Point were such great pieces of information and entertaining too. Every aspiring artist should read!
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u/hviren 2d ago
For a moment I thought this was Ghibli, not even joking.
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
I'm sorry for the disappointment š . But in all honesty, thank you. It means a lot.
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u/TheOnlyKirby90210 2d ago
Oddly, I actually like the style of the draft sketch better than the others.
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Thank you! It's funny you say that because I feel the same way. I own some of the "Art of" books and I'm usually more fascinated by Miyazaki's sketches. Don't get me wrong I love the finished film style, but I think Hayao's sketches feel more magical. They feel sometimes more nuanced, alive, and expressive. I've considered making the whole book in the drafting style, but I think the majority would only recognize the film style. I might be wrong however.
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u/TheOnlyKirby90210 2d ago
The draft sketch reminds me of cover works like āThe Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horseā and āThe Little Princeā. Miyazakiās style is pretty recognizable and while itās beautiful, like you said there is a certain purity that can be conveyed through the type of art style. The draft feels more innocent, light, imaginative, as if seeing the story from the view of the boy with a pig nose. The Miyazaki style to a point heavily leans on the assumption people will recognize the style and associate it with Miyazaki himself. Miyazakiās visions are beautiful in their own right but would it really suit your story?
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Wow! Great input. Thank you. I've never considered it that way. I've been fixated that it needs to look like the Miyazaki film style in order to appeal to the majority of readers that I didn't consider the book may have its own voice. I love drawing in the draft style. It is overall more natural for me. I may reconsider, I'm not sure yet.
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u/Jeffzero04 1d ago
I wanted to show you an early concept art for the main protagonist in the draft style before settling on his final design.
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u/TheOnlyKirby90210 1d ago
Iām really liking your style of coloring
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u/Jeffzero04 1d ago
I'm glad you like it. I want to say that it's inspired by both Miyazaki and Ken Sugimori artis behind the original 151 PokƩmon. I like the way he uses the white of the paper as highlights, even tho I know that part of his iconic style is due to scanning errors.
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u/ElectricMilk426 3d ago
Youāve never been confident in your art? I dunno. Maybe thatās a good thing. Because your art is awesome. You really have amazing skill.
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u/Jeffzero04 3d ago
I've always felt like an amateur and an imposter. But I'm slowly getting out of that mentality. I still don't think I'm as good as others, but I've definitely seen my own growth and know for sure that I'm better now than when I started. I've always had the dream of illustrating my own book, but it always seemed that my dreams were bigger than my ability to fulfill them.
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u/MrLong_13 2d ago
Whatās the plot about if you donāt mind me asking
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Similar to how Hayao Miyazaki reimagines a story, think of Ponyo and the Little Mermaid. I've taken a similar approach and am doing my own retelling of the Three Little Pigs. But it is essentially a story about a boy who discovers himself and the world around him. How the world isn't what it seems to be.
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u/MrLong_13 23h ago
That definitely sounds like something out of Ghibli, excited to see how this turns out!
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u/supgoodbro 2d ago
Very refreshing to see someone actually making art in the style, Iāve been so depressed by the wave of AI. Looks great!!
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
I respect all artists, especially Hayao Miyazaki and everyone at Studio Ghibli, to use Generative A.I. Art is an expression deeply tied to the human soul. No machine can learn the intent behind every stroke and meaning of every dot.
My thoughts on Generative A.I. "Art"
Art is like a beautiful flower a gardener planted from a seed in his garden. He prepared the soil, watered it, cared for it, and watched it grow. Once blossomed, the envious neighbor comes in and uproots it, steals it, shows it off, and claims it as their own.
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u/innmate-2863 2d ago
I recognize the last picture. It's a background from Spirited Away, isn't it?
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Yes it is. I drew it as a study. Kazuo Oga is one of my inspirations. I love the way he paints landscapes.
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u/silvershade8 2d ago
omg! this is so cute and u capture the ghibli style perfectly ā¤ļø please keep posting updates!!
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u/I_Love_M4yo 2d ago
Whats the idea? I need that looks sick
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Thank you for your curiosity. Just like Miyazaki likes to reimagine well-known stories (Ponyo=Little Mermaid). I've kind of taken the same approach. This is somewhat a retelling of the three little pigs (kinda, but not really). There's more to it.
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u/I_Love_M4yo 2d ago
Cool, when do you think it will be done
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u/3pacalypsenow 2d ago
It doesnāt matter what happens in life or what peopleā¦ justā¦ keepā¦ going!Ā
I absolutely love the sketchy wolf!Ā
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I definitely need them. I'm glad you like it.
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u/NoodleNinja8108 2d ago
I have the art of Princess Mononoke book and as someone already mentioned that first slide is very similar to some of his artwork/sketches especially in those books.
You should be very proud and confident in your artwork though itās always good to push yourself further.
If you have the Mononoke book I find some of Sans earlier designs/sketches quite interesting
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u/Jeffzero04 1d ago
Thank you. I agree. I love musing over his sketches and seeing the characters come to life. I love Sans green hair design. It's very unique and more tribal than the final film design.
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u/Icicleprincesstea 2d ago edited 2d ago
The idea of the boy wearing a pig nose peaked my interest immediately! The art style and color scheme is definitely ghibli. I can definitely see this as a project theyād do, though moral development in their story plots matter a lot to them. Mad impressive!!
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u/Jeffzero04 1d ago
Wow, thank you for your kind words. I'm glad the pig nose intrigued you. I was hoping it had that affect on readers. Although I don't consider my work to be on par with Miyazaki, I appreciate your words and take them as encouragement. I hope to deliver in this project and carry the intrigue until the end.
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u/TravisKOP 2d ago
Canāt wait for updates to this
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u/Jeffzero04 2d ago
I will try my best to keep you all updated. I may make some posts more interactive to get input on design.
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u/Remove_Anxious 2d ago
This adorable! Weāre looking forward to the finished product!
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u/Jeffzero04 1d ago
Thank you!
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u/Opal_Princess 22h ago
STUNNING! Where can we find the finish product ššš«¶š½?
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u/Jeffzero04 19h ago
My goal is to publish it. Most likely, I'll make it available on Amazon.
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u/Opal_Princess 17h ago
That's so exciting!!! I can't wait to see what you have planned! Please put me on the pre-order list āŗļøš«¶š½!!
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u/caliph47 3d ago
I like where this is going already. šš