I created this illustration when I had only been learning to draw for about a year. Even now, I feel like I still have a lot to learn.
I never expected this piece to go viral. It completely surprised me, and I’m incredibly grateful for all the support it received.
The problem is that I don’t have any sketches or process photos to share. At the time, I was still learning how to use my drawing software. I barely understood layers or brushes, so the entire illustration was created on a single layer. I started by tracing the outline and then drew over it.
Since then, many people have asked to see more illustrations like this or to learn about my creative process, but the truth is that I don’t have much material from that time.
My dream is to become a horror illustrator, inspired by artists like Junji Ito and Trevor Henderson. Although I draw much more freehand now than I used to, I still struggle with creating my own creatures and original ideas. I love reimagining horror characters, but I want to learn how to design my own.
I’d love to keep exploring the aesthetic of this illustration without being limited to it. I want to grow, experiment, and eventually develop my own artistic identity.
My English isn’t the best, so I used a translator.
What I’d really like to ask is this: How can I move forward without getting stuck in this style?
I’m grateful that people like this illustration, and I still love its atmosphere. But sometimes I feel trapped by it. Every time I draw, I compare my work to this image.
I don’t want to abandon this style, but I also don’t want to keep repeating the same illustration forever. How do I find my own artistic voice without losing what made your work unique? I’d love to create my own monsters and not just stick to recreating the ones that already exist.
Any advice on how to study, experiment, or design original horror creatures would mean a lot to me.
