Born in Sendai, north of Tokyo, Kanoko Egusa learnt design and illustration at school and worked as a freelance graphic designer upon her graduation. In 2011, Kanoko started work as an illustrator creating imaginary worlds filled with animals, flowers and plants. In 2015, a job offer changed her life when she was asked to illustrate a colouring book. The result was the beautiful Rhapsody in the forest and Menuet de bonheur books, published in 2017.
How long have you been illustrating and what made you start?
I’ve worked as illustrator for 6 years. I started to work as freelance graphic designer, after I learned professional design and drawing at school. In 2011, I got a wonderful opportunity to work as illustrator to create drawing material for children and this lead me to a new adventure.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I like to spend time in nature. I feel a lot of things in nature and use it for my creation. And also, I learned so much from antique books and antique cards (Christmas cards, postcards and so on) such as the touch of drawings and how to put out an atmosphere. I like the illustration especially by John Tenniel in “Alice in the Wonderland” and it was very influential. I studied the style and technique. As a child, I liked Tom and Jerry and Disney films, Peter Rabbit and Tasha Tudor's fairytales. As for colouring book, I think that it is important to capture the exciting feeling of each moments..
Where is your favourite place to illustrate?
My atelier. I tried to surround myself with things that inspires me.
What are your illustrating/colouring material essentials?
I draw illustrations by hand using a dip pen and then I digitise my work and do retouches and so on. It’s quite simple.
What’s the piece of work that you’re most proud of or enjoyed doing the most?
I love drawing nature and animals vivid expressions, also love decorate my drawings with poppies and plants, beautifully capturing a magic instant, heartfelt to the the fullest.
