Acrylic illustration

We’ll introduce ideas for acrylic illustrations that captivate viewers with vivid colors.

Many of you may be thinking, “I want to try painting with acrylics!” Compared to traditional oil paints, acrylics are known for drying quickly and being well-suited to layering.

Plus, by thinning them with water, you can express subtle nuances, making gradients easier to create.

If you haven’t used acrylic paints yet, why not take this opportunity to give them a try?

An illustration made with Copic markers

A cover illustration using Copic markers that highlights overlapping colors and soft gradations to convey the warmth unique to hand-drawn art.

As water-based, opaque color markers, Copics can produce depth by layering even the same hue, allowing for three-dimensional shading on skin and clothing.

With thoughtful ordering of application, bleeding and unevenness can be embraced as expressive textures.

Gradients in the background are effective for evoking expanses like sky and grasslands.

By varying nib widths, you can both emphasize contours and render delicate patterns, adding narrative quality to the illustration.

Finish with white Posca or gel pen highlights to enhance reflections, completing a cover that brings the expression to life.

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Use Netprint

Try printing your favorite designs and decorating with them! Here are some ideas for using “neppuri,” short for “net print.” Use a service that lets you print design data created on your smartphone or computer at convenience stores to make a cover illustration.

In the video, they draw cute, handwritten lettering and stick on stickers printed via net print around it.

It’s a great idea for those who want to combine hand-drawn elements with digital data.

pen drawing

Let’s try expressing subtle shading using a variety of techniques! Here are some pen drawing ideas.

Pen drawings are something you can tackle with just a black pen and paper, without preparing digital equipment, paints, or colored pens.

However, creating shadows and depth with dots, lines, and hatching techniques does take some skill.

It’s a good idea to decide on a theme and composition in advance and make a rough sketch before you begin.

The delicate, beautiful nuances are the charm of pen drawings.

Take this opportunity to give it a try!

Recommended for choir

A cover illustration with a choir theme is a great way to express both the appeal of music and the warmth of school life.

Depict students standing on stage and place a piano at the center to create a composition that conveys a sense of unity in performance and the atmosphere of the venue.

By carefully distinguishing expressions—such as open mouths while singing and focused gazes on the sheet music—you can spread a quiet, moving mood across the page.

Adding lighting effects and the texture of curtains to the background will make it feel more like a recital.

Using warm tones overall will gently communicate their dedication to the choir and their bonds with friends.

By aiming for a composition that almost lets the sound be heard, you can create a striking cover image.

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promotional poster

A promotional poster can be made in many ways, such as by hand or with a smartphone app.

Place the school name and event date prominently in the center, and draw illustrations of food stalls and stage events around them to convey a lively atmosphere.

By adding hand-drawn-style lettering and speech bubbles, you can help the information catch the eye naturally.

It’s also recommended to set a theme—for example, draw an illustration of a male conductor and the festival’s theme text.

This can help stop passersby in their tracks when the poster is displayed.

It’s a perfect first step to build excitement for the school festival.

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hand-drawn pop

Grab attention with bold, impactful colors! Here are some ideas for hand-drawn POP designs.

You often see hand-drawn POPs in stores, and using them on covers is a surefire way to draw attention to the text.

First, use a bold pen to sketch the main outline, then use a fine pen to outline the letters.

By being intentional with your color palette, you can elevate the overall design.

Decide in advance which points you want to highlight and how to structure them, then give hand-drawn POP a try!