Toshiyuku Fukuda

Susanne Sandström

Who is Toshiyuki Fukuda?

I am an illustrator living in Japan.

How and why did you start creating art/illustrations?

I studied graphic design in college and became interested in illustration. My father was a commercial photographer, which was also a big reason. From the beginning I was more interested in illustration than art.

What is your (creative) work process like? What are the key techniques and tools in your process?

Tissue paper is applied to the paper with medium and then hardened with base paint. This creates a base with a matiere. On top of that, drafting with pencil, coloring with acrylic gouache, and making collage with old prints and other materials. Once dry, the final coating is made with a mixture of varnish and instant coffee. I then scan it into a scanner and modify it in Photoshop.

From my daily life. I get a lot of inspiration from Scandinavian design and nature.

What are your challenges, on a personal level and on a market level?

I want to be more successful in the picture book business. Both on a personal level and on a market level. Maybe.

Which books are among the most memorable books you read as a child? Why do you think these books have stayed with you?

I actually don’t remember too many childhood books. I liked Doraemon. It is a Japanese manga.

What is your favorite illustrator or artist, if any?

Japanese artists are Tadanori Yokoo and Rokuro Taniuchi. I also love Olle Eksell and Josef Frank.

What are the best and worst things about being an artist/illustrator?

For me, it is great to be able to paint and make a living. If someone is happy with it, I am even happier. The problem is that it is not stable.

Dream job - what would it be like?

I want people all over the world to know what I do. I would like to do anything related to painting.

Could you also give us a brief description of your collaboration with Frösö and ”Mori no Seirei”?

I am a textile brand in Japan, my name is TENP. I like textile design that is rooted in daily life, and I was so impressed by the wonderful

© Toshiyuki Fukuda/Magazine Cover

handwork at a workshop I visited when I traveled to the Dalarna region. I wanted to work in Sweden someday, so Mr. Akechi of dekor introduced me to the company. I was planning to create other new designs there, but I have stopped due to Covid 19. I hope to resume soon.

Do you plan to make picture books or children’s books in the future?

A picture book about chestnuts will be published in Japan this fall. I will also make figures based on the characters in the book.

What are you currently working on?

I am painting 122 animals from Adventure World, a zoo in Japan. They will be used for autographs and merchandise.

What do you think is characteristic of contemporary Japanese children’s literature and picture books?

I am not an expert, so I don’t know, but in Japan, the best-selling picture books are still the older ones. I think there is a tendency to place too much importance on tradition. I think it would be good if newer picture books could be read more.

Is there anything you would like to tell children, the readers?

Imagine a wonderful future and have fun every day. Looking at this war, I don’t think there is any future in the world where children don’t have smiles on their faces. I think picture books are one of the first forms of entertainment that children are exposed to, so I think it is the responsibility of adults to maintain good quality.