Full Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/ “You have to do the legwork. I strongly believe you have to go to the conventions and physically meet people.” ~ Kensuke Okabayashi Want to know how to become an illustrator? This week, we speak to Kensuke Okabayashi, creator of the bestselling book, Manga for Dummies, and an artist who has worked on all kinds of projects, including Magic The Gathering . So how did he get started in the industry and get his first big break? In this in-depth interview, you’ll get a fascinating insight into what it’s really like to work as an illustrator and commercial artist in the fast-paced world of game studios and advertising agencies. You’ll hear why traditional skills such as drawing and oil painting still form the foundations of a successful career as an artist, and why actually getting out there and meeting people is just as important as keeping your social media channels updated. Interview Chapters [00:00-02:07] Introduction and Overview Your host, Mitch Bowler, introduces today's guest, Kensuke Okabayashi. In this chapter, you'll hear about his work on Magic The Gathering, creating the Amazon bestseller, Manga for Dummies, and his current career as a storyboard artist in the fast-paced world of New York’s many design agencies. [02:19-03:14] Kensuke on his Latest Graphic Novel Project, The Foreigner When he’s not busy working on storyboards or book illustrations, Kensuke has found time to work on his graphic novel project, The Foreigner. After successfully funding this title on Kickstarter last summer, he’s now adding the finishing touches with a view to publishing it in the next few weeks. [03:46-05:14] How did Kensuke get Started in his Career as an Artist? Incredibly, Kensuke didn’t actually go to art school at first. Although he always loved Manga comics as a kid, he couldn’t find enough support in his native Japan to further his career as an artist. So, after an initial attempt to join the studio team behind Star Blazers as an apprentice fell through, he decided to ‘play it safe’ and opt for a career in childcare. However, it wasn’t too long before he felt burned out and expressed his real dream of going to art school and becoming an artist to his parents... [05:27-07:23] What was art School Like for Kensuke? Soon after deciding to pursue a career in art, Kensuke enrolled at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York. What was his time there like and which fundamental skills did he learn? In this chapter, you’ll hear how his enduring passion for oil painting started, and why he came to the conclusion that focusing solely on Manga and comic books wasn’t necessarily going to be the best career option for the future. [08:31-10:10] Why is it so Important to be Adaptable as an Artist and Develop Your Own Style? Although many people dream of becoming a rock star comic book artist, the reality of working in this industry is often quite different. In this chapter, you’ll hear why Kensuke believes it’s so important to be open to lots of different career routes as an artist, and why developing your own signature style is a great way to stand out from the crowd. [10:38-11:36] How is the Manga Industry in Japan Different to the Comic Book Industry in America? While the American comic book industry is dominated by huge studios such as Marvel and DC, the Manga scene in Japan offers a wide range of scope for artists. In fact, you can buy a Manga comic on just about any topic you can imagine! In this chapter, Kensuke shares his insights into the Manga industry, and explains why he feels it offers much more potential for creative growth than the more rigid framework of the big American companies. [11:43-12:37] What did Kensuke do After Art School? After leaving art school, Kensuke was fortunate enough to land a book illustration gig via one of his tutors. From there, he made sure he went to as many comic cons as possible, which is where he met the art director behind Magic The Gatherin