Meet Yuchen Cui

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yuchen Cui. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yuchen below.

Yuchen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My goal is simple—to become an illustrator, a dream that stems from my childhood passion for drawing. Since I was young, I have always been immersed in my own world of imagination, using a brush to express emotions and stories that I couldn’t put into words. In conversations, I often feel that words fail me, and language doesn’t seem to fully capture my feelings. But drawing has given me a way to release my inner emotions.

I enjoy observing nature, especially the shapes and colors of flowers, plants, and trees. When creating, I often incorporate these natural elements into my work, as they provide me with inspiration and space for reflection. By depicting these intricate details, I feel a connection with nature, and painting has become a way for me to express my inner emotions. Every time I focus on these natural scenes, a sense of calm washes over me.

This release of emotions and expression became an essential part of my life. Through constant practice and exploration, I wasn’t just painting images on paper; I was discovering and understanding myself. In doing so, I identified my life’s purpose—to tell stories and move people through my artwork. It felt natural, as if I had always known I would choose this path, but time made it more apparent.

As I delved deeper into the world of illustration, I began to realize that it wasn’t just a tool for personal expression but could carry more responsibility and impact. Whether designing characters for games or creating book covers, my goal is always to convey emotions and stories through drawing and to resonate with the viewers. Throughout this process, I continuously hone my skills and have found my true mission.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am an illustrator and concept artist, and my creative inspiration largely stems from observing nature and the details of everyday life. I believe my distinctive feature lies in my use of color and light, which not only adds visual impact to my work but also conveys unique emotions and atmosphere. Every time I explore different color combinations, I feel incredibly excited, as colors allow me to tell stories through my art and establish an emotional connection with the audience.

The most exciting part of the drawing process for me is the use of color. Color brings life to my work, and through the play of light and shadow, I can create various emotional atmospheres. I always strive to infuse personal reflection into my artwork, making each piece not just a visual creation, but an expression of emotion and thought.

Recently, I have been actively seeking new opportunities to further develop my career in illustration and concept art. I look forward to finding a platform where I can apply my creativity and passion, collaborating with a creative team to produce meaningful work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The ability to think independently is extremely important in artistic creation. Many people believe that drawing is simply copying what one sees onto paper, as a form of hand training. However, even when it comes to imitation, deep thought is required. Whether it’s the structure of an object, the composition of the scene, or the contrast of light and shadow, all of these elements need to be carefully considered by the artist. Drawing is not just a skill of the hand but also a manifestation of the mind.

I believe persistence is the most important and valuable quality. Drawing requires a significant amount of time, effort, and energy, and it’s not easy to stay committed. Therefore, maintaining passion and focus for your creations, and overcoming challenges along the way, are key to growing into an excellent artist.

Adaptability is crucial. In the art world, especially in fields like illustration and concept design, things are constantly evolving. Projects often require me to switch between different styles or mediums. My advice for beginners is to keep an open mind and be willing to embrace new experiences, styles, and challenges. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone—those are the moments where you will experience the greatest growth.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Currently, my biggest challenge is finding suitable job opportunities, especially in the highly competitive art field, particularly in illustration and concept design. The rise of AI-generated art has squeezed many artists out of the market, and with the economic downturn, there are far fewer job opportunities than before. When faced with setbacks, I often doubt myself, thinking that I’m not good enough, but this self-doubt has also become a driving force for me to push harder.

To overcome this challenge, I’m actively working on improving and updating my portfolio to showcase my versatility across different styles and mediums, while also learning new techniques. I’m also expanding my network by connecting with professionals in the industry, attending exhibitions, and participating in both online and offline events to increase my visibility and gain more opportunities. Additionally, I’m continuously developing my skills and learning new technologies to adapt to the changing demands of the industry.

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Yuchen Cui

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