iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

#art Did a #vgen #commission for a client. Thx for the business! #vgencomm #illustration #VGenOpen One-week fast turnaround portraits for #fanart and #OC! Hit me up with whatever. @XiaoFeiArt | VGen: vgen.co/XiaoFeiArt

031

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

When seeing so many artists post their drawings showing off how much progress they've made within couple years, I was worried that since I haven't been drawing as much it would not seem that much of a difference. Now I'm glad there are some changes. #HSR #DrRatio

093

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Found an old drawing I did several years ago. Like the dress design so I did a quick paint over. Some how it doesn't look too different so I redid the sketch. Don't know if I'm gonna finish this one. If so, it's only for the purpose to see how much I've changed in terms of taste and skill. #genshin

042

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

#art Did some #vgen #commission for clients. Thx for the business! #vgencomm #illustration #VGenOpen One-week fast turnaround portraits for #fanart and #OC! Hit me up with whatever. XiaoFei (@XiaoFeiArt) | VGen: vgen.co/XiaoFeiArt

0110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

#art #commission #vgen #vgencomm #illustration #VGenOpen Open up 1 week fast turnaround portraits for #fanart and #OC! Hit me up with whatever! vgen.co/XiaoFeiArt

0112

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Style test for my #manga #YAGN project. I say it's a #shojomanga but some of my beta readers after reading the script said it's not. Who knows XDDD. I also designed and built a 3d scene for the story, not polished yet.

040

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Some #CharacterDesign for my personal #YA #YAGN #GraphicNovel #shojomanga #manga project. Still need to polish some supporting characters and main characters' posing to better show off their personalities.

060

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

I started an online #manga class. It's my first time creating manga XD. The instructor assisted Japanese manga artists for years. Among classmates, many either have work online or on going in Japan. The TA is awesome. Are people interested in seeing my homework and critique later? #graphicnovel

000

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

That sounds like a dream come true. Thx for the opportunity! xichenillust.com

070

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

How can you force yourself to finish one sketch within 15min without it looking broken? I seriously CAN NOT...

020

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Oh my gosh congrats!!! I'm actually planning on making my very first YA GN/ shojo manga and pitch it to north America publisher and I AM so concerned that it would be super long. I seriously wonder how tolerant publishers are for long projects coming from debut artists...

010

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

May I know in current setting, if letter in Comic Paint Studio or Photoshop, what the desired front size usually is. And name for the common font? Thank you so much!

100

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Character design for my #YoungAdult #RomanceFantasy #GraphicNovel. Still needs to work on other details. I wanna go for a #shojomanga appeal. I know the publication industry is not so welcoming to anime art style, but if I have to draw something for 350p, better go with the style I'm happy with

040

Reposted by Xi Chen the Illustrator

Nate Piekos of Blambot @blambot.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Artists working in mainstream USA comics: Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, etc. all expect art to these dimensions. I'm seeing more and more disregard for the standard specs, and it affects everyone's deadlines to have production try and wrestle your art into proper proportions.

321196392

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

The sad thing is when my taste go against the majority, I start to question myself, if I want to create something that pleases the majority but can’t appreciate what they appreciate, then it’s likely that I’d utterly fail my job XD.

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

I got discouraged writing my manuscript so I shift to drawing, then I got discouraged drawing. What a creative process. I finished Howl’s Moving Castle and left so confused. Despite of the opening scene I didn’t get anything.I got furious watching Ponyo. Maybe I’m born to dislike Miyazaki. I’m wrong

100

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

I wonder what makes people wanna buy a young adult graphic novel. I used to plan to write a romance story. I shared it to some people. They told me it’s boring. So I took a screenplay writing class and redo my story. Although I only have a rough outline, it seems like an adventure action story now…

010

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Slightly better? BTW, let me know if you don't wanna see anime on this account, since most people follow me from kidlit.

010

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

I’m stuck on the 3rd act climax, like I don’t know how to let my characters solve the problem in their own unique way cuz I some how come up with a villain that creates much bigger problem than the main character can handle XD. Or maybe it’s me coming up with a problem that I can not solve hahah

100

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

I seriously wanna start drawing my graphic novel but I get stuck on script. I took a screenplay writing class and trashed my first outline but can’t finish the second version. I also have another YAOI idea but not sure if I should do it XD. Should I just start drawing and forget about writing?

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I’m just not sure how would kidlit people think off girls or guys with too much sexual appeal hahaha.

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

I'll be in the same boat soon. Good luck!

120

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Hey #PortfolioDay! I'm a Chinese Illustrator in US, looking for #PictureBook #MiddleGrade #comic illustration and #CharacterDesign gig. Former game artist for 8 years. I love #Fantasy and whimsical things! Seeking representation. 🎨 xichenillust.com ✉️ xichenillust@gmail.com #KidLitArt #cover

0195

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

I've been thinking if I should post my anime drawing here. I LOVE anime guys, but it has nothing to do with kidlit or graphic novel? I'd like to make this account a kidlit or graphic novel related work account. But I have no intention making a new account for anime drawings. What do you guys think?

120

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

One reason I decide to turn to traditional publishing over self-publishing was because there's too much business involved and sounded like it doesn't need too much social media presence. But to come to the bottom of it, I still have to do the work somehow XD.

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I haven't drawn anything for months. I'm too caught up with coming up with my own story and learn how to. I've been watching tutorials, reading others' books. I even turn my dusty kindle on. I don't know if I can come up with anything at all...And the cost to push it forward is kind of scary.

030

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

This scares me. But maybe I'm too early to be scared of this since I'm still trying to figure out my story XD

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

But companies only have that one or two slot, a teacher can only take that many students at once. No one wants to wait. It's not art community's problem, is limited resource problem.

010

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Thank you so so much. I’ll dive deep into it.

000

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I’m sorry to intrude, could you give more info about Barry Goldblatt’s case? I tried to look for it but Google doesn’t help me much. I really mean to message you in private but Bluesky doesn’t let me. Plz dm me if Bluesky allows. Thank you so much.

010

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

100

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

I want to make a graphic novel about a girl mermaid and her adventure in human world, but the scene I want to draw the most is two guys fighting over their own family heritage XDDDD

030

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

www.crunchyroll.com/watch/GWDU7M... Tobe Hero X!!! High stake, fast pace, perfect animation and cinematography. Soooo proud of this Chinese anime. If making a graphic novel, I wish I could make something like this XDDDD

crunchyroll.com

Crunchyroll: Watch Popular Anime, Play Games & Shop OnlineCrunchyroll logoCrunchyroll logoMenuDropdown menuLoader

000

Reposted by Xi Chen the Illustrator

Elise Schuenke @troubledminnesotan.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

Little gentle reminder to all the human creatives out there 💪

Panel 1: character crying at a desk
Text: this IS hard

Panel 2: character is now drawing determinedly
Text: but I can do it

247315136822

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

I saw the argument in many places, recently a YouTube video from an artist. His intention is to encourage new artist to get the stuff done. I get his point. And when I hit a block for my own art, I even take it as an excuse. I don’t intend to blame anyone, but the sentiment can be misleading

110

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

I can see the importance there for new artist (like me). And I do agree that a good story is the backbone of a GN. But the art is the tone or the personality, is also a fundamental part. I just can’t let it go easily. Btw, the lecture you gave yesterday was incredible. I shared it with friends too

020

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

A comic artist telling people to finish their product more than anything. The first thing they said was”art is not important”. Over concerning about art quality prevent newbies from making progress. But if art is not important, why GN? Maybe I just pity the time and effort i put in art fundamentals

330

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

But wait and see when I hate drawing the same character for a thousand of times and I decrease the art quality myself and say it to myself “art is not important anyway” XD.

0221

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

I think art is the flesh of a GN. I know flesh is not as important as bones, but no flesh, no human. I hate people saying “art is nothing”. It’s like “people will love you if you have a kind soul” but it’s definitely more complicated than that when you are faced with real world challenges.

1322

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

Why graphic novel instead of screenplay? because I can draw but screen writers cannot? If art is nothing, GN is always going to be a lesser media than screenplay or novels, because art is the only difference and GN limit the word count you can put on one page. But I don’t think GN is a lesser media

2293

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

One thing I heard multiple times for #graphicnovel was “art is not important”. I get story is more than anything. But everyone is saying art is nothing. And there are definitely super popular comic/ manga out there that has low quality art. But does that really mean “art is nothing”? If so, why GN?

14523

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I started designing characters for my personal comic project and find out I missed the sale for CSP Ex couple weeks ago...

000

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm a Chinese Illustrator in US, focusing on #kidlit illustration and character design. Former game artist for 8 years. I love magical and whimsical things! Seeking representation. 🎨 xichenillust.com ✉️ xichenillust@gmail.com #KidLitArt #cover #PictureBook #MiddleGrade

0403

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

His apprentices include the very early generation of big name comic artists from Taiwan. But he also had his own comic house back in the days and was involved in violation of labor law and failure to pay employees. His reputation in the industry is mixed. Seriously older than my dad XD.

000

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

From his trail classes online, his theory literally blow my mind. But he talks like a 60 year old professor and constantly brag about his experience and how awesome the mangakas he worked with. If I take the class, it would be livestream so I can’t do 1.5 time speed play or jump the time line.

000

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

If you were me, will you take his class? I was browsing comic/ manga classes and found an instructor. He’s a Taiwan editor worked in Japan with famous mangakas for decades. His theory is mind blowing. BUT, in his 3 hour long trail class, 2 hours are him bragging. The 1 hour is gold. #manga #comic

200

Xi Chen the Illustrator @xichenillust.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

I’m thinking about exploring graphic novel field. Do you know where to connect with fellow artists like a private critique group? Thx!

111