Illustration by Ken Sugimori, Pokémon card-style

Ken Sugimori (1966 – ) is a renowned artist from Japan. He is best known as the primary character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori’s art style has evolved over the years, initially using a stiff, lightly shaded style with watercolours, reminiscent of Akira Toriyama’s visual style. However, his digital drawings of people and creatures have gradually gained more muscle definition, significantly rounder corners, heavier shading, and more natural and fluid poses. His process involves making a rough sketch, then tracing it onto film paper while polishing it and making the illustration more professional looking. He draws the character many times, changing its proportions until he is satisfied. Sugimori’s work is a significant part of the modern digital art movement, particularly in the realm of video game design.