Introducing Korean artist Kim Dong Hoon

Kim Dong Hoon was born in Jecheon, Korea in 1970 and currently lives in Sejong City. His wife, two children, and a Persian cat (Monchi) are his family. He majored in mechanical engineering and had a job in the same field, but he was unable to give up his longing for painting, so he belatedly chose painting as his lifelong career. Kim loves drawing children, cute animals, and nature, as well as enjoys creating humorous situations in his drawings. He currently works digitally and his inspiration comes from movies, animation, other artists’ work, natural scenery, and many more. The older he gets, the more he enjoys walking and painting and he is always grateful that he creates pictures that make children laugh.

When did you start illustrating?

I have been doing it since 2000 -Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends? When I was young, my seniors who drew pictures with me helped a lot. Right now, my wife, who is an illustrator like me, helps a lot.

Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?

Drawing is a hobby and a profession for me. It became an opportunity for me to meet my wife, start a family, and learn the worth of life.

What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?

When it comes to digital work, I use Photoshop and the Painter program, and when manual work, I like to work with gouache and coloured pencils. If the question is about the subject of a painting, I usually like to depict children, animals and nature, and I like to show humorous situations and the emotions of the characters.

How would you describe your style?

I try to draw it round and soft. I like the humour.

What is your favorite collaboration to date?

It was nice to be able to add illustrations to old children's literature and make them into digital books.

What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?

I found out through Instagram

Do you have a favourite author, film director, or designer?

For children's illustrators, I like Marc Boutavant, Benji Davies, Olivier Tallec and for movies, I like William Friedkin, Francis Ford Coppola, and Denis Villeneuve.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

Currently, I am working on the commissioned work. I have a few personal work ideas, but I do not have time to solve them.

Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?

I tend to listen to music or radio broadcasts while working. It's a time when Korea is electing a new president, so I listen to a lot of political podcasts.

If you have any questions or a specific project in mind, please do get in touch: [email protected]

at illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.