The One about VOFAN’s “COLORFUL DREAMS”

Posted onAuthorDennis A. AmithLeave a comment

If you are a big fan of VOFAN’s artwork, definitely check out “COLORFUL DREAMS” featuring delightful short stories written by VOFAN and each chapter featuring his earlier artwork style.  Entertaining, delightful and recommended!

BOOK TITLE: COLORFUL DREAMS

STORY AND ART BY: VOFAN

FIRST PUBLISHED IN TAIWAN: In 2006 by MANPOWER PUBLISHING

TRANSLATED IN ENGLISH BY: Vertical Comics

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: Vertical Comics

RATED: 14+

Available on October 29, 2019

From VOFAN, the star illustrator of the Monogatari series of novels written by NISIOISIN, comes a full-color artbook of his best personal works. Praised by the fans around the world as “The Magician of Light and Shadow from Taiwan”, VOFAN is famous for using a vibrant art style combined with unique camera techniques in his art.

As the main illustrator for NISIOISIN’s novel series for over a decade, VOFAN has illustrated more than 30 book covers and has created dozens of original character designs. Beside his extensive illustration works for NISIOISIN, VOFAN has illustrated magazine covers such as Famitsu and Fancy Frontier Magazine. VOFAN is also the main character designer for the popular Playstation 3 RPG Time and Eternity.

VOFAN is one of the most popular artists from Taiwan that has created many wonderful illustrations that have attracted fans of his work worldwide.

Best known as the illustrator for the popular “Monogatari” light novels and his use of color and depiction of natural light in his artwork, his unique artistic talents has earned him the nickname, “The Magician of Light from Taiwan”.

In fact, his creativity also extends to his passion for photography utilizing natural light.

But before VOFAN created his renown work, nearly 13 years ago, his first book “COLORFUL DREAMS” was released.

In my interview with VOFAN, I asked him about “COLORFUL DREAMS” which VOFAN responded, “When I was drawing for “Colorful Dreams”, I generally get the inspirations from my everyday life activities, and then I will record it on my notebook. And these inspirations later expands into the short stories in ‘Colorful Dreams'”.

It’s important to emphasize that “COLORFUL DREAMS” is an earlier work and since then VOFAN’s artwork has changed tremendously.

It’s also not an artbook but a collection of short stories featuring VOFAN’s artwork.

Back in the mid-2000’s when he created “COLORFUL DREAMS”, VOFAN integrated his love for art and photography, locations in Taiwan and created his own short stories.

For example, for “Dream-2: A Cafe”, a woman who runs a cafe which is frequently visited by Mr. Fan and Mr. Xie, customers who are depicted as robots who come to grab a latte.  After each story, VOFAN then writers about how he came up with the story.  In this case, hidden coffee shops with locked doors, wondering if they have customers?

Another example is “Dream-3: The Guardian Angel” about a girl who visits a street artist who draws a person’s guardian angel.  When the girl has him draw her guardian angel, he draws himself with the girl.  And we learn that the two begin dating not long after.  VOFAN wrote that his idea is derived of what if someone could draw a person’s guardian angel?

How VOFAN’s work looks today! (Visit his Twitter):

Each short story is delightful and his artwork, even if it was his earlier works are still beautiful. These are short stories that are fantasy and don’t take long to read, so you can easily read straight-through or just slowly read a chapter or two, like one drinks a fine coffee or delicious tea. Slowly enjoy the moment, don’t rush it. Enjoy the creativity that went into each chapter’s creation.

I am grateful that VOFAN’s first book was released, but now I want to see more of his works released. To see his artwork evolve into the creative artwork he is able to create.

The main difference is his approach to his artwork, where today, you can tell that his photography has influenced his artwork. Some art looking as if it was a photo, with the creation of bokeh and more detail for the characters he works on.

So, one can only hope Vertical Comics is planning for more VOFAN books in the near future.

My approach to this book is similar to how I approach a filmmaker’s earlier work when I write a film review. Everyone starts from somewhere and “COLORFUL DREAMS” is VOFAN’s earlier work and should be appreciated at such. And inspiring other budding artists to know that part of the process of being creative is evolving and creating a style with a challenge to oneself to better themselves every step of the way.

Included in this 2019 release from Vertical Comics is an original 2006 interview plus VOFAN recollecting his time on working on this book of short stories.

Overall, if you are a big fan of VOFAN’s artwork, definitely check out “COLORFUL DREAMS” featuring delightful short stories written by VOFAN and each chapter featuring his earlier artwork style.

Entertaining, delightful and recommended!

 

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