Student feedback
These are the comments from students attending this school.
Kondo Shizu
Web Iratsu: https://iratsu.com/u2165/
Before ( first assignment submitted)
After (Free assignment at the end of the basic lecture)
At first, I had the impression that the Iratsu School was too difficult and too difficult for me, so I quietly started with a 1,000 yen course.
I was also impressed by the content of the first lecture I read, Lecture 001 (although the content has changed and it seems that the lecture from that time is no longer available).
After a while, I moved to the 5,000 yen course (now the 10,000 yen course) which included receiving commentary.
The reason why I chose Iratsu School is
・You can study illustration even if you live in the countryside.
・You can get feedback from the instructor.
・You can proceed at your own pace.
You can see other students' work.
・You can continue with the assignment even if you cannot draw an original work.
・In addition to basic lectures, you will be given individual assignments to fill in any gaps.
・There was a lecture that seemed like it would help me overcome my weaknesses.
And so on.
If you want to learn illustration, there are many options available to those living near Tokyo.
However, for me, who lives in the countryside and can only find time to draw for about three hours in the early morning, the Iratsu School was a very valuable course.
Until now, I often found myself wondering, "What can I do to improve?" However, when I started taking the course, I was able to identify what I was lacking right from the start, and it became a simple matter of completing assignments to acquire those skills, which allowed me to proceed without hesitation.
The judges gave clear comments saying "what's good is good, and what's bad is not good," so I could clearly see what was wrong and how. Even though I usually have a hard time accepting good comments and think "Is that really true...?", I was able to think "this might have been good."
I was also lucky that the work of the students who were taking the course at the same time as me was so beautiful, and I was looking forward to seeing the assignments that other students submitted.
Seeing people who were nowhere near my level working hard to complete what might seem like mundane tasks made me think, "I have to work even harder and harder."
There were many times when I felt discouraged, thinking "I'm the only one who can't do it...", but during the seven months I attended the school, I made many fresh discoveries, such as being able to draw in new styles that I never thought of and discovering the joy of drawing using analog methods.
There is still a lot I need to improve, but I hope to continue learning one thing at a time.
Nijimura Keiya
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Most recently submitted free assignment)
It all started when I saw the announcement for "Illustrators' Newsletter School Launches."
As a child, I dreamed of becoming an illustrator.
Being over 50 years old, being able to proceed at my own pace was a big attraction for me.
When I started, I found all the assignments to be fun, and I was excited to see what the teacher would say. The comments came back with a flood of knowledge, which was warm and encouraging, and sometimes I was so moved that I was moved to tears.
Try out assignments 1-12 in the basic lectures for fun! Magic is sure to happen.
At first, I didn't have my own style. That was one of my worries. I was trying to draw with lines, even though I was bad at it.
When I handed in assignment 6, my teacher said to me, "Perhaps line drawing isn't for you. Perhaps you'd be better off expressing yourself through paint applications," which took me by surprise.
From there, little by little, my current touch was born, and it has become the most valuable asset to me.
I felt that this basic lecture was an amazing method that brought out each individual's individuality and created a one-of-a-kind existence.
The colors of the paints used in the color art assignment were simply beautiful, and it completely renewed my sense of color. I realized that this was what the teacher had repeatedly pointed out about my color choices during the critique, and it was a rich and fulfilling experience, where I felt the joy of seeing my paintings change and become more beautiful the more I painted.
There were many gaps along the way, but every time we resumed, they warmly welcomed me back and sincerely looked at my work and assignments, carefully pointing out what I was lacking and providing me with detailed guidance on what I needed to do going forward. I was very grateful that they explained things in an easy-to-understand way, even though I'm not very good with digital technology.
If you don't give up, you can get back up again and again, and there is always a path you should follow, and it's up to you to decide where you want to stop. I've managed to get this far by telling myself this. I'm shy, so I thought I'd never be able to do sales, but when I found out that my teacher also had trouble with it, I feel like I can do my best.
I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to study at a school that has helped me to hone my skills as an illustrator and constantly brush up on the knowledge I need today.
Haruna Makikado
Web Iratsu: https://iratsu.com/u2135/
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Free assignment at the end of the basic lecture)
イラストレーターになりたいと思ったけれど、具体的にどうしたらいいのか分からないと思っていた時に、このスクールを見つけて受講しました。課題に決められた締切などは無く、自分のペースで講義を読み課題を進めることができるので、私の場合、子育て中で時間があまり取れない中でもマイペースに続けることができ、約1年半かけて卒業することができました。
スクールに入ったばかりの頃に描いていた作品はイラストレーションというよりもアートに近く、初めて森先生に作品を見ていただいた時には、イラストレーターになりたいのか、それともアーティストになりたいのかという問いを頂いたのを覚えています。イラストレーターとはどんな仕事なのかと改めて認識した上で、自分は”イラストレーターとして”具体的にどうしていきたいのかという目標も、このスクールを通じて探し見つけることができました。
森先生の講評は毎回とても丁寧で、一つひとつの作品をしっかり見ていただけているなあと強く感じました。優しく、時に厳しく具体的に指導していただけるので、自分に足りないところがよく分かり、とても勉強になりました。自分のペースでできるからこそ、逆に言うと自分自身でモチベーションを保たないといけないという面がありますが、課題提出時にいただける講評が毎回大きな励みとなり、最後まで続けることができました。
単純に「いい絵を描くこと」だけではない、「イラストレーターとして必要なこと」をたくさん学ぶことのできるスクールだと思います。
Suzunami Mari
Web Iratsu: https://iratsu.com/u2161/
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Free assignment at the end of the basic lecture)
Before I entered the school, I was a self-taught illustrator.
However, I felt there was a limit to how much I could think and draw on my own, so I decided to study at a school to improve my knowledge and basics about illustration.
Professor Mori's comments accurately pointed out parts that I had not noticed myself, and I learned a lot from them.
I'm not good at continuing things, so I was worried about continuing with the school, but it wasn't difficult because I could submit work at my own pace.
As I continued to complete the assignments, I began to look forward to Professor Mori's comments each time.
Before I started school, I never imagined that I would be painting watercolors, a medium I was not good at.
They were also very helpful in answering my questions about art supplies and recommended Illustrator books.
Looking back, it was a precious time in my life when I was able to focus more seriously on illustrations than ever before.
Sasadate Suite
Web Iratsu: https://iratsu.com/u2131/
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Free assignment at the end of the basic lecture)
Ever since I was a teenager, I had wanted to become an illustrator someday, but as I entered the workforce, got married, had children, and raised children, time passed by quickly and before I knew it, it had become a distant dream.
However, as my childcare responsibilities began to settle down, my desire to draw gradually returned, and I began posting my drawings on social media etc.
"Is this the right picture for me? Is my goal just to get more likes?"
Before I knew it, I began to want advice from a professional perspective.
Then one day, I decided to take the plunge and enroll in this school that I had been interested in for a while.
As I submitted assignments 1 to 8, my previously vague ideas about what I like and my worldview began to become clearer.
However, there were many things and artists that I liked, and I was easily influenced by them, thinking, "This one is good, too." But it was quite a shock when my teacher clearly pointed out to me, "This style doesn't suit you. This touch is better."
I realized that social media reviews and personal feelings are different from strengths when working professionally.
The professor gave polite and sincere comments to everyone, and although he was sometimes harsh, I think it was very valuable because it is rare to hear such opinions.
It was fun and inspiring to see other people's drawings and comments.
Not only did I learn about the painting itself, but I also received detailed information about "sales," which was the thing I understood the least about.
In this day and age when anyone can easily draw, there are many things you need to do to become an "illustrator," not just drawing, but also other things, and I think it's amazing that you can learn all of this from the comfort of your own home.
Of course, while being able to do this from home is convenient, it's also a battle with yourself.
(Honestly, it was quite difficult during the process.)
Then, about a year after I decided to take the plunge and enroll in the school, I got a job offer from the publishing company I had always dreamed of.
Of course, I was still only at the beginning of my career as an illustrator, but if I hadn't joined the school at that time, I think I would have wandered around feeling confused and unsure of what to do.
If you're worried, thinking, "I guess I can't become an illustrator after all," or "Is this the right path to take?", I would recommend that you just give it a try.
I don't know if I'll be able to continue working as an illustrator in the future, but I can say that the experience of working enthusiastically on the assignment and having my eyes opened by the teacher's comments was an important time in my life.
This is a long post, but I hope it will be helpful to someone.
Ito Storm
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Free assignment at the end of the basic lecture)
I was self-taught in illustration, but I never had much confidence in my drawings.
It didn't lead to any work, and even when I participated in exhibitions, I had a vague feeling of anxiety that I wouldn't be able to learn anything about illustration or how to get work here, so I decided to enroll in a school.
The main reason why I chose this school
・What you can learn even in rural areas
・You can receive individual comments from a teacher who has worked as a professional.
-I was able to learn things other than illustration, such as sales and how to create a portfolio.
The assignments were voluminous, and I had to really challenge myself. There were times when I struggled to get results, but Mori-sensei's comments were thorough and pointed out both good and bad points, so when he praised me, it was all the more encouraging. As I studied at the school, my drawings changed, and I was very happy to see that I was able to think, "It's fun to draw, it's cute, and I want other people to see it."
Although you need to be proactive and work on your assignments on your own, I think a school where you can receive individual instruction from a professional regardless of location is a valuable option.
Yamamoto Fruit
Before (first assignment submitted)
After (Final assignment from the basic course)
The reason why I decided to take the Illustrators Correspondence School course
"Learn at home at a time that's convenient for you"
"Learn directly from a proven professional illustrator"
And I felt that the atmosphere there would be one that would accept me even though I had no knowledge or experience.
The lecture contents are:
They range from practical to mindset-based.
There was a lot I didn't know, so I learned a lot.
After submitting the assignment, the teacher gave the following comments:
He taught me basic things like art supplies according to my level,
He gave me a perspective and a direction to go that I would not have been able to gain on my own.
And they always had positive words to say, which was very encouraging.
As an illustrator,
I believe that what I learned will continue to be an important foundation for the future.
Thank you for the valuable learning opportunity.