Japan in Pixels - The Wholesome Digital World of Fatbeard
© Fatbeard
Japanese culture weaves its way into our lives from every angle. Whether through real-life locations immortalized in anime and dramas, the matcha in your kitchen, or the iconic architecture of temples and shrines showcased by influencers. Yet if there’s one art form that captures the dream-like essence of Japan’s rich culture, it’s the delicate beauty of pixel art.
For Hong Kong-based artist Fatbeard, this cultural inspiration runs deep. Having transitioned from oil painting to digital pixel art, he draws on Japan’s landscapes, wildlife, and its rich world of film and gaming to create pixel-perfect compositions steeped in Japanese aesthetics.
We sat down with Fatbeard, eager to hear how his journey and inspirations shaped his unique art style.
Where does your love for the art of pixels find its origin?
I've been fascinated by pixel art since my Game Boy days. Everything you see digitally is made up of pixels, and from the early days of Instagram, I encountered talented artists whose pixel art works—whether static illustrations or GIFs—were incredible and jaw-dropping. In my mind, these artworks, composed of tiny squares that should be unreadable, somehow looked realistic and comprehensible when zoomed out. I often considered experimenting with pixel art multiple times but ultimately put it off for several reasons: lacked the right tools, dedication, finding excuses not to begin and suitable tutorials, as there weren’t any formal courses available. Transitioning from traditional painting to digital drawing was also challenging. While some skills from oil painting were transferable, I felt like I was learning to draw all over again.
What triggered you to make the transition from oil painting to pixel art?
As I mentioned earlier, transitioning from physical to digital art was not easy, and the reverse can be even more challenging. After realizing I wasn't making progress with oil painting and hearing about the rise of NFTs from a friend, I decided to put my foot down and shift the focus to pixel art. I'm grateful for my friend's encouragement, as it motivated me to dedicate my time and effort to learning this new medium. After about 3 months of intensive practice, I finally got the hang of it and began to tackle more complex artworks. I even participated in an NFT project with some friends at one point , but unfortunately, the project fell through due to the downturn in the NFT market. Despite this setback, my passion for pixel art only grew stronger. I continued to see improvements with each creation, which excited me as I aimed to produce better and more sophisticated works. My perseverance led to several exciting collaboration opportunities with leading brands such as McDonald's, Crocs, LG, Uniqlo, and Casetify.
How does Japanese culture influence your art and connect to you personally?
Having lived in Hong Kong for most of my life, I've noticed that many residents are quite fond of Japan for its food, entertainment, products, culture, and activities. We have numerous Japanese restaurants (such as sushi, omakase, ramen, and oden), stores (like Donki and Matsukiyo), and even Japanese programs broadcasting on local television (including travel shows, comedies, advertisements, and films). This strong connection to Japan is also another reason why Hong Kong people often choose to travel there during their vacations. My family is no exception, and being only about four hours away from Japan gives me ample opportunities to visit whenever I can.
Traveling to Japan has always left a positive impression on me, making me eager to return as soon as possible. The food, culture, spirit, and people continually inspire me. I believe this is largely due to the dedication of the Japanese people to their craft; they strive to exceed expectations in everything they create, which results in a remarkable experience for travelers and this is probably why I am very comfortable drawing inspirations from Japan.
Do you feel that Japanese aesthetics lend themselves to the creation of pixel art?
My love for Japan and its culture has always profoundly inspired my artwork. The perfect balance between urban and natural landscapes offers abundant inspiration. Cities like Tokyo exude a near-futuristic, cyberpunk atmosphere with their modern buildings and large 3D screens. In contrast, Kyoto and Hokkaido provide rich endless cultural shrines, beautiful natural scenery, and traditional JR train settings. Traveling north from Kyoto, you can discover charming fishing villages and UNESCO World Heritage thatched hut communities. Japan's vastness, especially compared to Hong Kong, means there are countless unexplored places to discover. You can fully pack your daily itinerary and still be able to find places to visit, which is why Japan continually inspires my art.
One key factor is the country's cleanliness, which turns every photo a masterpiece. For example, if I were to invite you to imagine a typical Japanese street that features a narrow path lined with a postbox, electrical poles, various road signs, stacked plastic pallets, parked bicycles, carp flags on traditional houses, and a train passing by with citizens strolling along. You can immediately have a vivid image in your mind. Moreover, Japan has skillfully balanced the preservation of old structures with modern buildings, creating a harmonious blend that works beautifully without feeling out of place.
With your background in canvas painting, where else would you like to see your pixel art displayed?
I would most certainly want my works to be displayed in large crowded cities that also integrate well with art (cities that truly appreciate art in any form) or displayed in a ridiculously large format so that more people can see the potential in pixel art or what I can do with pixel art. I immediately thought of a few places such as Times Square in NYC, Shibuya Crossing in Japan, Piccadilly Circus in London and I’ve actually applied for a chance to showcase my work in Tsim Sha Tsui Centre in Hong Kong. The LED screen on the building is so huge that it is visible if you were at Hong Kong Islands (Across the harbour; Central District).
What’s next for Fatbeard?
Currently, I am still focusing on Japanese-inspired landscapes, but my next exploration will definitely be drawing my hometown, Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a unique place for creative expression, featuring endless skyscrapers densely packed together with billboards and LED screens in the Central District, which also evoke a distinct cyberpunk vibe. Alongside this modernity, you'll find ancient heritage buildings from the British colonial era, showcasing a striking contrast in architectural styles. We also have the famous bamboo scaffolding that you might have seen in films.
One side project I'm brainstorming at the moment is to recreate Kowloon Walled City, an infamous and notorious “walled city” that was so small in landmass yet filled with excess illegal immigrants and activities ranging from gambling, drug abuse and prostitution from the past that sort of represents a lost culture in Hong Kong in today’s world. This area was notable alongside other iconic locations like Kai Tak Airport, which was built right in the city centre (we would hear the terribly loud airplane landing whilst we were in the class); the floating Jumbo Restaurant that capsized; and the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, where fishing boats created a vibrant seafood dining experience. Unfortunately, all these sites have been demolished or destroyed, so I want to preserve these memories through pixel art and proudly present Hong Kong to an international audience.
In terms of skills, I aspire to create more sophisticated animations with ease and explore the idea of producing short animated films in the near future while improving my pixel art abilities along the way. On a broader scale, I hope that one day I will be recognized as "That Pixel Artist" in Hong Kong, as reflected in my Instagram account name. “Little Thunder” is a Hong Kong artist that I aspire to become.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Yokogao Magazine and Gill for the wonderful chance to showcase my Japanese pixel art and articles. This opportunity allows more viewers to learn about pixel art, discover my work, get to know me a little more and appreciate what I've created. The potential of pixel art is limitless; it has roots dating back to the 90s, and there's a reason it remains one of the most popular digital art forms today—especially through social media, advertisements, and the gaming industry.
© Fatbeard
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