When Tatsuo Horiuchi was approaching retirement age, he wanted to do something new with his free time. So he bought a computer, and in 2000 decided to try his hand at making digital art. But Mr. Horiuchi from Nagano Prefecture, Japan, doesn’t use Photoshop or any other graphics editing software. These intricate digital artworks were made entirely in Microsoft Excel! It’s hard to believe that spreadsheet software can be used to make something so compellingly beautiful.
Fourteen years after he first started experimenting with digital art, Mr. Horiuchi is now a celebrated artist whose works have been exhibited locally and nationally. He’s also the winner of the Excel Autoshape Art Contest (what d’you mean, you didn’t know that was a thing?!) Let’s take a look at some of his work, and the fascinating process that goes into making it.
“I hadn’t used Excel at work or anything, but I’d seen my coworkers making graphs with it, and thought I could probably use it to draw”, said Mr. Horiuchi in an interview with Japanese site PC Online last year. While graphics software can be expensive, Excel came pre-installed on his computer. “It’s easier to use than Microsoft Paint”, he added.
▼”Cherry Blossoms at Jogo Castle” (2006)
▼ “Kegon Falls” (2007)
▼ Mr. Horiuchi with some of his artwork.
Mr. Horiuchi makes his art using Excel’s Autoshape function. This close-up shows that each cherry blossom petal has been individually added. Now that’s attention to detail!
▼ Check out how many layers there are in this image!
▼ More of Mr. Horiuchi’s stunning artworks:
Mr. Horiuchi has made the raw files for some of his work, which has been exhibited in local exhibitions and also in the Gunma Museum of Art, available online. If you want to see for yourself how it’s done, you can download them here:
Cherry Blossoms at Jogo Castle
Kegon Falls
After seeing Japan’s beautiful scenery depicted in this original way, we can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
Source: Spoon&Tamago
Top image: Spoon&Tamago
Other images: trackpal, Bored Panda, Tatsuo Horiuchi (edited by RocketNews24)
[ Read in Japanese ]
Japan’s amazing Excel artist wishes everyone a happy new year using the spreadsheet program
Man doesn’t want to waste money on software, creates brilliant illustrations on Excel instead
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]