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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Has China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning shortened queues at this Ichiran ramen restaurant in Tokyo?
An interview with two Japanese dating service scam sakura【Interview】
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Three ways the unauthorized U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pokémon video makes no sense
Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki says the anime industry’s problem is that it’s full of anime fans
Back to the Future gets anime/manga artist makeover with chibi Marty and handsome Biff【Pics】
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Leave a Reply