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
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
Japan’s foreign resident population hits record high as Japanese population hits record low
New service lets Tokyo tourists display their faces on giant screen at Japan’s busiest intersection
Studio Ghibli releases new Spirited Away earrings featuring mysterious anime bathhouse character
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】