They may look like digital creations, but these stunning illustrations are in fact entirely hand-drawn in coloured pencil. 17-year-old artist Polaara is a young British student who made these painstakingly detailed drawings in between studying for exams.
Join us after the jump for beautifully rendered fan art of Link, Zelda, and other video game and anime characters – plus some videos from Polaara herself showing how it’s done.
Excited about new game Hyrule Warriors, a Zelda/Dynasty Warriors mashup, which is scheduled for release in the West in September, the budding young artist made this set of three illustrations of characters from The Legend of Zelda:
▼ Polaara uses watercolour pencils to complete her illustrations, like this one of the Princess. “Gotta love her new armour, when else has she ever looked so badass” she comments.
▼ Midna.
▼This is Link.
She also uploads timelapse videos showing the process, like this one:
▼ There are some occasional skips in the footage, but it’s still well worth watching!
▼ This illustration of Hatsune Miku was a response to fan requests.
You can watch how it was made here:
Some of Polaara’s work was created in order to demonstrate a particular technique, like this drawing of Zoro from One Piece, which was made to show how she renders skin tone:
▼ Cloud Strife
▼ As this beautiful drawing shows, Polaara can turn her hand to realism too.
▼ Link again!
▼ Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)
▼ Toshiro Hitsugaya
▼ Light and L
▼ Lelouch Vi Britannia
You can find more how-to videos (‘How to color using colored pencils’ is pretty cool, and focuses on manga eyes) on Polaara’s YouTube channel, or follow her on Facebook or deviantART. We’re sure this talented young artist has a bright future ahead of her!
Source: Inside Games JP
Images: Polaara (deviantART, YouTube channel)
Newsflash: Wii U Zelda hack ‘n’ slasher Hyrule Warriors arriving in Japan on August 14
Fabulous Ghibli fan art inspires us all to pick up a pencil and get drawing【Art】
Nintendo’s new Zelda game has a female version of Link named Linkle 【Video】
Random shadow on wall gets anime-style fan art as artists prove they can find cute girls anywhere
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
Cosplay costume room tour by Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako is an eye-opener【Video】
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
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】
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
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Leave a Reply