Hao Hao — Conceptual Illustrator, Beijing

Playful, expressive, good-natured – illustrations by Chinese artist Hao Hao appeal to both the heart and the head. Her colourful, abstract and slightly naïve style pleasantly draws the viewer in but is underpinned by a strong conceptual approach to effectively communicate her client’s message.

Based in Beijing, Hao Hao majored in stage design at the city’s Central Academy of Drama but her passion for painting has led to a highly successful career in illustration. However, that sense of space and drama honed while studying theatre carries over into her artwork where a deft use of scale, poses and exaggeration gives her images a unique edge. Inspiration for Hao Hao comes from nature, with plants, flowers, stars and the moon often appearing in her work.

Approach

Painting digitally using Photoshop and Procreate, Hao Hao works with graphic forms and negative space for a bold composition, often inviting the viewer to fill in part of the story for themselves. She likes a warm, calm palette to set the tone.

Key Software

Photoshop and Procreate

Style

Hao Hao works in a classic, abstract style which makes her work perfect for editorial, publishing and advertising projects. Her flat, elongated characters have a strong graphic presence whether they’re leaping into the sky or sitting in the corner quietly musing to themselves.