Joyce Liu, a Taiwanese-American artist making waves in the motion illustration world, isn’t your typical creative. While her work is undeniably stunning, her infectious enthusiasm and unique approach to art truly set her apart.
Joyce’s creative process is a fascinating blend of intuition and meticulous craftsmanship. It often starts with a fleeting feeling or a spark of an idea, which she then translates into rough sketches. Once she finds a composition that truly resonates, she dives deep into the technical aspects, skillfully wielding tools like ZBrush, Blender, and Photoshop to bring her vision to life.
“I love that I can take an idea or mood that’s just in my head and bring it to life. It feels like magic,” Joyce shares. This ability to transform abstract thoughts into tangible, captivating visuals is what truly drives her.
The Ups and Downs of Her Creative Journey
Like any artist, Joyce faces her own set of challenges. Finding that perfect idea or composition can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. “The biggest challenge in my workflow is finding an idea and composition that truly excites me. I believe the emotional state we’re in while creating comes through to the viewer, so I make sure to stay true to the feeling I want the piece to convey.” Joyce embraces these hurdles, understanding that the emotional connection she seeks to convey in her work is deeply intertwined with her own creative state.
One of Joyce’s favorite parts of the process is the subtle dance of light and shadow in 3D. “Just shifting its direction and watching how the shadows fall can completely change the composition. It’s amazing how much impact that little change can have,” she explains. These small adjustments, she finds, can dramatically alter the mood and impact of the entire piece.
Another moment of pure joy arrives at the very end, when she adds those finishing touches – the delicate highlights, the subtle textures – that bring the artwork to life.
“It just feels good:” Joyce Liu on the new Wacom Intuos Pro
“I use my tablet for everything,” Joyce says. “As a mouse, gathering images … from sketching to painting … I love it.” So we asked her to give the new Wacom Intuos Pro a try. From the ExpressKeys to the customizable Pro Pen 3 to the lightweight form factor to the seamless connectivity, Everything about it helps her get into the flow of her work. “It just feels natural,” she says. “You’re not thinking about the tool … it just feels good.”
The Whimsical World of Critters
Beyond her commissioned work, Joyce nurtures a playful side project: Critters. These quirky cat-like creatures, born from a moment of frustration during her early 3D explorations, have become a beloved part of her artistic journey and can be found hidden in all her work. “They’re a reminder to not take things too seriously and to find joy in the simple, everyday moments,” she shares.
Artistic Voice
Joyce’s artistic voice is a unique blend of exploration and experimentation. While she once yearned for a single, defined style, she’s now embraced her eclectic nature. “I love learning and experimenting with new techniques,” she says. This openness has led her to create a diverse portfolio of work, all connected by her distinctive use of shape and color. Lately I’ve been having a lot of fun with these weird 2D and 3D hybrids. And through all the exploration, I’ve realized that I kind of do have a style—it’s in the shape language and color choices I gravitate toward.”
About the artist
Joyce Liu is a designer and illustrator working in the motion graphics industry. Her expressive, energetic, maximalist artwork transports viewers thousands of years into the future, where shapes and colors never before seen melt into each other in extremely satisfying ways. Follow her work at her website or on Instagram or X (Twitter). You can also purchase detailed educational process videos from her on Gumroad, and can also check out Critters on its website or Instagram.
