To mark the launch of the latest Artist Pro 27 drawing display, XPPen spoke with award-winning illustrator Victo Ngai to explore her creative journey, artistic philosophy, and the ideas that shape her work. Read on to learn about some of Victo’s creative insights, and watch the full conversation here.
Victo Ngai is an internationally recognized artist, named on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, awarded five Gold Medals from the Society of Illustrators, and the first Chinese artist to receive the Hamilton Gold Medal. Her work is known for its intricate detail, layered storytelling and striking use of color.
But despite working primarily in a digital medium, Victo has never defined herself by it.
“I never really thought of myself as a digital artist or a female artist — just an artist.”
Originally from Hong Kong and now based in Los Angeles, Victo has built a distinctive visual language that blends cultural influence, fine linework and richly imagined compositions. Her approach to process, however, remains grounded in a simple idea: the medium is secondary to the message.
“Digital is a tool, just like watercolor or oil painting. It’s what I use in my work because it’s the most effective.”
For Victo, artistic style is not something consciously constructed. It is the result of lived experience, instinct and personal preference.
“There’s a Chinese saying, ‘dang ju zhe mi’, which means if you’re in the middle of it, you cannot see the big picture. I draw the way I draw because of my own experiences.”
Watch the full interview here:
