Spotlight on a Poignant Danmei Fan Artist: Annikin

Welcome to a new edition of Danmei Dreams’s artist spotlight, featuring Annikin!  These spotlights highlight some of the incredible, creative, and cool artists making danmei fan art. The artists will share some of their favorite work, talk about their process and approach, and you can find out how to follow and support them.  You can read previous editions of artist spotlights here.  Today we’ll be focusing on Annikin, whose poignant and melancholy artwork captures an essential part of these stories for me.

Why I Love Annikin’s Art

I first discovered danmei when I asked in a reading group for recommendations on books with exquisite, intense amounts of pining. If you’ve read almost anything in the genre, you know it’s a common theme, and it’s one of the things that drew me in and hasn’t let me go.

That’s also exactly what drew me to Annikin’s art–the profound yearning, the melancholy mixed with desire, the beauty that she can capture in those moments of unsatisfied heartache.  In portraits of single characters alone, Annikin highlights that exquisite feeling of tender loneliness.  It may even be all the more intense in her portraits of two characters together, circling each other but never quite able to connect.  Through her art, Annikin captures the feeling of endless wanting so poignantly and beautifully.

Without further ado, let me introduce Annikin!

Meet Annikin

Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background as an artist?

Hi my name is Anni, I’m an artist from Germany. I’ve been drawing since I can remember and got more into it about 10 years ago. I started drawing digitally in 2020 when I got my first iPad and had the most fun since then! Also as an introverted person I feel very comfortable spending time on my own so maybe that’s also why I enjoy my time drawing so much.

What was your introduction to danmei?

I think the first things I saw were cosplays and fanart online but I’ll be honest – when the trailer for tgcf season 2 dropped especially the scene where they zoom in on Hua Cheng on the chair in Ghost city it was over for me. Then I watched the show and bought all the books lmao and after tgcf I got into other danmei as well.

How long have you been creating danmei fan art?

Should be about 3 years now.

Creative Process

What inspires you to create new works of art?

Anything honestly but mostly other artists, my current obsessions I need to get out of my brain, when I’m currently reading/playing a game, unrelated pictures I see which match the vibes of certain characters, music, even edits on TikTok.

What is your preferred medium and tools for creating your art, and why?

I draw digitally – started with Photoshop but I didn’t have a drawing tablet with a screen and that felt pretty weird. Then I switched to Procreate when I got my iPad and right now I use Clip Studio Paint and a drawing tablet which is my preferred medium now because the screen is bigger and the software has more options but I love both.

Artistic Style

How would you describe your art style? Has it evolved since you started creating danmei fan art?

Messy, darker. I feel like it evolves with every new piece but I learned I really love drawing long hair!

Are there any particular artists or art movements that influence your work?

I get inspired by so many artists I could never name anyone specific. I just love so many different styles and artists and still try to find my in-between.

Fandom and Community

What is your favorite part about creating art for a danmei fan audience?

The fandom is so talented and funny and I love being part of it. I also discovered so many artists, cosplayers and content creators.

Art and Storytelling

Danmei stories often have deep emotional connections and character development. How do you convey those emotions through your art?

I think my art is often more on the sad side. There’s always so much yearning in these stories.  I also like to portray that very much.

Do you try to stay true to the canon representations of the characters, or do you incorporate your own interpretations and styles into your art?

I tend to mix their canon appearances from manhua, donghua and official arts for example. For portraying personalities I think my own interpretation often flows into it.

Future Plans and Advice

What’s next for you as an artist? Do you have any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore?

I recently had my first booth at a convention which was an amazing experience. I’d love to do more! Other than that I really wanna develop as an artist and learn to do more full illustrations (I mainly do portraits) and also create more original art and explore where I wanna go with that.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in danmei fan art or art in general?

I know that’s what people always say but KEEP GOING but also don’t stress yourself. We all experience art block or are unsatisfied with our work, it just comes hand in hand with creating art. Have fun in learning and just express yourself 🙂

Fun Questions

Do you have a favorite danmei couple that you enjoy drawing the most? Why?

Definitely Hualian, they were my introduction to danmei and are just anchored in my brain. I love them as characters and love their love.

Outside of danmei, what other genres or fandoms do you enjoy creating art for?

I’m also heavy into Arcane, Final Fantasy 7, Elden Ring and Jujutsu Kaisen at the moment.

Appreciation

Thanks for taking the time to appreciate Annikin’s art and learn more about her.  If you’re as much of a fan as I am, please follow her to see her new work and take a moment to share your appreciation.