Hi. I'm rewriting this introduction because the old one sounded amazingly boring and stiff, and I like to think that I'm neither amazingly boring nor stiff, so clearly, change was in order. This is the online portfolio of Yidi Yu, generally known online under the alias Kiriska. I'm primarily self-taught, but, after much drama and debate, have decided to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design where I'm pursuing a degree in Illustration. The purpose of a portfolio is to showcase some of my best work, but I don't really think any of my work is my best work because if it was, then I couldn't get any better and I like getting better.
So instead, this is a collection of works I like more than others in the hopes of being a little bit more concise than dumping a whole bunch of examples on people. Although I tend to mostly label myself an illustrator these days, I have dabbled in a wide variety of art, many of which I consider myself pretty good in, including web design and photography. I also love to write and have written everything from formal essays to short stories and novels to blogs. As an ex-computer science major at the University of Texas, I also have a strong programming background and will always be rather partial to all things technology.
A quick glance at my artwork will reveal a very obvious anime influence. I don't deny it. I love anime. I understand that such a specialization isn't taken very seriously yet, but I've worked hard for many years to distinguish my style from whatever generic stereotype people might have. I also really enjoy doing portrait work for both animals and humans and am trying to develop a caricature style in addition to the realism. I'm working to produce work in a wider variety of styles and subjects though. I adore surrealist, dada, and modernist work and would love to have these influences become more prevailant in my illustrations.
I guess that's all that needs to be said here. Because I've dabbled in so many areas, I find myself able and willing to work in a wide variety of jobs so don't hesitate to ask! If you want to see a less pruned collection of my work, please feel free to visit my deviantART page and my sketchblog. Now, I do believe this new introduction is much more entertaining and probably more informative than the old!