How to Make Ghibli Art on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Studio Ghibli is one of the most beloved animation studios in the world, renowned for its enchanting art, fantastical landscapes, and heartwarming characters. From My Neighbor Totoro to Spirited Away, Ghibli's visual storytelling captures the essence of magic and whimsy. For art lovers, capturing the essence of Ghibli’s style in their work can be a dream come true, especially when sharing it on Instagram—a platform known for its vibrant art community. If you’re looking to make Ghibli-style art for Instagram, this article will guide you through the process of creating and sharing your art most engagingly.

1. Understand Ghibli’s Aesthetic

Before you begin creating, it’s crucial to understand what makes Ghibli art so unique. The studio is known for its stunning hand-drawn animation, lush natural landscapes, and expressive character designs. Here are a few key aspects of Ghibli’s aesthetic:

• Nature and Fantasy: Ghibli films often depict nature in all its beauty, from expansive fields to towering trees and magical creatures. Landscapes are not just backdrops—they are living, breathing characters in their own right.
• Color Palette: The color schemes in Ghibli films are often soft and earthy, with an emphasis on greens, browns, and blues. The use of color to evoke emotion and atmosphere is a hallmark of the studio’s art style.
• Character Design: Ghibli's characters range from adorable, innocent creatures to complex, realistic human figures. There is often a sense of simplicity and charm in their designs, with larger-than-life eyes and expressive faces.
• Fluidity and Motion: The animation in Ghibli films feels alive. If you’re creating still images, try to capture this dynamic feel by infusing movement into your artwork, even if it's just a character with a flowing scarf or hair.

By examining these elements, you can get a feel for what makes Ghibli's art so special and begin to infuse these qualities into your work.

2. Choose Your Medium

Ghibli’s art has been primarily hand-drawn, but in the digital age, you can replicate its style with various tools. Deciding on a medium is an important step in the process:

• Traditional Drawing: If you're a fan of traditional art, you can sketch your design with pencils, ink, and watercolors. Ghibli’s art has a very organic, hand-crafted feel that is best captured through physical media.
• Digital Drawing: If you're more comfortable with digital art, use programs like Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint. These tools offer endless possibilities for creating soft gradients, detailed linework, and vibrant colors that mirror Ghibli’s aesthetic.

While traditional techniques can offer an authentic, hand-drawn feel, digital art gives you more control over your work. Either way, make sure your medium aligns with the style you’re aiming to achieve.

3. Sketch Your Idea

The first step in creating Ghibli-style art is sketching. Think about the themes or characters from Ghibli movies that resonate with you. For example, you might create a scene from Princess Mononoke featuring the mythical creatures and lush forests or illustrate a new character inspired by Totoro’s adorable charm. Keep in mind the following tips during your sketching process:

• Simplicity is Key: While Ghibli's art is detailed, the initial sketches are often quite simple. Focus on basic shapes and forms before adding intricate details.
• Proportions: Ghibli characters often have exaggerated proportions—think big eyes, small mouths, and large heads. Study the proportions in the studio's films and incorporate similar features into your character designs.
• Expressive Poses: Whether it's a small creature or a human character, Ghibli's characters often have dynamic and expressive poses. Experiment with different angles to create an emotional connection with your subject.

4. Add Color and Detail

Once your sketch is finalized, it’s time to add color and details. Ghibli’s artwork uses soft, earthy tones and gradients to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Here are some tips for replicating this:

• Layer Your Colors: In digital art, start by blocking out your main colors using flat tones. Then, gradually add shading and highlights using layers to build depth and dimension.
• Use Soft Gradients: Ghibli’s landscapes often feature soft transitions between light and dark colors. You can achieve this by blending your colors, particularly in the sky, water, or distant mountains, to create a dreamy effect.
• Texture and Detailing: Add textures to your artwork to give it that hand-drawn look. If you're working digitally, experiment with brushes that replicate traditional mediums like watercolor or pencil. For traditional art, use fine liners or ink to define key features and add texture to your background elements.

5. Incorporate Ghibli Themes

One of the most iconic elements of Ghibli's art is its deep connection to nature, fantasy, and emotion. To give your artwork a true Ghibli feel, try incorporating these themes:

• Magical Creatures: Ghibli films are filled with whimsical and fantastical creatures, like the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro or the Kodama spirits from Princess Mononoke. You can create your magical creatures or reimagine existing ones from Ghibli films.
• Lush Natural Settings: Backgrounds in Ghibli films often feature beautiful, vast landscapes—forests, mountains, oceans, and skies. Create lush, expansive scenery to accompany your characters, emphasizing nature’s beauty and mystery.
• Emotion and Nostalgia: Ghibli's art is full of emotion. Whether it’s a child’s innocence or the bittersweet feelings of growing up, the emotional resonance of your piece will elevate it to Ghibli standards. Reflecting this emotion in your character’s eyes or in the overall tone of the scene can make a big impact.

6. Share Your Art on Instagram

Once your Ghibli-style art is complete, it’s time to share it with the world! Instagram is a fantastic platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with a supportive community. Here are some tips for sharing your Ghibli-inspired art:

• Use Hashtags: Hashtags are crucial for getting your art noticed. Use tags like #GhibliArt, #StudioGhibli, #AnimeArt, or #FanArt to reach people who love Ghibli’s art. You can also tag specific movies (#SpiritedAway, #Totoro, etc.) to narrow down your audience.
• Create a Series: Consider creating a series of Ghibli-inspired art, whether it’s fan art or original work. Series work often engages followers and encourages them to return to your page to see what’s next.
• Engage with Your Audience: Don’t just post your art—engage with the Ghibli fan community. Like and comment on other artists’ work and respond to comments on your posts to build connections with other fans.
• Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share process shots, timelapse videos, or stories showing your artistic journey. People love seeing how artwork evolves, and it builds a deeper connection with your followers.

7. Maintain Consistency and Improve Your Skills

The key to success on Instagram (or any platform) is consistency. Keep creating and posting Ghibli-inspired art while also honing your skills. Try new techniques, experiment with different styles, and continue to explore the world of Ghibli for fresh inspiration. Over time, you’ll refine your unique artistic voice while connecting with others who share your passion for Ghibli’s enchanting world.

Final Thoughts

Creating Ghibli-style art for Instagram can be a fun and rewarding experience. By understanding the elements that make Ghibli’s art so special and translating them into your creations, you can produce work that resonates with fans of the studio’s magical aesthetic. With the right tools, dedication, and a passion for storytelling, your Ghibli-inspired art will surely capture the hearts of others on Instagram. So, grab your drawing tools, embrace your imagination, and start creating your piece of Ghibli magic today!