Illustration production log for Zenless Zone Zero - Ellen Joe. Drawing expressions and movements using Procreate x Dreams.

I fell in love with Ellen Joe's charm at first sight! I'll secretly talk about the behind-the-scenes of the illustration production for Zenless Zone Zero.

good morning!

Isn't Ellen Joe from ZenZero just too cute...!?

I was so captivated by that singing voice and animation that before I knew it, I was drawing on my iPad.

I posted an illustrated video on YouTube, but there are so many things I want to say that I haven't been able to express yet!

In this article, I'll talk in detail about what I felt during the production process, the points I focused on, and what I regretted!

What you will learn from this article

• ゼンゼロ・エレン・ジョーのイラスト制作の裏側と、表情づくりのこだわり

• Procreate×Procreate Dreamsで瞬きアニメや動きをつける際の気づきと工夫

• 制作中の反省点・改善ポイント・次に活かせる学び（構図・髪の動き・質感など）

Original video

[Zen Zero] Moechakka Fire / Ellen Joe (CV: Shion Wakayama) cover

I drew this illustration using this video as a reference.

When I happened to see it, I was completely captivated by Ellen Joe's cuteness and Shion Wakayama's singing voice...

Before I knew it, I had become a huge fan.

It was a wonderful coincidence that a version sung by the voice actor herself had just been released.

I really love the atmosphere of that video, and I secretly dream of one day creating a parody animation based on it.

Actually, I haven't played the game yet, but I'm gradually getting a feel for its world by watching the animations and clips.

Ellen Joe is really cute, isn't she?

And then there's another character that I'm interested in...

The man, who is pale and has a beastly appearance, is apparently named "Von Lykan".

He's also very charming, and I'd like to draw him someday.

My favorite smile and why

Watch the video here!

This is my favorite face.

A fleeting smile captured in the final shot.

I don't know if Ellen Joe actually makes this kind of face, but I just had to draw this smile.

As I moved my brush, imagining the gentle side of her, this expression naturally emerged.

I hope that watching it will bring a little bit of warmth and comfort to the hearts of those who see it, and make them smile.

Points for improvement and points that went well

After finishing the drawing, I realized several things.
I'll make a quick note here so I can use this to my advantage next time.

I especially wanted to make the hair move in a more natural, soft way.
Next, I'd like to try expressing the feeling of the wind.

Painting metal is really difficult, and I had to go through a lot of trial and error.
I think I could have reflected the surrounding colors a bit more... but I'm looking forward to trying that next time.

Tools Used

Let me introduce the reliable companions I used in creating this illustration.

iPad Air

This is my current creative partner.
It's lightweight, easy to hold, and I love that I can draw with it anywhere.
I'm using the 4th generation model, and it's still a very reliable device.

Procreate

I do most of my drawing with this app.

I mainly use the "Studio Pen," and it's very easy to draw with because it doesn't leave uneven lines.

I like using image stabilization a little because it seems to make line art look neater and cleaner.

By the way, when I'm sketching rough drafts, I use a drafting pen. Using different pens helps me switch gears mentally, which is a nice feeling.

Procreate Dreams

The animation part is here.
I used it to make my hair sway softly and to change my facial expressions in time with the music.
I'm still practicing, but I want to be able to make more natural movements.

I've finished creating the illustration for Ellen Joe.

This time, I took the time to talk about the illustration I drew of Ellen Joe from Zenless Zone Zero.

I feel so happy to be able to put into words the feelings I put into each piece, and the little discoveries I made while drawing them.

I hope to continue introducing my work little by little from now on.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Okay then!

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Illustration production log for Zenless Zone Zero - Ellen Joe. Drawing expressions and movements using Procreate x Dreams.

Pochi

Illustrator

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Illustrator.
This blog is my growth diary as an illustrator.
Opened since June 2023.
Starting YouTube in January 2025.