Illustrator Saehan Parc creates densely packed scenes filled with tiny shoppers, stray cats, and bathers, according to her illustration portfolio. Her artistic path shifted at age 21 when she left art school, moved to France, and enrolled at HEAR—the Haute École des Arts du Rhin—to study narrative image-making and printmaking until 2017. Her signature geometric style and crowded compositions now span children’s books and gallery exhibitions.
Saehan Parc’s Artistic Evolution From Digital to Printmaking
Before studying in France, Parc primarily worked in digital formats. Her time at HEAR introduced her to manual techniques that she continues to use, as reported in her profile. Following her graduation through 2017, Korean publisher Jjokk Press commissioned her to write and illustrate a 16-page comic. Unsure how her geometric style would be received, she presented it for the first time. According to Parc, the work worked well and provided the courage to continue her distinctive visual approach.
Transition to Children’s Books and International Publishing
Editorial collaborations soon followed the publication of her comic. Publisher Editions 2024 later approached Parc to ask if she had a children’s book project prepared. Although she did not have one ready at the time, the inquiry prompted her to develop a story and sample pages within a month. This led to the publication of her first children’s book, Papa Ballon, in 2021. Two additional books, Coucou Sommeil and Bibimbap, followed and have since been translated beyond France and Korea.
Pro Tip: When exploring diverse creative inspirations, look beyond traditional picture books. Parc draws ideas from music, movies, art shows, novels, and poetry, noting that music aesthetics often influence visual concepts.
Creative Process and Spontaneous Technique
Parc divides her workflow based on the nature of the assignment. For commercial commissions, she uses a rough croquis stage—a rapid preliminary sketch of a human figure typical in live drawing—before executing the final illustration. For personal work, she skips preliminary sketches entirely. Instead, she applies line work directly using a normographe, a technical drawing tool, before moving to coloring. She avoids undoing strokes in personal projects to maintain a spontaneous process.
This spontaneous approach influenced her recent solo exhibition at Cusp Dot in Hangzhou. Two standout pieces from the show—a crocodile flattened beneath a diagonal stack of tiny figures, and patterned trouser legs flanked by painted eggs—originated directly from the structure of Chinese characters. Both works reflect her ongoing reliance on pattern and repetition.
Audience Engagement and Future Creative Goals
Outside of text-driven children’s literature, Parc embeds no heavy or loaded meanings in her artwork. Instead, her primary objective is to inspire others. According to the artist, her only wish is that her imagery encourages the audience to draw because the process appears fun.
Did you know? Parc’s detailed compositions intentionally leave no white space or gaps empty, filling scenes like public baths and market stalls edge to edge with tiny figures and objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Saehan Parc study illustration?
Parc studied narrative image-making and printmaking at HEAR (Haute École des Arts du Rhin) in France until 2017.
What was Saehan Parc’s first children’s book?
Her first children’s book was Papa Ballon, published by Editions 2024 in 2021.
How does Parc create her personal illustrations?
For personal works, she skips preliminary paper sketches and draws directly with a normographe before coloring.
What inspires Parc’s artistic compositions?
She draws inspiration from music, movies, art shows, novels, poetry, and the visual aesthetics connected to music.
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