The artistic world of video game development comes alive through the personal sketchbook of Choro Choi, a talented character concept artist at Guerrilla Games. Originally from South Korea and now based in Amsterdam, Choi brings over 13 years of experience to her work on blockbuster titles like Horizon Forbidden West. Her sketchbook reveals a fascinating blend of cultural influences, technical skill, and creative experimentation that demonstrates the human touch in an increasingly digital world.

Choi's artistic approach showcases a masterful balance between realism and artistic flair, particularly evident in her character designs. Her work demonstrates why choosing the right digital art tools—from the best digital art software to high-quality drawing tablets with styluses—makes a significant difference in creating engaging, unforgettable characters. Whether sketching in a personal notebook or crafting game-ready designs, her portfolio serves as proof that mastering this balance is essential for any aspiring digital artist.

The artist's preference for working on her 11-inch iPad reveals an interesting perspective on creative limitations. "I prefer using my 11-inch iPad for sketches like this," Choi explains. "The small screen helps me ignore mistakes and early marks. In the end, every line feels intentional, coming together to form a kind of texture." This approach highlights how technical constraints can actually enhance creativity rather than hinder it.

Choi's fascination with composition is particularly evident in her trio-based artwork. "I love how trios can create tension and stability in my compositions," she notes, describing a piece that incorporates a background reference from a photo taken in Seoul, where she previously lived. This work demonstrates her ability to blend personal experiences with artistic technique to create compelling visual narratives.

Her travels through Seoul and Tokyo have profoundly influenced her artistic vision, especially her unique perspective on urban infrastructure. "While travelling in Seoul and Tokyo, I took so many photos of electricity poles," Choi reveals. "Inspired by these, I imagined a character running across them." Interestingly, she acknowledges that the perspective might be technically imperfect but chose to prioritize mood and atmosphere over technical precision. "Since the rise of AI tools, I actually find it fun to embrace these flaws as proof that this is truly human-made art."

The artist's personal project called "Salpuri" represents a deep exploration of her Korean heritage. Salpuri refers to a Korean shaman ritual dance said to cleanse pain and sorrow, and Choi has been reinterpreting these traditional elements in non-conventional ways. "I used elements inspired by shamans, but reinterpreted them non-traditionally," she explains. The project is set in a world that blends science fiction with shamanism, featuring traditional Korean outfits and cultural elements reimagined for a futuristic context.

Popular culture also plays a significant role in Choi's creative process. One character's gesture was directly inspired by the choreography of the K-pop song "PTT (Paint The Town)" by Loona. "I was really into the song at the time and wanted to create fan art to show my appreciation for the group and the track," she shares. This demonstrates how contemporary cultural influences seamlessly integrate with her more traditional inspirations.

Choi's artistic philosophy extends to her appreciation for life's fleeting nature, which appears throughout her work. "I enjoy drawing bones," she reflects. "They remind me of the fleeting nature of life and, paradoxically, how precious it is." This philosophical approach adds depth to her character designs, infusing them with meaning beyond their surface appeal.

The artist's technique continues to evolve, particularly in her exploration of different line qualities. "I've always been drawn to loose, wobbly lines, though they haven't come naturally to me," she admits. Her experimentation with the HB Pencil and Smudge tool combination in Procreate has become a signature element in her recent work, showing how digital tools can help artists achieve new expressive qualities.

Choi's current living situation in Amsterdam, where power lines are buried underground, has given her a new appreciation for the electricity poles that were once commonplace in her Korean hometown. "I like drawing electricity poles. I never paid much attention to them when I was living in Korea, but after moving to a city where all the power lines are buried underground, they started to feel symbolic, almost like a quiet reminder of my roots and hometown."

Her design process often begins with unexpected elements, such as starting a character design from the shoes up. "This piece started with the shoe design, then I chose an angle that would best show the sole," she explains about one particular work. "I was inspired by high heels with spikes on the bottom and created my own version, imagining something that was like a snake's mouth." This bottom-up approach to character design demonstrates her willingness to find inspiration in unconventional starting points.

The integration of her professional work with personal projects creates interesting cross-pollination in Choi's art. Elements from Horizon Forbidden West appear in her personal Salpuri project, where she constructed headpieces by tying bones together with thread, directly inspired by design elements from the game. This shows how commercial and personal artistic endeavors can inform and enhance each other.

Choi's commitment to originality while using references showcases a mature artistic approach. "I use references because I want my work to feel grounded," she explains. "But I also try to look at them from a different angle or focus on the mood I want to convey, as I'm aiming to create images people haven't seen before." This philosophy helps her create work that feels both familiar and fresh, accessible yet surprising.

The spontaneous nature of artistic creation particularly excites Choi, who finds joy in seeing where her artwork leads. "It's always fun to see where an artwork goes; sometimes it feels like they have a will of their own," she observes. This openness to artistic serendipity allows her work to develop organically, resulting in pieces that often exceed her initial expectations and reveal new creative possibilities.