Azusa Tojo: A Journey into Stylised Art and Blender
Azusa Tojo is a freelance visual development artist and Blender teacher with an unconventional journey in the animation industry. She started as a 3D animator before transitioning into roto-painting, then concept artist for liveaction then eventually finding her passion in visual development. Along the way, she has collaborated with renowned clients such as Nexus Studios, Netflix, Flying Bark, Titmouse, West Studio, Keytales, and Wachajack.
Her career path wasn’t planned—it was shaped by unexpected opportunities, self-discovery, and a willingness to embrace change. “Trust the opportunities. Follow what you enjoy. I never thought I would be doing what I am doing now,” she reflects. Azusa’s journey is a testament to the idea that there’s no single route into animation.
Finding a Path in Animation
Like many artists, Azusa had a passion for drawing and painting from an early age. However, growing up in Japan, she felt that art was not seen as a viable career path. As a result, she pursued a more traditional route and studied economics. That changed after she watched, Monsters University, a film that captivated her with its vibrant colors and lighting. Learning that a Japanese artist had contributed to the film made her realise that a career in animation was possible.
Determined to follow her passion, she moved to Vancouver to study 3D animation, setting off on a journey through animation, VFX, and concept art.
From Animation to Concept Art
After several years working for live-action projects in VFX, Azusa Tojo began to yearn for more stylised, expressive work. “I remembered what initially drew me to animation in the first place. I want to create something different, something more stylized,” she shares.
It was the magic of storytelling in animation, especially films like PIXAR—that had first sparked her passion. The rich colors, vibrant lighting, and deep emotions in those films sparked something in her—a desire to create art that feels alive and full of story. Looking back, she realized she wanted to bring every scene to life, not just visually, but emotionally. It wasn’t just about catching the eye; it was about making people feel something.
The shift wasn’t easy. “For the first few months, I had no work,” she admits. “I had to build a completely new portfolio.” It was during this time that she discovered the power of Blender. “Blender made creating stylised art so much easier and faster,” she explains. The software became a game-changer, allowing her to bridge the gap between ideas and execution, ultimately helping her establish herself as a freelance visual development artist.
The Shift to Freelance and Stylised Art
After several years creating concepts in VFX, Azusa Tojo found herself craving more stylised and expressive projects. “I was so deep in VFX, and suddenly I realised—I want to do something different.”
Her love for stylised art comes from a desire to create work that is uplifting and visually appealing. Happy, cute characters bring her joy and emotional resonance. At the same time, her partner was relocating to Sydney, prompting her to reassess her own path. She made the bold decision to quit her job and transition into freelance visual development.
The shift wasn’t easy. “For the first three months, I had no work,” she admits. “I had to build a completely new portfolio.” It was during this time that she discovered the power of Blender. “Blender made creating stylised art so much easier,” she explains. The software became a game-changer, allowing her to bridge the gap between ideas and execution, ultimately helping her establish herself as a freelance visual development artist.
“I used to think you had to be a master painter to be a concept artist. Then I realised it’s about finding tools that help you express your ideas in the best way possible.”
Taking classes from industry professionals like Vaughan Ling, Jama Jurabaev gave her the confidence to use Blender effectively. The software streamlined her artistic process—removing the challenges of perspective drawing and enabling her to sketch and render directly in 3D.
Once an underutilised tool in stylised art, Blender is now becoming an industry staple, and for Azusa, it was the key to unlocking a new creative direction.
Blender: A Game-Changer
Azusa’s expertise in Blender led to an unexpected opportunity—teaching. Initially hesitant, she accepted an invitation to teach at Warrior Art Camp. “I had just started learning Blender myself,” she recalls. But through teaching, she deepened her understanding of the tool.
Teaching forced her to break down complex concepts and explain them in simple terms. It also pushed her to master aspects of Blender she had previously avoided, such as nodes and technical workflows.
Many 2D artists find 3D tools intimidating, but because Azusa had struggled with the technical aspects herself so much that she was able to relate to their challenges and help them overcome their fears. The experience reinforced her belief that learning is an ongoing process and that sharing knowledge benefits both the teacher and the students.
Azusa at IAMAG: What to Expect
Azusa will be speaking at IAMAG, where she plans to showcase her Blender workflow and demonstrate how 2Dartists can use it as a sketching tool. “You don’t need to be a technical expert—it can be fun and intuitive.
I want people to see that Blender can be simple and effective for concept art.”
Catch Azusa at IAMAG, where she will be sharing her insights on Blender, concept art, and her unique approach to storytelling, during an exclusive workshop, Visual Development, and illustration with Blender
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