The Poster Paints from Nicker That Conquered Studio Ghibli's Stamp of Approval

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Nicker: A Tokyo Art Staple Since 1950

Image source: ZenPlus

Established in 1950, Nicker has carved a niche for itself in the competitive Tokyo art market with its superior range of paints. Whether you're an animator, a designer, or a calligrapher, Nicker's products are crafted to enhance your creative process and bring your ideas vividly to life.

Studio Ghibli’s Stamp of Approval

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Known for their intense saturation and superior quality, these Nicker paints have earned a spot in the studios of animation giants like Studio Ghibli. 

From the enchanting forests of Princess Mononoke to the dreamy settings of Spirited Away, these paints are at the heart of these beloved films, ensuring every frame is an absolute visual feast!

• Did you know? Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki brings his beautifully crafted stories and detailed worlds to life using vibrant watercolors, creating a unique and unforgettable visual experience!

Extensive Palette of Art Supplies

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Nicker offers an extensive selection of top-tier art supplies that cater to all your creative needs. Check out what they have to offer:

• Poster Color: Renowned for their use in Japanese hand-painted anime backgrounds, these paints boast excellent spreadability and vibrant colors, making each stroke come to life.
• Designer's Colors: Create stunning pieces with these exceptional opaque watercolors, recognized as some of Nicker's finest offerings. Perfect for design, illustration, painting, and calligraphy, they promise top quality for any artistic endeavor.
• Line Drawing Brushes SOU-YO: Available in both medium and large sizes, these brushes are perfect for precise line work.
• Anime Background Brush Sets: Achieve anime-like results with these famous, magical sets designed specifically for creating dynamic backgrounds.
• Painting Accessories: Make sure you have all the painting essentials, including poster color paper pad, dish-shaped palettes in plastic and ceramic for flawless color mixing, brush washers for maintaining clean brushes, recovery liquid to revive hardened paints, and a grooving set with a ruler and stick for drawing straight lines with ease.

Find Your Perfect Nicker Paint!

A great question that often pops up is: How do you select the perfect Nicker paint for your project?  Begin by considering the medium and technique you wish to employ. Poster colors are ideal for creating bold, opaque effects, perfect for making a statement or adding depth. 

In contrast, watercolors excel at delivering subtle, translucent washes that capture light and shadow beautifully, ideal for achieving gentle gradients and soft color transitions. If versatility and rich color depth are what you're after, acrylics are the way to go. 

Depending on your artistic vision, also think about the finish you desire—matte, glossy, or somewhere in between—and how the paint's characteristics align with the surface you'll be working on. Remember, the right paint can elevate your project from good to breathtaking!

• Need more tailored advice? dive into Nicker’s comprehensive product descriptions and usage guides—they'll help you pinpoint the best match for your artistic ambitions, ensuring your next creation is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Why Artists Trust Nicker Paints

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Known for their high pigment concentration and unmatched quality, these paints are crafted using traditional techniques that set them apart. 

The unique formulation of Nicker paints ensures they go on smoothly and produce bright, vivid colors, earning them top marks in the art supply market (even beginners can achieve impressive results with these pro-approved paints!)

Nicker’s Role in Kazuo Oga’s Iconic Anime Art

Kazuo Oga Painting with Nicker Paints 

Kazuo Oga, an art director and background artist renowned for his work with Madhouse Studio and Studio Ghibli, has left a significant mark on the anime world. When you admire the gorgeous, seamlessly integrated backgrounds in films that captivate and enchant viewers, you're basically appreciating Oga’s artistry. 

His skillful use of Nicker poster colors has played a crucial role in their popularity. Notably, he has contributed to iconic films like Princess Mononoke and My Neighbor Totoro, as well as creating stunning backgrounds for Spirited Away and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. It’s his vivid and meticulously crafted scenes that help these films remain etched in the hearts of viewers worldwide.

The Animator’s Choice

Yoichi Watanabe, Representative Director and Animation Art Director at VASA Entertainment Co., swears by Nicker paints for their unparalleled versatility and ease of use. 

Having started his career at Studio Ghibli and honed his craft as a background artist on projects like Howl’s Moving Castle, Watanabe has a deep appreciation for materials that offer both quality and flexibility. 

Nicker Poster Colour with Yoichi Watanabe 

Nicker’s paints stand out due to their stretchy consistency, which makes them comfortable to apply across various settings—from detailed background art to broad coatings and intricate finishes. 

Their adaptability makes them a must-have in Japanese animation, giving artists like Watanabe just what they need to create vibrant animated worlds!

What’s Inside Your Nicker Paint?

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Every great product begins with exceptional ingredients, and Nicker Colour's professional-grade poster paints are no exception. The magic component? Pure gum Arabic—a natural binder that glides effortlessly across any surface, turning each stroke into a joyful expression. 

These paints start with finely milled pigments, achieving vibrant, opaque colors with a stunning matte finish that artists adore. Designed for simplicity and stunning impact, Nicker Colour encourages you to shed the unnecessary and focus solely on pure, striking color. 

Unleash your creativity and transform your artistic visions into dazzling realities with paints crafted for those not afraid to stand out!

Pursuing Global Art Dreams

Nicker's remarkable success in Japan has set the stage for a global expansion, aiming to connect with enthusiastic artists worldwide who seek top-notch paints to fuel their artistic passions and dreams. 

For this ambitious venture, Nicker has partnered exclusively with ZenPlus, a massive online marketplace with over a decade of industry experience. 

ZenPlus has successfully bridged the gap between global shoppers and an extensive array of Japanese-made products. With over 5 million items listed by more than 3,000 local retailers like Nicker, ZenPlus is the trusted platform for artists and consumers eager to explore and purchase the finest in Japanese craftsmanship.

Unlike other online marketplaces that simply promise quick delivery from Japan to destinations abroad, ZenPlus takes pride in its proactive approach—the moment an order is placed, the team springs into action, ensuring not only a swift delivery but also dedicating ample time to secure, high-quality packaging. 

This meticulous process guarantees that your order arrives at your doorstep with 'bullet train' speed, matched with the joy of receiving a package handled with care.

Drawing Upside Down with Nicker

In an exciting collaboration, ZenPlus teamed up with Spilled Ink on YouTube to highlight the impressive capabilities of the Nicker Japanese art brand.

Spilled Ink Upside Down Drawing 

This partnership included the thrilling 'Upside Down Drawing Challenge,' where the true capabilities of Emily, Daidus and Connor were on full display (and Emily’s standout work was an absolute joy to watch!).

In another thrilling collaboration, Spilled Ink teamed up with ZenPlus and Nicker to put their renowned poster colors to the test. Utilizing these vivid hues along with high-quality poster color paper pads, they effortlessly drew breathtaking backgrounds. The process was not only fun but also yielded stunning professional results.

Spilled Ink Trying Nicker Paints 

Watching the Nicker products excel in even simple drawings was remarkable, demonstrating their top-notch quality and ease of use. So, consider it your sign to treat yourself to some premium, Studio Ghibli-approved Nicker paints!

About The Writer

Meet Mariam - a freelance writer whose heart beats for the captivating world of Japanese culture. She's fascinated by the breathtaking cherry blossom trees, the irresistible traditional dishes and snacks, the timeless fashion, the adorable natural makeup, and of course, the world-famous anime, just to name a few of her passions. Now, with boundless creativity and determination, she aims to deliver the most valuable content for readers to offer them a glimpse into her passions in life.