I am Yiyao Da, a visual artist and practice-based researcher specializing in mixed-media painting, publication, and narrative art. 

My creative practice spans easel painting, physical Zines, and applied illustration. I work extensively with water-based mixed media—combining watercolor, acrylic gouache, and structural gel to achieve rich, tactile surfaces with nuanced physical textures. Drawing inspiration from traditional East Asian culture, literary reading, musical rhythm and nature, I construct evocative narrative spaces that invite emotional resonance.

My representative works include the illustration series City Wanderer, Soul Journey, and the original character IP Ms.Leopard, and independent Zines and picture books such as Way Out, Qingguo Alley’s Night Market, and It's Fine, It's Pine. I am the author and illustrator of the published art book Drawing Tour at 50°N , the illustrator of the published picture book Towards the Bright Side.

My solo exhibitions have been hosted across Shanghai and Changzhou. Beyond my independent studio work, I maintain active cross-disciplinary collaborations with brands, film studios, and publishers—including Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Three-Body Universe, Douban, and leading national presses.

Studio Life

My studio "Chief Supervisor" is Maomao, my lovely cat who serves as my primary emotional anchor.
Having witnessed the birth of every artwork in my studio, she remains my faithful companion as I step toward new artistic horizons and upcoming journeys.

• ADC 103rd Annual Awards (NYC) — Gold Cube Winner

• BIBF International Illustration Competition 2025 — Gold Award

• Communication Arts (CA) Illustration Competition 2022 — Award of Excellence

• Hiii Illustration Competition 2021 — Best of the Best Award

• JIA Japan Illustration Award 2021 — Silver Award

• CACC Golden Dragon Award — Best Illustration Nomination

• 3x3 International Illustration Annual No.19 — Distinguished Merit

• American Illustration 42 — Chosen Winner

• CIB 10th China Illustration Biennial — Bronze Award & Award of Excellence

• CIB 9th China Illustration Biennial — Award of Excellence

• BIE Greater Bay Area Illustration Competition — 3rd Prize

• Hiii Illustration Competition 2023 — Merit Award

• iJungle Illustration Awards (2022 / 2023 / 2024) — Merit Award

• CIAC National Illustration Support Scheme (1st / 3rd / 4th) — Award of Excellence

• Bologna Children's Book Fair 2023 — Finalist

• World Illustration Awards (WIA) 2022 — Longlist

• Golden Pinwheel International Young Illustrators Competition 2023 — Shortlist

• BIBF Pinecone International Illustration Exhibition 2022 — Shortlist

• Art & Creative Materials: Winsor & Newton / Liquitex

• Entertainment & IP: Three-Body Universe / Little Sugar Pictures / Taopiaopiao / Jingtan / OPPO Wallpaper / Official key art for Chinese TV series "Stand By Me" / NFT collectibles for movie "Only Fools Rush In" and drama "The Skin"

• Publishing & Cultural Brands: Douban Goods / Zhejiang Children's Publishing House / China Light Industry Press

• 2026.07 | Green Wonderland: Ms.Leopard's Oriental Odyssey / Readers' Cultural Space, Shanghai

• 2025.04 | Touring the North Latitude 50 Degrees Book Exhibition / TX Huaihai neXtLab, Shanghai

• 2024.12 | I Come From Afar to See You / Tingtingsign Design Store, Changzhou

• 2024.11 | I Come From Afar to See You / Kubrick Bookstore, Shanghai

• 2026.05 | SIPS Shanghai International Illustration & Pop Art Show
• 2026.05 | GAF Shanghai International Illustration Art Festival
• 2026.04 | Deqiu Shanghai International Illustration Art Festival
• 2026.03 | Nanjing Bonjour Art Book Fair

🏛 Selected Group Exhibitions

• 2024–2025 | Gardens, Stars, Paths: Emerging Youth Artists Exhibition / Sanya Yazhou Bay Illustration Art Festival (Yazhou Cultural & Sports Center Art Museum)
• 2024–2025 | Twelve Moons As It Should Be Illustration Invitational Exhibition (NO.24 / NO.25-26) / Beijing Yangmeizhu Byway & Nanjing T80 Park
• 2024 | IIE International Illustration Exhibition / OCAT B10, OCT Loft, Shenzhen
• 2023 | CCBF Shanghai International Children's Book Fair — Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Exhibition / Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center
• 2023 | Hello, Illustration 1st CIAC Exhibition / Guangzhou Library
• 2023 | Different Flowers Contemporary Female Artists Exhibition / Nanchang High-Tech Zone Art Museum
• Touring | Travel with Picture Books & Fluorescent Childhood Original Picture Book Exhibitions / Liaohe Art Museum & Fangchenggang Cultural Center
• Academic | Dialogue China Original Picture Book Talent Training Exhibition / Beijing Union University & Capital Normal University
• Group | Asia Illustration Annual Exhibition / Hongqiao Art Center, Shanghai
• Group | Wandering in the Fantasy World / Conches Bookstore, Nanchang