We are proud to work with Yishan Li, a highly influential illustrator and art educator whose books have helped shape how readers around the world learn to draw manga and kawaii-inspired art. With a clear visual language and an intuitive understanding of how people learn to draw, Yishan has become a key voice within Search Press’s drawing and illustration list. Yishan Li is a professional Manga artist who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Yishan has been drawing Manga since 1998 when she was in high school and she has subsequently been published internationally including China, North America, France and the UK.
Yishan’s work is defined by clarity, charm and approachability. Her illustrations are instantly engaging, yet her teaching method is methodical and precise, making even complex drawing concepts feel achievable. Across her books, she places strong emphasis on observation, proportion and expression, empowering readers to develop both confidence and personal style through regular practice.
Her publishing journey with Search Press began in 2015 with How to Draw: Manga Boys and How to Draw: Manga Girls, followed closely by How to Draw: Manga Chibis. These early titles established Yishan as a trusted guide for aspiring artists, particularly young readers and beginners keen to master manga drawing techniques from the ground up. The success of these books led to an expanding and enduring series, including How to Draw: Manga, How to Draw: Manga Heroes, and How to Draw: Manga Faces, each building on core skills while introducing new creative challenges.
Alongside manga, Yishan has played a central role in growing Search Press’s popular kawaii drawing titles. Books such as How to Draw: Kawaii, How to Draw: Kawaii Animals, How to Draw: Kawaii Girls and Boys, and How to Draw: Cute Kawaii reflect her ability to combine simplicity with strong visual impact, helping readers create joyful, characterful illustrations with ease. Yishan’s collection of How to Draw books have sold over 300,000 copies worldwide!
More recently, Yishan’s work has expanded into new formats that encourage playful exploration and creativity. Titles such as Draw 100: Manga, Draw 30: Manga, and Draw 30: Kawaii invite readers to practise drawing through repetition and variation, reinforcing skills while keeping the experience fun and engaging. This approach continues with Draw 30: Kawaii Animals and 200 Cute Things to Draw, which were published in January and March 2026 respectively.
Looking ahead, Yishan’s creativity is set to reach new audiences with the upcoming Draw Me! Color Me! series. Cute & Cozy Friends and Cute & Cozy Home, both scheduled for July 2026, introduce a hybrid draw-and-colour format that blends illustration, colouring and personalisation, offering readers a relaxing, immersive creative experience.
Collaborating with Yishan is a pleasure. She brings imagination and a deep respect for her audience to every project, along with a clear understanding of how visual learning works. Her books continue to support creativity across age groups and skill levels, making drawing an accessible and rewarding pursuit.
We are delighted by the breadth and longevity of Yishan Li’s work with Search Press and look forward to continuing this successful partnership as her publishing journey continues to evolve.
