XPPen 21st Anniversary Spotlight: In Conversation with 5 Global Artists on "DOODLE THE WORLD"
Every line drawn extends the boundaries of reality; every spark of color redefines how we perceive the world.
In celebration of XPPen's 21st Anniversary, we launched a global creative dialogue under the theme "DOODLE THE WORLD." This campaign brings together artists across regions, cultures, and artistic disciplines to explore the boundless possibilities of digital art and self-expression.
We are honored to feature five pioneering artists from around the globe:
Katun – Leading Southeast Asian Graffiti Artist
Josephine Rais – Illustrator & Strategic Designer for Global Brands
Chromekane – Contemporary Visual & Tattoo Artist
Marina Esmeraldo – Award-Winning Multidisciplinary Artist
Tong Liu – TOP TOY Senior Designer & Art Toy Artist
Grounded in the spirit of "DOODLE THE WORLD," XPPen collaborated with five artists to examine how creators break away from traditional mediums. Whether on urban street walls, everyday objects, art toys, tattoo art or immersive visual installations , they transform real life and diverse surfaces into open, potential-filled canvases. Through these in-depth conversations, we not only captured the sparks of inspiration and the workflow revolutions brough by digital drawing tools, but also witnessed the profound power of digital art to inspire, connect, and empower.
Driven by our mission of bringing dream-come-true surprises to art creators , XPPen remains dedicated to empowering every unique voice and turning imaginative visions into reality.
01. Katun | Pushing Boundaries from Urban Streets to the Canvas
As one of Southeast Asia's most influential graffiti artists, Malaysia-born Katun draws inspiration from native wildlife and pop culture to create his iconic ape characters. Founder of the 4 Stages art label, Katun has collaborated with global brands such as Vans, Samsung, and Grammy-winning musicians. His practice transforms physical murals into versatile visual IPs, encouraging young creators to take their art beyond the screen and into everyday life.
Watch the full conversation with Katun here:
02. Josephine Rais | Transforming Daily Life into a Canvas for Expression
Based in Berlin, Josephine Rais uses vibrant colors and fluid shapes to explore identity, diversity, and human connection. Through her digital illustration, Josephine redefines the concept of creative mediums. She demonstrates how everyday objects and routine moments can become powerful narrative devices , showing that "doodling" is an accessible mindset that integrates art seamlessly into daily living.
03. Chromekane | Weaving Multicultural Heritage through Intricate Linework
UK artist Chromekane (Jessie Cohen) blends Eastern mythology, folklore, and Japanese Irezumi aesthetics with modern Western illustration. Her distinct black-and-white linework creates a bridge between heritage and contemporary digital art . Through her cross-cultural perspective, Jessie encourages creators to embrace their identity and leave their unique mark on the world's canvas.
Watch the full conversation with Chromekane here:
04. Marina Esmeraldo | Embracing Fluidity Across Art and Boundaries
Living in Barcelona, Brazilian-born artist, illustrator, and photographer Marina Esmeraldo captures tropical energy through bold geometric patterns. Fluent in five and a half languages and deeply inspired by travel, Marina refuses to be confined to a single medium. Her multidisciplinary journey embodies "Doodle the World"— a manifesto to respond to the environment freely, authentically , and without borders.
Watch the full conversation with Marina Esmeraldo here:
05. Tong Liu (TOP TOY) | Sculpting Touchable Worldviews in 3D Art Toys
As a Senior Designer at art toy giant TOP TOY, Tong Liu bridges the gap between 2D digital sketches and 3D collectible art figures. His work shifts art toy design from mere color application to full-scale world-building. By adding texture, depth, and narrative nuance to sculpted characters, Tong Liu turns abstract ideas into tangible storytelling experiences.
XPPen: How do digital tools like XPPen products shape the way you create and work?
Liu Tong: The Artist Ultra 14 is only 14 inches, breaks the scene limitations, but its performance is very professional. Its wide color gamut coverage ratio and color accuracy make designing paint schemes effortless. Zoom in and out directly on the screen, making my workflow incredibly efficient.
Marina: The Magic Drawing Pad is just this super fun, super practical way of capturing ideas and sketches on the move, without having to lug a heavy bag full of art supplies. I feel so much more connected to my creative essence when I am drawing with a digital tablet instead of the laptop, because there's just less interference between the body, which is where the ideas generate, and the interface that I'm drawing on.
Katun: My overall impression for Artist Ultra 14 is, I really enjoy it. I love how the feel is so natural and the color accurate in every kind of design that I do.
Josephine: For my workflow, it's very important that the tools support me as fast as possible. I really appreciate the accurate color reproduction of the XPPen Artist Ultra 14, and also the screen size. It's very, very handy for me because it's quite big, and it gives me so much freedom to draw.
Chromakane: I think digital tools have given me a lot of flexibility, and that's become essential for how I work. When I'm taking a digital image into a physical product, I'm almost switching hats from artist to designer. I start thinking more in terms of composition, like practical considerations for production, thinking about how the artwork might function in a physical 3D format, rather than simply on a screen or printed on paper.
XPPen: What does XPPen, as an innovative brand in digital art, mean to you, and what role do you think it plays in the creative community?
Marina: I just really love how XPPen makes creating art and visuals on a really high level of excellence accessible to the creative community, be it through the tools that they develop, or through the support and the visibility that they give the creative community.
Katun: XPPen gives me a space where ideas can move freely. I can define the rhythm, proportion and impact of the image on screen. It helps me stay intuitive while keeping clearer control over how the work finally comes together. XPPen represents more than a drawing tablet. It helps artists turn their art into reality, and it's also helped me as a creator to develop my creative journey.
Josephine: I think the relationship between artists and brands like XPPen is really important. If technology helps artists to create easier, to make access to the tools easier, it's so much fun to create amazing art, and also I see a nice possibility to create a community around brands like XPPen and to make room to exchange and learn from each other.
XPPen: What does XPPen’s 21st anniversary theme, “DOODLE THE WORLD,” mean to you?
Marina: I just love the theme of "DOODLE THE WORLD" and the concept of breaking boundaries and making the world our canvas. It's a wonderful way to express our individuality, and I just truly believe that it's when we own our gifts, our light, our magic, and we share it with the world through our art that we make the most impact in the world.
Katun: "DOODLE THE WORLD" means to create anything without fear. Every artist has their own perspective in their unique way, and also to inspire other people to create art, and also to connect with other cultures.
Josephine: To me, "DOODLE THE WORLD" means that you start drawing wherever you are, on whatever medium you are, and don't be limited by traditional material. Let the world be part of your artistic vision, and show them what's possible.
Chromakane: To me, "DOODLE THE WORLD" is more than just a theme. I see it as a creative manifesto. To me, it's about breaking down barriers, it's about expressing yourself without any concern, and it's about making the world your canvas.
XPPen: What would you like to say to XPPen on its 21st anniversary?
Tong Liu: Happy 21st Anniversary, XPPen! This is not just a milestone in the brand's growth, but also a witness to its continuous commitment to growing alongside global creators. May XPPen continue to stand by creators year after year, building a bridge between imagination and expression, and empowering more creators to achieve their dreams.
Marina: It's just so exciting that XPPen is celebrating this anniversary. 21 years is a whole lifetime of supporting artists and creatives. So may the next decades bring even more beauty and even more expression into the world. Happy 21st Birthday, XPPen.
Katun: Happy birthday, XPPen. Thank you for bringing all the artists together in this creative world, and I hope more success to you guys.
Chromakane: Thank you, XPPen, for your commitment to art these past 21 years, and happy 21st anniversary.