‘Like a dream’: Japanese grandpa draws in following as art YouTuber

Shibasaki painting with watercolours at a shrine in Isumi, Chiba prefecture. He was nearly 70 when he began making YouTube art tutorials from his quiet home in the Japanese countryside. Five years on, he has 1.4 million subscribers. — AFP

ISUMI, Japan: Harumichi Shibasaki was nearly 70 when he began making YouTube art tutorials from his quiet home in the Japanese countryside. Five years on, he has 1.4 million subscribers.

Unlike the attention-grabbing antics of most top YouTubers, the grandfather has won hearts with his calm, soothing manner, which fans say makes them feel “warm and peaceful”.