How about this mangaka? :)
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/mata_ashita/
Author of Koimonogatari
Hmm, so by popular, you probably mean that you're familiar with Suzuki Tsuta, Machiya Otoko, Miyamoto Kano (although she does sometimes chibify guys when they're playing the fool) ...
There's this one: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/byousoku_zero_mile/
Otherwise, I suggest taking a rummage through my "realistic" tag to see if there is anything that appeals: http://www.mangago.me/people/tag/12961/realistic/?page=1
Clean art with a realistic feeling to it, huh?
If you like Ichikawa Kei, then you might like these
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/itsuka_tomodachi_ja_nakunaru_to_shite_mo/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/haikei_niisan_sama/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/number_call/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/wakabaryou_de_kimi_to/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/neko_no_koi/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/two_colors/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/sky_link/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/soredemo_kamawanai/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/sumanai_masumi_kun/
Itsuki Kaname's art is always very clean cut.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/tsumasaki_ni_kourozu/
+ Anything from Aoi Aki. In terms of detailed clean cut art she's the best, IMO.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/emotion_circuit/
with any other mangas by this mangaka. Although she has a selected few fans. If you like her, you like her from the beginning. If you don't, then you never will.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/hanamai_koeda_de_aimashou/
This one has a nice slow-paced relaxing feeling to it. the art is clean but not that detailed.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/hakumokuren_ga_saita_nara/
It's a pity that this rare gem is on haitus. So avoid this one if you don't like cliffhangers.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/shiro_no_koro/
along with anything by Mita Ori.
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/koujitsuei_no_tobira/
I think this is the most serious manga by Shoowa :P
Wow, that's a lot! Thank you so much!
I've read some of those already, some of them I've listed on my Read Later bookmark (which doesn't really get read but I'll consider starting with your recommended mangas haha). The ones I'm sure I haven't heard of are Emotion Circuit, Two Colors and Sky Line. Hope I'll get some good stuff~
Random ramble: It's interesting how two mangakas from the lists are Gintama dounjinkas haha-- Shimaji and Yamada Shiro. (even Ichikawa Kei is one! )
Oh no, hiatus is sad :( But I might check it, sometimes my curiosity wins over me. Though it'll always kill me a little inside afterwards. We all do.
Ichikawa Kei-sensei's Gintama djs are soooo goooood. Especially the one named Akatoki no Sora. That was the first I've read from sensei and I got hooked. Roller coaster of emotions. You should read it! (haha shameless sharing, sorry about that)
Any yaoi mangakas out there with clean art?
Preferably not quite known ones because I'm pretty certain I've already read most of the popular ones. But I wouldn't mind a list, I might have missed some of them. Thank you so much!