The Art of Simetta

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Simetta is a Japanese artist whose work heavily evokes the surrealistic melancholy tone of the films of Makoto Shinkai. Deep saturated flourishes of purple, youths staring wistfully off into the distance, and exquisitely detailed backgrounds that capture both the urban density and rural quietude of some of Japan's most iconic locations. His illustrations depict moments of ephemeral stillness that are equal parts intimate and inspiring, calming and exhilarating. Moments that feel lighter than air. Check out more of his beautiful work after the break!

The Art of Ivan Khomenko

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Ivan "Hamen" Khomenko is a master of romantic heroism. And before you ask, you already know what I'm talking about. The lone hero, with his back turned to the viewer, charging into the precipice of great mystery and terrible danger. The archetype of Caspar David Friedrich's Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog. Ivan also happens to be wildly talented at depicting detail-riddled environments and dynamic mid-motion fight scenes. Just check the detail on that ribbon-hook in the top image. Too badass.

Ivan is currently enrolled at the Kostroma Technological University in Russia with a focus in Jewelry designing. If you think the featured image is dope, wait until you see the rest of his work after the break!

The Art of Gino

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Zhang Yuan, better known as 'GINO' in digital illustration circles, is a hard man to find and even harder to describe. What first caught my eye was his impeccable talent for composition, his points of focus succeed in capturing attention, without skimping out on the vital details that make his entire pieces feel like monuments to precision. Themes of his work vary between magic realism (such as my personal favorite above) to the mythic feudal showdowns typical of Wuxia; the Chinese sub-genre of supernatural martial arts folktale.

From what I can strain to make out through the clumsy browser translation of his website, Zhang is a professional concept artist focused on design-related entertainment, cartoons, illustrations and contemporary art. An alumni of the China Central Academy of Art and the Communication Arts program of New York University, 'GINO' is just further proof that a barrier of language should be no deterrent in the pursuit of great art.