Based in Spain, Ricardo Robles is a seasoned concept artist and co-founder of the design studio Brainbug. He specialises in visual direction for video game and board game projects and crafts striking environments, characters and creatures.
Ricardo likes to work with traditional media like oil, acrylic, charcoal, ink and watercolour (see our guides to the best oil paints and the best watercolours). Below, he talks us through four examples of his work.
Coleoptera Rig
“I imagined a world where insects and humans coexist in a kind of symbiosis. Orthoptera serve as transportation, while giant beetles are a labour force. At the same time, aggressive species pose a formidable threat in the outer wilderness.”
The Claw Clan
“Twisted, demonic beings inspired by Japanese folklore, though not intended to be historically accurate. I was influenced by ’90s anime such as Patlabor and Ghost In The Shell, which have informed many aspects of my visual language.”
School Bus
“Here is another piece from the Bugworld series. I enjoy the process of portraying everyday scenes filled with mundane tasks and the presence of children, as they help me to reinforce the storytelling and add depth to the worldbuilding.”
Bell Oni
“This is a kind of spirit or demon that is associated with the sound of zills. Once again, I draw from Asian folklore aesthetics, focusing on reinterpreting them in my own way in order to create something playful and intriguing.”
You can see more of Ricardo’s work on his ArtStation profile.
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
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