{"id":360553,"date":"2026-04-02T16:45:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/360553\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T16:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T16:45:16","slug":"this-artist-blends-bugs-and-folklore-to-create-striking-creatures-using-traditional-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/360553\/","title":{"rendered":"This artist blends bugs and folklore to create striking creatures using traditional media"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Ricardo likes to work with traditional media like oil, acrylic, charcoal, ink and watercolour (see our guides to the best oil paints<\/a> and the best watercolours<\/a>). Below, he talks us through four examples of his work.<\/p>\n

Coleoptera Rig<\/p>\n

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\"Character
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(Image credit: Ricardo Robles)<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

The Claw Clan <\/p>\n

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\"Character
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(Image credit: Ricardo Robles)<\/p>\n

\u201cTwisted, demonic beings inspired by Japanese folklore, though not intended to be historically accurate. I was influenced by \u201990s anime such as Patlabor and Ghost In The Shell, which have informed many aspects of my visual language.\u201d<\/p>\n

School Bus<\/p>\n

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\"Character\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Ricardo Robles)<\/p>\n

\u201cHere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bell Oni<\/p>\n

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\"Character\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Ricardo Robles)<\/p>\n

\u201cThis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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You can see more of Ricardo\u2019s work on his ArtStation profile<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sign up to Creative Bloq’s daily newsletter, which brings you the latest news and inspiration from the worlds of art, design and technology.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX<\/a> to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.<\/p>\n

Need supplies?<\/p>\n

Check out the deals on paints below if you need supplies for your own art. We also have a guide to the best acrylic paints<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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