By Cansu Peker

Yicheng Zhu is a concept artist and visual storyteller whose work bridges cultural heritage and imaginative design. After several years creating concept art for video games and animation, she’s now expanding into more personal, experimental forms of art. While her professional work is grounded in solving visual problems for creative teams, Yicheng’s recent explorations dive into abstract techniques that allow for deeper emotional expression.

Originally from a small city in China, Yicheng draws heavily from Chinese history and culture — using her art to share rich narratives and aesthetics that are often underrepresented globally. Whether through concept design, fine art, or tattoo work, her approach brings together thoughtful research with originality, always aiming to introduce fresh perspectives while honoring tradition.

We asked Yicheng about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

Your art draws from Chinese history and culture — can you tell us more about your visual storytelling?

I come from a small city in China and have always taken pride in the richness of Chinese culture. However, I’ve come to realize that many people around the world still know very little about it. That’s why I often incorporate Chinese backgrounds and cultural elements into my work, in order to introduce audiences to the beauty and depth of China through my art.

For example, my personal world-building project, Trace of Gold, is inspired by the cultural and geographical landscape of Tibet. Deeply influenced by Tibetan traditions, the story imagines a village rooted in Tibetan Buddhist and shamanistic beliefs, where the people worship a mysterious golden substance. The protagonist, Nassan, is a skilled hunter. Her distinctive one-shouldered heavy cloak is based on traditional Tibetan attire—designed to adapt to the region's dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, while allowing for agility during movement.

*Trace of Gold* Character Design, Nassan

*Trace of Gold* Environment Design, The Veiled Village

You’ve worked as a concept artist for video games and animation — what’s something about that world that still inspires you today, even as you branch out?

I believe the essence of concept art lies in comprehensive, independent thinking to solve visual problems — an approach that I consider fundamental to any creative practice. This process requires extensive research: understanding existing works, studying the subject matter, and identifying the specific challenges of the project. At the same time, it demands originality and critical thinking.

In concept design, I constantly reference established genres to ensure the logic and coherence of my work, while also striving to innovate and create designs that haven’t been seen before. This balance between research and reinvention is equally essential in both fine art and tattoo work.

For me, the most important mindset as a creator is to stay intellectually engaged—always generating new ideas, seeking new challenges, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

How has stepping away from problem-solving design work into more abstract, emotional art changed how you approach your creative process?

In my previous work as a concept artist in the game industry, I was constantly expected to deliver highly detailed, convincing designs with a strong sense of realism. However, while working on this project, I aimed to express the elusive, dreamlike sensations I experienced—something that required an abstract visual language.

This approach was a stark departure from the academic training and professional standards I had followed for years, and at times, the unfamiliarity challenged me to develop a more intuitive and personal approach. Over time, I embraced a more instinctive and emotionally driven creative approach. What truly matters is being honest in expressing my own emotions. Creating fine art allows me to fully immerse myself in personal expression. It offers a profound sense of freedom and a continuous sense of discovery through its limitless possibilities.

You mentioned exploring techniques that don’t fit into traditional game workflows — can you describe one that felt especially liberating or powerful for you?

In concept art, efficiency is key, so most artists rely on digital tools or 3D software to complete their designs. But in my personal work, where there are no constraints, I find great joy in freely experimenting with traditional painting mediums. I don't have to worry about whether oil paint will take too long to dry, or whether failed attempts will waste time—everything feels fresh, full of spontaneity and discovery.

Sometimes, unexpected moments lead to happy accidents. Once, while drying a canvas, the painting accidentally fell to the ground. Some areas of wet paint were contaminated, but the dust and debris left behind fascinating textures on the surface. I decided to leave it just as it was.

As both a tattoo artist and a concept artist, do you find any surprising overlap between designing for skin and designing for screen?

One expected similarity across all mediums is the universal pursuit of beauty. People are naturally drawn to things that are visually striking or “cool,” regardless of whether it’s a painting, a game design, or a tattoo.

What’s more surprising, though, is how complex tattoo design can be. It’s often assumed to be purely about aesthetics, but in reality, it involves deep thought and cultural sensitivity. For example, tribal tattoos require an understanding of the traditions and backgrounds of different communities. Similarly, tattoos with personal or symbolic meaning demand a thoughtful distillation of visual elements to express something profound.

This tattoo was created for a client, combining her late mother’s love for starry skies with her father’s collection of anatomical bone illustrations, as a tribute to both parents. I was deeply aware of the emotional weight it carried and knew I had to approach it with utmost care and respect. Even now, I regard this design as one of the most emotionally profound and creatively challenging pieces I’ve ever made.

I believe that truly impactful art—whether it lives in a game world, on a canvas, or on human skin—is never just about looking good. It should always carry intention, meaning, and a story behind its beauty.

Are there any stories, myths, or visual motifs from Chinese history that you keep returning to again and again in your work?

I rarely revisit the same Chinese story or source of inspiration, simply because there are so many to choose from. With thousands of years of history and 56 distinct ethnic groups, there's always something new, unique, and compelling to explore.

The only visual language I consistently return to is traditional Chinese ink painting. Unlike Western painting traditions that often emphasize realism, Chinese ink painting is centered on XieYi, or "expressive freehand" brushwork, which aims to capture the essence of a subject through abstraction and suggestion. At times, I combine this approach with contemporary painting techniques to create works that evoke the spirit of Chinese painting while embracing modern expression.

What is a fun fact about you?

I’m currently an independent visual artist, and working in both concept art and fine art has always been my goal. Becoming a tattoo artist was an unexpected but meaningful turn in my creative journey.

I’ve always loved tattoos and got quite a few myself during university, but I never imagined I’d end up on the other side of the tattoo machine. After graduation, I began exploring additional ways to apply my artistic skills and enrich my creative practice. By chance, I saw a former illustration classmate doing tattoos, and it immediately sparked my interest. That spontaneous moment opened the door to a whole new world for me. What began as a spontaneous exploration has since become a meaningful part of my creative practice.

I believe artists shouldn’t place too many rules or limits on themselves. Being open to new experiences can lead to surprisingly beautiful outcomes.

What else fills your time when you’re not creating art?

While I don’t often attend public events, I find inspiration through quiet, focused time with games and my dog. I play all kinds of games, and their unique stories and diverse art styles are always incredibly inspiring to me. I rarely post about myself on social media, but I love sharing photos of her. Seeing people compliment her always makes me really happy.