Browse categories
Explore
Fiverr Pro
English
$
USD
I will illustrate your idea in cinematic, surrealist style with dreamlike environment
Li Yao
About this gig
I am a visual artist and 3D environment designer investigating the immigrant experience through the lens of digital entropy, built environment, and phantasmagoric adult fables.
Visually, my work employs Dreamcore aesthetics -- a digital-surrealist style characterized by uncanny and nostalgic liminal spaces. I construct these environments in Procreate, blending traditional chiaroscuro and atmospheric perspective with photo-texture collages and digital game assets. This technique produces a reality-bending landscape of dramatic lighting and a hazy, neon-tinted palette populated by meticulously rendered, ethereal characters.
Send me your story idea, character concept, prop design, I'll illustrate it in surrealist style.
Here's how the workflow go:
- Inquiry -- Tell me about your idea. We draw up a list of deliverables.
- First revision -- I show you the a series of thumbnail sketches in grayscale. We confirm about the layout and direction. Pick one of the sketches, and I develop it.
- Second revision -- I show you the color draft. We confirm about the color scheme.
- Final delivery !
Delivery style preference
Please inform the freelancer of any preferences or concerns regarding the use of AI tools in the completion and/or delivery of your order.
Get to know Li Yao
Li Yao
Illustrator, Graphic Designer
- FromUnited States
- Member sinceMay 2023
- Last delivery1 year
Languages
English, Chinese
Li has exhibited in various online and offline venues including TingDAO, Altered Festival, The Wrong Biennale, Ars Electronica, and Mykonos Multimedia Festival. He was invited to present his work at SIGGRAPH Asia 2021, and interviewed by the Chicago Reader. Li has designed and taught several virtual reality design curricula in various organizations including the University of Chicago and OF Course Shanghai. He received his MFA in Art and Technology Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018, and his BFA in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in 2016.
My Portfolio
FAQ
What do you need from me to get started?
The more context the better — a written description of your concept, mood references (images, films, artwork), any characters or objects that must appear, and the intended use of the piece. You don't need to have everything figured out; part of the inquiry stage is developing the concept together.
How involved will I be in the process?
Very involved. I work in stages — thumbnail sketches first, then color, then final rendering — and I check in with you at each step before moving forward. Nothing gets developed without your approval at the previous stage.
Can I commission a piece based on a text description alone, without visual references?
Yes. Written descriptions work well as a starting point. I'll translate your concept into thumbnail sketches so you can see the direction before committing.
Do you take rush orders?
Depending on my current workload. Message me before ordering and I'll let you know if an expedited timeline is possible. Rush work comes with an additional fee.
Can you illustrate in a style other than your own?
My gig is specifically for work in my visual language. If you're looking for a drastically different style (cartoon, anime, realism, etc.), I may not be the right fit — but feel free to message me to discuss.
Can you incorporate specific cultural references, symbols, or personal narrative into the piece?
Yes, and I genuinely enjoy this kind of work. Personal or cultural specificity tends to make the strongest images. Share whatever context feels relevant — I'll handle it with care.
What file formats will I receive?
Final delivery includes a high-resolution PNG. If you need a specific format for print or web, let me know upfront.
What resolution will the final file be?
Standard delivery is print-ready resolution (300 DPI). If you need a specific canvas size — for a poster, book cover, etc. — specify dimensions when ordering.
Will I receive the source files?
Source files (PSD, layered files) are available as an add-on. Please mention this before ordering so it can be factored into the quote.
What counts as a revision?
A revision is a directional change at any stage — adjusting composition, swapping elements, shifting color palette. Minor fixes (small color corrections, cropping) don't count toward your revision limit. Revisions outside the included number can be purchased as add-ons.
