Denis Zhbankov Blends Russian Folklore With Dark Fantasy, Summoning Comedy‑Horror Creatures That Feel Like They Moved Into Your Village And Never Left

Denis Zhbankov is a Russian freelance digital artist and concept artist known for mixing comedy and horror, often drawing dark fantasy creatures rooted in Russian folklore and “backwoods” atmospheres.

He was born and raised in Russia’s Altai region, studied art/graphics in Biysk and graduated in 2010, then shifted into digital painting—working as a 2D artist in the game industry before going fully freelance. His credits include mobile games at Skytec Games (e.g., Horrorfield, Godlands, Card Heroes), tabletop/IP work for Paizo (Pathfinder, Starfinder), and collaborations via RocketBrush Studio on major titles like Crusader Kings III and Empire of Sin.

More: Instagram

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Catch Me If You Can: The Superb Contemporary Surreal Paintings By Leegan Koo

The Beautiful, Surreal And Sometimes Sinister Artwork Of Jaco Putker

Dad Gets Tattoo So His 6-Year-Old Daughter Wouldn’t Feel Different

Illustrated Basketball Court in Coruña, Spain by Studio Flaco x H4C

Explosive Splattered Ink Animal Murals by Hua Tunan

Alluring And Emotive Multimedia Works By Candice Bohannon

Turkish Artist Turns Faceless And Boring Clothes Into Piece Of Art

Russia 2077: Look Into The Close Cyber Future By Evgeny Zubkov

This Russian Artist Continues to Create Amazing Surrealistic Self-Portraits and Photomanipulations

Cloned Photos: Iconic Images Recreated With Star Wars Figures In Stunning Photo Project By David Eger

The Intricate Concept Artworks and Imaginations of Ryan Gitter

Stunning Fantasy and Game Concept Illustrations by Dao Trong Le

Self-Taught Artist Turns Dead Cockroaches Into Painted Works of Art

Artist Ted Chin Creates Stunning Dreamlike And Surreal Photo Manipulations

Design Duo Makes Stunning Sushi Concept On Digital Art With Humans Posing Yoga

Wonderful Photos of Yellow Brook, New Jersey in Winters 1967-69

This Artist Creates Hyperrealistic Pet Sculptures That Will Make You Want One Of Your Own

Amazing Cover Photos of the Famous Monsters of Filmland in the 1970s

Concept Artist Paul Chadeisson Reveals His Sinister And Industrialised Vision Of The Cities' Futures

The Awesome Hairstylist That Gives Free Haircuts To The Homeless Every Sunday

"Biosphere": The Best Images from the 2025 Belfast Photo Festival

Most Beautiful Remaining Street Mosaics From The Soviet Union

Style on The Big Screen: David Murray's Fashionable Movie Characters

Treebeard: Portraits Of My Friends With Plants Growing From Their Heads

Brazilian Illustrator Tullius Heuer Brings Images To Life

Japanese Guy Absolutely Nails Anime Girl Cosplay, from Evangelion to Sailor Moon

Revival, A Series Of Style Icons

Artist Reshapes Walls And Spaces With Explosive Typographic Murals That Turn Buildings Into Giant, 3D Messages

Artist Joe Webb Creates Cynical And Shocking Collages That Tell The Uncomfortable Truth About Our Modern World

“Blow Up to Be the Size You Want!” – Vintage Inflatable Bra Ads From the 1950s and 1960s