ImagineFX — April 2026, Issue 263

Fresh from a celebration of two decades of ImagineFX, Issue 263 turns its attention to the people, processes and visual choices behind imaginative art. Its pages move from the concept-art culture of Industrial Light & Magic’s London studio to hands-on explorations of character, composition, atmosphere and believable worlds.

For artists who enjoy seeing how an idea develops—not just how the finished image looks—this issue pairs practical workshop coverage with artist interviews, sketchbooks and galleries. The result is a varied read across fantasy, science-fiction, illustration and 3D art. 🎨

Inside the worlds artists build

Jason Horley, supervising art director at ILM London, discusses the studio’s concept-art culture. Elsewhere, Nick Bray walks through the development of two characters designed for a Star Wars setting, while Cheri Wang shares ways to give imagined worlds a sense of history and lived-in detail.

The issue also features Cole Eastburn’s twisted-creature sketchbook and a showcase of digital environments by John Sweeney—different windows into how artists shape distinctive worlds and visual identities.

Practical ideas for drawing and painting

• Explore how shape language can strengthen composition and character design.
• Work with values to develop a dark fantasy environment.
• Learn about preparing images for fine-art printing.
• Follow Léo Chiola’s Spider-Punk process, from sketch to finished illustration.
• Consider material preparation, visual tension and the details that help a world feel convincing.

Rather than focusing on a single style or technique, the workshops give readers several different ways to think about image-making—from the structure of a composition to the atmosphere and story carried by its details.

More than tutorials

Regular sections include reader art, emerging artists, a traditional-art gallery, reviews and a look back at ImagineFX’s 20-year history. The 3D pages turn to mood, storytelling and planning layouts, rounding out an issue that spans both practical craft and creative inspiration.

A thoughtful pick for digital artists, illustrators and concept-art enthusiasts who want to study varied approaches to imaginative image-making, one feature at a time. ✨