Judges' comments

Danqing Xu's illustrations are filled with joy, energy, and color. The main character is hungry for adventures and not afraid to live. Modern man is so tightly wrapped in his doubts, fears, and prejudices that he needs exactly such a hero. A girl in a stream of sunlight. With a determined look, pink hair, and a plaster on her knee.

Ekaterina Borodacheva

A master of color! The first thing that caught my eye is the clean, vibrant palette—it brings such a joyful and upbeat energy to her journey. I also really appreciate the use of camera angles and depth of field to shift the mood across scenes, which works well for this semi-realistic style. Since this is an illustration competition, adding some decorative elements—like frames, lines, or even creative use of type—could push the completeness of the series even further. Overall, very impressive work.

Max Liu

The illustrations depict a series of adventurous stories centered around the protagonist, Mayo. The fantastical skies and diverse settings create a world that is both dreamlike and full of energy.

Moon Q

Works by Danqing Xu are bursting with vibrant energy, celebrating imagination and movement. The artist creates joyful, dynamic compositions that often depict characters in motion or in dreamlike, whimsical scenes. Bold, saturated colors and unexpected perspectives immerse the viewer in a playful world. Despite the stylized approach, the characters are expressive and lively, contributing to a strong emotional impact. Xu masterfully uses large open spaces and strong contrasts to guide the viewer’s eye through the narrative.

Nadiia Zhelieznova

The artist's colour scheme evokes a sense of energy like dopamine, and the movement of the protagonists changes in time with the point of view, resulting in a dynamic and enthusiastic atmosphere. This ode to youth encourages the audience to reconsider the meaning of life itself.

Yimin Wang

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