Rain Szeto renders imaginative scenarios in detailed ink and watercolor illustrations – Colossal

by The Insights



Art Illustrations

#cats #drawing #ink #Rain Szeto #watercolor

April 17, 2023

Kate Mothes

“Cat Hours.” All images © Rain Szeto, shared with permission

In Rain Szeto’s intricately rendered fictional universe, people partake in work and hobbies surrounded by stacks of books, snacks, merchandise, and keepsakes. His detailed illustrations (previously) depict the organized chaos of daily activities in domestic spaces and in shops, cafes and outdoor spaces. Typically centered around a single character like a baker behind a counter or a figure carrying a flowerpot, the scenes are filled with everyday objects, providing a lived-in feeling that is brimming with colorful energy.

Based in San Francisco, Szeto began working in comics while studying art, which furthered her interest in narrative drawings. Specific details such as the design of food packaging, an elaborate audio mixer setup, or pastries in a glass display case suggest individual hobbies, jobs, and personalities distinctive enough to be mistaken for real locations. . Many of his recent pieces also feature feline friends passing confidently or snuggling up on cushions, including an orange tabby that might as well make the rounds of any inviting space.

Most of these works are visible until April 26 in Szeto’s personal exhibition Moments of inactivity too at Giant Robot’s GR2 site in Los Angeles. Find more of his work on Instagram.

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a bakery with many trays of pastries and breads.  A baker looks at a sleeping cat on the counter.

“Breads”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a character in his living room at a table with a hot drink and a sleeping cat next to him.

“Movie of the Afternoon”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a figure standing behind a counter, surrounded by hundreds of food packets.  He scans a package and appears "checked."

“Checked”

Two detailed watercolor and ink illustrations.  On the left, a man sits at a small table and eats while a cat also sits on the table and eats.  On the right, an orange tabby cat with a flower in its mouth walks past a man carrying a potted plant.

Left: “Lunch break”. Right: “Spring”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a seated figure inside a densely stocked grocery store.

“Corner Shop”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a tradesman standing behind a counter, and a calico cat has just walked through the open door.

“First customer”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a young man sitting in a chair with an electric guitar, surrounded by keyboards and sound mixing equipment.

“Noodles”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a well stocked store full of food with a contented looking orange tabby cat sitting in the center.

“Cat Shop”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a small fish market with a shopkeeper standing outside the front door.

“Smoked fish”

A detailed watercolor and ink illustration of a young figure sitting on the floor in a house, looking through folders.  An orange cat is sleeping on a table outside on the balcony.

“Summer Waves”

#cats #drawing #ink #Rain Szeto #watercolor

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