My name is Richard Zhao, I am an illustrator based in Atlanta, GA. I have a Batchelor’s of Fine Art (BFA) degree in Sequential Art and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Coming from a sequential art background, I strongly emphasize storytelling elements and incorporate line art as a foundation block for all my works. While sticking to my sequential roots, I incorporate a variety of rendering styles ranging from graphic to painterly or a mix of both.

Richard Zhao

My name is Richard Zhao, I am an illustrator based in Atlanta, GA. I have a Batchelor’s of Fine Art (BFA) degree in Sequential Art and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Coming from a sequential art background, I strongly emphasize storytelling elements and incorporate line art as a foundation block for all my works. While sticking to my sequential roots, I incorporate a variety of rendering styles ranging from graphic to painterly or a mix of both.

Available to hire

My name is Richard Zhao, I am an illustrator based in Atlanta, GA. I have a Batchelor’s of Fine Art (BFA) degree in Sequential Art and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Coming from a sequential art background, I strongly emphasize storytelling elements and incorporate line art as a foundation block for all my works. While sticking to my sequential roots, I incorporate a variety of rendering styles ranging from graphic to painterly or a mix of both.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

SCAD Pre-College Assistant at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
June 1, 2023 - July 1, 2023
Guide high school students about their artistic careers. Inform high school students about SCAD life and academics. Aid in SCAD Admissions planning out the SCAD Summer Seminar and Rising Star programs. Coordinate SCAD Summer events.
Prop Artist at Goodbye My Love
April 1, 2024 - Present
Drew a simple asset turnaround for 3D modelers to use as reference.
Background Artist at TV Boy
April 1, 2024 - Present
Refining background sketches, adding clean line art for animation colorists.
Background Artist at Humanitee
April 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019
Sketched environment designs for a short animated film. Add clean line art to sketch layouts for film colorists.
Background Artist at Coltan
January 1, 2020 - February 1, 2020
Fixed linear perspective of rough layout drawings. Add clean line art to sketch layouts for film colorists.
Background Artist at S S Lateral
April 1, 2017 - May 1, 2017
Colored over cleaned up environment layouts for a short animated film.
Illustrator at Birds Georgia
February 1, 2026 - Present
Collaborated with multiple illustrators to design bird-themed playing cards for Birds Georgia Organization.
Background Artist at 313AM Studios
January 1, 2026 - Present
Designed background layouts and background paintings for the animated project 'Magic Mishaps'.
Teaching Assistant at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
March 1, 2025 - May 1, 2025
Gave lectures and demos for SCAD Illustration courses; assisted Illustration Professor with grading.
Pre-College Assistant at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
June 1, 2024 - July 1, 2024
Guided high school students about artistic careers; informed about SCAD life and academics; assisted in planning the SCAD Summer Seminar and Rising Star programs; coordinated SCAD Summer events.
Concept Artist at Holy Mole-Y
April 1, 2024 - May 1, 2024
Designed background layouts and painted backgrounds for a student animated short film.
Background Artist at Taxi
January 1, 2024 - March 1, 2024
Cleaned up and edited rough background concept art.

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Illustration at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
September 1, 2023 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with a Minor in Sequential Art/Animation at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
September 1, 2015 - May 1, 2020
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
September 1, 2023 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor’s of Fine Art (BFA) at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
September 1, 2015 - May 1, 2020

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services