Book Review: Loka Made: Artbook #1 by FeiGiap

FeiGiap is a Malaysian artist whose works are inspired by Makoto Shinkai, Imperial Boy's work in Tekkonkinkreet and Hayao Miyazaki.

It seems like FeiGiap's interest is in painting rustic landscapes and architecture because that's the focus of this artbook.

Collected within the book are artworks inspired by Asian architecture, more specifically those from Malaysia. Many pieces actually remind me of places I've been too, except they are created from imagination but inspired by real life. There are lots of old school shophouses, houses with zinc roofs, wooden houses by the jetty (reminds me of the jetty houses in Penang) and architecture that grows randomly upwards just like houses in Hanoi.

Most of the artworks are digital paintings over 3D renders with the characteristic sharp look to the edges. Most artworks feature a teenage girl dressed in high school uniforms of Malaysia. That was influenced by anime style illustrations.

I like the worlds that FeiGiap has created. The artworks certainly look like they can be used as backgrounds for animation. I love the detailed illustrations of shopfronts showing all the things that are being sold. It reminds me of visiting such old shophouses and buying stuff there. So while looking at the artworks, I do feel a sense of nostalgia.

This book was borrowed from Basheer Graphic Books for review purposes. You can order the book from them. Check with Basheer on Facebook.

You can find this book at https://www.basheergraphic.com/products/loka-made-artbook-vol-1