Ukiyo-e Heroes by Jed Henry and Dave Bull

I love this project by illustrator Jed Henry to take contemporary, iconic video game figures and render them in the traditional Ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints. They are beautiful -- combining the exquisite technique of Japanese printmaking and modern fantasy images. The worlds are not so far apart according to Henry -- who notes the similarity between the dynamic art of early Japanese video games and their predecessors in the pop culture of Ukiyo-e. Henry partnered with artist Dave Bull, who has spent the last 25 years in Japan working as a traditional woodblock printer and the results are a seamless mix of 18th century Japanese art and the unexpected modern hero. It's an amazing video and an amazing project -- and apparently, everyone else thought so too for the project was overfunded on Kickstarter by around $290,000. Stop by the website to see the woodblock prints and giclee prints and learn more about Henry, Bell, and watch videos on how the prints are created.