Miheal Stanchev, ChristiAnimate Emerging Christian Artist for August 2026

For our end-of-the-month Emerging Christian Artist campaign, we are pleased to feature Mihael Stanchev, a 3D concept illustrator from the United Kingdom. A graduate of the BA (Hons) Comics and Concept Art program at the University of Hertfordshire, Mihael’s work aligns closely with 3D game art and environment concept design, with a particular focus on world-building, atmospheric landscapes, and visual storytelling.

Mihael Stanchev, a 3D concept illustrator from the United Kingdom, standing in a sunlit countryside landscape.

His imaginative environments combine architecture, nature, and dramatic lighting to create expansive worlds that feel both mysterious and immersive. Mihael demonstrates how concept art can establish the visual identity and narrative atmosphere of an imagined world.

Mihael's Artistic Journey

I have loved drawing ever since I can remember. Ever since I was a little boy, I would ask my mum to draw things for me, which eventually led me to put pencil to paper. I love creating my own worlds and new characters, and bringing to life things that would otherwise not exist. My passion for storytelling evolved into comics, drawings, and stop-motion animation; I explored many ways to tell stories. Once I reached A Levels, I was able to further express these skills in theatre and set design. I was also introduced to Game Design at this time, which helped me start using software and see how I could bring my ideas to life in new ways that now served a broader range of projects. This led me to study Animation (Comics and Concept Art) at the University of Hertfordshire, where I continued to learn and refine my skills and design process.

A fantastical mountain landscape featuring a weathered stone cottage, an old watermill, and the ruins of a tower surrounded by snow-covered peaks and ethereal pink and violet light by Mihael Stanchev.

The Story Before the Sketch

When creating concept artwork, I always start with an imagination that carries feeling and depth. A character may start with a certain personality or a mission that requires them to carry a weight and gives them motivation to pursue the quest. The story or journey always moves me before I ever put pen to paper. I feel the weight of what I am making, and then I know that when it becomes visual, it carries and expresses something tangible and relatable. I then put imagination into storytelling. I begin writing the story and what the characters and world are like, what is the setting and environment that they live in? Is it hostile? peaceful? What is the history leading up to where they are now? These questions help me better understand who these characters and worlds are, and what they may look like visually. My artwork generally leans toward more realistic depictions, which lends well to descriptive elements such as materials and textures. However, the greater challenge is revealing the

character's emotion and weight beyond their physical appearance.

Character concept art by Mihael Stanchev featuring four fantasy figures, including a robed woman, a mysterious hooded warrior, a traveling man with a staff, and an anthropomorphic rabbit in medieval-inspired attire.

A Life for His Glory

The Lord Jesus saved me during the COVID pandemic. I grew up in a loving Christian home, but I never knew the Lord until He opened the Scriptures to my heart. At that time, I was very passionate about my artwork and moving steadily towards seeing my whole future in terms of who I was as an artist and what I could achieve for myself. When I began reading the scriptures, seeds of light were planted in my heart that showed me how empty living for myself and my own ambitions was, the reality of my sin, and my desperate need for a savior. I remember crying to the Lord to save me, and the mercies of the Lord washed over me; I knew his forgiveness and love towards me. In the journey of faith, my hunger for God grew, and I understood that I was not living for myself but for Christ, and that eternal life means knowing Jesus Christ. I have seen that those who thirst for God shall be satisfied, and in the seasons following in my life, I experienced the manifest presence and reality of the person of Jesus Christ, which has marked me to this day. I now see myself completely differently; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and I live for his glory. My identity is not in my career or even in the gifts he gives me, but in Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me. My calling is my entire life to be a living sacrifice to Jesus, to do and go where he pleases. So art is a way to worship Him and to shine Jesus to a dark and hopeless world that needs his salvation.

Concept art by Mihael Stanchev depicting a heavily armored fantasy warrior in ornate silver and gold armor, presented against a dark, atmospheric background.

Mihael's Faith and Artistic Gift

I now create art to reveal the beauty of who Jesus is through stories of redemption and characters who resemble biblical themes and the Son who poured himself out unto death and rose in victory. I have enjoyed making several fantasy art books that resemble a journey of sacrifice and love to defeat darkness and bring hope. I want to use this gift to plant seeds of hope in the hearts of those who have no hope, so that they may one day sprout into eternal life. My understanding of creativity and how I cultivate it in my life and work has changed as a Christian because now I rely on Christ as my inspiration and source. My artistic process always starts with prayer, submitting my work to him and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal his heart and design for a project. I remember times when the creative journey did not start with research and mood boards, but with the Lord leading me to read Scripture over time. In this reading, I even remember moments when the Holy Spirit has compiled and revealed stories to my heart that I then began to write down as the revelation kept pouring forth like an overflowing river. I believe Jesus receives all the credit for any creativity he inspires in me, and I desire to be a vessel that he uses for his kingdom. I have found that everything in the Christian walk, even art and creative ideas, flows from grace and is received by faith. When, as a creative, I trust and believe that God wants to use the gifts he has given me for his glory, I receive the grace that has already been supplied at Calvary to help me be creative as he is. I expect and come to Him trusting God for creative revelation; I wait for rain!

Concept art by Mihael Stanchev depicting a mysterious cavern illuminated by ethereal purple and blue light, where a cloaked figure approaches a radiant crystal surrounded by shimmering water.

Creativity as Calling

Looking back on my art and faith journey, I can see how Christ has changed my heart, enabling me to express Him through the gifts He has given me. He took what I used for my own gain and identity and gave me a new identity in him, so that I could now express him through my life in this world. I hope that Jesus will use my creativity in whatever way he chooses to ultimately save people for the purpose of experiencing and delighting in the knowledge of his person. When someone sees my characters and stories, I hope they see the symbolism and ultimately the heart of Jesus in and throughout the stories. If I could go back and speak to a younger me, or any young artist, I would say: You have inherited a beautiful gift from the most creative person you will ever know; his name is Jesus. So boldly ask the Father why he gave you this beautiful gift.

Learn More About Mihael

 As we celebrate emerging Christian artists, we hope his work encourages other creatives to recognize and faithfully develop the gifts God has entrusted to them.

To learn more about Mihael Stanchev and explore his work, visit his portfolio and follow him online:

• Portfolio: drawmeleon on ArtStation

• LinkedIn: Mihael Stanchev on LinkedIn

• Instagram: @drawmeleon on Instagram