Best New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Artists: 2026 Contest Winners

Meet the visionary artists featured in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42. The Illustrators of the Future Contest proudly presents these talented winners, whose award-winning science fiction and fantasy art represents the next generation of visual storytelling. For over 37 years, this global platform has discovered and mentored aspiring artists, judging entries anonymously to ensure talent is the only metric for success.

Every quarter, our panel of internationally renowned judges selects three winners who receive a 30-day commission to illustrate a winning story. These illustrations are featured in our annual anthology and compete for the prestigious Golden Brush Award.

Below, explore the portfolios and journeys of our 2026 winners and featured alumni. To see their full story illustrations, pre-order or pick up your copy of Volume 42.

These winners were handpicked by a panel of internationally renowned artists serving as Contest judges:

Born in Slovakia, Bafu creates illustrations and comics that blend humor, emotion, and the strange. Currently working on the webcomic Jasper’s Haunted Home, his work focuses on finding comfort in spooky and unusual places.

A digital illustrator and educator, Nathan Deiwert specializes in world-building and character design. Influenced by masters like Frank Frazetta and Norman Rockwell, Nathan’s work explores everything from “fear-inducing entities” to happy, imaginative moments.

Based in Newfoundland, Tracy Eire is an oil and charcoal artist known for “NobleBright” fantasy. Her narrative paintings focus on powerful, resilient women—figures who feel both ancient and modern, often described as “harpies in couture.”

An aspiring concept artist currently at the Columbus College of Art and Design, Anna Malone combines digital media with traditional painting. Her style is shaped by the “stylized fluidity” of Alphonse Mucha and the elegance of J.C. Leyendecker.

Studying at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Josie Moore uses art to turn fear into beauty. Her work often features “odd love stories” and whimsical creatures like elves and faeries.

Born in 2007, Karah Richardson turned the challenge of prosopagnosia (face blindness) into a passion for portraiture. Her work involves blending features together like a puzzle to create unique, storytelling-focused art.

Utah-based artist Tray Streeter combines classical painting techniques with the contemporary possibilities of digital art. He aspires to illustrate for Dungeons & Dragons and create iconic comic cover art.

With a background in civil engineering and physics, Roddy Taylor brings an intricate, nature-inspired perspective to his role-playing game art and storytelling-focused illustrations.

A freelance concept designer and portfolio coach, Allen Zhang specializes in world-building and character design for films and games, rooted in a foundation of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Also featured in Writers of the Future Volume 42
A returning alumni from Volume 41

A returning favorite, Haileigh Enriquez blends fantastical realism with Mesoamerican mythology. Her work is a joyful exploration of identity, resilience, and cultural diversity.

Also featured in Writers of the Future Volume 42
A returning alumni from Volume 39

Known for her “fantastic realism,” April Solomon is a master of creature design. Her meticulous understanding of anatomy and texture brings dragons and werewolves to life with stunning detail.

We highly recommend following these artists, there is a tremendous amount of good work to come.