Artist Paul “Zeronis” Kwon has made a name for himself for work that is at once highly immersive and also very intimate. From his body of art in such properties as League of Legends, Star Guardian, and Arena of Valor, Zeronis can make the fantastical personal and his fanbase is a testament to how his audiences respond to his approach.
Recently, Zeronis partnered with Clover Press to bring to life Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis, a collection of his artwork across his career, now funding on Kickstarter. I spoke with Zeronis recently about Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis, what is included in the collection, the Kickstarter itself, and looking back at his body of work.
FreakSugar: Before we get into the art book itself, what was the genesis of the collection?
Zeronis: I’ve been thinking about making an art book for a long time. I kept putting it off for various reasons. I was busy with full-time jobs, different startups, and now being part of another startup. With the help from Clover Press, I thought this might be a good opportunity to finally do it and try Kickstarter for the first time. We’ll see how it goes.
I looked at my backlog of all the art I’ve done for the past decade or more, and it’s kinda painful to look at some of the old work. Looking back, I don’t think they’re as good as I want them to be. My taste keeps changing, and hopefully it keeps getting better. I’m kinda self-critical, I guess. But I decided if I keep thinking that way, I would never start and finally make an art book. So I decided to just take the leap and make it through Kickstarter. Hopefully it goes well. I hope people are interested in backing it, and maybe I’ll make more art books in the future if this goes well.
FS: What can you tell us about the collection itself?
Z: I named it Reminiscent because of the nature of the collection. It’s not specifically tied to any theme, subject matter, or story. It’s a compilation of the work I’ve done so far. This is my first art book, and it’s really about what I’ve done in my personal time. The main body of the book will be my personal IP, made-up worlds and characters, mostly female characters. There will also be some professional work and some fan art. We had to get permission from companies, including Riot Games, where I used to work, so there will only be a few of those pieces because of licensing.
FS: When assembling the collection, what was the process like of choosing what art to include?
Z: Honestly, that’s a good question. I just tried to include as many pieces as I thought were good enough for the book. I’ll leave out a few that I don’t think are worth including, but otherwise I’m trying to add in as much as I can. I’ll probably go through them all once, twice, or three times to make sure there aren’t any artworks I’ll regret including. Otherwise, it’s going to be a compilation of a bunch of work I’ve done so far. There’s no theme that’s going to give this book a unique direction.
FS: Is the art that you reviewed for the making of the book that sent you down memory lanes you hadn’t traveled down in a bit?
Z: I can’t recall a specific one, but I looked at some of them and realized, oh yeah, I remember working on that artwork. I haven’t seen it in a long time, especially the very old ones I did back in the day. I can’t really recall a certain piece. But it was nice to look back at them and reminisce. I’m sure I’ll do more of that as I go through the drive folder with all the artwork and judge each one to see which I should leave in or take out. I’m sure I’ll experience a lot of that once I start doing it.
FS: What can you tell us about the Kickstarter itself? What kind of rewards are available to backers?
Z: It’s pretty simple. There isn’t a crazy amount of rewards, but there are stickers, posters, cool acrylic prints you can get, and a slipcase cover sleeve. Otherwise it’s pretty concise.
FS: What do you hope fans take away from poring over this collection?
Z: I’m hoping if they’re a big fan of my work, they’ll appreciate how it’s all put together into one book. They can turn the pages and recognize the work I’ve done. I personally think artworks look better as a physical medium. For me, I will really enjoy looking at them, turning the pages, and going through all the work I’ve done. I’m hoping fans will be able to experience that as well.
The Kickstarter for Clover Press’ Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis is now live! Make sure to take a look at the art of this gorgeous collection and fall in love with Zeronis’ art.
From the official press release about the collection and Kickstarter:
Clover Press is proud to announce Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis, a stunning art book showcasing the signature work of one of the most celebrated character and concept artists in modern gaming—Paul “Zeronis” Kwon. The 152-page deluxe hardcover book presents a wide-ranging selection of Zeronis’s art across professional projects, fan art, and personal pieces. Featuring dynamic portraits, striking character concepts, and original designs, the book offers a rare look at Zeronis’ creative evolution and highlights his passion for storytelling through art. Sign up to be notified when the Kickstarter campaign for Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis goes live.
“Zeronis’s work centers on beautifully rendered, anime-inspired characters who feel both powerful and poised, blending grace, strength, and emotional depth into every design,” said Hank Kanalz, Clover Press Publisher. “This volume brings together a breathtaking range of illustrations spanning years of artistic growth and deserves a spot on the bookshelf of every art lover and gamer you know.”
Paul Kwon, known professionally as Zeronis, is a concept artist specializing in character design for the video game industry. Zeronis attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, then later built his reputation at Riot Games, where he created fan-favorite League of Legends characters like Ahri, Vi, and Gwen, along with the widely beloved Star Guardian series and the virtual K-Pop group, K/DA. His work has since extended to major titles such as Honor of Kings and Arena of Valor. Known for his ability to fuse semi-realistic rendering with stylized design, Zeronis creates characters that feel both larger than life and emotionally grounded.
The upgraded edition of Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis is housed in a limited edition slipcase, and select tiers will also include exclusive print sets, sticker sheets, a collectible numbered lithograph, and high end acrylic prints, making this a must-have for fans, collectors, and aspiring artists alike.
To visit the campaign for Reminiscent: Art of Zeronis, head to Kickstarter.
