Zeeting’s Genshin Impact fan-art characters Wriothesley (left) and Navia drawn in outfits inspired by the Iban traditional costumes.
IN Kuching, where the rich cultural heritage of various ethnic groups intertwine with modernity, a young digital artist is making waves in the anime art community.
Teo Sze Ting, known to her fans as ‘Zeeting’, is a 24-year-old digital artist who captivates audiences with her vibrant, anime-themed creations.
Her artworks have sparked interest among her fans, especially the over 3,700 netizens who are following her Instagram account, ‘zeetingdraws’.
She has also made a number of appearances at events, the latest was at OtaZo 2024, held in a mall in Kuching in April this year.
Photo taken at Multimedia University’s anime event, Noizucon 2024, shows Zeeting (right) and students of her online art class. They are posing around Zeeting’s artwork being exhibited at the event.
‘A simple gift’
Hailing from the Padungan area before settling down in Stampin, Zeeting’s journey into the world of digital art began with ‘a simple gift that would later change her life’.
“I’ve always been that kid doodling on any scrap of paper that I could find,” she recalled.
Her artistic inclinations were apparent from a young age, but it was not until her father gifted her a graphic tablet at the age of 13 when she truly discovered the boundless possibilities of digital art.
“It was like opening the door to a whole new world where I could blend creativity with technology,” she told thesundaypost in Kuching.
Growing up, anime was more than just entertainment for Zeeting – it was a source of endless inspiration for her.
The classics like ‘Doraemon’ and Studio Ghibli’s magical films such as ‘My Neighbour Totoro’, ‘Porco Rosso’ and ‘Princess Mononoke’ fuelled her imagination, leading her to recreate her favourite characters on paper.
This love for anime eventually blossomed into a deep passion for the art style, influencing her work as she began to explore the digital medium.
During her early years, much like many young students in Malaysia, Zeeting’s school years were dominated by the focus on science.
“I was deeply immersed in subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology during Form 4 and Form 5.”
She was proud of her academic success, but she did feel that something was missing.
As the pressure of following a conventional path weighed heavily on her, it eventually became clear that her true passion was elsewhere.
“Forcing myself down a path that I was not passionate about was simply not sustainable,” she admitted, and as such, this became a turning point for her to push towards committing fully to arts after graduation.
Today, Zeeting is not just an artist, but also a lecturer at the Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) in Kuala Lumpur, where she shares her knowledge and passion with the next generation of creative minds.
Zeeting (left) with one of her students, who is taking part in an anime event at the TAR UMT Kuala Lumpur Campus.
Balancing her roles as both an educator and an artist, she continues to evolve her craft, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources including her rich cultural heritage.
Zeeting’s creative process is as intricate as the artworks that she produces. Often starting off ‘quite organically’, the inspiration for her art can strike at any moment, whether she is watching a show, playing a game, or simply reading.
From there, she dives into gathering references from platforms like Pinterest, Google and Pixiv, towards building a solid foundation for her work.
Using her trusty Wacom Intuos Pro Graphic Tablet, Zeeting brings her ideas to life with the help of various softwares.
Photoshop, for one, allows her to add the professional touches, adjusting the colours and adding effects to perfect her work.
“Paint Tool Sai is my go-to for most of the drawing process; it’s lightweight and intuitive.”
When it comes to capturing the essence of anime-style characters, Zeeting focuses on the details that matter the most, such as the eyes, the pose and the body language.
“The eyes are often the most expressive feature in anime, conveying a character’s emotions.”
According to her, these elements, combined with carefully-chosen colours and intricate details, can bring her characters to life, making them resonate with her audience.
Zeeting at her booth during the Sabah Borneo Matsuri event in October last year, where she was invited as a VIP artist.
‘Cultural inspirations’
Anime is at the heart of Zeeting’s work, but the art is deeply influenced by a myriad of sources, including the rich cultural heritage of Borneo.
“Growing up in Sarawak, I’ve been fortunate to experience Dayak culture through school and community events,” she shares, adding that the traditional Dayak attire, with its bold colours and intricate designs, has become a source of inspiration for her.
“I often find myself imagining what an anime series based on Dayak Sarawak culture would look like,” she says, describing her experiments of blending anime with Dayak-inspired clothing.
In addition to local influences, Zeeting draws inspiration from the work of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary filmmaker behind Studio Ghibli.
Chinese animation, with its rich cultural elements, has also played a significant role in shaping her artistic vision, particularly in her current fascination with characters from the ‘Liyue Region’ in the videogame, ‘Genshin Impact’.
Photo shows Zeeting’s works being showcased at her booth during OtaZo 2024.
‘Challenges and growth’
Amidst her success, Zeeting acknowledges the challenges that come with working in the anime genre, among which is that anime-style art requires precise anatomy and intricate details.
To overcome these challenges, she practices fundamental skills regularly and uses references to ensure accuracy in her work.
“Creative block is another hurdle. However, I can just step away from my work to recharge – whether it’s exploring new hobbies, reading, or meeting an old friend to reignite creativity,” she adds, pointing out that this would assist her in returning to her art with fresh ideas.
Since she began creating anime and Genshin Impact arts, Zeeting says her style has evolved into incorporating more nuanced details and dynamic compositions.
She has become more adept in blending the traditional influences with modern techniques, enhancing both the visual impact and emotional depth of her work.
The colour palette for this artwork, ‘Azure Sea and Sunset Sky’, is based on traditional Chinese colours.
She has also collaborated with several other artists, most notably an art fanzine titled ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’ featuring Genshin Impact characters, ‘Xiao’ and ‘Lumine’.
The project brought together over 30 international creators, ranging from fan-fiction writers to artists and cosplayers.
“The supportive environment was incredible; everyone shared a deep love for the chemistry between Xiao and Lumine, even though officially, they’re not a couple.
“It was a wonderful experience to see our collective passion come to life – I highly recommend checking out the zine.”
Zeeting’s Xiao and Lumine art, featured in the fanzine ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’.
When asked on her overall arts’ feedback, Zeeting says she would occasionally receive negative comments, especially from those who dislike her Genshin Impact ‘head-canon’ content.
“However, I choose not to dwell on this negativity. I believe that artists should create what they love and share it with those who appreciate it.
“To those who don’t enjoy my work, I’d advise finding content that suits their tastes, instead of focusing on what they dislike.
“On the positive side, the overwhelming support and encouragement from my audience have been incredibly motivating, and they inspire me to continue creating.
“I will not stop creating content that I love due to hate comments; instead, I strive to develop even better stories and visuals to show my appreciation to those who support and enjoy my art.”
‘Bright future’
Looking ahead, Zeeting is eager to explore new themes and styles, expressing her enthusiasm to explore new themes inspired by Dayak traditions.
She envisions her art evolving to integrate emerging trends in anime and gaming, all while staying true to her unique style.
For aspiring digital artists, Zeeting’s advice is simple: “Master the basics of drawing and digital art, study the existing styles, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Zeeting’s Diploma in Multimedia Design Year 1 students joins the course leader Muhamad Faizal Abdul Jalil (third right) in a photo-call, taken TAR UMT Kuala Lumpur Campus at the end of the semester recently.
“Engaging with the community and consistently creating and sharing the work are also key to making a mark in the industry.”
As Zeeting continues to push the boundaries of her creativity, she remains a shining example of how passion, perseverance and a deep connection to one’s cultural roots can come together to create art that resonates with audiences far and wide.
