Rizki Nizam Irhamsa

Rizki Nizam Irhamsa (born March 8, 1996), also known as Elnizam, is an Indonesian illustrator and comics artist. He is recognized for his distinctive visual style, combining detailed black-and-white hatching with complex compositions and expressive linework. As a professional illustrator, Elnizam has worked on a wide range of comic projects for publishing studios, including full-length comics, storyboards, and character design.

His works often emphasize a balance between technical detail and visual storytelling, positioning him among Indonesia’s notable young illustrators in the field of contemporary comics. Beyond studio projects, he has also contributed to editorial illustration and interdisciplinary collaborations with writers and independent media.

Early life

Elnizam was born in the Solo Raya residency, Indonesia, on March 8, 1996. From an early age, he developed a deep interest in drawing, a passion that became more refined during his studies in fine arts at university, where he focused on textiles and conceptual art. It was during this formative period that he began producing personal sketches which gradually evolved into illustrations. These personal experiments deepened his interest in visual narratives and encouraged him to pursue illustration more seriously.

His background in fine arts provided a strong conceptual foundation, shaping his approach to illustration with a balance of aesthetic exploration and narrative depth. This foundation eventually opened doors for him to enter the commercial sphere, where he began contributing illustrations and comics for studios and publications.

Career

Elnizam began his professional journey in 2014, while still pursuing his university studies in fine arts. His early career took shape outside the realm of illustration, beginning in textile design for industries in China. He later transitioned into jewelry and gemstone design, collaborating with local industries in Bali as well as an international studio based in Russia. These cross-disciplinary experiences sharpened his sensitivity to detail, precision, and the artistic value embedded in high-end commercial products.

A turning point came after the global pandemic, when Elnizam chose to pursue a more personal path as an artist and illustrator. Since then, he has built a professional portfolio in comics, illustration, and character design. His notable projects include HACK (2025), Molie (2024), Maand The Rabbit (2023), and many more, where he has taken roles ranging from full illustrator to storyboard artist and character designer.

Style and Artistic Approach

Elnizam is recognized for his bold and striking black-and-white illustration style, defined by sharp contrasts, dramatic light and shadow, and expressive linework. Hatching techniques play a central role in his art, building atmospheric depth and intensity across his compositions.

His approach is strongly influenced by the aesthetics of classic comics with a cinematic sensibility, where each panel is constructed as if it were a film shot. He places emphasis on camera angles, visual rhythm, and dramatic expression, transforming his illustrations into immersive visual experiences rather than static images.

Elnizam cites a wide range of influences from both American comics and Japanese manga. From the American tradition, he draws inspiration from Adam Hughes and his mastery of figure drawing and elegant storytelling. From Japanese manga, he is influenced by the hyper-realistic detail of Sakamoto Shinichi, as well as the dramatic visual styles of Takehiko Inoue (Vagabond), Naoki Urasawa (Monster, 20th Century Boys), and Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira). This cross-cultural synthesis has enriched his style, producing works that are at once classic and modern, deeply personal yet universally resonant.