THE ARTIST
IVAN CASTRO
ORLANDO, FL
Designer. Product Manager. Freelance illustrator. Midnight ink slinger. Ivan fuses hip-hop, anime, and comic culture into limited-edition prints for collectors who live at that intersection.
A regular at MegaCon and no stranger to a cosplay fit, he does not just make art about the culture. He is part of it.
Hip-hop
Anime
Comics
Pop Art
Limited Edition
20+
Years in design
11K+
Followers across Social media
US and CA
Shipping available
100%
Independent and Original
THE ARTIST
From sketchbooks to collectors
Ivan grew up pouring over Jim Lee's X-Men comics, studying every line and character before he was even a teenager, Wu-Tang and OutKast playing in the background. That early obsession with both the art and the culture never left. After earning a B.S. in Media Arts he spent the next two decades doing the work, starting as a freelance graphic designer and eventually building a career in tech and product that took him all the way to companies like Wells Fargo and Disney where he has worked in UX/UI. The sketchbook never closed through any of it.
Along the way the personal work found its people. Commissions started coming in, collectors followed, and what had always been a creative outlet became something real. That is when art became fun again.
The work is mixed media on Bristol board. Copic alcohol-based markers for rendering and color, Prismacolor and Staedtler pencils for line work and detail, Posca and Pen-touch acrylic markers for highlights, and Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors when a piece calls for it. Strathmore 400 Series is the paper everything starts on.
THE BRAND
What is ARTEDECASTRO?
ARTEDECASTRO is for anyone who grew up with a Jordan poster on the wall, Dragon Ball Z on the TV, and hip-hop in the background. Toonami late nights, Saturday morning cartoons, and a Wednesday trip to the local comic shop before anyone spoiled the latest issue. The Pokemon collection that is definitely still somewhere in a box.
That culture never left. It just got remixed. ARTEDECASTRO takes hip-hop, anime, and comic iconography and mashes them into something new, vibrant, and full of color and energy. References you recognize, combinations you have never seen.
Every generation inherits that obsession and makes it their own. If you feel it, this brand is for you. Limited runs, no reprints, hand-signed by the artist, made for collectors who get the culture whenever they found it.
• 16x20 Poster
• Hand signed and numbered
(frame not included)
• 16x20 Poster
• Hand signed and numbered
(frame not included)
• 16x20 Poster
• Hand signed and numbered
(frame not included)
Browse the full collection In the shop →
COMMISSIONS
Want something made just for you?
Hip-hop, anime, comic book characters. Starting at $150.
Collector Testimonials
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![Colorful illustration of a woman with curly hair wearing a blue headband and a blue top, looking towards the viewer. The artwork is on paper and has a vibrant and expressive style.]()
I've ordered from the site several times and shipping is always fast and efficient. Ivan is super talented, professional and an expert in all things Art Nerdy. The print quality is great and you can barely tell it's a print. My commission came out great and quicker than expected. Highly recommended!
— Lissa O.
Raleigh, NC -
![A colorful illustration featuring Spider-Man, a woman, a unicorn with rainbow hair, Pikachu, and Captain America surrounded by various markers and art supplies.]()
I’ve ordered from Ivan throughout the years. From originals, to prints to commissions, I have loved every piece. This artist is a pleasure to work with. He is understanding, patient, sweet and open to his customers ideas. Shipping is fast and efficient everything has arrived with no issues or damages!
— Dea
Ocala, FL -
![A colorful art print of a person with dreadlocks wearing sunglasses, surrounded by abstract vibrant colors and patterns.]()
Working with you was an absolute joy. The passion Ivan has for art shows with his work and his ability to turn a commission request was very reasonable. The art looks great after the years as well which shows the quality of materials used!
— Peter V.
Modesto, CA -
![Colorful painting of Deadpool holding a dog with a bright green background.]()
Ivan, thank you from the bottom of my heart! My wife burst into tears when she saw the drawing. Please keep doing all the hard work you already do! And have a Merry Christmas 🎉 Rest well and thanks again for your hard work!!
— Tim D.
Ocala, FL -
![Joker character commission portrait drawn with Copic markers, original hand-drawn art by artedecastro]()
I commissioned Ivan to do Joker. I gave him free range to do him. Everything went very smoothly. He kept me updated throughout the whole process. Packaging is top notch. I have also bought prints from him. They look amazing. The quality of the print is the best I've seen.
— Amanda G.
San Antonio, TX -
![Close-up of a hand holding a white marker, with a colorful artwork featuring Deadpool facing off with The Flash in infront of the ruins of a large building. A display of colorful markers and pens is visible on a black shelf.]()
I've been a client of Ivan's since 2015 and I can confidently say there's no better guy to work with. He brings any idea to life, the quality always blows me away, and I've never been disappointed. Easy to reach, great communication, fast shipping. He's a fantastic artist and a great guy, trust me
— Angelo S.
Salem, MA
FOLLOW THE PROCESS
11K+ Followers catch new drops, sketchbook pages, and live drawing sessions.
Ready to own a piece?
Limited prints, original artwork, and custom commissions. Ships to the US and Canada.