Alina Gibadullina is the Russian-born artist taking iconic album art and reimagining each detail through an innovative, blue-cut lens guided by its audio. Sticking to traditional art forms, oil paints and pencils, her intricate illustrations take cover art to exciting new dimensions by exploring the works of her favourite musicians such as Mac Miller, Travis Scott, Slowthai and more.

The brilliant lyricism of Frank Ocean and the poignant verses of J Cole blast in the background as she works, guiding her hand through each stroke, bringing additional colours and forms into each image as she reinterprets her muse. At just 21 years of age, she is taking emotional elements of the album’s lyrics and translating these into visionary work that impress upon the audience with the poignancy inherent to its carefully considered creation.

Whilst studying to be a designer at uni, Gibadullina began sharing her work via Instagram, providing a place in the public eye for the hyperrealist, new vision of pop-culture she delivers.

Coeval caught up with the self-defined music nerd for a chat about what inspires her, how she chooses her muses and her plans for the future.

Can you introduce yourself to our readers? Describe who you are and what you do in your own words.

Hi, my name is Alina Gibadullina. I am 21 years old and I’m from Russia. I’m an artist and am currently studying to be a designer at university.

Your work often centers around rappers and other icons - how did you get into this and how do you choose who to feature?

I've been listening to a lot of music since I was a kid. Sometimes I feel like a music nerd, so all my paintings are inspired by my playlist with favorite songs & albums.

How else do you find inspiration for your designs? Can you describe your creative process?

In addition to the songs themselves and their meaning, I’m inspired by music videos or photoshoots, imagining what I could add or change. Most often I start thinking about all the small details that I want to add in the process of work, it comes by itself, especially when I listen to the music of this artist and feel everything that the artist wanted to tell us, so, I can translate this in my work.

What techniques do you utilize in your practice?

Many people think that my work is drawn in Photoshop or it's a filter. Well no, I stick to the old traditions and draw and paint everything by hand.

Who is your favourite artist to draw and why?

I don't have a favorite; every artist is so good, and everyone does something new. It depends on my mood, who I want to listen to today and who I want to paint.

Do you have a favourite piece of art that you have created? Tell us about it.

My favorite one is Blonde with Frank Ocean. First of all, it's my first painting in hyperrealism. I painted all these details. I enjoyed the long process of drawing and listened to this album on repeat. This work is associated with a special period and person in my life and means a lot. Therefore, both the album and the painting are among the favorites.

What’s next for Alina?

Well, as long as artists make good music, I'll draw them and improve their quality. I want to add more elements from my own style. And of course, I want to make prints so that everyone who likes my work can have a piece at home.