Donato Giancola (born 1967[1]) is an American artist specializing in narrative realism with science fiction and fantasy content, including images for Tolkien's Middle-earth.
[2] Giancola describes himself and his work as a "classical-abstract-realist working with science fiction and fantasy" and lists Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck, Velázquez, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Piet Mondrian, Rembrandt, Rubens and Titian as his favorite artists.
[5] In 2008, the Bennington Banner referred to him as "arguably the most popular and successful sci-fi/fantasy artist working today".
Postal Service announced that a "three ounce" stamp honoring Ursula K. Le Guin would be issued later that year.
It features her portrait, based on a 2006 photograph, against a background scene from The Left Hand of Darkness, created by Giancola and art director Antonio Alcalá.