Sta.sh
This is where I use the Random Word Generator to pull up a random word to use as a theme for the feature!
So the word this time is...
Curiosity! 
Previous Editions
'Cloud rhapsody' by ~anndr
Since I believe the efforts of semi-realism artists are not sufficiently appreciated, because there are so many fantastic illustrations in this style that does not have the right visibility on here, I decided to create an article to advertise these artists that are, for me, the 'new faces' of this fashionable and yet so difficult art style.
First of all, Semi-realism is a drawing style derived from mangas but more complex in terms of style. Indeed, if we want to be more precise, it is the missing link between mangas and digital art. No giant eyes but neither skin blemishes.
I would really appreciate if dA could add a category for this particular art style but I can easily admit the boundaries to define this style are very labile.
Well, after this brief introduction, I'm featuring some samples of this style from really talented people. Many of these artists came directly from the manga world, but perhaps not fully satisfied with it, they started to complicate their lives for real. Because semi-realism is difficult, really. You must know anatomy and other boring stuff, but BLAH BLAH BLAH. Too much talking.
Enjoy this little feature. I hope you will find some new artists to watch and stalk (in alphabetical order).
AKIRA-666
ALEXZAPPA
AMSBT
ANDRAHILDE
ANNDR
CASHILE
FAELICIA
GERWELL
MELOKI
OFFRECORD
PSYDREVO
ST-BOOMER
VIRUS-AC
Dulcis in fundo! I hope you enjoyed the journey! 
ThanQ.
If you see some of my works, most of them are character design sketches. I started studying more about art in college since last year, and in my spare time, I started learning and practicing how to color my sketches with traditional and digital tools not too long ago.
There is no "semi-realism". There is photorealism (where things look as they do in life), and then just plain realism, meaning something is grounded in reality even with slight stylization. Those artists you're featuring? Realism. They're not super-stylizing things to the point that they don't look like they're part of our reality anymore.
That was just a theory, and observation, anyway!
Also I think the sort of mentality "I learned to draw from manga, I still don't have enough proper training in realitic painting, to call stuff I do realism, look it's also not really realistic!" comes here too.
So instead in fighting and changing to be more in the in rules of the term, they just made another one that didn't bear the same, I dunno, seriousness as realism.