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3D look along the edges, blurring them in areas where sharpness isn't necessary. After completing the post-processing phase, I step back and evaluate the piece as a whole, ensuring that it effectively conveys the intended story and emotions. This process of iteration and refinement allows me to achieve a polished and visually compelling final image. Ultimately, my goal is to create artwork that not only captures the viewer's attention but also invites them to explore the story behind each piece. What digital tools are in your digital toolbox to create your work? I use Blender for 3D modeling and sculpting and Photoshop for sketching, painting, texturing, compositing, post processing and color grading. What advice would you give to aspiring 3D artists looking to break into the industry? The more different sources of inspiration you observe and consume, the more original a piece will be. Don’t be afraid of taking something from your personal surroundings, like your city for example - it might feel exotic to someone else. Also, don’t forget to take the time to do it right! The pace and oversaturation of social media and how art is being consumed these days puts a lot of stress on artists, making them think there needs to be new art every day, causing depression. Slow down, enjoy the process and everything will turn out fine! Can you share a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles? While working on our indie game, I frequently wore many hats due to tight deadlines, which turned me into a jack of all trades. One memorable challenge arose when I had a disagreement with a colleague about the art style for our game trailer. He wanted realistic clouds in the skybox, while our established style used stylized clouds. The programmer insisted on the change because he felt ownership over the idea. I navigated this conflict delicately, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consistent art style to uphold the game’s aesthetic and prevent confusing our target audience. The disagreement escalated, and the programmer left the office angry that day. Recognizing the need for a neutral mediator, I involved our manager to facilitate a constructive dialogue between us. With the manager’s guidance, we reached a compromise that satisfied both parties and aligned with the game’s vision. Conflicts like these often arise from individuals’ passion and desire to take ownership of their work. By fostering open communication, understanding differing perspectives, and seeking collaborative solutions, we were able to overcome this challenge and continue moving forward united in our shared goals. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters while working in a team, is the end product. Tell us about some of your current projects. I currently work as an freelance illustrator for Wizards of the Coast, creating artwork for Magic: The Gathering card illustrations. Recently, I contributed to their crossover with Bethesda's Fallout, and you can see my cards on ArtStation. I'm currently working on another batch of cards that I can't discuss yet, but I'm sure you'll be excited to see them when they're released. Keep an eye on my ArtStation for updates! Keep up with Gabriel Artstation: www.artstation.com/tanko Facebook: www.facebook.com/tanko.gabriel.3 Linktree: linktr.ee/tankogabriel