Meet Dillon Andrews | 3D Modeler & Digital Sculptor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dillon Andrews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dillon, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose an artistic career because it has literally always felt like the path I was meant to be on. Creative expression has always been incredibly important to me, and I see it as an opportunity to never stop learning.

Before becoming a digital sculptor and pursuing this specific 3D modeling path, I spent my spare time learning to draw, paint, play the drums, tons of creative exploits. It just seems like no matter what, I’m drawn the creative side of life, almost to a fault.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a 3D modeler specializing in digital sculpture and organic modeling, with an absolutely massive passion for bringing creatures and other non-existent things to life! Creating these things is the most fun I’ve ever had, and I’m so incredibly passionate about the methodologies and anatomical intricacies of creating them.

It started about 6 or so years ago, I had just started to get into the realm of digital art. I got myself an iPad and started drawing. I just loved the idea of creating oddly proportioned and weird creatures. I struggled a lot, initially. My fundamental skills as a 2D artist weren’t refined, and I felt myself getting burnt out quickly, not making the progress I wanted to be making. I really was just not sure what I was doing or what direction to take my art.

This all changed when I found the coolest thing I had ever seen in my entire life — a timelapse of a digital sculpture of one of my favorite comic book characters, Carnage, the evil, grotesque son of Venom. At the time, I was fascinated by movie magic and the art involved in creating them, but I had *no* idea how to do it. I had no idea how it was done. When I realized that I could theoretically create something that *resembled* this mystical movie magic, I was instantly hooked. So hooked that I spent the next year teaching myself the softwares, or adjacent softwares, needed to create the work of art I had seen the year prior. I was absolutely enthralled with the creation process. It was 2020, I had just lost my job, and I had all the time in the world to learn the coolest skill I never knew existed.

In the time since, I’ve opened myself to as many opportunities for learning, growth, and networking as I can. I’ve put myself out there as much as possible, competing in different international competitions, attending my dream school, tutoring, and working with amazing talent like the team over at Overcast Oddities. I’ve spent every moment I can learning everything I can.

If I had one piece of advice for anyone, it’d be to never stop learning — ever. It’s been the most transformative few years of my life learning everything I have, and I can’t recommend it enough.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing on my list is showing them the absolute magnificence of AZ sunsets. They’re one of my favorite things about this place. The beautiful array of colors is unlike any other sunset I’ve ever seen.

I love to go on hikes, weather permitting, and Phoenix Mountain Preserve is beautiful, easy, right in the middle of the city, and always a nice time. If we’re taking a drive, there’s so many different trails in Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott, honestly everywhere up north in AZ, and the weather is always lovely.

There’s also salt river and all the awesome kayaking and tubing to be done there. Just make sure to wear sunscreen — the sun can be GNARLY on the water.

As for food, I’ve got three restaurants that I am completely obsessed with — Alessia’s Ristorante Italiano, Buck & Rider, and Harumi sushi.

Alessia’s is the best authentic italian I’ve ever had, and one of my favorite restaurants of all time. They’re located in East Mesa, and I go every single year for my birthday, they’re my FAVORITE.

Buck & Rider is delicious sea food with the best Shrimp Risotto of all time. I get the Shrimp Risotto with a their flash-fried brussel sprouts as an appetizer every time I go. It’s so good.

Harumi is some of the best sushi I’ve had in Phoenix, and you’ve got to have their OMG roll, it’s an entire spectacle. I go to Harumi probably once a month, and it’s honestly not enough.

Bonus — When I moved away from AZ for the two years I attended school, the thing I missed the most was our crazy monsoon season and the amazing smells it brings. If I could bottle that up and share that experience with everyone I know, I would. If you’re visiting AZ, it might seem unorthodox, but the monsoon storms are truly one of my favorite parts of AZ.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh man, where to start? There is no way I’d be where I am without the help and support of my closest friends, family, and mentors.

Madison Sutton — She is probably the biggest reason I had the confidence to pursue any of this as a career in the first place. She’s my biggest supporter, and my best friend. I attended an incredible Visual Effects school in Vancouver, British Columbia called Think Tank Training Centre. She encouraged me every step of the way, proofread my admission letter, reviewed my portfolio, reviews my resumes, and gives me every ounce of support I need. Whenever I find myself questioning things, she’s always there. She is my rocket fuel and I can’t imagine not mentioning her in this shout out.

Overcast Oddities — two of my best friends and biggest supporters. Their support for me as an artist, a friend, and person, is something so incredibly invaluable to me and I don’t think I would be the artist I am today without either one of them. Gannon is one of my closest friends and an incredible, multidisciplinary artist and musician who has constantly been a source of inspiration for me as long as I’ve known him. His drive to learn and master new skills and paths is something I will always look up to. Kylie is an incredible artist and a constant supporter of my work in every way, shape, and form. She is constantly vouching for me, constantly advocating for me, constantly pushing me to be the best artist I can. I absolutely love working with both of these people and I could not imagine not mentioning either one of them in this shoutout.

I’ve got an ever-growing and humbly massive list of artists, friends, and family who constantly advocate and push me to be the best version of myself, and I would absolutely not be the person I am today without any of them.

Website: https://www.artstation.com/voacity

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voacity?igsh=MXU1MnJkcDM3M2R0Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dillontandrews?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app