
Ian Dean
Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and leading video game title Official PlayStation Magazine. In his early career he wrote for music and film magazines including Uncut and SFX. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on AI, digital art and video game art and tech, and more to Creative Bloq, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5. He's also a keen Cricut user and laser cutter fan, and is currently crafting on Glowforge and xTools M1.
Latest articles by Ian Dean

If you want to use Procreate on an iPad, these are the only ones we'd go for
By Ian Dean last updated
Create digital art with the best iPad for Procreate.

If you're a digital artist, like me, then you'll love these iPad models for drawing
By Ian Dean last updated
Perfect for artists, these are the best iPads for drawing available today.

This node-based creative AI app is changing how artists work
By Ian Dean published
FloraFora.ai brings together every AI art and video model into into one infinite space.

You're not supposed to notice it – inside the hidden art of animation and VFX in Guild Wars 2
By Ian Dean published
Artists Geoffrey Milligan and Konstantin Skripalsh explain how VFX and animation work in harmony.

I went to an AI art conference expecting empty hype – I never expected to be creatively recharged
By Ian Dean published
The Freepik Upscale AI conference showed how AI can be used for art.

7 questions every immersive creator should ask
By Ian Dean published
The team behind new Apple Vision Pro project D-Day: The Camera Soldier share what they learned.

The best 3D art: outstanding examples for inspiration
By Ian Dean last updated
Visit another dimension with some of the best 3D art around.

Why AI means anyone can be a filmmaker not just Hollywood insiders
By Ian Dean published
Director Jason Zada says tools like Google Veo 3 unlock storytelling for everyone.

"Tools evolve, the eye doesn’t" – why AI art still needs artists
By Ian Dean published
Freepik CEO Joaquin Cuenca explains why AI can't, and shouldn't, do everything.

Find ways to "reconnect with the joy of drawing" – game art advice everyone needs to hear
By Ian Dean published
Creativity tips from Chenrui ZENG, environment artist on AFK Arena.

In a rare OpenAI interview Chad Nelson faces the 'AI Slop' backlash and says "rising above the noise takes talent"
By Ian Dean published
AI art may not be the enemy after all, mediocrity is.

Blades of Fire review: if Jim Henson had made Conan The Barbarian – and it's as wonderfully weird as that sounds
By Ian Dean published
Finally, an original Soulslike.

"AI can’t replicate the soul of a scene", says AFK Arena’s lead environment artist
By Ian Dean published
This game creative is optimistic about AI, but has some red lines.

"I went wild with warped houses, gnarled trees and jagged shapes" – how Tim Burton influenced the creator behind AFK Arena's scene game art
By Ian Dean published
What inspires Lilith Games' artist Chenrui ZENG.

The best laptops for Cricut makers: get the most out of Cricut Design Space
By Ian Dean last updated
As keen crafters, we've picked out the best laptops for Cricut makers – all tested to handle the brand's software.

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 review: a pixel-perfect celebration of chaos and creativity
By Ian Dean published
These retro games feel surprisingly modern.

The best iPad alternatives – escape the Apple ecosystem
By Ian Dean last updated
Our reviewers pick the best iPad alternatives from Samsung, Microsoft, Honor and more.

Maxon just launched its first new software in years – and it’s bringing Oscar-winning cinematic 3D to designers
By Ian Dean published
Archviz artists artists getting Oscar-winning 3D art tools.

I adore Revenge of the Savage Planet's lush, lurid playground of alien absurdity – but it's not for everyone
By Ian Dean published
Finding busy work at the end of the universe.

How to trace in Procreate: a simple step-by-step guide for beginners
By Ian Dean published
An easy way to get started in digital art.

Inside the sketchbook of Netflix and Apple background artist Sergio Mancinelli
By Ian Dean published
Inspiring watercolour and pencil illustrations.

The best tablets with a stylus pen for drawing and note-taking
By Ian Dean last updated
Get down your ideas with one of the best tablets with a stylus.

After four weeks of using the XPPen Magic Note Pad this digital writing and sketching tablet has completely won me over
By Ian Dean published
Does a little bit of everything, for less.
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