Ian Dean
Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creativebloq, 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
![Procreate custom brush tips from Kyle T Webster; a man draws on a iPad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TLL4i8xbgrQNFSWcnCNqkL-320-80.jpg)
Procreate's Kyle T. Webster reveals his three steps to better custom brushes
By Ian Dean published
Draw inspiration from this pro advice.
![What skills to artists need for real time VFX; a person holds up a phone displaying AR content](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nZuqCHjEefUfbWpp8H52GE-320-80.jpg)
Using Unreal Engine: what skills do artists need to make it in real time filmmaking?
By Ian Dean published
An Unreal Engine VFX team is a blended family.
![VR stylus explained; people draw using VR and stylus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/55BCW8xoCNRzACBDVonpkS-320-80.jpg)
VR stylus for digital art and design: everything you need to know
By Beth Nicholls, Ian Dean published
Now you can work in 2D and 3D virtual reality in Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro - but how do VR stylus work and who are they for?
![Procreate hire Kyle T Webster; a man sits at a desk drawing on an iPad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VrqVAwdPfAK9tpywD7M2XH-320-80.jpg)
Acclaimed digital brush creator Kyle T. Webster joins Procreate
By Ian Dean published
Disney, Pixar and Sony Animation love his brushes.
![Little Big Adventure retro game; a character holds a glowing orb](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rB5Vw53dWmuaojyZnXBMah-320-80.jpg)
Little Big Adventure: Twinsen’s Quest rekindles my love of 90s design
By Ian Dean published
Watch the cult retro adventure game's first trailer.
![Best xTool machines; three laser engravers and cutters on a green background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5BnKHdgbjCZXQTjt4dSPMe-320-80.jpg)
The best xTool Machines
By Ian Dean last updated
Our expert guide to the best xTool machines.
![The best tablets for students; a mix of tablet computers on a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/earU3sADNGRkm3wKYZRSkU-320-80.jpg)
The best tablets for students
By Ian Dean last updated
Save cash with our pick of the best tablets for students.
![How Still Wakes The Deep was made more terrifyingly beautiful with Unreal Engine 5.3; a door with a spooky light behind it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5K5saAhdtq9STv59ivRSXo-320-80.png)
How Still Wakes The Deep was made more terrifyingly beautiful with Unreal Engine 5
By Ian Dean published
Creating the "2001 trippy design".
![Still Wakes The Deep review; an oil rig in the fog](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kDZTijZcZhAesDfNHuSduW-320-80.jpg)
Still Wakes The Deep review: a pitch perfect Lovecraftian Poseidon Adventure
By Ian Dean published
An atmospheric horror that showcases Unreal Engine 5.
![Creating the Anime concept art for video game Slave Zero X; a red demon waves a sword](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zS5gniKGAWxQVGwoXPuWR4-320-80.jpg)
Honing the manga influence on indie hit video game Slave Zero X
By Ian Dean published
Yasushi Nirasawa and 1990s visual influences.
![AI and VFX; a woman in a mocap suit](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iZUc7oK3gevzGm52AbDiqi-320-80.jpg)
How will generative AI be used in VFX?
By Ian Dean published
We ask those working in the industry today to predict the future of filmmaking.
![AI will change VFX; a rocket launch is broadcast on an LED wakk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yGSJXGvJLMC6JKTvu6RCwK-320-80.jpg)
"AI has the potential to revolutionise VFX" says Chaos' Kam Star
By Ian Dean published
Why and how AI could give 3D artists greater power.
![AI and game development; people in a hotel](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q2pYeTPrQepA6iEzmxSQHb-320-80.jpg)
The future of game development and AI
By Ian Dean published
From 3D modelling to animation and scripting, how AI is being used.
![Free Unreal Engine 5 animation pack; a man in power armour from Gears of War E-Day](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3dNWDmyfSiNHBG6AzGMf3o-320-80.jpg)
Animate like Gears of War: E-Day with these 500 free Unreal Engine character animations
By Ian Dean published
Epic Games releases the Game Animation Sample Project.
![Unity AI tools; an alien face](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qmCNfCnBDufJHQaD2XseJb-320-80.jpg)
Game engine creator Unity has a plan for AI that is "empowering" and "responsible"
By Ian Dean published
Nico Perony, Unity's director of AI research, looks to the future.
![Wacom Yuify AI authenticator; images of an art app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2FZRfh5fRgr7M74Y9PVnMX-320-80.jpg)
Wacom's found a use for blockchain - and it will protect your art from AI
By Ian Dean last updated
Wacom Yuify enables artists to claim authorship.
![Person in artwork](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TUzVAqhNDWNPW6J4w8CsAg-320-80.jpg)
This clever AI turns 2D art into 3D animation, and it's "a game-changer"
By Ian Dean published
Artists share their experiences.
![Dragon Age The Veilguard art direction](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wnejPgeBnkfE5swLRKakjK-320-80.jpg)
If you hate Dragon Age: The Veilguard's art direction, then you're wrong
By Ian Dean last updated
Change can be a good thing.
![Maxon Studio; images from Maxon's new Capsules release for After Effects](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u9vEFCS8XmhWs34v5jkeVR-320-80.png)
Maxon Studio delivers powerful post-production motion graphics tools to everyone
By Ian Dean published
And there's no AI in sight.
![Xencelabs Pen Display 16 review; a pen display on a wooden desk](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZQ64tExa96zwXyfDTzzzrL-320-80.jpg)
Xencelabs Pen Display 16 review: a great value, accurate and compact 4K OLED drawing tablet
By Ian Dean published
A proper Wacom alternative.
![Cricut Maker 3 bundle deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/55BupDDBZyx5ybfHp7RXej-320-80.jpg)
The best Cricut Maker 3 bundle deals
By Beren Neale last updated
These are the pick of the best Day Cricut Maker 3 bundle deals for value, variety and crafting fun.
![Alien Rogue Incursion; a creature opens its mouth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/do7F4qNv5TJyG4Fh2xJT7f-320-80.jpg)
Alien: Rogue Incursion reveals Unreal Engine 5 has a new terrifying use
By Ian Dean published
Finally, a reason to dust off my PSVR 2.
![Monster Hunter Wilds; images if creatures in a PlayStation 5 game](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2XWwgHPHJXxAwDQjXk4Fy4-320-80.jpg)
Monster Hunter Wilds will have a "living world" - and it could shape open world game design
By Ian Dean published
Capcom reveals a new trailer and game details.
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