A discussion on the pros and cons of using 3D Models in digital art 

By: Akira B.

Picture this: You’re ready to draw but you can’t visualize how that pose or object should go. You go searching and suddenly you’re stuck in an endless loop of trying to find the ✨ Perfect Reference ✨ until three hours have passed and all you’ve accomplished was a blank canvas and several distractions. Sound too close to home? Well, fortunately, if you can’t find a specific reference, 3D models have become a valuable resource. 

“Just like photographs, books and [live] models, 3D Models are great tools for artists. They can provide much-needed reference for things that may be hard to get a hold of in physical space. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't have a Lamborghini at my beck and call to take photos for reference. A great perk of a 3D model is the three-dimensionality of the object - you can manipulate it to be at the exact pose or angle you need for your work.” says BITEGHOST, creator of Backlash. 

Many other professional comic artists like Mei, the creator of Brimstone and Roses, acknowledge its efficiency and practicality as well. “3D Models are very helpful and, to a certain degree, necessary for comic work. The deadlines are vicious in the comics industry and shortcuts need to be utilized, whether it be 3D models or resource banks.”

With how fast paced the comic industry has become, it’s imperative that artists make their job as easy as possible, protecting their health both physically and mentally. With an increase of artists pushing themselves to create ‘fast’ art with tight deadlines (either by their publisher, self imposed, or even because of the algorithmic cycle social media has caused) this has also backfired into creating a dissonance where overuse of 3D models has become practical use. 

“Part of the skill of using 3D models is also integrating them well enough into your style that it won't jar the reading experience and take people out of the scene because of the stylistic mismatch” says Mei. And we agree! Multimedia in comics is not uncommon, mangakas have been using photographs of their own neighborhoods for decades, but there’s stylistic cohesion that makes or “breaks” the artwork. 

Using these models should be a learning experience, especially through the lens of creating work that you’d want other people to support you for (i.e. comics, patreon, etc). Drawing things yourself, whether it be a chair, a coffee pot, or a person sitting at a desk, there’s much more love and personality when you use 3D models as study and practice - the reference - to build your own visual database and shorthands. 

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t use 3D models, we encourage you to in fact. In this day and age where AI slop is taking over artists’ usual search engines, having the ability to create your own models/references is a blessing. Just remember that too much of anything can have negative results. Of course, at the end of the day, this is also all about intent, so if you are just trying to have fun, then have fun!

Until the next morning,

~ Akira