M3DS Academy

🌴 Venture into Unknown Island, a stylized tropical environment created by Lili Bruijn in Unreal Engine 5.

Inspired by the concept art of Kateryna Kyrkach, this project was an exploration of large-scale environment creation, foliage production, composition, and lighting. Built over the course of two months, Lili crafted every element to bring this vibrant island to life, from lush vegetation and handcrafted structures to the iconic skull-shaped sanctuary at its center.

A fantastic example of how strong art direction, iterative feedback, and persistence can transform a concept into an immersive world.

Step into the world of The Last of Us: Part I.

This showcase highlights Martin Moreno's work on Liberty Gardens, a memorable location from the Left Behind DLC. As a Senior Environment Artist, Martin contributed to modeling, world-building, texturing, and final polish, helping transform the beloved original into a next-generation experience.

From atmospheric lighting to environmental storytelling, every detail works together to create a world that feels authentic, lived-in, and unforgettable.

✨ Showcase by Lili Bruijn

A magical environment created as part of the Beyond Extent Team Challenge. Over five weeks, Lili and her team collaborated to bring Kingdom Below to life, combining concept exploration, worldbuilding, and stylized environment art into a vibrant fantasy scene.

Fantastic work, Lili! 🌟 https://www.artstation.com/artwork/4NDJG2

Ana Cristina Pacheco Romo de Vivar https://www.artstation.com/wardana_draw
Yan Honorato https://www.artstation.com/yan_honorato
Jaëlle Alsac https://www.artstation.com/jaellealsac
Anastasia 'Anki' Kiseleva https://www.artstation.com/spunky_anki
Diane Picaud https://www.artstation.com/diane_pcdm

Please join us in welcoming Javid Shukurlu to the M3DS Academy team.

Javid is a seasoned Hard Surface Artist with years of industry experience and multiple shipped titles under his belt. Currently working at Vertpaint Studios, he has built an impressive portfolio showcasing high-quality weapons, props, and hard surface assets created for modern game productions.

At M3DS Academy, we believe the best way to learn is from artists who are actively shaping the industry, and we're excited to have Javid help guide the next generation of Hard Surface Artists.

Welcome aboard, Javid.

View his portfolio:
https://www.artstation.com/shukurlujavid

Step into the world of The Last of Us: Part I.

This showcase highlights Martin Moreno's work on the iconic Colorado Mountain Plaza level. As a Senior Environment Artist, Martin contributed to modeling, world-building, texturing, and final polish, helping bring one of the game's most memorable locations to life.

From rain-soaked industrial structures to atmospheric storytelling through environment design, this project is a masterclass in creating believable and immersive game worlds.

Martin is currently an Environment Art Mentor at M3DS Academy, where he helps guide the next generation of artists through professional environment art workflows, production techniques, and portfolio development.

View the full project:
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/4XWDBl

Congratulations to our Student of the Month, Alin Parnica! 🌟

Showcasing a beautifully stylized environment created using Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine, Alin’s work highlights strong artistic vision, atmosphere, and attention to detail. From cozy daylight scenes to cinematic nighttime lighting, this project reflects the dedication, growth, and consistency that earned him this month’s recognition at M3DS Academy.

Stylized craftsmanship meets hand-painted storytelling ⚒️🍺

Created by Oliver Hitchin, Fang & Iron: The Hunter’s Tankard is a beautifully stylized prop showcase featuring hand-painted textures in Adobe Substance Painter and final renders in Marmoset Toolbag. From the forged metal details to the warm wood and leather materials, every element brings personality and charm to the piece.

Throwing it back to some of the incredible projects our students showcased during Rookies 2025 ✨

From stylized characters and cinematic environments to game-ready heroes and creatures, these projects represent the creativity, passion, and growth of the M3DS community.
Proud of everyone who pushed their work to the next level 🚀

A cinematic collection of atmospheric renders by Smilkov 🌌

From astronauts beneath northern lights to haunting landscapes and cinematic storytelling shots, this Blender & Cycles render collection explores mood, scale, and emotion through lighting and composition.