Ian Dean

Ian Dean

Editor, Digital Arts & Design

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & Design 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.

Articles by: Ian Dean

Inspiration for how to make and sell an NFT: NFT art showing an Ape in front of a yacht house

How to make and sell an NFT

By Ian Dean published

Try your luck on the NFT marketplace with our guide to making and selling NFT art.

Aaron Blaise animates using Procreate Dreams; a penguin jumps off a cliff

Aaron Blaise loves Procreate Dreams: "It's going to change everything"

By Ian Dean published

2D animation is flying again.

Baby Steps PS5 game; a man tries to walk

Baby Steps is the bonkers new PS5 game I never knew I needed

By Ian Dean published

Death Stranding but Dumb and Dumber.

Rock Paper Pencil review; an iPad and iPad protective cover on a wooden table

Rock Paper Pencil review: an iPad drawing accessory that tries something new

By Ian Dean published

This textured protective sheet and pen nib combo makes digital sketching a joy.

Adobe AI in Photoshop; an illustration of a man

Love it or hate it, Photoshop now has full-fat generative AI tools

By Ian Dean published

"This reminds me of when Photoshop introduced Layers," says Adobe's Rufus Deuchler.

Best Procreate tutorials; a person draws on an iPad

19 Procreate tutorials to improve your digital art and design

By Ian Dean published

The best Procreate tutorials, from the basics to advanced tools, including using new brushes, layers and 3D models.

Procreate Dreams everything you need to know; a person taps an animation app on an iPad

Procreate Dreams: everything you need to know

By Ian Dean published

Animation is more accessible with Procreate Dreams, our expert core details the features of this new iPad app.

Procreate Dreams; a person gestures on an ipas

Procreate Dreams is "bringing animation to everyone"

By Ian Dean published

Procreate's Chief Product Officer, Claire d’Este, tells me why animation is going to change forever.

Procreate Dreams; a person moves an image on a iPad with their finger

Procreate Dreams makes animation nightmares a thing of the past

By Ian Dean published

This Apple-exclusive app will be essential.

Starfield; render of onions

New game Starfield is a visual masterpiece (when it comes to onions)

By Ian Dean published

So realistic, you'll cry.

Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty; a person wears an elegant headpiece

This Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty design actually exists, and I love it

By Ian Dean published

Game art comes to life.

draw an anime character in Procreate; a drawing of Neon Genesis Evangelion character Asuka

How to draw an anime character in Procreate

By Paul Kwon published

Paul Kwon shows you how to use Procreate to draw anime characters, with a little help from Evangelion's Asuka.

Working on a commission; a dragon holding a lantern approaches a girl

Working on a commission: advice from professional digital artists

By Tanya Combrinck published

A trio of digital artists share their advice for working on a commission.

RenderMan 25 review; a cartoon ship in a storm sea

RenderMan 25 review: a small update with one amazing tool every 3D artist will love

By Paul Hatton published

The same 3D tools as Pixar uses, RenderMan 25 remains an eye-catching draw.

best pen plotters; an xy pen plotter machine drawing a design

The best Pen Plotters in 2023

By Amelia Howard published

Our pro picks the best pen plotters to help you see your pieces of art appear before your eyes.

How to use Procreate; Digital painting of fairy tale character in Procreate by Chrissie Zullo

How to use Procreate to paint a classic fairy tale scene

By Chrissie Zullo published

Using Procreate for iPad Pro, Chrissie Zullo demonstrates how to create an iconic moment from a fairy tale.

Artist studio; Karla Diaz sat in a white and pink room

The artist's in studio: Karla Diaz

By Ian Dean published

Discover a studio of two halves as the Chilean comic artist Karla Diaz gives us the grand tour.

Video game box art; game box art framed on a wall

What’s the secret to great video game box art?

By Lewis Packwood published

Good video game box art is hard to create, Lewis Packwood picks fives examples that made an impact.

Rock, Paper, Pencil iPad accessory; a person draws on an ipad with a stylus

Rock Paper Pencil is the new iPad accessory I need

By Ian Dean published

Finally, a realistic pen-on-paper feel.

Star Wars Dark Forces; Darth Vader

Star Wars: Dark Forces is proof why remasters are vital

By Ian Dean published

Replaying the hits never felt better.

How to use Procreate's text tools; Children's book cover made in Procreate by Max Ulichney

How to use Procreate's text tools

By Max Ulichney published

Max Ulichney shows you how to use Procreate's text tools to design a children's picture book cover.

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review; a laptop flipped

Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023) review: a perfect back-to-school laptop

By Ian Dean published

High end feel in a mid-range price package, the new Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is an ideal college laptop.

Maya 2024 review; a house in a tropical ocean

Maya 2024 review: lacks eye-catching new features

By Paul Hatton published

Autodesk's Maya is still a great animation package, but this year's update is found lacking.

Procreate painting of fantasy female figure by Tatiana Svistunova

How to draw a dramatic figure in Procreate

By Tatiana Svistunova published

Tatiana Svistunova walks you through her Procreate workflow and shows you how to create a striking figure painting.

Game engines; a render of a large snowy mountain

Why is everyone obsessed with Unreal Engine and Unity?

By Paul Hatton published

We ask three pro artists.

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