Latest articles by Ian Dean
Capcom Fighting Collection 2 review: a pixel-perfect celebration of chaos and creativity
These retro games feel surprisingly modern.
The best iPad alternatives – escape the Apple ecosystem
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
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
Finding busy work at the end of the universe.
How to trace in Procreate: a simple step-by-step guide for beginners
An easy way to get started in digital art.
Inside the sketchbook of Netflix and Apple background artist Sergio Mancinelli
Inspiring watercolour and pencil illustrations.
The best tablets with a stylus pen for drawing and note-taking
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
Does a little bit of everything, for less.
How Met Gala 2025’s most striking looks can inspire your next character design
Are Zendaya, Chappell Roan and Dua Lipa on your next mood board?
The design secrets that make the best John Wick posters so iconic – as revealed by the artists behind them
Capturing a legend in a decade of movie poster art.
How Blades of Fire flies in the face of modern video game aesthetics
MercurySteam's Enric Álvarez reveals how Frank Frazetta and Gustave Doré have influenced this new PS5 game.
Crafting the imaginative, evolving environments of Guild Wars 2 "affords us so much creativity"
ArenaNet's Tami Foote explains why making game art for this iconic MMO is a joy.
Artists must "revolt against the soulless [AI] machines" says legendary comic artist Dave McKean
Tell human stories in your art.
Did Adobe Fresco's new 'made by a human' tag just make it a safe space for artists?
The overlooked free digital painting app just became important.
"Everything we do is to benefit creativity" – love it or hate it, Adobe has a bold vision for AI and creative tools
Adobe's Alexandru Costin explains Adobe's balancing act.
The new Content Authenticity web app launches at Adobe MAX London: can it solve one of AI art's biggest problems?
Andy Parsons tells me that Adobe is here to protect artists.
How the Guild Wars 2 game art team overcome technical limitations to craft character art with heart
"Players can feel the love and care that goes into everything we do," says lead character designer Adam Hogseth.
Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny Remaster hands-on: ahead of its time
A timely reminder of how artful video game visual design can be.
How Tempest Rising channels the heart of '90s strategy games without "losing its soul"
It's a balancing act, shares game director Frederick Schreiber.
How Guild Wars 2 looked to retro game Shadow of the Colossus to solve a modern problem
Character art lead Adam Hogseth says this clever hack made all the difference.
I played Capcom Fighting Collection 2 for a week: here's why we need this frenzied '90s game art style to make a comeback
This retro game collection packs a visual punch.
The best drawing tablets: fully tested for all kinds of digital artists and budgets
These are the best drawing tablets for all kinds of artists and budgets.
You've never heard of Nex Playground, but it's one of the most interestingly designed games consoles out there
The Apple-like design and a focus on motion control makes this tiny cube unique.
