LogInRenowned 3D Character Artist Hadi Karimi joins 80 Level's 10th anniversary celebration by telling us about his Tom Hardy likeness project, discussing the evolution of real-time rendering, and explaining why it's paramount to embrace technology carefully.
Hadi Karimi's Latest Project
Since we last spoke, I've continued focusing on personal projects to refine my skills, especially in likeness sculpting. One of my latest works was a likeness of Tom Hardy. Like many of my pieces, it began in ZBrush, where I handled sculpting, and texturing happened in Mari using VFace from TexturingXYZ as blueprints. I then moved to Maya for composition, hair grooming using XGen, and rendering, using Arnold as my primary render engine.
This project involved a deep dive into reference gathering, particularly for his tattoos. I sourced high-resolution images from various angles to ensure accurate placement, scale, and design. Initially, I projected the tattoo references directly onto the model in ZBrush to establish their correct positions. Then, using Mari and a custom brush I developed specifically for this purpose, I meticulously redrew each tattoo by hand to match the real-life details.
The process spanned about a month, primarily because replicating tattoos in CG is far more complex than it seems. It's not just about getting the design right, but also making the tattoos feel like they belong to the skin. They need to respond believably to lighting, skin texture, and subtle anatomical shifts. One of the biggest challenges was maintaining consistency; every time the model was adjusted, I had to carefully recheck the tattoos to ensure their alignment and flow weren’t disrupted. It was a demanding but rewarding experience.
Inspiration
My journey began over a decade ago as a 2D digital painter. Over time, I transitioned into 3D character art, where I now specialize in likeness sculpting. Inspiration came from both classical and digital artists. Rembrandt's mastery of expression and light had a big impact on me, as did many digital painters and sculptors.
Today, I find inspiration through online art communities like ArtStation and ZBrush Central and social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn. My style has matured from semi-stylized and exaggerated forms to more realistic and expressive 3D characters, focusing on emotional authenticity.
Balancing Technology & Artistry
The digital art industry has evolved tremendously; software and hardware advancements have made it more accessible and powerful. Artists today can achieve realism and interactivity like never before, especially with the rise of real-time engines. On the downside, the industry has become more fast-paced and competitive, sometimes at the cost of creative freedom. The constant need to keep up with trends and algorithms on social media can also be draining.
One of the most significant recent shifts has been the rise of AI. While this creates exciting opportunities, it also raises concerns about originality, artistic identity, and the potential devaluation of manual craftsmanship. There's a nostalgic feeling when looking back at a time when things felt slower, more hands-on, when you had to build everything from scratch, and the journey was just as important as the result. That process taught discipline and shaped artistic voice in a way automated tools often bypass.
The main challenge now is balance, embracing technology without losing artistic intent. The pressure to adapt quickly, stay visible on social media, and keep up with the rapid pace of new tools can be overwhelming. It's important to stay grounded, keep learning, and not let the tools define the artist.
The Evolution of Artistic Tools
The tools have evolved dramatically. Ten years ago, projects with complex environments, cinematic lighting, or photoreal characters often required an entire team and a studio setup. Today, thanks to modern software and more powerful consumer GPUs, many of those same projects can be executed by a single artist on a personal computer. Real-time rendering has been a game changer, not only for games but for cinematic workflows as well. The ability to see lighting, shading, and animation changes instantly has sped up iteration and made the creative process far more intuitive.
Unreal Engine 5, in particular, has opened new possibilities, allowing artists to work with film-quality assets in real time without the need for heavy optimization. Add to that the explosion of online tutorials and learning platforms; knowledge that used to be locked behind formal education or years of experience is now accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Career Highlights & The Most Successful Year
Looking back, one of the standout aspects of my journey has been the decision to fully dedicate myself to 3D character art, especially likeness sculpting. The moment my work started gaining recognition online, and people connected emotionally with my portraits of historical figures or celebrities, really validated all the long hours and effort I had put in.
Living in Iran, I've had to deal with international sanctions on a daily basis. Access to software, learning platforms, banking systems, even something as simple as subscribing to a service or downloading a plugin; these things that many take for granted are constant obstacles here. That's why I consider being able to build an international audience and career under these conditions one of my biggest achievements.
The most challenging period was definitely when I was transitioning from 2D to 3D. Not just because of the technical learning curve, but because I was figuring out how to grow in an industry that often feels distant and inaccessible when you're working from a restricted environment. The most successful year? I'd say the point when I started treating personal projects seriously, not just as portfolio pieces but as my own way of measuring growth and pushing boundaries. That mindset shift made all the difference.
Conclusion
My biggest wish for digital artists and game developers is that they don't lose motivation, especially in this era where AI is advancing rapidly and sparking fears about creative jobs becoming obsolete. It's easy to feel discouraged when you see tools generating images or animations in seconds, but I believe art is not just about output; it's about perspective, storytelling, and the human touch behind every choice. If anything, AI should be seen as a tool, not a threat. It can handle the repetitive or technical parts of a workflow, freeing up more time for experimentation and creative exploration. But the core ideas, the spark that connects with people, still have to come from a human being.
To the 80 Level team, thank you for continuing to highlight individual voices and talents from around the world. I hope we keep seeing more diverse stories, more creative risks, and more support for up-and-coming artists, because the future of this industry depends on keeping that human creativity alive.