XPPen Caught up with 3D Art Maestro Clinton Jones, Discussing His Insights on The Value of Human Art

XPPen recently launched its 19th anniversary celebration, featuring a series of vibrant events under the theme "Original is Original." Among these is the "Future Me" themed drawing contest, which is currently in full swing. The world’s renowned 3D art maestro Clinton Jones (aka Pwnisher) has been invited to this creative festivity, serving as one of the artist judges for the contest, Clinton Jones will bring his unique perspective on setting trends in global 3D art field.

Known by his online moniker “The Pwnisher”, Clinton Jones is the creator of the popular 3D Art challenges, which unites the power of 3D art enthusiasts and allows numerous 3D creators around the globe to show off their extraordinary talents in bringing their imagination to life. The recently concluded eighth 3D challenge, themed "Eternal Ascent," attracted over 2,800 entries from 104 countries. To date, with more than 10,000 3DCG artists from all over the world participating in his 3D creative event, the global 3D challenges initiated by Clinton Jones has been successfully held for eight times. The ninth competition is now in full swing, continuing to captivate the creative community. XPPen has been cooperating with the challenges through a series of product sponsor, aiming to jointly build an art platform for global creators to exchange their artworks, thus fostering a renaissance of creativity within the art community.

As part of its 19th anniversary celebration, XPPen engaged in a dialogue with Clinton about 3D art creation. He shared insights from his personal creative journey and offered his unique perspectives on human art.

Personal Creation and 3D Art

XPPen: Please introduce yourself and your art style.

Clinton: Hi everyone, my name is Clinton Jones. I'm a big fan of landscape photography, film landscape photography, and I take a lot of shots on different trips, I love recreating that in 3D, it's a way that I can keep my 3D art uniquely my own when I'm referencing my own photography.

XPPen：We heard that you've watched many Jackie Chan movies, and even learned Kung Fu. How has your martial arts experience influenced your personal growth? what led you to pursue a path in 3D art creation?

Clinton: I grew up on Jackie Chan movies, I grew up doing martial arts as a kid for about ten years, a few different styles. Training martial arts as a kid it taught me hard work, dedication, a constant need to learn and grow. And that's something that transferred seamlessly into 3D art and just creativity in life in general.

Personal View on Digital Art & XPPen

XPPen: What's your opinion about digital drawing products and XPPen?

Clinton: I'm a huge fan of tablets. I use it for 3D, I use it for browsing the web, some video games like I will only pull out a mouse if I absolutely have to. A lot of artists on my 3D Discord server were fans of XPPen, and they sent me over this Artist 22 plus, which I'm very excited to get into. I've never had like a drawing display before, so I'm really excited to work it into my workflow and see how it works with maybe substance painter, Unreal Engine, perhaps, and even Photoshop, of course.

XPPen: What is your understanding about the theme of XPPen's anniversary, “Original is Original”?

Clinton: Original is original calls for us to dig deep, stick to our roots, and express that in a unique way to the world. Let's cherish this creative process together.

XPPen: As one of the judges of “Future Me” drawing contest, what is your understanding about the theme, “Future Me”?

Clinton: I would hope future me is still learning and still growing and more compassionate by the day. Because I think as soon as we stop doing that, we kind of cut ourselves short. So to future me, to future you.

Perspectives on AIGC and Original Art

XPPen: How do you see AIGC's impact on the 3D art ?

Clinton: AI has definitely worked its way into the 3D art world and it's crazy. A lot of people are scared about AI. A lot of people are boycotting, banning AI and all this and that. And a lot of people, some of my friends are all into AI. For me personally, I love the act of creating things. I love putting in the work and honing the craft and putting the time in to create a final product.

XPPen: What do you think AIGC brings to art creation?

Clinton: (AIGC)It gives people who didn't put the years into learning the programs, the software gives them the ability to create something crazy that they've never been able to do before, which I think is cool. Maybe at some point will create something that no human would ever have thought of creating and that is pretty wild to me. I love getting my hands dirty, getting into the weeds, learning the programs, learning the craft, the animation skills, all the skills that go into creating 3D art. I will always love the process of making 3D art. The process of making art really makes me happy.

XPPen: In your opinion, where does the value of human art lie?

Clinton: I think being able to express our thoughts, our feelings, our emotions and our fears and worries, the things that make us happy, the things that drive us, that is one aspect of the value that humans bring to art. I think that it's everyone's unique stamp that cannot be taken. There's so many different avenues to express ourselves and each person is unique in their own way, and that is very, very special. I think that is the true magic of and I think that is the true magic and value that humans bring to art.