If you're a 3D artist or animator just getting started, there’s something super motivating about watching someone build their craft in public. Someone who’s not just flexing technical skills but telling stories, experimenting, and sharing the behind-the-scenes. One such artist lighting up the 3D space online is Vaveili—and if you’re not already following them, it’s time to fix that.
Who Is Vaveili?
Based in Atlanta, Vaveili is a self-taught 3D artist and fashion designer blending dreamy visuals, surreal storytelling, and futuristic vibes into every project. You’ll find them on X (formerly Twitter) posting dazzling renders, sharing works-in-progress, and occasionally dropping gems about their journey.
What sets them apart? They didn’t take the “traditional” art school route. Instead, they taught themselves the tools, posted consistently, and slowly built up their own creative empire—complete with a two-bedroom studio they funded through their art. Yup, dreams can pay rent.
Winning the OTOY Artist Grant
One of their big milestones came when they were awarded the OTOY Artist Grant—a recognition from the folks behind OctaneRender, one of the most powerful rendering engines in the industry. This isn’t just a flex—it’s validation for anyone grinding at their desk with just Blender, passion, and YouTube tutorials.
From Animation to Gamer Collabs
You may have seen their eye-popping visuals for GamerSupps or the Twitch streamer Shylily. Their short 3D animation for Shylily went viral, pulling in nearly 400K views. It wasn’t just beautiful—it had soul. That’s a recurring theme in Vaveili’s work. Every render feels like it’s whispering a strange, wonderful story just beneath the surface.
And yeah, if you’re wondering—these weren’t just for fun. They’re getting paid for their creative work. Commissioned gigs, brand collabs, and fan-fueled buzz all started from sharing art online.
A Style That’s Hard to Miss
What makes their work so compelling?
- Soft, fluid lighting that feels like dusk in a dream
- Futuristic outfits and digital fashion concepts
- Cinematic compositions with emotion baked in
- Experimentation—whether it’s shading, animation, or layout
- You can tell they’re not afraid to break rules or explore odd angles. And honestly, that’s half the magic.
Lessons for Aspiring Artists
- If you’re just getting into the world of CG or motion design, here are a few things Vaveili’s journey shows us:
- Start now, not later. They didn’t wait to be “perfect.” They posted, improved, and built community over time.
- Self-learning works. Whether you’re using Blender, Octane, Unreal Engine, or whatever—resources are out there.
- Consistency builds visibility. Even short clips or shader tests can attract attention if they’re posted with intent.
- Build in public. Sharing your process is part of the art. People connect with the journey, not just the final product.
Vaveili just announced they’re launching a Patreon, where they’ll share tutorials, project files, workflows, and all the good stuff you’d normally only get in expensive courses. So, if you’ve been looking for a fresh, unfiltered, artist-led learning hub—you might want to keep tabs.
Following artists like Vaveili isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about staying inspired. Watching someone build their own lane with skill, emotion, and a dash of weirdness? That’s the kind of fuel upcoming 3D artists need.
Whether you’re rendering your first scene or already a few years deep, the takeaway is this:
Keep experimenting. Share your work. Don’t wait for permission.
Go follow @Vaveili on X, and remember—your journey’s just as valid, just as valuable, and it’s only getting started.
