Gabriel Dionisio: The Good Obsession
Mr. Gabriel Dionisio has only been working in the 3D industry for two years, but already, we see promise. A young artist of 22 years of age, he is one who great persistence bordering on obsession and that, in the context of the discipline is a good thing.
Mr. Dionisio learned all that he knows through a course taught by established digital artist, Mr. Rafael Souza. Indeed, his mastery had rubbed off.
But of course, Mr. Dionisio’s mindset permits him to progress further, ultimately saving him from the tragedy of stagnation. And in this feature we get to learn of his journey in the 3D industry, how he got a good grasp of ZBrush, and how he plans developing further as a digital artist.
Xeno Creatives (XC): ZBrush technology brought a lot to the industry. What processes did you have to learn to be skilled in it?
Gabriel Dionisio (GD): I had my first contact with ZBrush in the middle of 2015. At first I had a hard time learning ZBrush since my artistic baggage was not strong (I’m still learning a lot). I did not have much idea how to start something until I understood the concept of sculpting.
I had little traditional artistic background. As this is the case, my first contact with ZBrush was very frustrating; I could not carve anything, but my persistence and desire to learn made me break these barriers and learn little by little how to use ZBrush.
XC: What are specific ZBrush features do you employ in the production of your art? Has it helped you in improving your art better?
GD: I use ZBrush for almost everything: sketches of ideas, anatomy studies, dynamic poses, proportions, everything. However, I do not use it on everything in my pipeline since my focus is real-time character render for games. ZBrush helps me a lot with artistic freedom being that I can put a sphere and transform it however I want. For sketches of ideas and refining of the characters ZBrush is great! This helps me define what will actually work or not in my characters.
XC: Was your craft really a passion to begin with, a hobby, or a mere job?
GD: It was passion at first sight. I had a very superficial idea of what the 3D market was like, creating games, movies and so on. My friend and brother André Castro and my Great Teacher and friend Rafael Souza are two people fundamental to my passion for 3D.
XC: What do you think is your edge as a 3D artist?
GD: For me, there is no limit in being a 3D Artist. It is a path of constant evolution, both artistic and technical. The industry itself is constantly evolving in bringing new technologies which we have to adapt to. This brings evolution too, so I think that as a 3D artist there are always sources we can benefit from, thus bringing us new knowledge and developments.
XC: Whom do you do you consider your influence(s)?
GD: Like most artists, I have been influenced by many great artists of the industry. But my main influences are my friends who are always pushing me to improve every day, always challenging myself on every project / study, without them nothing would have been as it is and will be in the future.
But my most influential influence is two people in whom my life has completely changed. It is my friend and great brother, André Castro and his dedication and daily effort to improve his art, his personality of extreme happiness and passion for art inspire me to this day. I also admire my teacher and friend Rafael Souza for his passion for art and teaching. His love for bringing knowledge to people make all the difference that makes him an exceptional artist!
Also of extreme importance are my friends and my family! They are with me all day as they are 3D artists too. Without them the 3D journey would be much more difficult these are: Gabriel Bona, Micael Oliveira, Eduard Oliver, Alex Renner, Elisa Moraes, Gabriel Maciel, Gustavo Medeiros, Fábio Nishikata, Felipe Chaves Luana Bueno, Marcello Zibetti, Ricardo Luiz Mariano and Victor Kallahan. They are my daily inspiration.
XC: So far, what were the challenges that you had encountered working in the 3D industry?
GD: The biggest challenge in working in the 3D industry is anatomy. I’m always studying to improve and overcome this weakness.
XC: What is your most exciting project to date?
GD: Well, I admit that none of them pleases me. I’m constantly evolving in my artistic vision. I always compare myself to great works by big companies and great artists, though I’m not sad about it. I know that I am far but I am very motivated because I still have a long way to go and I am very excited thus always maintaining this flame of motivation and pleasure in studying every day!
XC: Do you have any advice to aspiring artists?
GD: Well my advice is, if you are passionate about art, 3D or 
otherwise, always continue to hunger for knowledge. Always put challenges on every project done. Find your weaknesses and improve on them. Do not run away from them, these weakness will always leave you better and always keep you motivated and evolving, do not stay in your comfort zone because this generates stagnation and thus leaving you standing in the same place.
The industry is always innovating. Follow it, have consistency and objectives in each study that you do. Always try to do every study/project with excellence. Pay attention to every step of the creation process, always look for motivation, be surrounded by friends who inspire you to be a better person every day! This will give you energy and desire to climb the mountain to reach your dreams. BE OBSESSED WITH IMPROVEMENT.
Check out more of Mr. Gabriel Dionisio’s works by clicking here!
