XPPen Celebrates 20 Years: A Dialogue with 3D Artist Clinton Jones on How Ultimate Artwork Connects People

“The ideal ultimate artwork would first and foremost connect with as many people on this planet as possible. And the more personal we can be, the more we'll connect with other people on this planet.”

Technology is reshaping the landscape of digital art with unprecedented force. While empowering artists with robust tools and lowering creative barriers, this democratization of technology also ushered in the challenge of information overload. In an era where 'everyone is a creator,' maintaining the purity of artistic expression while resisting the pressure of technological pitfalls has become a pressing concern for contemporary creators.

Among those navigating this digital art landscape, Clinton Jones(aka Pwnisher), the globally renowned 3D artist and founder of the 3D Community Challenge, stands out as particularly thought-provoking. A long-term collaborator with XPPen, Clinton has shared a unified vision with the brand: to build platforms for creator exchange and foster the flourishing of global creative communities, and empower artists realize their dreams.

On the occasion of XPPen's 20th anniversary, we sit down with this old friend for an in-depth conversation. Clinton will share insights into the inspiring forces within creative community and, more importantly, explore with us how artists can strike a balance between technological advancement and self-expression while discerning the essence and artistic value of creation. These reflections extend beyond individual artistry, pointing toward the future direction of digital art.

Part I: Community & Collaboration

XPPen: Say hello to our creator community. What changes or developments have you noticed in this year's 3D Challenge?

Clinton Jones: Hi, everybody. My name is Clinton Jones. I'm a 3D artist and director. Over the last five years, we've been hosting these 3D community challenges for 3D artists all across the world. So every time we do these challenges, the artists raise the bar with the work that they submit. And year after year, what I've found that artists are really doing well is incorporating story into their art. Visual effects in a movie can only keep you in your seat for 5 to 10 minutes maybe, it's the story that keeps you there for two hours. Story is the most important thing when it comes to art. It's not technique, it's not flashiness. It comes down to story.

XPPen: As a long-standing collaborator with XPPen since the 19th anniversary, how does it feel to continue partnering with XPPen?

Clinton Jones: It's been awesome partnering with XPPen once again for this 3D challenge. They've been one of our longest standing challenge sponsors and have continually dished out the best drawing tablets for 3D artists around the world. I mean, what more could you ask for in drawing tablets and drawing displays? You got 4K resolution, color accurate displays and enhanced pen pressure levels. I mean, that's it, that's all you need.

I love that XPPen is empowering artists to create all the time. It's not easy to do what you guys are doing. So thank you for providing all these awesome products to artists around the world and inspiring people to continue to create. We need more of it. We need more positivity. We need more creative energy in today's world, we really do. So thank you and keep it up for another 20 years.

XPPen: This year, XPPen's 20th Anniversary theme is 'Back to Future, Create Now!' What's your understanding of this theme?

Clinton Jones: Back to future, reminding me of the movie to me speaks to all of us, have a child inside of us, especially the creatives out there. We all have that kid energy inside of us that is always wanting to play all. And when I'm looking for inspiration, I often go back and reconnect with that as an adult. And I think that's a great way to unearth that creative spark inside of us.

XPPen: As a judge, what message would you share with the participants for the Ultimate Set Design Contest that we launched together with PUBG Mobile?

Clinton Jones: This collab bridges the digital art and gaming communities, both communities share bold, inventive spirits. Yes indeed, it reflects XPPen's expanding ecosystem for creator to all else, seize the opportunity to showcase your vision. Yeah, join the contest, help shape the future of digital expression. So, if you want to get into game design or designing clothes for characters in games, movies, television, or anything, this is a great opportunity to do that. I'd grab the opportunity and run with it.

Part II: Digital Art & Technology

XPPen: How has the evolution of digital technology influenced your artistic journey, and what's your perspective on the interplay between digital art and technological advancement?

Clinton Jones: Technology and art go hand in hand for sure because I think technology is the tool that allows artists to create art. I think nowadays the ability to create 3D art is very accessible to everyone. We all know Blender is free, Unreal Engine is free, which makes it even easier to create visual art. There's also a lot more opportunity for the good art to shine through.

To me, that comes through having fun with your tools, having fun with the technology, experimenting, playing with no stakes. And I think that's where you're going to see some really cool stuff pop off. So if you're inspired by a piece of technology to create something, dive in, go for it, play and have fun because you never know where it'll take you.

XPPen: Your artworks always blend surrealism and narration. What inspires these creative visions, and how do digital art help you tell visual stories?

Clinton Jones: I'm really inspired by a lot of things, by traveling, by music, just conversations with friends, maybe the way light hits the side of a wall, it can be anything. And I think our job as artists are to be aware of what inspires us and then do something about it, create something from it. So if you find yourself inspired, whether it's through a challenge, through an interview, reading a book, listening to a piece of music, or traveling, take note, journal about it, write it down, so that you can come back and make something with that inspiration.

XPPen: What specific technologies or tools have inspired you the most in your creative process, and how do they enhance the storytelling aspect of your artwork?

Clinton Jones: I think technology can be used to tell a story, but it's not about the technology, it's about the story, the emotion. That's the core of everything.

It's taken me a long time to realize that I don't need to chase every technological advancement, learn every program that comes out just to get ahead. You can set that aside. That's not a worry. And I just want to focus on the technology that inspires me, that makes me happy, where I want to be sitting down behind my computer learning the program, that's where I'm going to focus.

Part III: Future Trends & Humanity

XPPen: If we set aside technological limitations, what would your ideal 'ultimate artwork' look like?

Clinton Jones: I think the ideal ultimate artwork would first and foremost connect with as many people on this planet as possible, as deeply as possible, and inspire them to do something positive or to think about the way they do things. That sounds pretty next level to me. That would be my personal outcome if I had to choose.

XPPen: What mindset should artists adopt in the face of rapidly changing technology?

Clinton Jones: At the end of the day, a mindset where we're constantly wanting to learn and grow is a good mindset to have as an artist because it will get stale if you keep doing the same thing over and over and over again. Keep it fresh, keep it challenging, keep it playful, keep the stakes as low as you possibly can because you're going to make the best art from that position.

XPPen: So how do you stand out from the noise?

Clinton Jones: I would not follow trends, I would not do what's popular just to try and break through. I think at the end of the day, you have to be true to yourself, what you love, what you want to dive into, what inspires you, your personal story, and bring that out more honest. And the more personal we can be, the more we'll connect with other people on this planet.