Paris-Clik by Nico Di Mattia

Paris-Clik by Nico Di Mattia

This Argentinian native has amassed quite a following thanks to his inspirational performances of "digital speed paintings" on YouTube. Best known for this "speedpainting" technique, Di Mattia has quickly become something of a legend in today's digital age.

Having independently published his first comic book at the age of 15, Di Mattia has gone on to perform as a script writer, director and postproducer for various short films, and was awarded in various National and International Film Festivals for his short fantasy, "La liga de los Imperfectos."

He currently works independently in animation and film direction, as well as a freelance illustrator and caricaturist for different business and private clients from all over world.

Crowd - 8 by Marek Denko

Crowd - 8 by Marek Denko

Though not an original, this piece is a 3DStudio Max recreation of the same image by Misha Gordin. It was created on a whimsical flash of Google inserted inspiration.

Marek Denko, of Slovakian origin, first started doing computer graphics art at the age of 15, and over the years has utilized everything from personal experiences to movies to music to influence the amazingly stunning display of the digital craft.

As a freelancer, his attention to detail has helped with many companies from around the world like Outsider Development, ImagesFX, Digiworks, Blur, and Vise adding the look of perfection and realism that has helped these companies stand out in the production world.

Abstract / Forest Stream - Martin Murphy

Abstract / Forest Stream - Martin Murphy

Canadian born Martin Murphy is a shining example of creative talent and ingenuity in the digital movie age. These selected works, which were created half a decade apart, display some of the dreamlike creativity and attention to detail that he possesses.

Currently working for Industrial Light and Magic, Murphy has worked as a render of both landscapes and creatures for the following:

- Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

- Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events

- Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Aki Ross (CGI girl in bikini)

Aki Ross (CGI girl in bikini)

Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi for Square Pictures, Aki Ross was the forefront of an emerging digital character creation. She was built with intent to be starring in mutliple roles that crossed many different artistic boundaries, from movies to games, and was conceived to be as human and realistic as possible.

Part of the creation process that makes her so unique is the becoming awareness of the Uncanny Valley.

The Uncanny Valley was a proposition introduced by Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori in 1970 that was a reflection on a psychological tendency amongst people to become repulsed by humanoid creations that looked "too" human, but were not. Basically put, robots and CGI people look cute and approachable to a point of visual cognitive self-similarity at which point they instinctively trigger a psychological reaction of strong repulsion. Once past this valley, the object becomes positive and approaches human empathy levels.

Chun Li - Artgerm

Chun Li - Artgerm

Chinese native Stanley Lau, a.k.a. Artgerm, began soaking his creativity and interest in the arts at an early age and has trained his artistic skills and knowledge ever since. This deviantArt recipient of deviousness for May of 2008 has been a shining example of a digital community of artists can be utilized to help finetune one's own passion for being an artist.

In the early days of being apart of deviantArt, Artgerm submitted art and was criticized with well-intended feedback that he used to grow with. Now, with inspirations from comics and video games as his guides, he stays active with the various projects of Imaginary Friends Studios where he designs art and concepts for computer and card game companies, animation houses and comic publishers. If not doing art, he can be found playing video games across many platforms or attending the occasional karaoke session.