Álvaro Conejo Cañaveras 3D artist, The Rookies Awards Finalist.
- GridMarkets.com
- 3 hours ago
- 11 min read
Artist interview
Álvaro Conejo is a passionate 3D artist and animator whose creative journey began in childhood, inspired by animated films and video games.
From his beginnings, he developed a deep fascination with the power of visual storytelling, a fascination that has grown into a professional career centered on 3D CGI.
Overcoming every challenge, he finds joy in problem-solving and mastering technical as well as artistic skills, evolving his practice from traditional drawing to digital creation while maintaining a respect for traditional art forms.
Álvaro’s work reflects both technical versatility and artistic intent.
San Diego ComicCon Málaga 2025
His portfolio demonstrates expertise in modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, environment art, VFX, and game-ready assets, with standout projects.
Recognized by The Rookies as a Finalist, Draft Selection, Portfolio of the Week, Grade A Quality Certificate, and Editor’s Choice Award, his projects demonstrate a strong commitment to craft, compelling visual storytelling, and a distinctive personal style, as well as interviews and public appearances on CanalSurRadio and in magazines such as RenderOut in November 2025.
Driven by a philosophy "Understanding the world around you and communicating it properly to others is what makes someone an artist,”
Álvaro continues to explore ambitious creative challenges, including his first short film, while seeking collaborations and opportunities that push his growth and impact.
What first sparked your interest in art and animation? Were there any particular movies, games, or artists that inspired you early on?
I’ve always been drawn to all things related to art, especially animated films and, later on, video games. I wouldn’t say there was one specific movie or game that started it all — rather, I have countless good memories tied to both, and I think that’s the main reason I’ve always felt such a strong attraction to them.
My earliest memories of feeling something beyond my own understanding at the time come from the film Tales of Earthsea and the video game Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter. I didn’t know much about the artistic field as a kid, I just knew how it made me feel, and that feeling was powerful enough to keep me curious and passionate ever since.
How did your background or personal experiences influence your artistic vision?
Just like our tastes and preferences evolve over time, certain aspects of my artistic vision have changed too. I remember starting out as a purist of traditional canvas work, but nowadays I’m really enjoying working with digital tools — though I still hold a deep respect for traditional art.
One thing that has never changed (and I don’t think it ever will) is my belief about what truly makes something art. We could debate that forever, but to sum up my vision:
"For something to be considered a work of art, it must carry its creator’s message and convey it clearly to its audience."
Art is communication! If the message comes across, the visuals are impressive, and the technique is solid, then to me, that’s a real work of art.
Why did you decide to focus on 3D animation rather than other art forms?
As I explored different artistic disciplines, moving from traditional drawing to digital motion graphics, I found the most joy and fulfillment in 3D CGI. It’s not just about using tools to create things — it’s about feeling your own growth as you work.
In 3D, you rely not only on artistic sensibility but also on technical skill, which makes it a wonderfully balanced (and far more complex) experience.
Hobby Traditional Drawing
Hobby Digital Drawing
For example, drawing can get quite frustrating. Once you’ve learned the principles and theory, it becomes a process of trial and error until you finally bridge the gap between your taste and your skill level. In contrast, learning 3D turns you into a problem solver. Everything you learn becomes valuable because it can help you close that same gap.
The feeling while you’re improving is much more like:
“Yes! I just found a new technique that, combined with this other method and my ideas, might make this work so much better!”
When I used to draw, it often felt more like:
“Okay, I messed it up again... guess I’ll have to start over because this still doesn’t look right.”
For me, that approach felt more frustrating when trying to pursue art professionally. Still, I love drawing, I just prefer to keep it as a hobby and a relaxing activity now.
Tell us about your early days as an artist.
How did you start learning and developing your skills? What challenges did you face at the beginning?
I actually started quite early, since I decided to take art seriously as a career when I was 13 years old. I realized people could actually make a living doing it, and that’s when I made up my mind to fully commit. I attended art school, where I refined some skills, but honestly, most of it felt more oriented toward research and local art history than actual creation.
After finishing, I realized that attending university in Spain wouldn’t be the best choice for my artistic growth — it felt like it would just be four more years of repeating art school. So instead, I decided to invest that time in actually learning the craft and developing other useful skills like languages, getting my driver’s license, and taking specialized courses.
That’s when I joined Animum, beginning my training as a 2D digital illustrator and animator, and later moving on to the four-year 3D degree.
I remember that first year of 3D feeling absolutely overwhelming!
There was a whole universe of information to take in. But after repeatedly “headbutting the keyboard” and crashing Maya about 75 times in just four hours of class (true story!), I started to get the hang of it. Eventually, I began to enjoy problem-solving, understanding what caused issues, and learning how to avoid them.
The following years were all about refinement and exploring new areas: animation, lighting, rigging, environment art, and more. Every module made me feel capable of achieving more than before. Developing the right mindset was also crucial; at first, I would get stuck and wait for someone to help me out (shoutout to Adrià Cabello Crespo and Carlos Belmonte for their patience!), but later I learned to research, overcome challenges, and level up as both an artist and a person.
Was there a specific project or moment when you first felt confident as an artist?
I started feeling truly confident with 3D when I worked on a personal environment project where I also modeled a car — an exercise that was extremely challenging for me at the time and one I really struggled with. Through that project, I realized I was becoming much more capable, and for the first time, I genuinely liked the final result.
Even though it’s not one of the main projects in my portfolio, it remains a very special memory because it marked the moment I started trusting my skills and enjoying the process instead of doubting myself constantly.
Who or what has had the greatest influence on your artistic growth over the years?
In recent years, the greatest influences on my artistic growth have definitely been my teachers and the community around me. Teachers who truly know how to explain things and put their heart into teaching are worth their weight in gold.
And the community — both peers and mentors — is just as important. As I mentioned earlier, I was helped by others when I was struggling to move forward, and now I really enjoy being the one to help others overcome their own challenges. It feels like a gift that should always be passed on.
Can you share a project or experience that you consider a highlight of your journey so far? What made that experience special or meaningful to you?
The project that has received the most attention by far is my Tiki Seal model, based on Lam Long Him’s original concept art.
However, the one that truly marked a turning point in the quality of my work was Many Eye Deer!
Inspired by Mahea Rodrigues’ concept art. That project pushed me to face numerous challenges and proved how much I had grown as an artist.
As for projects not going as planned — honestly, I can’t name a single one that did go perfectly!
I always try to take on new challenges and learn something new with each piece, whether it’s mastering a new software or improving the overall quality of my work. Every project feels like being trapped under a rock, fighting to break free — but every time I do, I emerge with new experience and knowledge to add to my workflow.
Maybe one day my projects will run smoothly without errors or surprises, but for now, I actually enjoy learning and mastering everything bit by bit.
What motivated you to submit your work to The Rookies?
How did you prepare your submission?
I’ve known about The Rookies for around four years. My first submission was in 2023 — it didn’t come close to the reach or impact of my second one, but it was still a valuable experience.
Seeing other contestants’ impressive work and receiving a Quality Certificate from the judges was a huge motivation boost. I hadn’t expected my entry to reach the second-highest rank (B) at the time, so that recognition really encouraged me to improve and aim higher for my next try!
That first attempt helped me get familiar with the “Entry Editor” — how my work would look visually on-screen and what options I had to make my portfolio more appealing.
Looking back, that first version was quite basic and lacked structure. It was honest and simple, but as artists, we’re expected to express creativity in every aspect — including presentation. That’s why, over the next two years, I focused on developing my personal style and creating new material to make my second submission truly stand out.
I decided to separate the projects in my portfolio, giving each one a distinct identity and structure — almost like chapters in a book. I wanted every page of the entry to feel like part of the project itself, so I searched for fonts, images, backgrounds, and resources to help me build a consistent visual style.
I also outlined which projects would be featured. Personally, I don’t like recycling old content for competitions — I prefer everything to be brand new. That’s why I stayed silent for two years before submitting again, rather than rushing in the following year.
Once I had the structure, visual connections, and project list ready, it was time to organize everything and build the presentation. The part that took the most effort was creating the making-ofs and breakdowns. I didn’t want them to look like plain screenshots — I wanted them to visually add rhythm and balance to the overall structure.
Another decision I made was about how to present text. You can add text directly using the editor, but it leaves a lot of empty space. Instead, I designed text images in Photoshop with the same background color as the website. That way, I could control placement, add separators and notes, and make everything look more refined. It was a much more tedious process, but the result looked a thousand times better.
As for the project selection, my main goal was to stand out by showing my strongest advantage — versatility. I’m comfortable using a wide range of software, and I can achieve strong results with each. That’s why every project in my portfolio includes something different: procedural materials, multiple software combinations, custom tools and assets, organic and hard-surface modeling, terrain creation, game engines, VFX, and more. It was all about highlighting my biggest strength — variety.
What did receiving recognition from The Rookies mean to you personally and professionally?
Did the experience open up new opportunities or help you grow as an artist?
I always remind myself that the most important recognition you can ever receive is the one that comes from your past self — being able to look back and feel proud of how far you’ve come. But receiving such warmth and acknowledgment from the Rookies award winners, community was truly special. It’s also a powerful shield against impostor syndrome!
Professionally, it was just as meaningful. Having your work validated by the very professionals you aspire to become one day is deeply motivating. It reassures you that your efforts are seen, your skills are valued, and your work is worth someone’s time — even potential employers’. It really lights a fire to keep pushing and improving even more.
It’s still a bit early to say whether it has directly opened new job opportunities, but I’ve already been interviewed by several media outlets and collaborated on different projects since. The amount of recognition I’ve received is something I never expected — honestly, I never imagined that someone like me, from a small village in the middle of nowhere, would be recognized by people on the other side of the country! It still surprises me every single time.
What advice would you give to other artists planning to submit to The Rookies?
This is where I tend to be more realistic than reassuring, so I’ll try to keep it soft but honest:
Be truthful with yourself, and stay objective about your own work quality. The Rookies is an incredible opportunity to gain exposure and recognition — but that recognition can be either good or bad, depending on your approach.
The toughest opponent you’ll face is your own judgment and ego. I’ve seen many artists who were still learning, working mainly from tutorials, claim with full confidence that they would win the contest. When things didn’t go their way, disappointment hit hard, and sometimes it led to toxic behavior toward others. No one wants to fall into that trap.
That’s why honesty and objectivity are so important — they build humility. And humility helps you handle setbacks, manage failure, and avoid the shock of unrealistic expectations.
It may not sound like the most “artistic” advice, but I truly believe it’s the most important one. And if you are confident in your work — objectively and genuinely — then go all in! Give it everything you’ve got so there are no regrets. I didn’t win, and I didn’t even expect to become a finalist, but next time I’ll give my 501% and fight for it even harder!
Tell us about your most recent project.
What inspired the concept behind it? Can you walk us through your creative process, from idea to final render?
My most recently finished project is the Tiki Seal 3D character, based on Lam Long Him’s original concept art, which was awarded an Editor’s Choice Award. It draws heavy inspiration from Polynesian and Māori culture. Like the rest of my portfolio, it was a solo project — though I’m currently working on a collaborative piece to break that rule!
Character projects usually follow a well-established workflow and pipeline: starting with base meshes, defining primary, secondary, and tertiary volumes and details, followed by retopology and UVs, texturing, posing, rendering/look dev, and finally, output.
How do you usually illustrate or present your projects? Do you use breakdowns, wireframes, or storyboards?
I use everything I can — from breakdowns and turntables to look development scenes — to fully showcase each project. But when it comes to the visual identity of a project, I really enjoy making the entire presentation thematic.
For example, when creating my portfolio entry for Tiki Seal, I searched for images and fonts that complemented the piece’s tone and setting. That way, every element contributes to the overall presentation, helping the viewer fully immerse in the project’s world.
Who or what continues to inspire you in your current artistic journey?
These days, I find inspiration in many different forms. When it comes to aesthetics, I’m most inspired by sci-fi and stylized cartoon art, but for design and storytelling, inspiration can come from almost anywhere.
In my opinion, what we do as artists is a form of craftsmanship — what truly turns it into art is the intention behind it and the emotions we put into creating it. So, when it comes to a visually appealing portfolio, it’s all about the look and style.
But when it comes to inspiration and soul, it’s about life itself. The experiences we have and the stories we hear from others.
What goals or creative challenges are you exploring next?
Right now, I’m focusing on what will probably be the most ambitious project of my career so far — creating a short film. At the same time, I’m also looking for exciting job opportunities in studios or potential collaborations that can help me continue growing and learning.
What do you hope to achieve in the future, and how do you want your work to impact others?
If I could choose how my work impacts others, I’d love for it to help people understand the world around them better — maybe even give a voice to others or make life feel a little lighter.
Of course, I can’t force something to be inspiring or impactful; that kind of effect happens naturally. My hope is that, as I keep following this creative path, I’ll come up with projects or ideas that meet those goals. For now, I believe that being genuine and creating with sincerity is the key to achieving something truly meaningful.
If you could summarize your artistic philosophy in one sentence, what would it be?
Knowing things doesn’t make you an artist — understanding the world around you and communicating it properly to others does.
By: GridMarkets marketing