Expressive 3D Characters and Art Toys by Gabriel Soares

We first featured Brazilian artist Gabriel Soares back in 2020, when he was working as a concept artist and 3D modeler at Warner Bros. Now the lead sculptor at Hot Toys Japan, he continues to reimagine film, music and pop culture icons as stylized 3D characters. Many of them even make the jump from digital render to physical art toys.

His creations feature exaggerated proportions, expressive facial features and carefully crafted details that capture the personalities of his subjects. His tribute to The Mask is a great example, with a bewildered Stanley Ipkiss standing in front of his flamboyant green-faced alter ego, right next to his loyal dog Milo. Other pieces include stylized interpretations of Michael Jackson, Jack Black’s portrayal of Steve in A Minecraft Movie and a wonderfully charming Vincent van Gogh.

To bring these characters into the physical world, Gabriel uses 3D printing and hand painting. The smooth finishes, vibrant colors and dynamic poses give these collectibles the polished appearance of animated movie characters, with plenty of humor and personality packed into every detail.

Explore more of Gabriel’s impressive work on ArtStation and Instagram.

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