10 Low Poly 3D Artists to Follow For Inspiration

If you’re an avid gamer, you’re probably aware of low poly art - it’s been around since the start of 3D animation in video games. If you aren’t, you probably will be a fan after viewing these low poly 3D artists’ work.

But first, what is low poly art?

Low poly design is a digital artwork style that is minimalistic and uses geometric shapes together to create a model. In fact, its name is taken from the two-dimensional geometric polygon, as low poly artwork uses a mesh of polygons to create 3D models.

When creating art with polygons, the more polygons you use, the more detailed your work becomes. However, in low poly art - as per its name - is when the lowest possible number of polygons are used to create 3D models. In fact, it dates back to the start of 3D animation where low poly was used for video games because of the technical limitations of gaming hardware. It also saves time during rendering.

What is low poly art used for?

The low poly art style is commonly used in animation and illustration. You may see them as part of website designs, social media content or as artwork on their own.

Low poly is also used in video games to emphasize details, while still keeping them clean and minimal. For example, a popular video game, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, uses low poly art to create its characters (known as “wobblers”), as well as the landscape where the action takes place.

Check out the game’s trailer below as an example of how it's used in video games:

Low poly art also creates texture and depth to an image while still maintaining its minimalism. To make low poly art, many artists use Blender to create these models, but you can also use other 3D programs such as Cinema 4D, Wings 3D, Milkshape 3D or Autodesk 3ds Max.

The point of low poly art is to keep it clean and recognizable. This is why you’ll find that low poly 3D artists use small amounts of color, or a minimal color palette to create images that people can easily identify - it looks almost like the folds on origami.

So, if you are looking to get started or are stuck on a project, here are some low poly 3D artists to follow for inspiration.

1. Pelopoly

Scroll through Pelopoly’s Instagram and you’ll see an array of low poly art that focuses on landscapes. These fun examples are great inspirations if you are looking to create low poly models of terrains and nature elements.

You can also find Pelopoly’s prints at pelopoly.carrd.co or learn from the artist as he shares tutorials on his YouTube.

2. iltaen

Iltaen’s Instagram page is the perfect place to get inspiration for character 3D modeling as he shares his artwork from modeling dragons to pirates, and even, Freddie Mercury!

You can also check out his YouTube for his workflow videos to get a behind-the-scenes look of how he creates his models.

3. Martin Taylor

Creating metal origami sculptures, Martin uses low poly techniques to render his designs before welding them into actual art pieces for display in public - some of his pieces are made with a space for art admirers to sit inside! These sculptures are also lit up from within to glow during the night.

4. Makar Malicki

For more character inspiration, Makar Malicki is a 3D artist from Ukraine that showcases character models that are similar to Pixar's characters. His postings include side-by-side comparisons of the finished artwork and the use of polygons to create details - good for those who are learning low poly character modelling!

You can find his work on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, ArtStation, and cgtrader.

5. Eslam Mhd

Eslam Mhd’s low poly designs are unique in the sense that he creates scenes built within the outline of suitcases. Using famous brands for inspiration such as Harrods, Nescafé, and Nando’s, his designs are creatively envisioned for a magical 3D world we wished we lived in.

Check out his work on Instagram, Behance, Dribble, Twitter, and his personal website.

6. AUHA PWRD

If you’re in need of low poly art inspiration for cars, AUHA PWRD is a great place to lurk. Recreating famous car models from large car makers including Porsche and Mitsubishi, you’ll instantly be impressed with the small attention-to-detail such as the shading and polishing of each artwork.

You can check AUHA PWRD on Instagram and at www.auhapwrd.com.

7. It Happy

Creating landscapes of magical worlds, this artist is a visionary at enhancing details. Just give their Instagram a scroll and you’ll certainly be mesmerized by the carefully curated terrains from halloween-themed artwork, to snowy wonderlands.

You can also check out It Happy on cgtrader.

8. 3D art by Sarah

Creating low poly art that mirrors a beautiful cottage home, Sarah creates artwork with smart use of greenery. With smaller details including flower blooms on bushes, and quaint mushrooms in corners, her art takes us to a dreamy hideout in the woods.

You can check her out on Instagram and YouTube.

9. Ângelo Fernandes

Ângelo Fernandes is a skilled low poly artist that creates various low poly artwork of scenes and landscapes. With great attention-to-detail, you’ll be mesmerized by his work that perfectly focuses on the smallest of features with smart use of polygons.

You can check out his work on Instagram, Behance, ArtStation, Dribbble, YouTube, and Sketchfab.

10. Dylan Hidaytama Irsadanar

Cute little islands and adorable hide-outs, complete with a sloth low poly feature - could we be more awe-spired? You’ll also find low poly art of food such as sushi and recreations of popular brand apps such as Gojek on his feed - truly a fun feed for any artist to check out.

View Dylan Hidaytama Irsadanar’s work on Instagram.

Some other low poly art Instagram accounts to follow

There are many more artists out there who create awesome low poly artwork. If you can’t get enough from the artists we have shared, here are some Instagram accounts to follow for more low poly art showcases.

@pixego

If you’re a low poly enthusiast, you should already be following pixego - it compiles low poly art, as well as pixel art from various artists.

@lowpolygang

This is one to follow as well, as this account also gathers low poly artwork from different artists to showcase the many capabilities of low poly work.

@megavoxels

An account for the 3D design app of Voxel Art and 3D Pixel Art, this account compiles various 3D art which include some low poly work as well. It’s an overall good follow for any 3D artist.

Are you a low poly 3D artist? Here’s a side gig: contribute to IconScout

For more inspiration, you could always check out IconScout as many of our free and premium 3D illustrations are low poly art. If you’d like to use these 3D assets (without having to make your own), you can access them with IconScout’s All Access subscription with a choice of access to our entire resource library, or access only to our icon styles.

But if you are an artist yourself who is looking to showcase your work and get paid for it, become an IconScout contributor! We have some of the highest royalty payouts in the industry.

On top of that, you get to own the rights to your own work, keep track of your product sales, and get easy payouts into your PayPal account multiple times a month. Find out more here on how you can get started today!