Ezequiel Politano is a lead 3D Sculptor at Figurama Collectors. Today, the artist from Buenos Aires takes us through some of his designs, inspirations and advice. Any eagle-eyed viewers might catch a sneak peek of one of Ezequiel’s upcoming projects.
Over to you, Ezequiel!
Since I was a child, I’ve always been passionate about drawing and modeling clay. The world of anime, video games, and collectibles captivated me early on. My love for these art forms naturally led me to 3D design, where I could start bringing these characters I admire to life. Creating and materializing ideas is what truly fuels my passion.
My style is heavily influenced by anime, manga, and video games. Additionally, I’m inspired by the emotion and storytelling that can be conveyed through a sculpture. A key influence for me is Leandro Martínez, whose work I deeply admire and aspire to reach one day. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for being such an inspiration and a great friend. Thank you, Lea!
I work for Figurama Collectors, where our designs have a strong thematic foundation and feature dynamic characters. In my free time, I like to experiment and create all kinds of designs, as I’m always looking for new ways to express myself.
The first piece I designed when I decided to specialize in anime/manga was a figure of Tanjiro Kamado from Kimetsu no Yaiba for a Chinese company that unfortunately closed during the pandemic.
Designing involves several stages, from conceptual sketches to the final 3D model. It all starts with research and gathering references to ensure the details are accurate. Then, I sketch and create a basic 3D model to establish the pose and proportions. After that, I refine the details, add textures, and perfect the final look. Depending on the complexity, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
I usually don’t have favorite pieces because I always find details I could improve, but if I had to choose, it would be a statue of Revy from Black Lagoon. The dynamic pose and the details I added really took my skills to the next level, and seeing the positive reaction from collectors was incredibly rewarding.
What I love most is that every morning, when I enter my studio, I can start my day by sculpting a character that marked my childhood. It’s a way to transport myself back to those moments and bring iconic series to life. Additionally, the satisfaction of seeing how a design becomes a finished piece that people enjoy is incomparable.
As a kid, I collected all sorts of things, from sticker albums to mini-figures, always related to my love for anime and video games. Nowadays, I collect manga, posters, and anything that catches my eye. I don’t follow a strict collection line; I just buy what appeals to me.
Today, the field is quite different from when I started, and my learning curve was pretty slow at first due to the fear of doing things wrong. I don’t think I’m the best person to give advice on how to start, as I consider myself bad at many things in life (like football, cooking, or speaking English, for example hahaha).
But what I do today in ZBrush (3D sculpting) is simply a platform that allows me to create. I can do it in ZBrush, in 2D drawing, or in traditional sculpture, and that has completely changed my life. I no longer wait for the weekend to escape a heavy and undesirable job, nor do I look forward to a two-week vacation once a year. 3D sculpting gives me that medium to create and be happy. Maybe this would be a good conclusion from me: create, no matter the medium.
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