Hey Reader,

Today we have an inspiring animated short, our CG Boost 3D Summer challenge + Summer Sale.

August is also the time for another Pwnisher’s challenge, and we’re sharing a breakdown video from one of our students who previously made it to the top 100.

Finally, we'll share a new video from Martin Klekner.

Let’s dive straight in.

CG Boost Summer Challenge + Summer Sale

Let’s start with a short reminder of our Summer 3D Art Challenge we launched yesterday.

It’s all about making a fun, summer-themed render inspired by any of our course results (free or paid).

​More Learn more about the challenge here​

We’re also running a Summer Sale, so you can get our Robotic Planet, Cubic Worlds, Master 3D Characters, and Master Cinematic Storytelling courses 20% off.

20% Coupon Code: SUMMER26

(Expires August 21st, 2026 23:59 / 11:59 pm CEST)

​Check our courses here​

​‘Leap of Faith’ Animated Short Film​

If you’re dreaming of making an animated short, we hope this one gets you inspired.

The story resonates with how you may feel when working on an ambitious 3D project or when facing a roadblock along the way. Sometimes all you can do is the next step (or jump) that will prepare you for the next one, and you need to keep the faith that it’s worth the effort. Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings expressed this beautifully:

“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going, because they were holding on to something.‘‘ ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers

It took Dragana Stamenkovic 5 long years to make this animation. Still, she eventually succeeded with the help of her colleagues from Steamroller Animation along the way (using their Unreal Engine workflow developed for Spice Frontier that we’ve shared before) and an Epic Mega Grant she got for the project.

The process of making almost every CG Boost course seemed like an endless road with lots of deadly chasms to jump across. What kept us going was faith in the meaning of what we do.

We believe creative people like you have great stories to tell, and we’re here for you to support you in your creative adventures. Just keep going!

​New Pwnisher’s Challenge - Make a Hero for a Card Game​

It’s the time of the year when a new 3D challenge is running. This time it’s unique, as it’s all about making a trading card game! Specifically, a hero character to become a part of a card deck.

As usual, there are template files to start with and lots of prizes to win, but what’s most exciting is the fun and learning experience along with creative peers worldwide.

If you’ve been waiting for a push to make a 3D character in Blender. This is your chance!

​Getting to the Top 100 with intentional 3D Character Design​

Getting to the top 100 of Pwnisher’s Challenge is a big achievement, and we’re super proud that Paul Beattie credits our 3D Characters course as an important step in his journey towards it.

While praise from judges and the recognition from peers may feel great, we believe the biggest award is the artistic success that connects the creator and those who experience the artwork. Pure creative joy! That’s what comes out of this short, but packed with amazing detail and fun animation.

You can watch the animation with a breakdown here.

I think the great takeaway from Paul’s work is the level of commitment to the intricacies of character design and small details that breathe life and style into the whole thing. It goes to show that deep, focused, and passionate work really pays off.

​New Character Designs for Heroes of Bronze​

For more inspiration on how to approach unique character design, you can watch the latest video by Martin Klekner.

Recognizing the seemingly same-looking characters as the weak spot in his work, he decided to ask a professional character designer, Iosu Palacios, to help him out.

They both share the early results of that collaboration as well as the thought process behind the designs.

That’s all from us today. Have a great weekend, and till next time.

Jarosław & Zach (the CG Boost Newsletter Team)