3D Artists Are Heading to Blue Skies

Why this rising platform is winning over artists with simplicity, authenticity, and meaningful engagement

As a professional creative, I've always had a complicated relationship with social media. On one hand, it's a fantastic tool—it gives artists the chance to share their work with a global audience, connect with like-minded creatives, and build networks that would’ve been impossible in the pre-digital era. But on the other hand, social media has also become a swamp of algorithmic manipulation, content designed to outrage more than inspire, and just a cestpool that makes me sad but I can’t look away.

For many of us, it feels like a place where you have to crawl through a swear like Andy Dufresne just to make your voice heard.

That's why, when I started hearing about the new platform Blue Sky, I was intrigued. After spending a couple of weeks on it, I can honestly say—it feels like a breath of fresh air. It's not perfect, but it's a reminder of what social media could be: a space for connection, not chaos.

Here's what I've learned about Blue Sky—the good, the bad, and why it might be worth exploring, especially for artists.

A Simpler Start: Nostalgia Meets Innovation

Blue Sky immediately feels nostalgic. Its simplicity reminded me of social media's earlier days, where connecting with people was the point, not the algorithm. There are no ads, no relentless push of content from people you don't follow, and—most importantly—no infinite scroll that keeps you trapped in the app. It's like rediscovering that feeling of being the new kid in school, where everyone's eager to meet each other and connections feel fresh and genuine.

I've already had conversations with other artists in my first week that felt meaningful in a way that's been missing on platforms like Twitter or Instagram for years. Everyone's new, everyone's looking for others to follow, and there's no baggage of existing cliques or hierarchies. It's a rare chance to grow a network while the platform is still in its infancy.

What Makes Blue Sky Different

Here are some of the key features that stand out:

• Decentralized Structure: Blue Sky is built on a decentralized protocol, which gives users more control over their data and posts and reduces the risk of sudden, arbitrary policy changes—something many artists have dealt with on platforms like Instagram.

• Transparent Algorithm: Unlike other platforms, Blue Sky doesn't punish you for not posting regularly. Your followers see your work without needing to "game" the system. You can even customize or opt out of the algorithm, giving you more predictable visibility.

• No Bots (Yet): Ever have someone follow you on Twitter and when you check their profile it’s just an AI photo showing someone in revealing clothing and a link to an OnlyFans page? Yeah, I haven't seen a single one on Blue Sky so far. It feels refreshingly human, though I'm realistic enough to know this might change as the platform grows.

  

• No Going Viral: Because of the smaller, more intimate approach to your following, there is an excellent chance you will miss a topic going viral globally. Most of the time that is just unnecessary noise flooding your feed.

• No Infinite Scroll: This might be my favorite feature. You can actually hit the end of your feed. It's a subtle but profound shift—it lets you feel caught up, put the app down, and get on with your day without the anxiety of missing out.

• Custom Domains for User Handles: Blue Sky allows users to use custom domains as their handles, providing a unique branding opportunity for artists and ensuring authenticity.

• Algorithmic Choice: The platform offers users the ability to choose or even create their own algorithms, tailoring their feed to their preferences and enhancing the user experience.

Why Artists Should Pay Attention

For artists, especially those trying to grow their audience, now is the perfect time to join Blue Sky. The platform just hit 20 million users—a fraction of Instagram's billions, but that's part of its charm. With fewer users, it feels less overwhelming and more intimate. And because most people are new, the environment is welcoming and free of the entrenched hierarchies that dominate older platforms.

At the time I was writing this, there were over 21 million users. Click this link to see the live counter.

It's also worth noting that Blue Sky's decentralized approach and lack of AI-driven scraping make it appealing for artists concerned about the ethical use of their work. Twitter, for instance, has openly admitted to using posts to train its AI systems—a practice Blue Sky actively avoids.

The Downsides

Of course, no platform is perfect, and Blue Sky has its challenges. While 20 million users sounds impressive, it's tiny compared to Instagram's 2.35 billion monthly users or even Twitter's 245 million. If you're looking for sheer reach, Blue Sky might not be the place—yet.

And while its simplicity is refreshing, it can sometimes feel too simple. Features we've come to expect, like robust search functions or tools for discovering new communities, are still in their infancy. For now, the platform relies on its grassroots feel, but it will need to evolve to keep users engaged long-term.

It also doesn’t have draft or bookmark features that can frustrate some users used to these features.

Why Blue Sky Feels Like Hope

Social media, at its best, is about connection. It's about discovering artists who inspire you, sharing your work with people who appreciate it, and finding a community that supports you. Blue Sky has reminded me of that potential. It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction—a platform designed to nurture creativity, not exploit it.

For artists looking to escape the noise and find a more meaningful space online, Blue Sky is worth a try. It's a chance to connect, grow, and rediscover what made social media special in the first place.

So come on over…I’ll meet you there…

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The 3D Artist Community Updates

We had the pleasure of having Arvid Schneider come by for an AMA this week! Arvid Schneider is a Lighting Supervisor at Image Engine in Vancouver, BC, with an impressive portfolio that includes Hollywood blockbusters like Jurassic World, Transformers, Spectre, and Aquaman. Explore his full filmography on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5431726

https://arvidschneider.com/

Join the community to see the recording and become a part of future AMAs!

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3D News of the Week

5 key features in Blender 4.3 - CG Channel

Epic is bringing back Megascans on Bridge and Quixel.com - Epic

NVIDIA Announces Omniverse Real-Time Physics Digital Twins With Industry Software Leaders - Nvidia

Hello, Dot – a mixed-reality experience on Apple Vision Pro - Twitter

Check Out This Burning Hair Effect Made With Unity's Particles - 80.lv

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3D Merch is here and we have a new hoodie!

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3D Tutorials

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3D Job Spreadsheet

Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)

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Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.

In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The 3D Artist Community on Skool and this newsletter.

www.michaeltanzillo.com
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel

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