Check Out Stivens Trujillo’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stivens Trujillo.

Hi Stivens, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to art and drawing, especially character creation. I’m from a small town called Buga, in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, where opportunities in the arts are quite limited. Thanks to my mother’s support, I was able to move to Cali to study Graphic Design at the Fine Arts University. The admission process was highly competitive: out of 350 applicants, only 30 were accepted, and I ranked 4th, which motivated me a lot to keep going.

Although graphic design was more focused on advertising, my main goal was to learn illustration and character creation. However, about a year and a half into my studies, my life changed—my girlfriend became pregnant. I was 21 at the time, and I made the decision to pause my studies to work and support my child. It was a difficult period; I worked as a waiter and delivery driver, often doing 12-hour shifts just to make ends meet.

Later on, thanks to my Photoshop skills, I got a job at a photography studio. There, I learned a lot about photography, bought my own camera, and started working independently, which helped me achieve some financial stability. At that point, I considered postponing my studies, but a conversation with my mother changed everything. She reminded me of the importance of setting an example for my son and finishing my degree. I decided to return to university before losing my spot.

Going back wasn’t easy. I had to balance studies, work, and being a father. Still, I pushed forward. During that time, I discovered 3D modeling through some optional classes, and it became a turning point in my life. I immediately fell in love with it, achieved top grades, and started learning more on my own.

Because of my performance, I was offered access to a specialized 3D character program, which was usually reserved for final-year students. I accepted without hesitation, even though it meant more workload. That’s when I realized I wanted to pursue a career in 3D, initially focused on video games.

After graduating, I completed a postgraduate program in game design and development at Javeriana University in Cali. There, I worked on a mobile game demo where I stood out by creating 3D characters. Soon after, a big opportunity came up: my sister, who had been living in Spain for years, offered to help me move there to continue my studies. I decided to take the risk and pursue my dream.

I moved to Madrid to study a Master’s in Organic Modeling in ZBrush at CICE. It was a very challenging year—I couldn’t legally work and depended on my family—but I fully committed myself to improving. I practiced constantly, repeating exercises multiple times to refine my skills.

During that time, I discovered the world of collectible figures for 3D printing, and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I started sharing my work on social media, and one of my first projects, a Spider-Man piece, gained a lot of attention. Later, my final Master’s project—a Deathstroke statue—attracted interest from real clients. That’s when opportunities started coming in, and I haven’t stopped since.

I’ve worked across different scales, from life-size pieces to tabletop miniatures. Over time, I’ve collaborated with major brands like Hot Toys, contributing to figures showcased worldwide, such as Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Chopper from the One Piece live-action series. I’ve also worked on projects like Marvel Zombies boardgame by CMON and created life-size spiderman miles morares for PlayStation Spain office.
Currently, I continue developing my career as a 3D sculptor, working with international studios and preparing the launch of my own collectible figure brand. I travel frequently between Spain and Colombia and remain focused on improving every day.

Currently, I continue developing my career as a 3D sculptor, working with international studios and preparing the launch of my own collectible figure brand. I travel frequently between Spain and Colombia and remain focused on improving every day.

My son has always been my greatest motivation. He’s about to finish his studies, and I plan to support him in continuing his education in Spain, just like my mother did for me. He has developed a strong passion for music, and I want to give him the same opportunities I had.

And of course, my mother continues to be one of the most important pillars in my life. Thanks to her support, I am where I am today, and my goal is to give back by making sure she lives a happy life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been easy, but I believe life is full of ups and downs. What really matters is staying focused on what’s important and making both short- and long-term plans to keep your goals clear. It’s normal for those plans to change along the way, especially the long-term ones, but it’s important to always keep your main goal in mind.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional digital sculptor, mainly focused on creating pieces for 3D printing that can later be produced, both in large-scale formats and as limited-edition collectibles, as well as miniatures for board games.

What I value most is that my work is recognized for the quality of my character design. Everything I’ve learned as a graphic designer is applied to my work as a 3D sculptor—composition, color, dynamic posing, anatomy, and much more. I also apply it to my renders, using Blender to create my own digital photography studio, where I focus on lighting and composition, skills I developed during my years working as a photographer.

I became especially well-known thanks to my passion for Spider-Man, creating many fan art pieces based on his different suits. On several occasions, clients have trusted me and given me full creative freedom, and those projects have turned out very successfully. People have really connected with my original designs, which makes me very happy.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Mainly through my social media, such as Instagram and ArtStation. On Instagram, you can find me as stivens_trujillo3d, and on ArtStation as stivanthaury, where I have my portfolio available.

Pricing:

• all depends of the project

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artstation.com/stivanthaury
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stivens_trujillo3d/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stivens.t.sanchez/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stivens-trujillo-sanchez-927478290/