Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Mai Al-Arabi, and I’m a CG Environment Artist specializing in photorealistic Digital Matte Painting and Full 3D Environment creation for film, television, and real-time projects. My journey began around 9 years ago while I was studying in the Faculty of Applied Arts, Graphics and Advertising Department.

Even though my studies weren’t directly tied to VFX, my passion pushed me far beyond the academic path. Through online communities and mentorship, I discovered digital matte painting, and that was the turning point. But painting still frames wasn’t enough, I wanted to build entire worlds, not just illustrate them.

This curiosity naturally led me into full 3D environment creation. I developed my skills through continuous self-learning, exploration, and practice. I started freelancing as a matte painter during my university years, and after graduation, I began working as a full-time DMP/3D Artist in Egypt’s VFX industry before expanding my collaborations internationally.

Over the past years, I’ve collaborated with studios and clients worldwide across film, TV, and commercial projects. I’ve contributed to shows like Earth Abides, Netflix’s Paranormal, Awesome Animals, and several Egyptian productions, including The Choice Season 1, Mako, and many others. I’ve also worked on commercial campaigns for brands like Thumbs Up (Coca-Cola) and Astro FIFA World Cup 2022, as well as large-scale experiences such as SeaWorld Abu Dhabi for Yas Island.

Outside of production, I’m always experimenting, doing R&D, and pushing my skills further, something I consider essential for any artist who wants to grow. In this interview, I’m excited to walk you through my approach to the Riverside project, a piece I truly enjoyed working on and learned a lot from during its creation.