Meet Amber, the 3D Pokémon Card Artist Redefining Collecting with Creativity
- SLAB-Z
- Oct 23, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 15
In the vibrant community of Pokémon card collectors, 34-year-old Amber, known online as 3Devious_Art, is making waves as a skilled 3D card artist from Florida. With her remarkable custom creations, Amber embodies the spirit of collecting, prioritizing artistry and joy over market value.
Join us as we delve into her creative journey, explore her most defining pieces—including a stunning 3D Base Set Charizard—and gather insights from her experiences in the world of card art. Whether you're a seasoned collector or an aspiring artist, Amber's story offers inspiration and valuable tips for enhancing your own collecting adventure!
What is one item in your collection that defines you best, and why?
I would say the number one thing in my collection that defines me best is my 3D Base Set Charizard. I started this craft because of the joy it brought me. The rarity and market value of a card does not really have the same impact on me as most people in the collector community. I much more value the artwork of a card rather than the resell/rarity of it all. So, being able to cut and create a 3D Base Set Charizard is the defining moment of how I collect & what collecting looks like to me.
Which event or person do you recall that kickstarted your collecting journey?
After I work on a card, I tend to have pieces of the card left over. I always had a little piece with the tiny Evo left over. One day, I decided to cut that piece out and put it on a piece of paper that emulated the Pokémon in-game PC storage box. This is when I started collecting pieces of cards.
I've even started creating a collection of 3D Pokémon using the Pokémon pulled from their cards. They're cut, shaped, and stacked, then added to the canvas. It's one of my favorite things I currently have in my collection.
When did you start making custom cards, and why?
My entire journey online started with me posting a video titled, "Painting All 151 Original Pokémon." I began painting one a day until I completed them all. Once I got close to the end, I realized I needed something new. I started painting Pokémon using cards. Picture a Charizard whose body is made of cards while his wings are painted. One day, my friend, who had been supplying the cards to me, texted me the link to a 3D Pokémon card tutorial. I created one, immediately fell in love with the process, and have not stopped since.
What has been the hardest or most challenging piece of art to customize so far, and why?
The most difficult piece I have completed thus far is the Illustration Rare Bulbasaur from the Scarlet & Violet 151 set. There were hundreds of individual cut pieces, all of them intertwining and overlapping. It was one of the most difficult cards I have ever had to reassemble. So difficult, in fact, that I swore to never work on that card again.
What is one grail you already have in your collection or one you are still looking for?
Since I have already created a 3D alter of the Base Set Charizard, my next grail is the Umbreon VMAX Alternate Art Secret Rare from Evolving Skies. I have a milestone in mind for when I will purchase the cards needed to complete that card if someone does not reach out for a commission in the meantime. However, I will have that card in my possession one day to cut.
How do you feel about the current interest in the card collecting market you are in, particularly regarding custom cards?
What I do has been around for decades. There are not many of us who participate in this craft, but there is definitely a community of artists. I do sometimes wish that reselling wasn't as popular as it is. I understand the dynamics of it keeping the trade alive and the role it plays. However, I do feel there has been an artificial inflation of certain cards. This is unfortunate, as it keeps cards out of the hands of those who are more casual collectors or just those who play the TCG in general.
What are your favorite card eras or manufacturers?
When it comes to cutting cards, I simply despise the print quality of the WOTC era prints. They are not the greatest to work with. I have slowly fallen in love with the direction Pokémon has chosen for their newer sets. The holo borders and overall quality of the newer sets are a breath of fresh air when it comes to altering cards. However, Digimon cards will always be the most satisfying to cut. Their print quality and paper thickness are perfection.
What is your biggest regret when it comes to your collecting journey?
I have zero regrets. I collect the things that make me happy. If I like a certain piece of a card, I cut it out and glue it to my office wall. Lol. There are no rules when it comes to collecting. Anyone can do it in any way they like. That is what makes collecting fun.
Do you have any specific or technical recommendations for new collectors who want to learn how to create custom cards?
There are 100 different ways to do what I do. However, there is one thing that is consistent: your first card will look terrible. The only thing that will improve the quality of your builds is practice. The best advice I can give anyone looking to try this is to practice. Practice will always lead to progress. You need to have a joy for this craft, or you will not be willing to put in the time needed to improve the skills behind it.
As we wrap up this insightful Q&A, we want to express our sincere gratitude to Amber for sharing her journey with us. Her willingness to participate before our site launched, especially while dealing with Hurricane Milton, speaks volumes about her dedication to the card collecting community. We are inspired by her creativity and commitment, and we look forward to seeing the incredible art she continues to create!
We highly recommend following Amber’s mesmerising videos and commissioned works on her social medias, and website:
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