Portfolio: Ryan Drue.

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For professional artist Ryan Drue of San Jose, California, the most challenging aspect of working in the digital realm is keeping pace with his ideas. "Every day I want to create something new, and I often find I don't have time to finish projects," he says. "Rendering is the one thing that holds me back. Sometimes I find myself waiting days for a single frame, and that drives me crazy!"

Nevertheless, Drue works mostly in CG, while also dabbling in digital photography, which has taught him how to better frame shots and use color while working in CG. "You really can create anything you want," he says about CGI. "If I want to be an architect, I can. If I want to be a sculptor, I can. If I want to be a glassblower, all I need to do is fire up my computer."

Exposed to CGI and video editing while in high school, Drue honed his newfound skills first at a computer arts school and then professionally. "I can't even draw a good-looking ...