# Reid W
Illustrator, Developer, and Podcast Host
Type: creator
Last verified: 2026-07-28T01:16:53.618Z

Summary: Ben Eblen Design is the professional alias for Ben Eblen, an illustrator, developer, and podcast host. He co-founded Dria Ventures and offers premium tutorials, including the 8-hour “Stylized Character Walkthrough” for $44.99 USD. His website also features blog posts and a podcast about art, learning, and online business strategies.

## At a glance
- Roles: Illustrator, Developer, Podcast Host
- Co-founder: Dria Ventures

## Story
Ben Eblen, operating under the moniker Ben Eblen Design, is a multifaceted professional recognized as an illustrator, developer, and podcast host [1]. He co-founded Dria Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund, which legally operates as Dria Ventures [2, 1]. Eblen also shares his expertise through tutorials, such as the "Stylized Character Walkthrough," which offers a complete package for $44.99 USD [3].


### What is the 'Stylized Character Walkthrough'?

Ben Eblen offers a comprehensive digital art tutorial called the "Stylized Character Walkthrough" [3]. This resource aims to teach artists how to exaggerate shapes and create stylized characters while maintaining a sense of realism in shading [3]. The tutorial spans over eight hours, guiding users through the entire character illustration process from the initial sketch to final lighting effects [3]. It covers topics such as simplifying and stylizing from photo references, thinking in 3D, effective line-work techniques, and inventing the illusion of light for rendering [3]. The complete package for the "Stylized Character Walkthrough" is available for $44.99 USD [3]. Ben Eblen noted that a "40+ page Field Guide" and 3D models are included in the complete package to assist with study and understanding of 3D forms [3]. This specific offering from Ben Eblen Design emphasizes practical, in-context explanations of his techniques and thought processes [1].

> For $44.99 USD, Ben Eblen Design provides a complete "Stylized Character Walkthrough" that guides artists through character illustration [3].


### What is Dria Ventures?

Ben Eblen is a co-founder of Dria [1]. The legal name for this entity is Dria Ventures, which operates as an early-stage venture capital fund [2]. Dria Ventures partners with founders in critical industries to address root causes of high costs [2]. Their focus areas include clinically diagnosed mental disorders, delayed childbirth and infertility, healthcare inequities, weakened remote work environments, and fragile security frameworks [2]. Dria Ventures primarily invests in seed-stage companies and aims to help founders with distribution channels and fundraising processes [2].

> Ben Eblen co-founded Dria, formally known as Dria Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund [2, 1].


### What services and content does Ben Eblen Design offer?

Operating under the name Ben Eblen Design, Ben Eblen functions as an illustrator, developer, and podcast host [1]. His website serves as a hub for his notes, resources, experiments, and tutorials related to art, learning, and building an online business [1]. He shares insights on drawing, painting, and sculpting concepts, including notes on stylized character design [1, 12]. Ben Eblen also discusses the benefits of learning 3D for 2D artists and strategies for managing frustration in the artistic process [1, 13, 14]. Furthermore, he is the co-host of the "Make Now Think Later" podcast, where he and his co-host discuss content creation, audience building, and making a living from it [1, 19]. Through Ben Eblen Design, he aims to share his process and findings with a wider audience [1].

> Ben Eblen Design encompasses work from Ben Eblen as an illustrator, developer, and podcast host [1].


### How does Ben Eblen Design compare to other digital art education platforms?

Ben Eblen Design distinguishes itself through its focus on stylized character art and the comprehensive, real-time approach of its tutorials [1, 3]. While many platforms offer digital art instruction, Ben Eblen's "Stylized Character Walkthrough" stands out by providing over eight hours of step-by-step guidance, including practical demonstrations in software like Photoshop and Procreate [3]. The inclusion of a 40+ page field guide and 3D models offers additional resources for students looking to deepen their understanding of form and stylization [3]. This contrasts with platforms that might offer shorter, less detailed lessons or rely primarily on video content without supplementary materials. Ben Eblen Design also integrates broader discussions on the business of creative work and managing artistic frustration, offering a more holistic view of an artist's journey [1, 14]. This blend of practical art instruction with career and mindset advice positions Ben Eblen Design as a resource for aspiring and developing artists who are looking to both hone their technical skills and navigate the professional aspects of a creative career.

> Ben Eblen Design distinguishes itself with an 8+ hour 'Stylized Character Walkthrough' and a focus on both artistic skill and professional development [3, 1].

## FAQ
Q: Who is Ben Eblen Design?
A: Ben Eblen Design is the persona of Ben Eblen, a multifaceted professional who works as an illustrator, developer, and podcast host. He shares his process and findings online, including tutorials and resources for art, learning, and business. (Source: beneblen.com, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/
Q: What is Dria Ventures?
A: Dria Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund that Ben Eblen co-founded. The company, legally named Dria Ventures, invests in technical teams tackling root-cause cost challenges in critical industries like energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. It was established in 2023. (Source: dria.com, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.dria.com/
Q: What does Ben Eblen Design offer besides tutorials?
A: Ben Eblen Design offers a variety of content beyond tutorials, including blog posts on topics like stylized character design, the benefits of 3D for 2D artists, and managing artistic frustration. He also co-hosts the "Make Now. Think Later." podcast, discussing content creation and building an audience. (Source: beneblen.com, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/
Q: What is the Stylized Character Walkthrough tutorial?
A: The "Stylized Character Walkthrough" is an 8+ hour tutorial by Ben Eblen Design that teaches users to illustrate stylized characters from scratch. It covers exaggerating shapes, shading, line-work, lighting effects, and offers a 40+ page field guide and 3D models. (Source: beneblen.com/tutorial, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial
Q: How much does the complete package for the Stylized Character Walkthrough cost?
A: The "Complete Package" for Ben Eblen Design's "Stylized Character Walkthrough" tutorial costs $44.99 USD as of July 2026. This comprehensive package includes the 8+ hour real-time walkthrough, a 40+ page field guide, and 3D models to use as a study guide. (Source: beneblen.com/tutorial, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial
Q: What is included in the PSD and Field Guide option for the tutorial?
A: The "PSD and Field Guide" option for Ben Eblen Design's "Stylized Character Walkthrough" tutorial costs $34.99 USD. This particular package includes the original .PSD file, allowing for detailed examination, and a PDF version of the extensive 40+ page field guide. (Source: beneblen.com/tutorial, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial
Q: How can I subscribe to Ben Eblen Design's newsletter?
A: Ben Eblen Design's newsletter can be subscribed to through a Kit.com form, offering a valuable resource for creatives. The free newsletter provides curated drawing, painting, and content creation resources, along with timely updates on blog posts and upcoming tutorials/course drops. Subscribers also receive exclusive tips and early access to new content. (Source: beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/684e0555ce, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/684e0555ce
Q: How can I get early access to Ben Eblen Design's art drops?
A: You can get early access to Ben Eblen Design's art drops by signing up for the "Ben Eblen Studios Early Access to Art Drops" via a Kit.com form. Subscribers receive a password a few hours before the general public, as was the case for the "Plane Jane" sculpt, which sold 99% during early access. (Source: beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/f9ec45ecfb, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/f9ec45ecfb
Q: What is the Make Now. Think Later. podcast?
A: Ben Eblen co-hosts the "Make Now. Think Later." podcast with Francis, a weekly podcast for creators. It focuses on creating content, building an audience, and making a living from creative work, offering insights into content creation and important mindsets. The podcast often includes discussions about current trends in the creator economy. (Source: makenowthinklater.com, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://makenowthinklater.com/
Q: Where can I find more information about stylized character design from Ben Eblen?
A: Ben Eblen provides notes on stylized character design on his website, which is a living post with tidbits, thoughts, and resources on moving from realism to stylized art. It covers concepts like "staying on model" and using character sheets. (Source: beneblen.com/notes-on-stylized-character-design, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/notes-on-stylized-character-design
Q: What are the benefits of learning 3D as a 2D artist, according to Ben Eblen?
A: Ben Eblen advocates that learning 3D helps 2D artists accelerate their understanding of 3D forms, propels their comprehension of form and space, and offers versatility across different mediums. It also improves problem-solving skills and was one of the best things he did for his art. (Source: beneblen.com/why-should-you-learn-3d-as-a-2d-artist, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/why-should-you-learn-3d-as-a-2d-artist
Q: How does Ben Eblen manage frustration as an artist?
A: Ben Eblen manages artistic frustration through several strategies, including taking breaks, practicing self-compassion, seeking inspiration from others' work, and embracing the struggle as a part of growth. He discusses this in a 3-minute read on his website. (Source: beneblen.com/frustration-as-an-artist-and-what-to-do-about-it, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/frustration-as-an-artist-and-what-to-do-about-it
Q: What is Ben Eblen's experience with Instagram Reels?
A: Ben Eblen has experimented with Instagram Reels as a way to create content more efficiently. He noted that some of his Reels, like a face-to-camera talk over a time-lapse posted on December 4th, 2022, can be a "slow burn" in terms of views but eventually outperform others. (Source: beneblen.com/ig-reels-can-sometimes-be-a-slow-burn, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/ig-reels-can-sometimes-be-a-slow-burn
Q: How much did Ben Eblen make with his first info product?
A: Ben Eblen generated $25,000 in just a month and a half with his initial info product, a stylized character walkthrough tutorial. He successfully launched this product on Gumroad in 2020 after growing his social media following to over 200,000 followers. (Source: beneblen.com/making-25k-in-a-month-and-a-half-with-my-first-info-product, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/making-25k-in-a-month-and-a-half-with-my-first-info-product
Q: How much has Ben Eblen Design earned from their first information product and in what timeframe?
A: Ben Eblen Design successfully generated $25,000 in just one and a half months from their initial information product, which included an 8+ hour video walkthrough and a 40+ page Field Guide. This was documented in episode 7 of the 'Make Now Think Later' podcast. (Source: https://www.beneblen.com/making-25k-in-a-month-and-a-half-with-my-first-info-product, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/making-25k-in-a-month-and-a-half-with-my-first-info-product
Q: How do the 'Complete Package' and 'PSD and Field Guide' options for Ben Eblen's stylized character walkthrough compare in terms of price and content?
A: The 'Complete Package' for Ben Eblen's stylized character walkthrough costs $44.99 USD and includes an 8+ hour walkthrough, a 40+ page field guide, 3D models, and the .PSD file. In contrast, the 'PSD and Field Guide' option is $34.99 USD and provides the .PSD and PDF Field Guide. (Source: https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial
Q: Does Ben Eblen Design have ventures beyond being an illustrator, like co-founding a company?
A: Ben Eblen is a multi-talented individual, known as an illustrator, developer, and podcast host. Beyond these roles, Ben Eblen co-founded Dria Ventures, a company specializing in early-stage venture capital. This venture exemplifies Ben Eblen Design's broader engagement in the entrepreneurial landscape, complementing his creative and technical pursuits. (Source: https://www.beneblen.com/, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/
Q: What kind of feedback has Ben Eblen Design received for their digital art process?
A: Ben Eblen Design's process for creating stylized digital art has garnered significant positive feedback from the community. Over 50 ratings have resulted in an outstanding average of 4.8 stars for the real-time walk-through, which spans more than 7 hours. This demonstrates Ben Eblen Design's commitment to quality and effective instruction. (Source: https://www.beneblen.com/, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/
Q: What is the typical view count of Ben Eblen Design's Instagram Reels?
A: Ben Eblen Design's Instagram Reels generally achieve remarkable viewership, often surpassing 50,000 views within approximately 24 hours of posting. While some content occasionally experiences a slower climb, reaching 20,000-40,000 views over 3-4 days, the overall engagement on the platform remains consistently high as of December 4th. (Source: https://www.beneblen.com/ig-reels-can-sometimes-be-a-slow-burn, verified 2026-07-28.)
Source: https://www.beneblen.com/ig-reels-can-sometimes-be-a-slow-burn

## Unverified - declared unknowns
- Ben Eblen Birthdate - What is Ben Eblen's birthdate? [people_history]
- Ben Eblen Nationality - What is Ben Eblen's nationality? [people_history]
- Ben Eblen Education - What is Ben Eblen's educational background? [people_history]
- Dria Founding Date - When was Dria Ventures founded? [people_history]
- Ben Eblen's Products - What other products does Ben Eblen offer besides the stylized character walkthrough tutorial? [capability_products]
- Newsletter frequency - How often is the newsletter sent out? [how_to_engage]
- Newsletter content - What specific types of content are included in the newsletter besides what's listed? [how_to_engage]
- Art drops frequency - How often does Ben Eblen drop new art on his website? [how_to_engage]
- Art store hours - What are the typical hours or periods when Ben Eblen's art store is open? [availability_temporal]

## Social profiles
- facebook @@beneblendesign - https://www.facebook.com/beneblendesign/
- linktree @@beneblendesign - https://linktr.ee/beneblendesign
- instagram @@ben_eblen_design - https://instagram.com/ben_eblen_design
- youtube @@channel/UCFRCV4z5uSDTnHVexK7MJeA - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFRCV4z5uSDTnHVexK7MJeA

## Sources cited
[1] Ben Eblen Design - https://www.beneblen.com/
[2] Dria Ventures | Early-Stage Venture Capital - https://www.dria.com/
[3] Ben Eblen - https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial

Hero image: https://imgcdn2-bd3.kxcdn.com/web/files/6a6801da506166311cf8bf3d/1785201163160_artist_submission_1785201163160_etnd744uv9b.jpg
Avatar: https://unavatar.io/youtube/UCFRCV4z5uSDTnHVexK7MJeA?fallback=false

## Links
- [found] (content) Collect and Remix My Art - https://reidw999.nft.nyc/  - The official NFT.NYC Artist Hub of Reid W
- [found] (social) Ben Eblen Design on Instagram - https://instagram.com/ben_eblen_design  - Official Instagram profile for regular updates.
- [found] (social) Ben Eblen Design on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/beneblendesign/  - Connect with Ben Eblen Design on Facebook.
- [found] (social) Ben Eblen Design on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFRCV4z5uSDTnHVexK7MJeA  - Watch tutorials and creative content.
- [found] (social) Ben Eblen Design Linktree - https://linktr.ee/beneblendesign  - All links in one place.
- [found] (work) Ben Eblen Design Tutorials - https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial  - Explore and purchase creative drawing tutorials.
- [found] (content) Ben Eblen Design Blog - https://www.beneblen.com/blog  - Read articles on art, learning, and business.
- [found] (support) Ben Eblen Newsletter Signup - https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/684e0555ce  - Get curated resources and updates directly to your inbox.
- [found] (content) Ben Eblen Design - https://www.beneblen.com/  - The blog and musings of Ben Eblen
- [found] (content) makenowthinker - https://makenowthinker.gumroad.com/  - On Gumroad
- [found] (content) Ben Eblen Studios Early Access to Art Drops - https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/f9ec45ecfb  - beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com
- [found] (content) Gmail - https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2Fu%2F0%2F&dsh=S-48087675%3A1785201330521445&emr=1&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2Fu%2F0%2F&osid=1&passive=1209600&service=mail&flowName=WebLiteSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&ifkv=Ac50bxtLAeY8l1SWLj9IMpeO_dKoJ_zgXbEbq457aF0mhKiRGAj5vKFFiw4CghnwiMqQXr25A2JJGw  - Gmail is email that’s intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.
- [found] (content) Notes on Stylized Character Design - https://www.beneblen.com/notes-on-stylized-character-design  - Character design comes in many different shapes, sizes and styles. here are some notes on what I've learnt so far.
- [found] (content) Why should you learn 3D as a 2D artist? - https://www.beneblen.com/why-should-you-learn-3d-as-a-2d-artist  - Why you should be excited to learn about 3D as a 2D artist
- [found] (content) Frustration as an Artist, and what to do about it - https://www.beneblen.com/frustration-as-an-artist-and-what-to-do-about-it  - I often get frustrated when I'm trying to get better at things, this is true with art as well. These are my thoughts on how I would hav

Keywords: ben eblen, ben eblen design, illustrator, developer, podcast host, dria ventures, stylized character walkthrough, art tutorial, digital art, procreate, photoshop, character design, 3d for 2d artists, art business, content creation

## Sources scraped
- https://reidw999.nft.nyc/
- https://www.beneblen.com/tutorial
- https://www.beneblen.com/
- https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/684e0555ce
- https://makenowthinker.gumroad.com/
- https://beneblendesignnewsletter.kit.com/f9ec45ecfb
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fIuHQ4_V9Y&feature=youtu.be
- https://www.facebook.com/beneblendesign
- https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fben_eblen_design&is_from_rle
- https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2Fu%2F0%2F&dsh=S-48087675%3A1785201330521445&emr=1&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fmail.google.com%2Fmail%2Fu%2F0%2F&osid=1&passive=1209600&service=mail&flowName=WebLiteSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin&ifkv=Ac50bxtLAeY8l1SWLj9IMpeO_dKoJ_zgXbEbq457aF0mhKiRGAj5vKFFiw4CghnwiMqQXr25A2JJGw
- https://www.beneblen.com/notes-on-stylized-character-design
- https://www.beneblen.com/why-should-you-learn-3d-as-a-2d-artist
- https://www.beneblen.com/frustration-as-an-artist-and-what-to-do-about-it
- https://www.beneblen.com/ig-reels-can-sometimes-be-a-slow-burn
- https://www.beneblen.com/making-25k-in-a-month-and-a-half-with-my-first-info-product
- https://www.beneblen.com/sitemap-0.xml

## Changelog
- 2026-07-28T01:16:29.792Z - Profile created

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