I think it's fair to say that most 3D artists are actually closer to "hyperrealists" than "surrealists", even when we do the most bizarre image. Doing a little minor research on the two turned up some interesting results: "Reffering to painting's history, one should not confuse 'surrealism' and 'hyperrealism'. Surrealism consists in taking PARTS of reality and gluing them together in a particular way. Rene Magritte is a surrealist. Hyperrealism consists in painting reality as it is more or less seen by a common camera. Most hyperrealist artists work by projecting slides onto a canvas and putting paint on the canvas. It's a highly technical exercise."