just wanted to know your opinion
polycounter lvl 6
Helloo people!!! Well, I started this topic because I wanted to know your opinion about my situation.
I am from spain and I want to become a 3D artist. I have been making videogames since I was a teenager and since them I have learnt a lot of skills. First I started as a designer, then I learned coding and from there I started enjoying tech art. I also leart riggind and animation thanks to making my own games alone.
Some years ago I started making a non videogame degree at a university here in Spain (mostly because making videogames was just a hobby at that time). And during that time I found What I really wanted to do: 3D art (3d assets for video games more specifically).
The problem was that my mother wanted me to do a master degree. After some talks with her, she lent me one year. From there I started making 3D: First watching arrimus videos and then making tests and training everyday. At January 2018 I decided to create my portfolio (https://www.artstation.com/marcoantoniomeirelescarvalho). I started to love this job but well... A year has passed and my mother started saying some things. Life started to get difficult and, even though she told me everytime I asked that everything was right, it was not. She did not liked What I was doing. And this started to become obvious because of things she was saying from time to time. I was just getting tired, burned and sad.
Suddenly, someone offered me a job... a web designer job. After thinking about it I decided to accept it. I thought to myself "at least she will shut up, I will earn some money and I will still making 3d models at night". Well, the problem is that I went from 12 hours modeling to 2-3 hours everyday. I compare my works each week and I know that I have improved since I started this job but it is not the same.
Sorry for the long post. I know that there is people with a worse situation than mine but I just wanted to know your opinion anyway. One day I will become a 3D artist but I don't know when or how. It is getting difficult for me and I don't know how is this going to end.
Replies
It's good you're pushing to use that time still though.
That being said, looking at your stuff right now, you're honestly in a good grey zone. It'll be frustrating because there's no clear line about "Am I good enough to get that first game dev job" but you're definitely in the space where I wouldn't question your artistic abilities to get the art done, at least with weapons. I was in that same space 2014 -2015, where I had games made and game art done, but no one aggressively biting for me to join full-time. You're not a newb for sure, that's good, but now we're in a weird zone where progress will seem minimal despite the goal not having been reached yet.
I'd encourage you to push into making topically different assets; show off your breadth.
Have you thought about dedicating those available 3-4 hours to a paid game project that'll take you on as a part-time contractor?
Anyway you should learn to optimize your time when doing cg or learning new stuff, i work a full time job in a factory and after my job i study to enter the university in september and i also keep doing CG currently making assets for the marketplace so...you are not the only one out there unfortunately.
Ah, for the software thing...don't go around saying that you are a member of the Jack Sparrow's crew ( it is bad for your reputation )...if you know what i mean
Yeah I know. The problem is that I am not a student (I am a student but not inside a 3d institution) and I don´t have money so... if I want to learn I don't have an option.
Plus likewise as alluded too above much better working towards a potential career path "kosher", it's a small industry after all and word will get around. Now one other thing, introduce complexity alongside content already uploaded to your folio, you've mentioned thoughts of making armour so I'm thinking perhaps further develop that theme with either a armoured fantasy dragon or knight riding the dragon set in an enviro/scene/diorama...etc, etc.
Some time ago (when all this started) I decided to start doing warmups everyday. The main objective was not only do some warmup before modeling a real project, but also train my creativity and general skills. Yesterday I compared my first and my latest warmups. I am happy with my improvements but it would be great to know your opinion as well.