[Portfolio] Patrick Sutton
polycounter lvl 9
Hey guys, I've finally built up my portfolio, and I'm about ready to start sending out applications to get a job. First, however, I want to make sure my portfolio (both site and content) doesn't suck.
I have a few questions as well:
1) I am using very large images (maximum horizontal resolution of 1400 pixels). However, it is not 2001 any more, and I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that game studios are using computers with screen resolutions above 1280x1024, and 1400 is less than many current laptops, as far as I'm aware. Are my images too big? Will the size deter employers?
2) Should I drop the explanatory text at the top of the Bog Standard Prop Bonanza page?
3) Is my email address legible as patjsutton@gmail.com? Does the 'J' look at all like an 'L'?
Please, critique everything!
http://www.patricksutton3d.com/
PS the download resume links don't work because I haven't made the files yet; they are just a placeholder.
I have a few questions as well:
1) I am using very large images (maximum horizontal resolution of 1400 pixels). However, it is not 2001 any more, and I don't think it's unreasonable to assume that game studios are using computers with screen resolutions above 1280x1024, and 1400 is less than many current laptops, as far as I'm aware. Are my images too big? Will the size deter employers?
2) Should I drop the explanatory text at the top of the Bog Standard Prop Bonanza page?
3) Is my email address legible as patjsutton@gmail.com? Does the 'J' look at all like an 'L'?
Please, critique everything!
http://www.patricksutton3d.com/
PS the download resume links don't work because I haven't made the files yet; they are just a placeholder.
Replies
1. Love the image size.
2. Never saw it until you said it, so doesn't matter.
3. Hm, didn't notice it as an L
I took a look at your portfolio, awesome art, love it.
I believe that the large images is a good idea.
About the explanatory text, like Cholden already said, I don't think that it really matters that much.
Lastly, it definitely looks like a "J" and not like an "L".
The only thing I noticed, and I might be wrong, is that the wireframe image of the jet (SAAB) might be a tiny bit too small. The most important parts are clear but some parts of the wireframe are a little unclear (hard to see). I thought i'd point that out to you, but maybe it's just me being really tired atm.
Just my 2 cents, I hope it helped.
DKK, that's a good idea; the only thing I'm worried about is that I haven't photosourced any of my textures, with the exception of wood, and I don't want to make it seem like I do make use of lots of photosource on the other projects. I don't know how big of a deal that is, I guess I'm just really happy that I can make decent textures without photos because about 5 months ago I was hopeless at it and it's really been a goal of mine to improve. I don't think I would have even thought of it but someone in one of my threads thought that the shipping crate was photosourced until they saw the normal map, and I guess I'm just paranoid :poly142:
Personal favourite is the desk from the props section, textures work very well and the shape compliments perfectly. Least favourite is the gun. The handles wood texture is too saturated and shape looks like it would fit a saw, not a rifle. Also the sight on top looks untextured, is it?
ps: "bog standard prop bonanza" might be better as "props" seeing as the title suggests unimportance and this section shows your best texture work.
pps: after viewing some of your uv maps, it seems there is still room for mirroring identical pieces and splitting more big sections in half to retain quality when downsized.
GCMP: The sight is not untextured; it has a subtle mottle effect that I've only seen on the PSO-1. It could stand to have a bit of wear though, you're right. Also, I think you're right about the name, I should probably change it. Could you give me some specific examples of where I could mirror identical pieces/split stuff in half?
Your stuff is rad!
My only minor crit on your work - on a first glance your sniper rifle texture seems a bit off with the wooden stock being so worn out and the metal being so clean and pristine. An odd contrast in quality of the pieces on the gun.
JDinges: between you and GCMP, I think it's official that I need to really work on the Vintorez some more.
Thanks for the input everyone!
The only major downside I see to your portfolio is that you have inadvertently pigeonholed yourself by choosing all modern/militaristic subject matter.
Wether you know it or not a lot of companies won't take chances of people who don't display some sort of example of having a piece fit their particular style or genre.
It isn't that your work isn't good, because it is... but I feel like you'd have a stronger portfolio if you also added in some fantasy/sci-fi stuff, buildings, foliage/nature scenes, stylized imagery, etc.
Limiting yourself to props, vehicles and guns could end up doing your skills a bit of a deservice as it does nothing to show me you know how to competently setup a scene to include good lighting and layout (scale and position) to make a complete scene. It also doesn't show me you can adapt to follow a unified artistic style guideline.
Again, your work itself is good, your website is excellent, and at no point should you feel bad about what you've already done. But going forward I would try to vary it up a bit to benefit yourself in the long run (unless you really really just want to do militaristic props, guns, vehicles... in which case go for it).
I believe what you have there is enough to show your great skills. :thumbup:
Also I believe you could make one tab for all your 2d artwork.
When I clicked it looked strange, one new tab for one image...
Here are a couple small things about your presentation that bother the nit-picky graphic designer in me... You home page is beautiful and nicely spaced all the way down the page, but once you click on one of the links the images within aren't consistently sized.
Best of luck job-hunting!
i really like the layout on your site
This work is amazing, I love your crisp art style and the website layout is inspired!
I was wondering if you have any advice for getting such realistic looking textures with such small texture resolutions?
Your use of specular maps is really interesting, i love how much detail you put into them that isnt in the diffuse.
I've found that there will generally be all sorts of detail on the spec which isn't present on the diffuse. Notably, with guns, they often have a finish with numerous scratches that are barely visible until the light hits them just right, so you should have scratches which are only visible on the spec. Specularity is the king as far as believable metal is concerned, and gloss is super important for differentiating materials.
conte:
onionhead_o: Everything is hand painted, with the exception of wood; all wood materials have a photo of unblemished clean unpainted wood as a base. Scratches, dirt, and lacquer are added afterward. Also, the sidewalk on the cast-iron building is photo sourced.
This isn't to say that photosourcing is bad. My Titan moon base has a basic metal material which is made from a mix of 4 or 5 photos and a couple masked color layers.