I need your advice
Hi, I'm a self taught game art student. My parents, brother and I have lived in Seattle WA area. So I have been trying to break into game idustry in Washington state. but it didn't work out. A couple years ago I posted with same problem on Polycount. I think It helped me a lot so I decide to post again. Please give me an advice.
1. which skills do i need to improve?
2. Is it possible to get a job at WA if I try harder?
3. There were no job posts. So I have been sending emails for 3D artist internship, entry level 3D modeler or 3D artist positions every 4~6 months. I wonder if I did the right thing.
4. I have been studied with video tutorials and books. Should i go to art school?
Thank you for your time
1. which skills do i need to improve?
2. Is it possible to get a job at WA if I try harder?
3. There were no job posts. So I have been sending emails for 3D artist internship, entry level 3D modeler or 3D artist positions every 4~6 months. I wonder if I did the right thing.
4. I have been studied with video tutorials and books. Should i go to art school?
Thank you for your time
Replies
You seem to be on the right path. You have a good grasp of topology, uv layouts, all technical aspects seem to be correct.
I would encourage you to try to work from concept more, it will develop your eye.
If you end up going to art school, spend a lot of time working with figure models. For now, do a google search for drawing groups from nude models and attend whatever you can, it will help tremendously your ability to see form and relations of masses within the body.
I would ditch the human anatomy sculpture or at least move it to another section with the rest of your wips/studies. It doesn't feel like a sculpture, but more like a noisy rock texture thrown on top of an anatomy study. It's really not helping you at all.
Your anatomy sculpture and arenanet art test both feel off balance and stuff, like they're leaning too far forward. Take a look at some more neautral, natural reference photos of real people and how their posture looks.
Looking at the art test, you're missing the overall proportions of the concept and your character isn't wearing pants. It's also missing all the arm straps and the gold isn't reading well. The body feels like you've followed anatomy reference without taking into account that there's some skin on there as well.
Main thing is to keep going with this stuff and try to develop your eye a bit more. Matching reference more closely, posting your work for critique, etc.
As for your other questions:
2: Sure, there's quite a few studios in the Seattle area so it's possible. Keep pushing yourself, and think about doing things in styles that match studios in the area. You did an arenanet piece which is great, but it doesn't match their style or level of quality.
3: Yeah, sending in your stuff is certainly a good idea, though if there aren't any jobs posted it's quite possible they're not hiring. Start networking more and that should help you out in the future. Post more work on here for critique, join some hangouts, go out to local game developer meetings if they have them, etc. Make your presence known.
4: You could, though I think you've got a pretty good grasp of the technical basics right now. A lot of art school would be a waste. With that said, you do need to develop your obersvational skills more, so some traditional art classes wouldn't be a waste.
Jason: Thank you for your time to reply all my questions. You are so kind. I think you point out very well. I always though that my weakness is textures. that's because I enjoy modeling and sculpting more. I couldn't figure out how to create good material. I simply didn't adjust material at all. It looks like I need to spend more time on textures and materials. I always enjoy modeling character while I'm watching all references on my second monitor. I think It was a big mistake that I didn't use Image Plane.
Thank you again for your advice!