Building a portfolio and the use of tutorials

Gallamanji

Hi everyone,

I'm new to polycount, awesome to be here.

I have a couple of years experience with general 3D work but am just starting to specialise more in character art.

I wondered, is it a bad idea to show tutorial based work on a showreel/portfolio? Recruiters must see a lot of the same tutorial based work on many showreels, and maybe i should only use them as a learning resource and instead only include personal and collaborative projects on my showreel.

For my showreel, would it be a better idea to model from existing concept art and my own designs? Rather than following a step by step modelling tutorial?

I'm considering joining an indie team online, but think I should improve my skills a bit first. But I'm wondering if that could be a good way to learn too.

Just need some advice on improving my skills and portfolio in the best way. Thanks for any help i really appreciate it.

Jeff Parrott

No. Don't use tutorial subjects for your portfolio. Use the knowledge and tips you gain from the tutorial to do your own thing. Even if it's in that style.

It depends what you are doing exactly but a big part of the job of making video game art is telling a story through your art work. It is not that difficult to make art technically sound. It's much harder to convey a story through your work. But that's the sweet spot. Once you figure out how to convey a story with your work it will set your work apart.

Using existing concept art is fine. I think it's good form to email the Artist and ask if you can make it though first. Otherwise create your own. You can always work off reference.

Gallamanji

Cool, thanks a lot for your response and advice - much a appreciated.