Sudden need to get pro. But how.

Sunseaker

Hello!

I have been learning 3D for fun in my spare time for a few years now with the idea of One Day getting a job in a studio doing character or creature modeling. I have a job completely unrelated to design that I actually really enjoy, but just found out the team is getting downsized and my contract will be ending sometime in July. 

This is deffo a sign it's time to swap fields and try to do what I really want. I was looking at CGMA and other online classes but a lot don't start until late April and I think I'v only got about 4 months. I'm not learning from scratch, I have an old portfolio and I know ZBrush pretty well, and the basics of Substance and Maya.

Is it bonkers to try learning everything else and get a new portfolio together in that amount of time? How do I optimize/maximize my learning, what should I try to focus on and in what order? I figured ZBrush anatomy, texturing in Substance then topology in Maya? Maybe aim for 3 nice game ready human characters? 

Is this unfeasible? I can probably put a good 30-40 hours a week in after work, at least for a while anyway. If if even slightly possible I'd really appreciate a study plan or list of super intense online classes.

Thanks in advance, from someone having a quiet panic during their lunch-break.

defragger

can you share your current portfolio? It would be a lot easier for us to give useful advice.

It might also be an option for you to spend a few months learning fulltime after your contract has ended.

carvuliero

That's will depends on your current skill level why don't you post few of your latest work even if they are not complete ?

4 months 2 characters and bust or character and 2 busts that's sound doable just have to hit a decent quality level

Taylor Brown

Without seeing work: 

1) Plan on getting atleast a part time gig to string you along for a while. Ideally something that doesn't leave you completely drained at the end of a shift.

2) you might have trouble producing quality art and learning as you go if you're coming at this from a place of panic and desperation.

3) what industry exactly are you looking to go in to?

Sunseaker

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I wasn't thinking. Heres some 3D stuff I did for fun. I'm already working on a full human figure but it's taking a long time, which I now realize I don't really have. It's all High Poly, I need to learn retopo too. It's not perfect but maybe I can upgrade some of it?

carvuliero

Looks like you know what you doing so go back and do few portfolio worthy characters

sacboi

Yeah, @carvuliero is spot on.

I can't find fault with your work, actually quite polished to honest. Now all ya gotta do is whip up 2 or 3 chars/creatures related too the style you're most passionate about and bingo! they'll come clambering for your signature, mark my words

EDIT:
Retopo shouldn't present to much of an issue for you to learn on the fly or if needs be grab some tips from Michael Pavlovich.

https://www.artstation.com/michaelpavlovich

slosh

Hmm, I'm gonna disagree a bit.  While your work isn't bad, learning to create game ready characters at a high level is definitely going to take longer than 4 months.  Especially if you are looking to create actual folio ready high quality character art.  I think if you could do ONE solid piece in that time, you would be doing really well.  Don't rush, just create something amazing.  And honestly, don't limit yourself to 4 months.  Get feedback, lots of it, don't work in a bubble.  Focus on anatomy heavily.  Just for frame of ref, a next gen character being done by a AAA sr character artist can take anywhere from 1-3 months.  So, thinking you can do 3-4 in approximately the same time when you don't have the same experience is pretty naive.

Sunseaker

Thank you everyone, that's pretty encouraging feedback. Slosh that is really helpful, I appreciate the honesty. I remember someone at a local studio telling me they took 1-1.5 months which is what I based my estimate on. But you are totally right, that is really untenable for a beginner, I need to be more realistic.

Okay! So I think I will focus on doing one Really Good character for now? I need to polish my anatomy skills first and get a really solid idea to work on. I will make sure to come back here to get (and give) feedback as I go.

Thanks for the help everyone, I am feeling a bit calmer now. Will make a plan.

sacboi

Nice one

...and I should really confine my comments to critiquing guns, cars, tanks 'n stuff