Including 2D Art in 3D portfolio?

Canadian Ink · Jul 2009

This is something that I struggle with each time I am redoing my portfolio. My 3D work is Environment/Prop based in nature but I feel that one of my strong suits is my 2D skills...I have done lots of (i feel) quality illustrations/painting/drawings that I think show that skill. My dilemma is that my 2D body of work isnt reflective of the kind of 3D work i do (character vs Environment)... So do you think that the inclusion of it would be a good idea or just confusing.

Justin Meisse · Jul 2009

nope, I'd tentatively say yes if it was enviro art

Mark Dygert · Jul 2009

Depends on the art. If done well it can only help. If shoddily done it can really drag you down.

Even character illustration has the potential to show you know some pretty key things like color theory, proper lighting, basics of painting, shape and form, balance, dynamic poses. All stuff that gets used in env art just in different ways. However your env art should already be saying those things about you.

It can also hint that you can do more then just env art. Showing extra skills is bad?

I personally won't be including 2D in my next revision. I just haven't kept on it or created anything specifically 2D in a long time, but I will be adding animation section. Some day... in the distant future, when I have time...

Gav · Jul 2009

I would personally NOT include them if it isn't your strength. Unless your 2D stuff is really mind blowing, why even bother? It will just weaken your final result. Same goes for anything else, really, like I won't be including animation in my folio because my animation sucks ass...Display your strengths, less is more, really have it focused rather than spread thin.

Gav

low odor · Jul 2009

ditto Gav

Mechadus · Jul 2009

Great topic - Ive wondered about this also. Im no amazing 2d artist, but I usually sketch everything I model first, sometimes with 3-15 different revisions. If the sketches are part of the design process for a finished 3d model, would it help to show just to illustrate the workflow or the fact its an original design?

-N!

okkun · Jul 2009

I would say generally it's good to show that you have traditional art skills as well. However looking at your illustrations I would say skip it because they do not showcase anything that would be relevant to your work such as composition, shading, texture or lighting.

konstruct · Jul 2009

intresting thread indeed. I`ve recently been updating my portfolio and I would feel dumb not adding my 2d. Not that i`m amazing at it, but its such a huge part of what I do and I feel its important to show that I could probably accomplish whatever is thrown at me. After Wolf ships I should be adding a row of environment work to boot.

the question at that point though, would it be bad to show that I`m not really great at any one thing, but just kinda "meh" at everything else? jack of all trades master of none etc etc etc.

I guess a better question would be- is it better to be an uber bad ass and specialize in one thing? OR is it better to be good at everything, at the cost of not being the best at any one thing.

Which one equates to more job sec. which equates to more desirability from employers etc etc.

carlo_c · Jul 2009

I would say if your 2d art skills are good put it in, but only if they are good. Not even ok good, but very good.

I say this because from most of the people I've spoken to who work in the industry, they usually say the same thing about traditional art skills being transferrable to 3d but not the other way round.

Rens · Jul 2009

this is something i dont like to judge in general, its different for each person, skills, goal ect

if you dont mean to apply anytime soon, you can simplely keep it in.
else, think about leave it and work some stuff out

but i dont think its bad at all to show more skillsets, though in general it means
- it becomes hard to master all areas
- it takes up ALOT of time that you could use to specialise in something
- this means you have an overall average quality of art
- makes it harder to get a job, but!
- once you have a great base in all, it will start to work in your advantage
- art forms start to overlap
- being specialised and also show great skill in other areas is more win

overall it just comes down to:
makeing sure your art doesnt suffer from quality differences

conte · Jul 2009

yes. why not)
that will show that you have your own style and great imagination.
imho

Wells · Jul 2009

I've been doing lots of interviews for the past year.

It's always nice to see some additional art, something outside the strict requirements. You can get a good glimpse of what they're interested in, what their personal tastes are. It also could be what kicks you over other candidates - this dude would be able to concept his own stuff, etc.

This is, of course, only if you're proud of your 2D stuff and you're okay being judged by it. If you feel it might be lacking in any way, you certainly don't want it being the sore spot in an otherwise nice portfolio.

So yeah, it's really a case-by-case problem.

Nick Carver · Jul 2009

I would say only include your best work and prioritise pieces that are relevant to the position you're applying for. For example, if it's a character artist position then a compilation page of accomplished figure drawings will be of benefit and if it's an environment position with an emphasis on lighting, then a collection of landscape/mood studies would be suitable, I think. Be harsh on yourself though, and only put in the pieces that enhance your standing as an artist. Remember that less is always more.

In terms of the broader question of specialisation vs. variety in your work, I reckon that you have to have some diversity in your interests and approach or else you will stagnate at some point. At the same time, it is important to put the effort into each avenue of art you explore in order to get it to a certain level of accomplishment. Otherwise you are in danger of constantly jumping from one thing to another without really absorbing information or progressing as an artist.

killingpeople · Jul 2009

i'd definitely include your 2d work if it was good.

SubPablo · Jul 2009

I always make a b-line for the 2d section when checking out a portfolio. Nothing tells you what a person's base-line art skills are like 2d work. On the other hand, the examples that relate to the position you're applying for are obviously what really count. I think most artists can reconcile a difference in skill levels as long as you show an ability to perform the work you're applying for. The problem comes in when you notice that many times the person reviewing applications WON'T be an artist. At some companies, portfolios go through a whole slew of people before anyone in the art department sees it. At one particular company I've heard about, the boss's wife was in charge of reviewing portfolios. How about that? Why bother the art director with the responsibility of piecing together his team?

So my personal opinion is always include some, because that's what I personally like to see, but my professional opinion would be to show only what you think is fairly strong.

t4paN · Jul 2009

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iTHAExZk69k/Sl6fXTwftFI/AAAAAAAABBI/BJ6ghnNdYWY/s1600-h/paintings7.jpg

Is this the dad from John Romero's "Melvin" comics?

Also, I liked the pirate chick illustration a lot.

As far as your OP is concerned, I'm with SubPablo on it. Include some of your best pieces in a "2d section". I don't think it would hurt anyway. Actually, it would even be very appropriate if you had any 2d art of buildings.

Canadian Ink · Jul 2009

Some really great input folks, I appreciate it. I am going to try and spend the next number of months putting together some quality peices that closer reflect the kind and quality of 3D work I am trying to do.

Michael Knubben · Jul 2009

This has been said before, but just as a '+1':

I'd definitely consider someone's 2d-skills to be important, but including it when it's not up to scratch can reflect badly on your overal skill-level.
Only include it if it's up to the standard of your 3d-work.

Oh, and in addition to that: if all you've got are quick anatomy-sketches, think hard about whether to include them or not. They'd have to be damned amazing to be of any value.
Although people may disagree with that, I imagine. What does the rest think?

Including 2D Art in 3D portfolio?

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