Another nice video! I'm self-taught, it took me 2 years after I bought my first computer till I got my first full-time 3d job. I would come home everyday after working at Rick Baker's studio and practice around 4-6 hours every night and then practice all day Sat and Sun. My first job was a Character Modeler at Foundation Imaging working on "STARSHIP TROOPERS" the TV Series. I do agree, you have to keep up on the latest/greatest software. You cannot be married to Maya or ZBrush...you never no when a "better" software comes around and could make your job faster and easier.
For anyone doubting themselves.... I am a self taught 3D concept artist and modeller in the film industry. When I started out there were no university courses. (I am now 53). Everyone told me that I was dreaming and the work of ILM and alike, was out of reach. Don't listen to this! Follow your dream - work HARD - spend all of your spare time practicing and working on samples. You get out what you put in... I hope to inspire anyone considering this path - I have over 60 movies under my belt and have worked on Star Wars, Marvel, Jurassic, Bond 007 etc. I trust this helps someone. Best of luck, Jet.
So Im studying multimedia engineering cause I thought we would learn a lot of 3D art and even video editing but they focus too much on mathematics and not art. Im thinking about dropping and start learning by my own spending that money on courses and academies. I want to truly pursue my passions and since there's a lot to learn I need time. What do you think? Also bear in mind here I have zero contacts or connections, I see no interest in 3D here, this is not an art school and Im paying a lot of money, they use outdated software cause nobody here has the money for the adobe suite, maya, etc. It's just second semester and I'm more advanced in this 3D world that people finishing the career. The career lasts for 5 years and Im not losing all that time for a diploma Im not using
this channel couldn't have possibly come at a better time for me. im transitioning from world as a cinematographer to a more standard 9 to 5 and 3D is the path i'm taking to satisfy that creative itch. these videos have informed my software decisions and guided me towards finding a pipeline that works for my needs. crazy how fast this channel became a critical learning resource for me.
Of course age matters, but skill is primary. The older you are, the more responsibilities you already have and the less time you have available to improve. I live well below my means as a software engineer, but full-time entry level art offers are sometimes so low it isn't financially viable. Jobs like software engineering already require time outside of work to keep up with new tech and maintain skills. Adding art on top of that is hard, but it is possible. I started teaching myself art in my mid 30s and started getting offers in about 3 years. If you're young and don't have many responsibilities yet you need to dump your time into art now. Its only going to take more calendar time if you wait.
Hey, thanks a lot for your comment. Let me be clear on what we mean about age not mattering, as that might be misinterpreted: When you APPLY for jobs, then it's not important. Obviously, somebody who's in his 40s with kids will have less time to work on their portfolio compared to a 18 year old in college. We're purely talking about age discrimination here, as we've got a fair few questions about it. I hope this clears it up. /Henning
That's quite an assumption, older people have more responsibilities. Where did you pull that one from exactly? Not every older person is married with children. I studied classical animation in college when I was 19 and got a BA Hons in it but hated it and never returned. I then picked up a 3d software when I was 27 and started learning a bit of everything til I fell into the modelling and design area of 3D. I only started freelancing last year at 32 and I've never worked in a studio. Everyone I speak with on facebook or instagram about motion graphics and 3d art I always feel like I'm older than them, which may be true, but overall I don't think there's any age discrimination. I think people think to themselves "oh Im too old for this or I'm too old to start studying now" but I think that's in every profession. I felt too old at 27 to get back into it but I'm so glad I did.
My mom actually give some pretty interesting feedback sometimes that not even good artists give. Non-artists sometimes point out things that we wouldn't think of cause we are too blind with the technical part.
aghh! I always end up watching your video's in the evening and then it gets me excited to start working on my project again in the morning and then I can't sleep haha. Self taught goin on 3 years now, I agree it's a long road, spent alot of time trying to be able to do everything in the beginning modeling, vfx, animation, rigging etc. Settled on character art about a year ago. I just had to fall in love with the hard one. Doing an art station challenge at the moment to experience what it's like working under a deadline and it's great fun, recommend it to anyone who wants to push themselves and learn more. Great video again guys
Jake Brown self taught 2 months here haha.trying to learn everything right now. I love character sculpting in zbrush. But I want to be able to get a great final render, so I'm trying to learn everything About blender at the same time and it's hard. But I love it. Just wish I'd tried this before I turned 35.
kandysman86 I'm two months into this also in my 30s. I did a project for a company and it was a success. I've been close with them and they asked me to create a character, which has absolutely consumed all my time! I'm in over my head but just love the experience! Where has this been all my life? It's great to see other late starters out there.
A year ago I started. Maybe two or three days in all that time, I haven't done something animationy. I'm addicted. And it has to be that way. Animation is too buggy, flakey, and too much goes wrong for anyone to learn by themselves unless there's a jones involved.
Trr Lii wow, that's awesome that you are already working! I think I could do a character right now, but I would be in over my head too! I love this so much. Finding out that blender has been around forever, and was always free, makes me kick myself. I almost missed my calling screwing around like an idiot through my 20's. Wisdom is a jerk that didn't show up around me till recently lol. But this has filled a hole to overflowing. Can't wait to do it for a living. I have an idea for a game, or movie, or both. I've fleshed it out pretty far. I'm just having a hard time getting the first still renders with my PC quality. It runs zbrush great, but getting other render engines to work with all my obj. In the picture is a real challenge. I'm looking for some help if anyone is Interested in making it happen. Once you see my character and hear the story, you will be hooked.
Andrew Kartashev no doubt. No matter how busy I am, the PC is on and my workspace loaded. I stop by and do little one minute tweaks in the middle of everything else I have to do lol. I fully understand the jones man. I have it too. Bad. Withdrawals and all!
I wish I saw this year's ago. I live in Colombia where is really hard to find 3d job, salaries to have good hardware and software or teachers. And it was really hard to finding the job I have know. Thank you so much
Istebrak (the only YT I know that does this) hosts critic hours were people can send in their work for critiquing, it is really helpful to see whats "wrong" are and how to improve the issues. She is very honest and good at giving feedback. On another note your videos are really good to listen to whilst drawing.
For me, Success (in my case as a Game Artist) comes with a combination of your skill level, your level of interest, a willingness to keep learning and being a generally positive person to work with. How you get your skill level up is up to you, but most skill is developed in your own time by using a high level of interest and willingness to learn.. *Be a Do-er and put the hours in. *Set a small goal and try to reach it. That could be to learn a few more techniques or skills in your software or learn new software. Try to make something that you really like, but dont make it too big. Focus on detail and quality. I never put my age on my CV and have been very successful when it comes to job offers. You will make some acquaintances along the way, and if you keep in touch, generally they will help you out. Be positive and keep learning
It only took me 43 years to learn that the difference between those that became SUCCESSFUL, and those who didn't, was their ability to HOLD ON and PERSIST in the face of less than desireable, often bleak, circumstances and/or environments. Just. Hold. On.
Thank you guys for the insight. I wish there was someone who could have told me all of these years ago... What your are doing here is just magnificent and wonderful. please keep on doing what your really good at doing here
I don't think I ever got that much encouragement starting out.. certainly not too much. Mostly my stuff just got ignored to be honest.. I would have loved to get more feedback of any kind but the truth is art is a solitary thing.. and chances are you won't always get the help and encouragement when you need it. Even on polycount people talked about this phenomenon on how people who are extreme beginners tend to get feedback and then you have the pros who get all the attention. But there is this massive gulf in between where nobody is too sure what to say. University might not have taught me all that much in terms of hard skills but it provided me with structure, like-minded people and some encouragement.
I find this video sooo relatable. I'v learned the basics of art and design in high school and after that for five years i'v been going from collage to collage trying to continue learning but it all ended up being "bad". all the stuff that i use in my jobs i learned my self. and now i dropped out of collage since it started getting depressing searching for the right place to learn and meet the right people that like the same stuff i do. Now i'm trying to brake trough as a freelance designer and i'm learning more and more programs every day just so i might have a better chance at landing an awesome job. teaching your self this stuff takes a lot of time and devotion. Since i don't go to any school or collage anymore i don't have many friends, i spend most of my day working. It can get pretty lonely.
I have to say, what you said early on about age descrimination in the industry was a big sigh of relief for me. I'm 28 and was filled with anxieties over my lack of experience/skills in comparison to people much younger than me already who have already been working in the industry for some time. I love 3D and have a lot of fun doing it so that was a motivator for me.
Your channel is so motivating. I'm only starting to learn the basics, and I'm a four-year student in economy faculty, so my education and passion aren't connected at all. And it's so scary, when you don't know where to begin, you don't know how much time do you need and if there is even a possibility of success. Thank you so much for existing, this information is priceless, it gives me a sence of direction, now it's so clear and it feels like everything is possible if I work hard enough.
lychodeeva hello ! I am in a similar boat. Tho different. Got into the university and science course I wanted just to realize that it is not me. Your message is inspiring. I want to pursue my real dream which is art. I need to start pursuing it for serious. I would appreciate it if you could contact me, just to share thoughts and advice :) Maria.
I currently studying Digital 3D animation and 80% or more is self taught and i am able to get into "animation and VFX" industry as internship. However, my self taught is really paid off and feeling proud of myself.
Just graduated from University and the I've been pretty bummed out about art the entire time. I've been a self taught artist since early, early childhood. While in college, I've been developing radical ideas that professors don't seem to understand, all the while my colleagues continue to tell me are inspiring. I've also been shunned by a few professors because I didn't do things their exact way and asked questions that they didn't know the answer to. But when you said, "You need to learn that everything is connected" I truly came to the realization that college wasn't a complete waste of time because that is one of the many important points I've been trying to pass along. This is an incredible video!
As they said, projects are SUPER important, it can be anything at all. I'm a huge comic book reader and so I started off recreating props from comic books and comic book based movies like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As I completed projects I was genuinely interested it, I got better because I was looking to improve out of pure passion and enjoyment of what I was doing. The basics are important but make sure you're doing tutorials to help you with issues that may arise in your personal projects, information isn't much use if you aren't applying it anywhere.
lotsa good points in this one. as someone who is self taught, I can totally relate. been in the game industry for over 12 years now and hands down most of my success is down to the skills I developed over almost 6 years before breaking into the industry and getting my first job. It's not about what you say you can do....it's 100% about what you can show you can do by having a kick ass portfolio.
6 years before you broke into industry? Omg, I almost gave up, I’m already trying to get in for 2 years. Oh well, around 4 years to go... but I’m 25 years old, am I too old? What’s the average age people get into the industry?
@@V-95K haha everyone goes at their own place, dont stress about it. not too old! i have worked with people in their 20's and people in their 50's and have learned a ton of stuff from both, and enjoyed hanging out and having beers at the pub with both, you got plenty of time :)
To add my 2 cents - I work for a small arch viz studio and started there as an intern, completely self-taught and with no architectural or professional cg background, just a portfolio I worked on in my spare time. I find that working for a small studio had a number of benefits when I started out - I got a lot of experience with different aspects of CG very quickly due to the “all hands on deck” approach to producing shots (lighting, shot composition, post, render wrangling, plus rapid improvement of my existing modeling and texturing skills), learned teamwork in a small friendly environment and how to handle feedback and time manage for deadlines, and progressed at a more rapid rate than I might have at a larger studio. I also found that when I applied for larger studios I didn’t get responses to my applications, where with smaller studios I was able to speak with the creative directors and they were more willing to hear me out. In my case, if I hadn’t spoken with the director and showed that initiative, I wouldn’t have been offered that internship.
This video is an Absolute Goldmine for Beginners! Thank you so so much! I am about an year in and already am freelancing for about 6 months but I was feeling slightly lost and this video just cleared so many doubts. You both are Amazing People!
Sweet video guys! I did that Scott Eaton Anatomy and his digital figure sculpting course and its pretty intense, its expensive but I think its worth it. Thanks for the talks guys! I think its the tag team commentary but the hour seems to just fly by...
Udemy, you can get $12 courses. I'm a 3d Environment artist and I like to see another guys approach to modeling. I take those bits and pieces to add to my tool belt. I'm always learning something new.
@@jakubkrolikowski8538 the fb groups are only good when you need critiques and different opinions, and how to solve a particular problem..but first you have to learn on your own by watching RUclips and everything.. after that comes fb groups where you'll find great people to expose yourself
Guys, you made my day. Im a self taught game artist/dev hybrid, and I had no life for about 3 years really. Currently still learning and practicing my ass off, but my portfolio will have to come soon. Im so glaaaad to hear that aged people arent discriminated. I seriously started 3d art 3,5 years ago, besides my studies in Media Informatics, which gave me a formal education in programming also and I still yet have to get my degree, but im mostly finished and I will. My goal is to make my mandatory intern at a game company. While I live in Berlin, the pool is unfortunately not that big. Im 36 now and its such a relief to hear that age is not the concern if you achieved skill through hard work. I worked my ass of and still do to get a presentable folio. (Funny coincedende, as you are painting alongside in the vid: I jus happen to be taking a full drawing online course right now, to finally complete and finetune all the fundamentals of art and get a deeper practice and understanding of them for my 3d art.) The only concern I still have is that I took the route of being a generalist(with big love and focus on game character art, though). I am basically able to get a full game demo in unity running with all custom meshes and chars and anims and so on. While of course its not all on a level you would have with someone spezialised in each field, its somehow certainly presentable, I think. But Im still afraid of presenting myself as a generalist. Because I heard a lot that even if you can produce good stuff in multiple fields, and have a good big picture of the gamedev process as a whole and also are able to code at least gameplay and UI related stuff yourself, you should not do that cause it could harm you. Whats your oppinion on this guys? Id be really thankful for any tips or thoughts. And again: Great channel !!!
I enjoy your videos. I am in highschool as a senior and in an independant study using maya. I enjoy learning how to do every little thing. Recently i saw ur quad draw tool retop videos and my current project requires it . Afterwards im continueing the model into animation. Thank you for your work!
I'm glad you mentioned ageism. I graduated 7 years ago as a mature Graphic Designer, only to come across a number of instances of ageism in Gd circles. I got the feeling that Creative Directors who were younger than me felt threatened in some way? Funny, I started to learn Maya before GD School but find myself now wanting to go back to3d modelling. Currently using C4D (Why is it that Maya users/Industry looks down on C4D when it's a very powerful kit, especially now they have bought out Redshift etc). Enjoying learning things self-taught this time. I would say to anyone, that keeping focussed and not giving up is key.
Awesome, as always. Love this podcast-videos. I think one of the most rewarding moments of my life was to getting my first job in the field, after being self taught for a few years, working in restaurants, bars, etc meanwhile studying, and I wouldn't change it for anything- . Conferences are a game-changer to see truly how high is the bar and the skills that you need to have to be a professional. One really important topic that is not in the video is visas. If you are from South America or other Non-EU country and you don't have a degree, sometimes is harder to get a visa because governments needs some proof that you are qualified for the job. So I think that's something to take into account! Have a nice week guys, keep it up !
Unfortionately I have been disciminated against base on my age. Not for a job luckily, but for a school. My road to becoming a paid artist has, up until now, been rocky to say the least. What this comes down to is that I applied for art collage this year at the age of 28. And though they didn't say it directly to my face, there was heavy undertone that made me feel like they thought I was to old to be starting a collage education. I'm not letting it get me down for to long though. I'm already back at making art, and I'm going to re-apply next year taking with me all the feedback so I know for sure its my age, and not my skills that are the problem.
If this story is true, and the fact that I again see such people who do not give up and go on to their dreams in spite of their age when they realize their dream, and go to it. I am sincerely glad that I see this. I sincerely hope that at the worst time, you will get up) and remember this little comment, and people like you give the thought "maybe if I don't give up, my dream will come true"
best way to learn, or how i did anyway - learn how to mod a game - for me again, it was the sims but I had done replacement mods where you swap images and texture files before that. This helps when you have 0 concept of how a game formulates what you see on the screen, be it a tv or a monitor.
A good motivational video for a starting artist! I was approached by a stranger on insta for a 3d logo design, and I worked on it for two weeks. The guy blocked me after exchanging daily feedback. It was a strange experience. I don't know if he didn't like my work or he was just a scam. ;D Anyways, I learned a lot from this project.
Core concepts is the most important take away. As a 2D artist ith years of figure drawing experience I thought I'd find it hard to sculpt in 3D. Turns out I picked it up super quick only because I can draw in any angle in 2D, that really helps I'm 3D. 3D may be even more intuitive than 2D now.
Hey, once again another super informative podcast. And I really appreciate your effort. Currently I'm kind of learning a bit of everything but I am feeling kind of stuck when it comes to sculpting. Like I know how the basic tools work but I have absolutely no idea what to do next. I have never felt this way about any of the other areas I have explored. Usually I just start doing something but idk what's a good exercise and I kinda feel like I need a tutorial on where to place strokes and why. Thus far they always seem to have been why I should place them there tho only. But maybe I'm just wrong once again...
Completely agree with everything you guys discussed here. For forums I tend to use the blender subreddit, I use Maya but the overall feedback they provide is allot better than the Maya subreddit IMO. I suggest others use it. As they provide very good feedback regardless of how developed people are. By the sounds of it, i think I'm on the right track, I'm not looking for a job just yet, but I'm working on an animation idea which will hopefully cover most topics and keep my skillset braud by learning software and skills out side the college's curriculum, such as zbrush, Houdini and substance painter. Loving the videos btw (:
Metrics of success are only important when you decide to make it a financial necessity. Art is Hardwork, many people don't understand that! Art is a vocation and typically is undervalued!
im a little late to this video but I like what you guys said about the age thing i did a course in game design because i wanted to make video games but i had no idea about all the other roles that actually go into a game so i went in blind but found that i really loved 3d environment art but the course didn't really teach any of that and it was actually a really bad college that didn't care about its students and shut down later... now I'm self-taught at 23, working on my portfolio still learning though, but I always hear stories about people starting really young and they got a job when they were 19 and so I was bit concerned about the age thing and thought you had to be really young to start in the industry, but it makes more sense that they would look at what you can do rather than your age....
Next thing is to find a mentor I think. I've done 90% of what you guys said in this video, still haven't made a single penny though. Not that I only care about money, it's just really important to me right now. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful.
Really awesome channel. I definitely liked, commented and subscribed :) Maybe u could do sth like 3d artist interview in the more casual, none tutorial way (sth similar to LevelUp! podcast, but with 3d artists), or even talk about how did you yourself started out and what you do now. It's only a suggestion of course, I really enjoy your more podcast like videos (I'm more of a hardsurface wannabe), also because the audio quality is really nice and you both have pretty "soothing" voices :D
Guys this video is very imformative and chilling and I can't thank you enough for it ♥ , but come on Skyrim is really fun when you put every thing in one skill , I take down a massive dragon above a bridge with a single wooden arrow that I shoot through a bandit's heart , taking him down with the dragon, but the next second is about how a rabbit hits me when sprinting away from a wolf , and the tiny impact that kills me
I really like the picture you make in the background video, will you make a tutorial on how it's made? Even just a brie one about the crutial steps, especially the lighting part? Or what kind of tutorial / course should I look for to learn about that skill? It's really interesting, looks like painting, but not really
This is very helpful I am 16 and this video has given me motivation in were I am up to in my skill in art and 3D art I’ve always since I have started been whatching tutorials and starting projects in between I’ve always wondered if that is the right way or if i am going to improve. But this was a eye opener to were I should go next.
That's great! It's really motivating hearing that our videos can help you. We also started with 3D when we were your age, and it's a really hard thing to do. Massive kudos to you for sticking with it :) Please keep us up to date on your progress. /Henning
i am 20 years old and i am very secure that i want to be a concept designer specialized on doing weapons, props archictecture adn vehicles and of course i need to learn 3d because thats going to increase my workflow speed and efficiency but for example i dont wanna do character concept because thats not my strong and i dont really feel passion about it.
Really great video guys. Loving listening to your banter but man, I'm sorry, but every time I replay Skyrim I always put everything into sneak and bow skills! It's the best way to play the game :D
As a programmer who do 3D as a hobby everytime i need to do troubleshooting i'm always like "ah, this is where the fun begins"Most people don't realize that the error log is actually message for you how to resolve the problem.
Ahh that's great :D I've seen so many people who just blankly stare at their screens when something screws up, instead of doing what you're talking about here.
I've been modelling 2 years ish now moved to maya late 2017, and still don't know what I would like to do 😂😂. Thing is most of that time has been modelling and learning how to do a racetrack for assetto corsa. So I think I need to start dabbling in everything and decide 😂 Although I like your idea of getting out of your comfort zone, I've always thought I needed to be way better to even think about asking around, freelance etc.
"Learn how you learn." Is such incredible advice that is so easy to overlook
Another nice video! I'm self-taught, it took me 2 years after I bought my first computer till I got my first full-time 3d job. I would come home everyday after working at Rick Baker's studio and practice around 4-6 hours every night and then practice all day Sat and Sun. My first job was a Character Modeler at Foundation Imaging working on "STARSHIP TROOPERS" the TV Series. I do agree, you have to keep up on the latest/greatest software. You cannot be married to Maya or ZBrush...you never no when a "better" software comes around and could make your job faster and easier.
Your story is an inspiration for me
omg can you give more advice? Your story is so inspiring!
Thanks for the motivation too, am new too 3D and am self taught too, still working to get my first role as a 3D Artist
wow you did well to get to that level in 2 years. respect
Find yourself very lucky my friend, I’ve been making models for 8 years and I’ve never had a job doing 3d 🤷♂️
For anyone doubting themselves.... I am a self taught 3D concept artist and modeller in the film industry. When I started out there were no university courses. (I am now 53).
Everyone told me that I was dreaming and the work of ILM and alike, was out of reach. Don't listen to this!
Follow your dream - work HARD - spend all of your spare time practicing and working on samples. You get out what you put in...
I hope to inspire anyone considering this path - I have over 60 movies under my belt and have worked on Star Wars, Marvel, Jurassic, Bond 007 etc.
I trust this helps someone. Best of luck, Jet.
So Im studying multimedia engineering cause I thought we would learn a lot of 3D art and even video editing but they focus too much on mathematics and not art. Im thinking about dropping and start learning by my own spending that money on courses and academies. I want to truly pursue my passions and since there's a lot to learn I need time. What do you think?
Also bear in mind here I have zero contacts or connections, I see no interest in 3D here, this is not an art school and Im paying a lot of money, they use outdated software cause nobody here has the money for the adobe suite, maya, etc. It's just second semester and I'm more advanced in this 3D world that people finishing the career. The career lasts for 5 years and Im not losing all that time for a diploma Im not using
How old were u when you started
this channel couldn't have possibly come at a better time for me.
im transitioning from world as a cinematographer to a more standard 9 to 5 and 3D is the path i'm taking to satisfy that creative itch. these videos have informed my software decisions and guided me towards finding a pipeline that works for my needs. crazy how fast this channel became a critical learning resource for me.
Thank you so much! Really glad its helpful to you. Best of luck with your transition.
Of course age matters, but skill is primary. The older you are, the more responsibilities you already have and the less time you have available to improve. I live well below my means as a software engineer, but full-time entry level art offers are sometimes so low it isn't financially viable. Jobs like software engineering already require time outside of work to keep up with new tech and maintain skills. Adding art on top of that is hard, but it is possible. I started teaching myself art in my mid 30s and started getting offers in about 3 years. If you're young and don't have many responsibilities yet you need to dump your time into art now. Its only going to take more calendar time if you wait.
Hey, thanks a lot for your comment. Let me be clear on what we mean about age not mattering, as that might be misinterpreted: When you APPLY for jobs, then it's not important. Obviously, somebody who's in his 40s with kids will have less time to work on their portfolio compared to a 18 year old in college. We're purely talking about age discrimination here, as we've got a fair few questions about it.
I hope this clears it up.
/Henning
If it exists, would the discrimination lean towards the older potential employees? Other than responsibilities, what would the reasons be?
then age doesnt matter just time and time management
That's quite an assumption, older people have more responsibilities. Where did you pull that one from exactly? Not every older person is married with children. I studied classical animation in college when I was 19 and got a BA Hons in it but hated it and never returned. I then picked up a 3d software when I was 27 and started learning a bit of everything til I fell into the modelling and design area of 3D. I only started freelancing last year at 32 and I've never worked in a studio. Everyone I speak with on facebook or instagram about motion graphics and 3d art I always feel like I'm older than them, which may be true, but overall I don't think there's any age discrimination. I think people think to themselves "oh Im too old for this or I'm too old to start studying now" but I think that's in every profession. I felt too old at 27 to get back into it but I'm so glad I did.
thx this rly helped me
My mom actually give some pretty interesting feedback sometimes that not even good artists give. Non-artists sometimes point out things that we wouldn't think of cause we are too blind with the technical part.
aghh! I always end up watching your video's in the evening and then it gets me excited to start working on my project again in the morning and then I can't sleep haha. Self taught goin on 3 years now, I agree it's a long road, spent alot of time trying to be able to do everything in the beginning modeling, vfx, animation, rigging etc. Settled on character art about a year ago. I just had to fall in love with the hard one. Doing an art station challenge at the moment to experience what it's like working under a deadline and it's great fun, recommend it to anyone who wants to push themselves and learn more. Great video again guys
Jake Brown self taught 2 months here haha.trying to learn everything right now. I love character sculpting in zbrush. But I want to be able to get a great final render, so I'm trying to learn everything About blender at the same time and it's hard. But I love it. Just wish I'd tried this before I turned 35.
kandysman86 I'm two months into this also in my 30s. I did a project for a company and it was a success. I've been close with them and they asked me to create a character, which has absolutely consumed all my time! I'm in over my head but just love the experience! Where has this been all my life? It's great to see other late starters out there.
A year ago I started. Maybe two or three days in all that time, I haven't done something animationy. I'm addicted. And it has to be that way. Animation is too buggy, flakey, and too much goes wrong for anyone to learn by themselves unless there's a jones involved.
Trr Lii wow, that's awesome that you are already working! I think I could do a character right now, but I would be in over my head too! I love this so much. Finding out that blender has been around forever, and was always free, makes me kick myself. I almost missed my calling screwing around like an idiot through my 20's. Wisdom is a jerk that didn't show up around me till recently lol. But this has filled a hole to overflowing. Can't wait to do it for a living. I have an idea for a game, or movie, or both. I've fleshed it out pretty far. I'm just having a hard time getting the first still renders with my PC quality. It runs zbrush great, but getting other render engines to work with all my obj. In the picture is a real challenge. I'm looking for some help if anyone is Interested in making it happen. Once you see my character and hear the story, you will be hooked.
Andrew Kartashev no doubt. No matter how busy I am, the PC is on and my workspace loaded. I stop by and do little one minute tweaks in the middle of everything else I have to do lol. I fully understand the jones man. I have it too. Bad. Withdrawals and all!
I wish I saw this year's ago.
I live in Colombia where is really hard to find 3d job, salaries to have good hardware and software or teachers. And it was really hard to finding the job I have know. Thank you so much
Istebrak (the only YT I know that does this) hosts critic hours were people can send in their work for critiquing, it is really helpful to see whats "wrong" are and how to improve the issues. She is very honest and good at giving feedback. On another note your videos are really good to listen to whilst drawing.
For me, Success (in my case as a Game Artist) comes with a combination of your skill level, your level of interest, a willingness to keep learning and being a generally positive person to work with.
How you get your skill level up is up to you, but most skill is developed in your own time by using a high level of interest and willingness to learn..
*Be a Do-er and put the hours in.
*Set a small goal and try to reach it.
That could be to learn a few more techniques or skills in your software or learn new software.
Try to make something that you really like, but dont make it too big. Focus on detail and quality.
I never put my age on my CV and have been very successful when it comes to job offers.
You will make some acquaintances along the way, and if you keep in touch, generally they will help you out.
Be positive and keep learning
It only took me 43 years to learn that the difference between those that became SUCCESSFUL, and those who didn't, was their ability to HOLD ON and PERSIST in the face of less than desireable, often bleak, circumstances and/or environments. Just. Hold. On.
This is coming in handy thanx
Your podcasts are always so informative and motivating, thanks, keep it up!
Thank you guys for the insight. I wish there was someone who could have told me all of these years ago...
What your are doing here is just magnificent and wonderful. please keep on doing what your really good at doing here
I don't think I ever got that much encouragement starting out.. certainly not too much. Mostly my stuff just got ignored to be honest.. I would have loved to get more feedback of any kind but the truth is art is a solitary thing.. and chances are you won't always get the help and encouragement when you need it. Even on polycount people talked about this phenomenon on how people who are extreme beginners tend to get feedback and then you have the pros who get all the attention. But there is this massive gulf in between where nobody is too sure what to say.
University might not have taught me all that much in terms of hard skills but it provided me with structure, like-minded people and some encouragement.
you guys should address the complete workflow from start to finish, just an overview !
I find this video sooo relatable. I'v learned the basics of art and design in high school and after that for five years i'v been going from collage to collage trying to continue learning but it all ended up being "bad". all the stuff that i use in my jobs i learned my self. and now i dropped out of collage since it started getting depressing searching for the right place to learn and meet the right people that like the same stuff i do. Now i'm trying to brake trough as a freelance designer and i'm learning more and more programs every day just so i might have a better chance at landing an awesome job.
teaching your self this stuff takes a lot of time and devotion. Since i don't go to any school or collage anymore i don't have many friends, i spend most of my day working. It can get pretty lonely.
Hey, hows your progress been like? I'm just getting into this stuff
I’m 18 and thinking about getting really serious about art but I have no mentor or any artist connections
I have to say, what you said early on about age descrimination in the industry was a big sigh of relief for me. I'm 28 and was filled with anxieties over my lack of experience/skills in comparison to people much younger than me already who have already been working in the industry for some time. I love 3D and have a lot of fun doing it so that was a motivator for me.
I'm just starting in the world of 3d and this video gives me a lot of motivation to keep going, I'm finding it hard but I love the process.
How's it going now?
Your channel is so motivating. I'm only starting to learn the basics, and I'm a four-year student in economy faculty, so my education and passion aren't connected at all. And it's so scary, when you don't know where to begin, you don't know how much time do you need and if there is even a possibility of success. Thank you so much for existing, this information is priceless, it gives me a sence of direction, now it's so clear and it feels like everything is possible if I work hard enough.
Thank you so much for you very kind comment
lychodeeva hello ! I am in a similar boat. Tho different. Got into the university and science course I wanted just to realize that it is not me. Your message is inspiring. I want to pursue my real dream which is art. I need to start pursuing it for serious. I would appreciate it if you could contact me, just to share thoughts and advice :)
Maria.
@@marias21 Hello, Maria! It would be nice to talk C:
Where can I contact you?
lychodeeva Do you prefer messenger ? Instagram ? Skype ? Email ?
Tell me which one and I will be more than happy to contact you :)
@@marias21 Ok! Then, instagram would be the best, I think. It's lychodeeva there too C:
Me, a generalist, listening to this and feeling relieved that it is not a bad thing. :D
I currently studying Digital 3D animation and 80% or more is self taught and i am able to get into "animation and VFX" industry as internship. However, my self taught is really paid off and feeling proud of myself.
Just graduated from University and the I've been pretty bummed out about art the entire time. I've been a self taught artist since early, early childhood. While in college, I've been developing radical ideas that professors don't seem to understand, all the while my colleagues continue to tell me are inspiring. I've also been shunned by a few professors because I didn't do things their exact way and asked questions that they didn't know the answer to. But when you said, "You need to learn that everything is connected" I truly came to the realization that college wasn't a complete waste of time because that is one of the many important points I've been trying to pass along. This is an incredible video!
Asiimov
Sounds like you’re one of those kids that draw some anime crap instead of doing the project
@@bazonga9085 edgelords make me yawn
Vincent Van Dijck
Ok? Did I ask? Did I do anything that an edgelord would do? Oh it’s my name that has your panties in a knot? Shut the fuck up
As they said, projects are SUPER important, it can be anything at all. I'm a huge comic book reader and so I started off recreating props from comic books and comic book based movies like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As I completed projects I was genuinely interested it, I got better because I was looking to improve out of pure passion and enjoyment of what I was doing. The basics are important but make sure you're doing tutorials to help you with issues that may arise in your personal projects, information isn't much use if you aren't applying it anywhere.
That awkward moment when your portfolio is filled with R34.
lotsa good points in this one. as someone who is self taught, I can totally relate. been in the game industry for over 12 years now and hands down most of my success is down to the skills I developed over almost 6 years before breaking into the industry and getting my first job. It's not about what you say you can do....it's 100% about what you can show you can do by having a kick ass portfolio.
6 years before you broke into industry? Omg, I almost gave up, I’m already trying to get in for 2 years. Oh well, around 4 years to go... but I’m 25 years old, am I too old? What’s the average age people get into the industry?
@@V-95K haha everyone goes at their own place, dont stress about it. not too old! i have worked with people in their 20's and people in their 50's and have learned a ton of stuff from both, and enjoyed hanging out and having beers at the pub with both, you got plenty of time :)
To add my 2 cents - I work for a small arch viz studio and started there as an intern, completely self-taught and with no architectural or professional cg background, just a portfolio I worked on in my spare time.
I find that working for a small studio had a number of benefits when I started out - I got a lot of experience with different aspects of CG very quickly due to the “all hands on deck” approach to producing shots (lighting, shot composition, post, render wrangling, plus rapid improvement of my existing modeling and texturing skills), learned teamwork in a small friendly environment and how to handle feedback and time manage for deadlines, and progressed at a more rapid rate than I might have at a larger studio.
I also found that when I applied for larger studios I didn’t get responses to my applications, where with smaller studios I was able to speak with the creative directors and they were more willing to hear me out. In my case, if I hadn’t spoken with the director and showed that initiative, I wouldn’t have been offered that internship.
This video is an Absolute Goldmine for Beginners! Thank you so so much! I am about an year in and already am freelancing for about 6 months but I was feeling slightly lost and this video just cleared so many doubts. You both are Amazing People!
Just do it! do not wait for anything learn by doing.
Sweet video guys!
I did that Scott Eaton Anatomy and his digital figure sculpting course and its pretty intense, its expensive but I think its worth it.
Thanks for the talks guys! I think its the tag team commentary but the hour seems to just fly by...
Man I really love the channel and the spirit of everyone that participate in it for some reason
This is the kind of video that makes me wish RUclips would let me give a like multiple times. Thanks so much guys! You gave me hope!
Thank you Nicole! We really appreciate that :D
Udemy, you can get $12 courses. I'm a 3d Environment artist and I like to see another guys approach to modeling. I take those bits and pieces to add to my tool belt. I'm always learning something new.
The blender fb groups are super helpful and everyone are so helpful when it comes to giving advice 😉
Which one do you recommend for a total newbie in environment for games?
@@jakubkrolikowski8538 the fb groups are only good when you need critiques and different opinions, and how to solve a particular problem..but first you have to learn on your own by watching RUclips and everything.. after that comes fb groups where you'll find great people to expose yourself
@@sayakbanerjee4592 Thanks!
Guys, you made my day. Im a self taught game artist/dev hybrid, and I had no life for about 3 years really. Currently still learning and practicing my ass off, but my portfolio will have to come soon. Im so glaaaad to hear that aged people arent discriminated. I seriously started 3d art 3,5 years ago, besides my studies in Media Informatics, which gave me a formal education in programming also and I still yet have to get my degree, but im mostly finished and I will. My goal is to make my mandatory intern at a game company. While I live in Berlin, the pool is unfortunately not that big. Im 36 now and its such a relief to hear that age is not the concern if you achieved skill through hard work. I worked my ass of and still do to get a presentable folio. (Funny coincedende, as you are painting alongside in the vid: I jus happen to be taking a full drawing online course right now, to finally complete and finetune all the fundamentals of art and get a deeper practice and understanding of them for my 3d art.)
The only concern I still have is that I took the route of being a generalist(with big love and focus on game character art, though). I am basically able to get a full game demo in unity running with all custom meshes and chars and anims and so on. While of course its not all on a level you would have with someone spezialised in each field, its somehow certainly presentable, I think. But Im still afraid of presenting myself as a generalist. Because I heard a lot that even if you can produce good stuff in multiple fields, and have a good big picture of the gamedev process as a whole and also are able to code at least gameplay and UI related stuff yourself, you should not do that cause it could harm you. Whats your oppinion on this guys? Id be really thankful for any tips or thoughts. And again: Great channel !!!
Okay, Im sorry, I should have watched further :)) . Jus was too excited :p
Also: Great advise on taking the unpaid internship! I always thought so myself. But cool to also hear that here.
One of thee most helpful, motivating, resourceful podcasts I've heard in a VERY long time. Thank you!!!
Happy you found it helpful Stephanie 👍
Love these 2 talking, been listening to these a lot lately
So happy I found this channel. I could listen to these guys all day! Thanks for the amazing content 🙏🏼😊
Really appreciate that Kay! :D
Thanks for the advice on the scott eaton anatomy course online, also the jeremy vickery lighting at gnomon workshop!
Thank you for making these podcasts. Its so fun to hear them while hustling.
as a self taught artist i feel as though this video has given me a lot of incredibly useful information, very much appreciated
Thats great! Thank you.
Fascinating to get the perspective of industry insiders. Keep flipping them normals!
I enjoy your videos. I am in highschool as a senior and in an independant study using maya. I enjoy learning how to do every little thing. Recently i saw ur quad draw tool retop videos and my current project requires it . Afterwards im continueing the model into animation. Thank you for your work!
“How do I become an artist?”
“Git Gud”😂
I'm glad you mentioned ageism. I graduated 7 years ago as a mature Graphic Designer, only to come across a number of instances of ageism in Gd circles. I got the feeling that Creative Directors who were younger than me felt threatened in some way? Funny, I started to learn Maya before GD School but find myself now wanting to go back to3d modelling. Currently using C4D (Why is it that Maya users/Industry looks down on C4D when it's a very powerful kit, especially now they have bought out Redshift etc). Enjoying learning things self-taught this time. I would say to anyone, that keeping focussed and not giving up is key.
Awesome, as always. Love this podcast-videos. I think one of the most rewarding moments of my life was to getting my first job in the field, after being self taught for a few years, working in restaurants, bars, etc meanwhile studying, and I wouldn't change it for anything- . Conferences are a game-changer to see truly how high is the bar and the skills that you need to have to be a professional.
One really important topic that is not in the video is visas. If you are from South America or other Non-EU country and you don't have a degree, sometimes is harder to get a visa because governments needs some proof that you are qualified for the job. So I think that's something to take into account!
Have a nice week guys, keep it up !
This vid put a lot of things into perspective and put my haphazard way of learning on track. Another great video.
Really glad you liked it! :)
Unfortionately I have been disciminated against base on my age. Not for a job luckily, but for a school. My road to becoming a paid artist has, up until now, been rocky to say the least. What this comes down to is that I applied for art collage this year at the age of 28. And though they didn't say it directly to my face, there was heavy undertone that made me feel like they thought I was to old to be starting a collage education.
I'm not letting it get me down for to long though. I'm already back at making art, and I'm going to re-apply next year taking with me all the feedback so I know for sure its my age, and not my skills that are the problem.
If this story is true, and the fact that I again see such people who do not give up and go on to their dreams in spite of their age when they realize their dream, and go to it. I am sincerely glad that I see this. I sincerely hope that at the worst time, you will get up) and remember this little comment, and people like you give the thought "maybe if I don't give up, my dream will come true"
Listening to your videos while working is just educational and amazing. Excited to listen to more of your insights guys.
A fan from the Philippines!
Absolutely, for sure.
Great video! Gave some really insightful tips on how to learn effectively. Many thanks!
it was a joy listening to you guys, thanks so much!
best way to learn, or how i did anyway - learn how to mod a game - for me again, it was the sims but I had done replacement mods where you swap images and texture files before that. This helps when you have 0 concept of how a game formulates what you see on the screen, be it a tv or a monitor.
A good motivational video for a starting artist! I was approached by a stranger on insta for a 3d logo design, and I worked on it for two weeks. The guy blocked me after exchanging daily feedback. It was a strange experience. I don't know if he didn't like my work or he was just a scam. ;D Anyways, I learned a lot from this project.
Core concepts is the most important take away. As a 2D artist ith years of figure drawing experience I thought I'd find it hard to sculpt in 3D.
Turns out I picked it up super quick only because I can draw in any angle in 2D, that really helps I'm 3D.
3D may be even more intuitive than 2D now.
love to listen to your podcasts!
Thank you! Much appreciated.
so inspiring and helpful !! Thank you for this video.
Great video guys. You should do more chats / podcasts, like this or what you did with emilie!
For animation a good book is ''The animator's survaival kit'' by Richard Williams
Good point!
Your videos are amazing. Personalities and attitude you guys have makes learning feel extremely enjoyable. Thank you :)
Great channel, I'm glad I've discovered it!
Thanks Radu! Much appreciated
A really helpful video guys. Keep it up.
As always, fantastic insights guys. Found you guys about a month ago and I watch every video now :D
Hey, once again another super informative podcast. And I really appreciate your effort. Currently I'm kind of learning a bit of everything but I am feeling kind of stuck when it comes to sculpting. Like I know how the basic tools work but I have absolutely no idea what to do next. I have never felt this way about any of the other areas I have explored. Usually I just start doing something but idk what's a good exercise and I kinda feel like I need a tutorial on where to place strokes and why. Thus far they always seem to have been why I should place them there tho only. But maybe I'm just wrong once again...
This was super helpful! Thank you!!
I really love your vids! You inpire me every time i see/ hear your vids!!
i really appreciate your videos so much. thank you. im so happy i found your channel
You, guys, are doing great job, thanks! Keep it up!
the entire time I was wondering ah yea, nice black and white render, and @40min mind blown... neat stuff! great vid! interesting stuff.
Completely agree with everything you guys discussed here. For forums I tend to use the blender subreddit, I use Maya but the overall feedback they provide is allot better than the Maya subreddit IMO. I suggest others use it. As they provide very good feedback regardless of how developed people are. By the sounds of it, i think I'm on the right track, I'm not looking for a job just yet, but I'm working on an animation idea which will hopefully cover most topics and keep my skillset braud by learning software and skills out side the college's curriculum, such as zbrush, Houdini and substance painter. Loving the videos btw (:
Thank you guys !
Metrics of success are only important when you decide to make it a financial necessity. Art is Hardwork, many people don't understand that! Art is a vocation and typically is undervalued!
im a little late to this video but I like what you guys said about the age thing i did a course in game design because i wanted to make video games but i had no idea about all the other roles that actually go into a game so i went in blind but found that i really loved 3d environment art but the course didn't really teach any of that and it was actually a really bad college that didn't care about its students and shut down later... now I'm self-taught at 23, working on my portfolio still learning though, but I always hear stories about people starting really young and they got a job when they were 19 and so I was bit concerned about the age thing and thought you had to be really young to start in the industry, but it makes more sense that they would look at what you can do rather than your age....
awesome as always guys keep it up, love the podcasts :)
Next thing is to find a mentor I think. I've done 90% of what you guys said in this video, still haven't made a single penny though. Not that I only care about money, it's just really important to me right now. Thanks for the video, it was very helpful.
Your videos are very motivating! Thank you very much!
Really awesome channel. I definitely liked, commented and subscribed :) Maybe u could do sth like 3d artist interview in the more casual, none tutorial way (sth similar to LevelUp! podcast, but with 3d artists), or even talk about how did you yourself started out and what you do now. It's only a suggestion of course, I really enjoy your more podcast like videos (I'm more of a hardsurface wannabe), also because the audio quality is really nice and you both have pretty "soothing" voices :D
Awesome video as always! thank you for good advice!
Just bought Atlas of human anatomy + Color and light. It`s about time i build a foundation 😅
Also have to do a 2 week internship this year in school. Really looking forward to trying to work in a company / get a feel for it.
Very nice! Best of luck to you. Let us know how it goes :)
subscribing, love your work!
I think everything being said in this video is 100% true.
lol the skyrim skill point reference. :)
I loved this too haha
I have level 100 sneak and level 50 archery before leaving riverwood. Itll be fine
Amazing talks here.
I really needed this
Thanks so much for the video guys. It was really valuable. 🤘
As always fun,wise and smart. Keep it up!:)
this is really really helpful keep it up guys
Guys this video is very imformative and chilling and I can't thank you enough for it ♥ , but come on Skyrim is really fun when you put every thing in one skill , I take down a massive dragon above a bridge with a single wooden arrow that I shoot through a bandit's heart , taking him down with the dragon, but the next second is about how a rabbit hits me when sprinting away from a wolf , and the tiny impact that kills me
thank you for the great video
Glad you liked it! :)
Awesome guys!
Thankyou so much I really like this video
I really like the picture you make in the background video, will you make a tutorial on how it's made? Even just a brie one about the crutial steps, especially the lighting part? Or what kind of tutorial / course should I look for to learn about that skill? It's really interesting, looks like painting, but not really
This is very helpful I am 16 and this video has given me motivation in were I am up to in my skill in art and 3D art I’ve always since I have started been whatching tutorials and starting projects in between I’ve always wondered if that is the right way or if i am going to improve. But this was a eye opener to were I should go next.
That's great! It's really motivating hearing that our videos can help you. We also started with 3D when we were your age, and it's a really hard thing to do. Massive kudos to you for sticking with it :) Please keep us up to date on your progress.
/Henning
Thanks it’s like everything in art it’s very rewarding and fun so the more I work on it the more fun it gets. 😂👍
i am 20 years old and i am very secure that i want to be a concept designer specialized on doing weapons, props archictecture adn vehicles
and of course i need to learn 3d because thats going to increase my workflow speed and efficiency but for example i dont wanna do character concept because thats not my strong and i dont really feel passion about it.
Really great video guys. Loving listening to your banter but man, I'm sorry, but every time I replay Skyrim I always put everything into sneak and bow skills! It's the best way to play the game :D
Great Advises Guys
Thanks!
As a programmer who do 3D as a hobby everytime i need to do troubleshooting i'm always like "ah, this is where the fun begins"Most people don't realize that the error log is actually message for you how to resolve the problem.
Ahh that's great :D I've seen so many people who just blankly stare at their screens when something screws up, instead of doing what you're talking about here.
Is knowing zbrush, blender, substance painter and Keyshot enough programs to know to start with?
I can't think of anything that would destroy my love of 3d art then working my ass off as an 3d artist.
I've been modelling 2 years ish now moved to maya late 2017, and still don't know what I would like to do 😂😂. Thing is most of that time has been modelling and learning how to do a racetrack for assetto corsa.
So I think I need to start dabbling in everything and decide 😂
Although I like your idea of getting out of your comfort zone, I've always thought I needed to be way better to even think about asking around, freelance etc.
helpful, thank you guys