CGTweetUP Liverpool

CGTweetUP is BACK! and I’ve joined forces with the Super Talented Glen Southern

Glen Southern and I have decided to team up with the guys behind Drawtheonline, to deliver a super cool and fun event.

What is CGTweetUP?

1. CGTweetUP is a really cool CG community which has attracted the skills of traditional artists as well, this is why we decided to create a joint event.
2. CGTweetUP is an event which gives artists of disciplines the opportunity to step away from their PC’s, Laptops, or office and better connect with their fellow professionals to share their Ideas, Passions and their Creativity.
3. CGTweetUP is beneficial to artists who want to form mastermind groups, network with other artists, share ideas, leverage other peoples skills, or just connect with others and build their contacts list.

Every artists should attend their local CGTweetUP to put themselves within the art community.

What can I expect if I attend CGTweetUP?

[1] Loads of talented CG and traditional artist, Aspiring Artists to Industry Well Known Industry professionals (Gaming, Film, independent companies and Freelancers).

To get anywhere in the creative industry you need to work hard…but you also need CONTACTS, CGTweetUP is the PERFECT place to start mingling and better connect with your fellow professionals and establish good relationships.
[2] Drawing tables…yes Drawing tables!

(Get your doodles on the table as you chat and enjoy the night…cool huh? The guys from Drawtheonline have been doing this for ages and I have attended the last two and it’s extremely fun and relaxing to be in a bar and drawing at the same time, we had to had it at ours.)

[3] Great Location Circo of Liverpool is the perfect venue for CGTweetUP, it’s the quirkiest and coolest bar in Liverpool and that’s why we keep going back.

[4] Cool giveaways [TBA] and much more…
This is going to be a brilliant event, so don’t miss out!!!

Register here and simply reply YES.

We can’t wait to meet you all in person.

see you there

Anthony
If you would like to contact either me or Glen, you can use the following;

Twitter: AnthonyFilice
Email: CGArtistDaily@googlemail.com

or

Twitter: Southerngfx
Email: glen.southern@southerngfx.co.uk

CG Artists: Let Your Team ‘Add Value’

CG Artists: Collaboration is key

In my last post ‘What Has Twitter Done For You? ‘ I underlined how important it is to connect with your fellow professionals in order to grow in the CG Industry, this is because you are exposed to the different thinking methods of other CG Artists.

I also hinted in that post, that it is very easy in this day and age, to connect with others with the help of the Internet.

So why benefit from the Internet and start to connect with you fellow Artists in a different sort of way…COLLABORATE!

Every time I see inspiring CG Stills, Concept Art or a great 3D model on a forum, blog or magazine, I always think to myself, ‘I’d love to work with that guy/girl’.

Six months ago it dawned on me,  I can work with these Artists (provided they agree) whenever I want.

All it takes is an email, tweet or forum post to get you started, the important thing to remember is that you’re able to effectively sell your skills, obviously you need to have a pretty clear idea of what you want to create in order to convince the other Artist that it’s something for them worth doing.

I’m not saying the first person that you email will say yes, but I’m sure you will find another CG Artist who is willing to collaborate towards a common goal.

There are endless CG Communities and forums out there on the web, try CG Society, 3D Total, 3dm3, ImagineFX, there are literally hundreds of sites where you can find your ideal candidate.

The next time you come across a some CG Art or Designs that inspire you, why not think of a way you and the other CG Artist can collaborate on a project together, combining your specific skills with theirs to produce something fresh and new.

In my opinion it’s not always the best option to go for glory yourself, if you help others and they help you, you can collectively work on the same goal and have more of a chance of succeeding.

Yes…you have to split the glory, but that beats splitting nothing, do you agree?

Are you interested in finding another CG Artist to collaborate with?

Video Interview: Doug Hogan

Hi Everyone,

I recently did a Video Interview with Nuke Compositor Doug Hogan from Speedshape and I wanted to let you know that I will be posting it on CGArtistDaily on Friday.

Doug Hogan is a really cool guy and an extremely talented Nuke Compositor, I’m grateful that he made time in his busy schedule to be interviewed.

     

Tune in this Friday to see the full Video Interview, where Doug talks about his role as a Nuke Compositor at Speedshape, his Childhood Passion and some cool techniques he used to create a really cool Transformers Commercial…oh, did I mention he received a cool message for it? (from Michael Bay and Stephen Spielberg) 

If you’re a CG Artist or Aspiring Compositor, this Video Interview will definately interest you…don’t miss it!

see you Friday

Anthony Filice

CG Artists: ‘Be the expert in your team’

Do you consider yourself a CG Artist with expertise in a specific field? Is your expertise used in your current Job Title/Role?

CG Artists: Your hands are your tools, take care of them.

Hi everyone

Today’s post is a little different to any that I have done previously, this isn’t going to be a rant nor is it an article about anyone else.

Today’s post is about me, (well sort of).

Recently I have re-discovered the passion for traditional art skills, specifically…2D drawing, actually I can’t take full credit for the new found passion I now have for digital painting, I have to thank a very talented CG Artist who I work with.

I can’t mention his name because I don’t know whether he’d appreciate it or not, but I will tell you a little bit about how this has come about.

The other day I was talking to this CG Artist about some sketching he’s been doing lately (which I thought were excellent), he told me that he was practicing, which impressed me, especially when I see a top CG Artist working harder and harder to hone their skills.

I asked why he was going back to traditional art and not doing working on 3d, he told me that he had problems with his right hand and a Doctor (specialising in RSI), had advised him to stop working or risk the chance of permanent damage to his right hand.

This very determined and passionate CG Artist, has taken the advice given to him by the specialist and as consequence, has stopped working with his right hand, he has been working for the last 3/4 years only with his left hand, he is not left handed nor is he ambidextrous, he is just a determined and talented CG Artist who was not going to let an injury to his hand, stop him from doing what he is so passionate about.

The work he is currently producing is amazing, excellent 2D and 3D skills and all with his ‘weaker’ hand.

I was so impressed an inspired that he would show so much commitment, determination and passion to essentially ’start again’ and learn all traditional artist skills, that I would do the same…obviously I am not using my weaker hand but I am honing the skills I have neglected for so long.

We all love CGI Art but we must not become static on the traditional front, by bettering our traditional skills we become a more powerful CG Artist.

It is extremely important never to become static or complacent in this career.

There is so much to learn, especially when we are still able to, physically and mentally.

Your hands are your tools…take care of them.

What would you do if a Doctor gave you the same advice?

Anthony

CG Artists - Do you know where you are going?

As a CG Artist is it important to know where you’re going?

 If you don’t have a plan or any goals as a CG Artist it’s just like peddling on a bike without a set destination, of course if you peddle for long enough you will master the art of peddling, but you went on a journey you never planned and left it all to chance, which means you never controlled the outcome of your goal.

As a CG Artist this is the worst place you want to be in, stuck in a job which doesn’t inspire you or give you any opportunity of expressing your Artistic talents and passions as a CG Artist.

You would be surprised how many talented CG Artist are suffering this fate, they hone their skills as CG artists, they create incredible works of art in their spare time, but in their ‘day to day’ CG Artist job, they seldom get to show off their true Artistic talents and passions, the work they create in their spare time is the work they should focused their future goals on, they should focus on their Passion.

If you create goals as a CG Artist, you can plan the  necessary steps in achieving those goals.  Whatever your goal is, you must think big (of course you also have to be realistic), when you think big you become inspired and motivated about the higher self you just created in your mind and you will want to live up to that image.

You need to be a heretic, believe in your capabilities as a CG Artist in regards to achieving these goals, If you can vividly imagine yourself in that job or possessing a certain skill set, it will be the most important step towards taking action.

Have you ever asked yourself where it is you want to be in the next 6 months, 1 year, 3 years or even in 5 years?

It’s important (in my opinion) to set rough deadlines as to when you would expect these things to happen, the reason it is important is that it validates what you’ve set out to do and keeps your goals in check.

If you is to be working as CG Artist in the Computer Games, Motion Picture or Film Industry and the deadline you set was 2 yrs but you took 3, that’s fine because it’s not how long it takes you to get there, the important part is that you GOT there.

If you think of a goal as a difficult achievement and you think that you have to work hard, fast and furious to get there, this will only de-motivate you, you will be put off by the scale of the project and you will never take action.

No matter how small the first step is, you must finish it! It will give you a huge boost and the desire to proceed to the next step.

This is why I suggest to look at smaller goals, of course you will have more goals if you break down the larger goal into smaller ones, but what you will have is a collection of manageable, achievable and realistic goals,  for example if you wanted to build a house, you don’t just think up a house and it gets built, there are smaller tasks which need to happen first so that the house can be built correctly, like laying a foundation or building a frame

Without these basic steps, you can’t get to the end goal.

All the tools are out there to better yourself, there are no goals too big for you.

There are million of tutorials on 3D Modelling, Concept art, Character Modelling, the list is endless…however all these tools are useless if you don’t have the passion and desire to make it happen.

If you want to better yourself as a CG Artist and become inspired once again, set yourself career goals, make sure you take action and remember there is no rush, do things at your own pace, just make sure they get done…it’s not a sprint it’s a marathon.  

Believe in yourself
 
Good Luck

Anthony Filice

CGTweetUP London - *UPDATE*

CGTweetUP London now has a venue:

Date: 28th August

Venue: Parker McMillan

Location: London

   

If you haven’t joined CGTweetUP yet, what are you waiting for, it’s free! click here to join

I’m really looking forward to CGTweetUP London and I think it’s going to rock.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see at CGTweetUP or how you can help make it a better event please comment below.

I’m looking forward to meeting you all in person

cheers

Anthony

Q&A: Kenichiro Tomiyasu - Matte Painter and Concept Artist

What’s your name?

My name is Kenichiro Tomiyasu

Where are you from?

I’m from Japan and I currently live in Tokyo.

What do you do?

I’m a Concept artist/ Matte painter

 

How Long have you been drawing for?

Excluding my childhood and University Art Degree, I have been drawing professionally as a concept artist for 3 years, before that I used to work as a compositor and designer.

What kind of Art Background do you have? Did you go to College/ University

I graduated from Musashino Art University - MUSABI - (Tokyo) industrial design dept.

Who is your favourite artist?Why?

My all time favourite artist is Syd Mead, the reason I admire him so much is because my favourite film is Blade Runner and he did concept art for that film.

 

What is your favourite art peice? (yours and someone elses) Why?

I haven’t really got a favourite Art Piece, but I love all Matte Paintings, Concepts Art and Designs which are superior to mine, it gives me something to strive towards, I always want to better myself as an Artist so when I see a painting which i believe to be better than mine, I use it as a bench mark and goal to head towards. There is so much greatness out there, it would be hard to pick one. 

What programs do you use? Which is your favourite?

I mainly use PhotoShop, you have everything you need to produce incredible work on this immensely powerful application, BUT I still use the old school Pencil and Paper. I think it’s important to keep your traditional skills well oiled.　

Can you share some work flow step with our readers? How do you create your art?

The two images I have provided show a WIP on how I create my Matte Paintings and Concept Art.

 

 

What’s been the best project you have worked on? and why?

Again, I don’t really have a favourite project that I’ve worked on, I’m blessed to be getting paid for something I LOVE doing, so every project for me is special to me, because it reminds me that I’m very lucky to be doing what I’m doing.

Where do you want to be in 3yrs time?

I want to be doing exactly what I’m doing now, I want to be a better Artists and produce work which Inspires people, takes them on a Journey, Charms them and makes them Happy.

What are some tips you can give artists trying to make a career out of concept art?

Have Passion for what you do, paint what you feel like painting, keep practicing (you will get better),  try different techniques and ENJOY doing creating your work.

There are many great teachers on Internet and most of them are free, so find the ones you like and start painting. 

 

 

CGArtistDaily would like to thank Kenichiro Tomiyasu for taking the time to answer these questions