Essential Things I Would Do Differently If I Started My 3D Artist Career Over💡

[@cupiopax]

If I had to thank 1 person for me learning 3D modeling, it'd be you. Thank you for all you've done for the industry, and keep up the good work!

[@grabbitt]

Great to hear!

[@juansebastianacostapinilla5647]

I do agree with @cupiopax, thank you for your work, and thank you for this video, needed to hear it today.

[@yeye3999]

Still with you Grant, even tho I’ve been struggling with this whole generative Ai thing. This was a very much needed video for me, I’ve been burned out for a while now and this made me realize maybe I need to take a step back and reevaluate my journey. I’ve been locked away working on my sculpting skills and completely disregarded my health and soft skills. Get some serious sleep people and take breaks!

[@grabbitt]

Try not to let the AI thing get you down. carry on and cross that bridge when you come to it with more experience and more skills

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

One thing I recently learned about AI is that it does not push beyond its best. Only humans do that. And humans will do it without even knowing what the outcome will be. AI also require feedback from humans, otherwise it will continue to create gnarly hands with six fingers. Use it. AI is a tool made by humans for the benefit of humans.

[@VertexRage]

Great thing you mentioned the need for rest and sleep! That's super important!

[@TheExFatal]

I'm currently going through your courses, and for now I feel that's more than enough, with each lesson I feel like I'm making sooo much progress

[@iQuatro]

This is just 10/10 advice for anyone who wants to be a professional artist in almost any discipline. I had a terrible portfolio fresh out of college (my own fault). But I rebounded - worked my butt off and continued to network. Found a professional who mentored me and gave me invaluable advice and stern critique over a period of 2-3 years. Faced a ton of rejection but continued to improve my portfolio. Then one day I got in. And its been everything I had hoped. This is really important and useful content from Grant - as usual.

[@turtlelearns3d]

The piece of advice that im gonna focus on starting now is being more active in communities. I would really love to do little projects with other artists. Thanks for the great advice!

[@SpeaksYourWord]

Man I am so thankful for your affordable course and free videos on youtube.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks

[@Double512]

A note on the social skills part of the advice: I've become the de-facto Animation Lead on an indie project because my superiors (who were objectively more skilled and experienced) would not communicate or work with the team well, and subsequently were removed from it. Being able to communicate clearly and hit deadlines doesn't make a fancy portfolio but it means everything when you're actually on the job.

[@gefiain9456]

This was really helpful, thanks. I find 3D modelling easy to pick up but I have a really hard time improving my artistic style, your courses really help me with that.

[@EmiliaHoarfrost]

I don't know what software you use but yeah, 3D modeling isn't always scary. You can go various directions for your artstyle, like isometric perspective, voxels for a pixel-art reminiscence... It's great to sometimes just try to "break" what you painfully crafted, in subtle ways to generate variation, perhaps? Some serendipity might be born that way.

[@phantasmrain]

Been watching your videos since I started learning Blender, around early 2018. I still go through your courses and teachings a lot, and consider them my number 1 method of improving.

[@blucatdev]

Still with you. I agree that health is important, especially sleep. In recovering from a trauma this year, the first thing I worked on fixing was sleep. It helped immensely.

[@arkraga5155]

thankyou, your courses were the start of me learning to become a character modeler :)

[@ellenc.3400]

These days, the issue is that there's a whole heap of info out there for newbies, and diving into this field as a complete newbie can be pretty overwhelming. But I'm genuinely thankful that I stumbled upon your videos and tutorials. You've managed to make 3D modeling feel so much more doable. Your explanations are super clear, and you have this awesome way of simplifying complex stuff. Big respect to you, Grant, and a massive thanks for being such a valuable part of this amazing learning journey!❤

[@danielg5285]

watched the whole vid and have been watching your videos since 5 years, thanks for all the help, its invaluable and always a pleasure!

[@grabbitt]

thanks :)

[@liliaellis4366]

Great advises as usual! About health is so much true! Usually the others say work 24 h a day and you will reach the goal faster, which is so rubbish

[@살구망고아이스]

I recently finished your beginner course. I find that the course is very comfortable to follow and your teaching style is very well structured and consistent. I will start another course from you 😊 Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience!

[@3D_Hijab]

If I could go back in time, I wouldn't have gone to Uni either. But I'm working harder than ever before to get to my dream career. Bless you, man.

[@jackmakmorn]

Wow, that were quite some good advices - and I agree with all of them. So what I'd do diffenrently now is to watch this video first to avoid all the mentioned mistakes that I had to figure out how to deal with within the last 2 and a half years by myself 😅

[@SpeedyBunnyz]

I started learning blender a few weeks ago so this advice really speaks to me. I know it's going to be a journey but incorporating habits like setting time aside each day to consistently learn and develop I know I'll get there. the health tips are great too, need to feel your best to try your best. Let's do this.

[@SkintSNIPER262]

Discipline is key to your success. Good luck!

[@makanansari144]

I'm watching this at 5:52 AM before sleeping! gotta work on my sleeping better! thank you Grant as always!

[@bennyoaks131]

Still with you Grant! As always, and excellent tutorial/pep talk. Keep up the good work. Trust me, if I could afford the corses I would purchase them. Life has hit hard the last few years. Thanks so much for providing the free content, I hope you are monitized. You deserve every penny.

[@grabbitt]

Much appreciated!

[@SeanYeomans71]

Great video, i agree with all of your points. If I could go back I'd absolutely stop worrying about FOMO and focus on fundamentals WHILE working, rather that waiting till I'm 'ready'. Also, yes, burnout is real, much like tearing muscles, it's very hard to come back from it.

[@Schwazzgroup]

Thank you for that Grant, and I did watch to the end. Being a technical artist that came from a different era and working "on the boards" with Rapidograph pens and Mylar before 25 years of CAD and product design, I can attest, this is not a race, but a life long study. At 64, I'm looking at a new career, maybe something I can do into my 90's. Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, DaVinchi Resolve - Each of them can take a person on a career path that involves creation and fill a lifetime. I'm so glad all these tools are free and available to anybody who wants to use them. You have to be a lifelong student, it's a mindset for creativity.

[@grabbitt]

Indeed

[@DLVRYDRYVR]

Also, can't emphasize enough how Important it is to create concept art. I got back into drawing during the pandemic with a cheap dollar store stylus and my phone while sitting in my car. Now I use a Wacom pen with a ROG Flow X16 in tablet mode 💻 🎨

[@minniethriver]

Spoken like a wise man. I agree, it is mandatory to keep your body healthy with all those mundane things like working out, prioritizing sleep and cooking healthy. Working and learning gets so much easier and joyful in the long run

[@sealsharp]

Bring back Jet Set Radio!

[@SoneaV]

I needed this, thanks for all your great advise and splendid courses you are certainly my favourite Blender instructor to date. Looking forward to continuing learning from you! 😃

[@IrocZIV]

Sleep is so easy to cut out when you need more time, but it really is important especially when you are learning. You're a like a machine, and without your daily maintenance you will break down.

[@ArezX3]

Still here with you Grant, as always! I did learn so much from your beginner modelling tutorial series that I can't thank you enough for all the free work that you do!

[@grabbitt]

Thanks 😀

[@bryansailer5927]

This is great video. I am a full time Network Engineer. I enjoy 3D modeling. Following these steps will help me to improve my skills. I enjoy the learning process.

[@chrystalmoeart]

Still with you Grant! Thanks so much for all of your videos! They truly were such a great help when I first started learning Blender in 2019/2020.

[@grabbitt]

Great to hear!

[@artisanjpeg1075]

I'm still with you Grant. :) Thanks for all you do for the community.

[@grabbitt]

😀👍

[@bricedelord444]

Still with you Grant :) I'm currently taking a rigging course you've talked about a year ago, and so far I'm really enjoying it. I'm also trying to get into the industry, and I'm kinda struggling because my portfolio is weird, considering my previous job was about motion design and storytelling. But still, I'm trying hard! Now there's more and more 3D in it! You really helped keeping my motivation up. Thanks for everything Grant! (I'll try to go to bed sooner tonight :) )

[@grabbitt]

😀

[@GaryParris]

Lots of good advice for people wanting to enter into games and or movie industries specifically! other types of creative fields with CG you can do things via other routes. But health, sleep and especially mental health are absolutely key. Mistakes & critiques are the bedrock of an Artist, not criticism in the way most people understand it, but Critiquing being able to understand Visual art concepts, Film, Photography, engineering will all benefit your 3D in some way, Visual Art(Fine Art) especially as it covers every aspect of what you need to know about composition, light and shadow, perspective, geometry, black and white, colour theory, media etc and so much more, anyone who is in the industry and saying otherwise you should take them with a pinch of salt.

[@sinnehd]

greatest advice in 3d learning i ever heard. thank you

[@DVA12]

This was very informative, exactly what I needed. Thank you so much!

[@ThisIsDownstate]

as someone who has done some of your courses i thank you for the good advice and highly recommend them. KZbin tutorials are wicked but i definitely agree that sometimes you can get stuck in the rabbit-hole of making this and that, following tutorials that don't actually TEACH you much or build up skills step by step. It's really overwhelming because there is so much to learn and so much you will forget and have to keep relearning, what worked for me was literally just modelling. I focus on doing it regularly, almost every evening and make something even if its simple and takes 20 minutes. That works better for me than working for ten hours on a weekend and forgetting llots of stuff afterwards, its nice to get those easy wins you talked about. It keeps me motivated when i scroll through the old asset library and see what i have made now, compared to what i could make one year ago. cheers grant !

[@kellya.9219]

I started teaching myself blender a few years ago and am proud of the things I created, but feel like I could be so much further than where I am if I had created a learning path and especially found something to cut out of life for a bit, like TV. That was very helpful advice!! ❤

[@robby_0816]

Thank you very much for the informative video. I am already working on one of your courses and am very happy with your teaching style.

[@BobJones-cd9mt]

Great advice. The course looks great for the cost. Fantastic actually. Hope you get a lot of people on board. Your right about health. If your eating, drinking rubbish your thinking it too. You got great style mate all the best:).

[@robertflanagan6168]

I liked the honesty about waiting until the end 😅 you got a like straight away and a sub by the end. I started learning blender years and life has been busy in between but finally been doing it again. When I started learning I was single, lived in a different country, didn't have kids or work 2 jobs so it really seems like a lifetime ago. its easy to burnout trying to learn something new and then stress about not making progress - kind of a negative loop. I'm looking forward to watching your videos and learning more

[@grabbitt]

Thanks 🙂

[@Drillian]

Hey Grant! Just wanted to say thank you for all the courses, the advice, and the time you've spent to impart your wisdom on those of us looking to be in this creative space. I saw the Lifetime membership of GameDev TV, as I've already got some of your courses, and it's really tempting to pick it up. Seems like a steal for all the knowledge thats there, and hopefully all the knowledge that'll be added in the future! Your courses have given me the knowledge and confidence to begin creating, and it helped me earn the skill to start making some game assets. I've been working as a 3D modeler for a game coming out soon, and I think I'm going to put the money I earned from that toward that life time subscription so I can continue to grow my skills.

[@grabbitt]

That's awesome that you have managed to get some work on a game. I hope all the courses help you to develop even further

[@sc2fool]

I really enjoy your videos and your teaching style. Thank you so much for doing this and sharing!

[@GinoZump]

Grant, I'm still with You. Let the journey commence! :)) Thanks for all the tips

[@grabbitt]

😀👍

[@jacobcropper4785]

Made it all the way through! The health habits tip is more curtail than people might think. I started a program that changed my habits and how I treat exercise/diet/sleep and it had helped me be more disciplined with other goals I set.

[@grabbitt]

Nice :)

[@joe_fabricator]

All really great advice, thank you Grant.

[@neilloveless4213]

Extremely clever video as always Grant. Being 38 I can completely relate to the video and if I was younger and wanted to get in the industry. I've followed a lot of your videos and bought a few course. Your style and speed are exactly what a "old" man like me wants to follow. I just enjoy using Blender for the fun i can get out of it and wouldn't of even got into it at all if i didnt come across your KZbin videos and Blender Gurus channel. Thanks again.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks

[@mopozuJIko]

Great advice! Thanks a lot for providing quality knowledge!

[@feelingblue6036]

Grant, thank you for your videos, they helped me a lot. You make very useful videos, I really appreciate it. I sincerely want to say thank you and wish you all the best ❤

[@lucasxavier4530]

Hey Grant, Love oyur videos! Thanks for the tips, now I can see that I'm in the right way!!

[@zakihaider6155]

amazing piece of advice sir i really enjoy learning multiple things from your videos

[@EJBS1991]

thanks for sharing i absolutely agree and with all of this !

[@GauthierSOGNY]

Thank you Grant for your advices.

[@Ahmed-_Hilal_-]

Wish you best of luck and great time :) Thank you

[@Lcharmed123]

Good talk I have been doing your course learning alot

[@blackcitadel9]

Your brain builds the connections needed to support what you've learned when you sleep, think of it like this. Awake you learning things is a planner, saying "I want this built here, I want it to go there and I want it to do these things" Sleeping you is the builders actually doing what you've planned. When you sleep properly, this works as intended, when you don't...well imagine some annoying suit pottering around the construction site, demanding changes whilst they are in the middle of building stuff, endlessly "inspecting" and slowing everything to a crawl. You CAN still learn in this state, but it's very slow and you'll keep finding you have to revisit things over and over, because it got built over, changed or otherwise lost in the process. In addition, there's only so much planning and building your brain can do. This is why doing consistent learning each day (even if it's not very long) is more valuable than long, dense sessions. A large amount of the learning in a too-long session is lost, because your brain simply can't allocate anymore planning time to it, and thus your builders can't build it. All this to say, sleep well. xD

[@3DE_Study]

Still with ya. Congrats on nearing half a million subscribers.

[@grabbitt]

😀👍

[@b3drose]

I don't usually leave comments, but I completely agree with everything you said in this video. Thanks for sharing valuable insights.

[@grabbitt]

I appreciate that!

[@nattkrypdev74]

I am celebrating my first year of learning art and 3D creation, your environment course being my first. I think i have spent about 4-600 hours on learning and producing 3D art the last year (in addition to full time work). Every second has been worth it and since about six months I've been getting paid for my time helping other small studios out. It's not AAA highly optimized assets, but good enough to solve someone's need. I highly recommend trying to help people for free with passion projects, game jams or 3D print designs to start with. It is a great learning experience, understanding customers, understand which parts are tedious doing for 8h straight to not miss a deadline, realizing and communicating about art and expectations. You will never get that by talking to only yourself. I'm confident that despite my art skills or production speed has not been the best option for my clients, I knew more what and how they wanted it and could communicate that. Integrating and creating scenes and prefab inside their unity project and matching lighting in the engine etc, has been highly regarded. Thanks for the many hours Grant, it's been a blast.

[@GringoOkocha10]

Excellent video as always. I've been learning Blender for a year and a half and decided to start my own KZbin Blender journey, to share what I've learned and improve myself along the way.

[@grabbitt]

Go for it!

[@GringoOkocha10]

@@grabbitt Thank you very much!

[@wadeeliason969]

Great tips. I do work a full time job. I do learn and do something in blender each day. I do take this time as I am in school and treat what I do as assignments I give myself. Sometimes they are silly things that are fun. But zi am using fundamental skills and sometimes they are more deliberate. I do struggle with asking for feedback. I am critical of my work. I do agree with the youtube part. I really appreciate when zi stumble apon channels from people who work in the industry. Thank you for the insights

[@ByronKindig]

Excellent advice. I am glad you mentioned health care.

[@enriquedelaparte8673]

dude you are so honest and sincere, i really apreciate everything you are doing and have done.

[@rakanoth1434]

Love your content mate, always watch entire videos, respect the time and effort you put in.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks

[@elliejohnson2786]

I have no interest in entering the industry, but I use at least some of these tips in my own learning journey. This is purely a hobby for me, and I'm very close to beginning work on a group project, so I'm excited to see how that turns out! I will say, I wasn't expecting that final tip but it's definitely no surprise in retrospect. Easily the #1 thing I need to focus on, personally. Thank you for the wake up call. Or the go-to-sleep call, if you will.

[@grabbitt]

🙂

[@BDgamerplus]

Honest opinions as always. You are the only one I always suggest to people who just started blender.

[@Mightydoggo]

Very helpful, especially the structuring part. I took up your course for exactly that reason, because I too came from youtube tutorials and the difference is night and day. Another really important thing is motivation. Ask yourself what you are even doing it for. Why doing 3D specifically, instead of say drawing, or both but on a less sophisticated level. Why even choosing the industry path, instead of doing your own thing with something like youtube, streaming, 3D printing, etc. I think specifying why you do something and having a goal in mind is super important, especially in a time where everybody and their mother´s dog tell you that you´ll be replaced by AI in 2 years anyway.

[@RayStudio95]

Iyeep I watch till end. Very helpful! Some of what you said I don't follow because, I perhaps not comfortable with it. Lets just say, that's completely up to ourselves😃 whether want to accept or not.

[@grabbitt]

Indeed

[@garrybatt9692]

Excellent video Grant. I’m towards the end of my career however these tips, comments, coaching ideas are exactly what I would be telling my younger self. I believe these fundamental truisms (?) apply to all walks of life choices. So well said , I will be passing this video onto a number of people I know who would benefit from this open advice. Thanks again and please keep making these great videos.

[@johnnyb198]

commenting for your algorithm boost because you deserve all the attention. I really love your channel and methods of teaching. Your get good at blender series has been so helpful, especially the drilling the hot keys down. It's been immensely helpful and helps me work more intuitively. Thanks for the transparency with your course sale. I'll be purchasing one in the near future. Keep up the great content and thank you.

[@grabbitt]

Thanks

[@TyStevens]

Love your stuff, this was really great and gave me plenty to think about.

[@TyStevens]

Also, I'm with ya till the end of the line my guy.

[@grabbitt]

😀👍

[@RoseKindred]

Great advice and video, again. As to the Tech section, I agree. I spent over a year lamenting that my PC could not handle what you taught. I could do low poly stuff but that was it. Instead of rushing out and getting a strong PC, I ended up waiting for a cheaper tablet. Now I am learning the sculpting part of what you teach through Nomad. Different tools, and different interfaces, but the aspects are similar.

[@defdac]

Another good advice ties in a bit to your last advice. Team up with people that can hold you accountable for a task taking it to the finish line. Make an agreement to make a specific thing you need to brush up on and let them have a daily "standup" where you show your progress or lack thereof. Talk about your struggles and though process how to overcome them and make plans forward with them. It's far to easy to start a thousand projects that never reach conclusion. You will be forced to learn good enough and how that will help you reach the finish line with substance to your portfolio.

[@grabbitt]

True :)

[@GetMadz]

Not needing to go to Uni was some of the best advice I've ever received, don't think I'd be where I am today without those wise words!! haha I owe you a tonne Grant, hope you're doing well!!

[@grabbitt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@golemtabak1183]

I did it in such a way that I first followed your tutorials. Then I tried to build the same model again without your help. This way I quickly saw where I still had problems. It took time, but the basic handles fit really well. You should take your time and do the exercises thoroughly. Thank you Grant!

[@88RunnerBlade]

Thanks Grant. Looking forward to more of your courses.

[@teacupteddybear6778]

So far I like your learning style and Polygon Runway :) I can't afford a life time membership but damb I wish I could lol

[@pradeepdurai8661]

Still With You Grant. As an absolute beginner this is a gem of an advice. Thank You for this wonderful video. Have a great One.

[@grabbitt]

😀👍

[@the_real_powerbuoy]

Watched all of it. Great last tip that I need to work on 👍

[@grabbitt]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@112productions]

Cheers Grant here to the end and very appreciative of your hard work and effort in inspiring others and helping us on our own journey. All the best

[@saurav68786]

This was very helpful. Thank you grant. I myself started the blender journey with your low poly monster tutorial it was very fun and inspirational when I first rendered it and really helped me to keep me on the track.😊

[@felipedeamaral]

Cottage done! Going into some CGBoost ans Poligon Runway courses on low poly to then go back into your environment course for a different type of cottage. 😅 love the work. Still here with you. Cheers

[@grabbitt]

Thanks 🙂

[@JMBkiller123]

Absolutely love your content ! Been following you for years. Right now, I’m struggling a lot with your blunderbuss tutorial. It’s really good. I’m the issue, being the perfectionist that I am even though I know I shouldn’t be. Almost done with it though… Thanks again for everything. Take care !

[@ErikMurt444]

I kind of started learning blender a year ago as a hobby. One day I simply looked at how many hours I've spent playing stupid free game on steam and thought what if I'd put as much into something useful instead of grinding for nothing, so far so good. Tried making a large project of my own 6 months into blender (I am not a student, have a full time job 7 days a week), and got burned by my own shitty topology. Glad I found your tutorials, maybe now I will be able to do it finally.

[@jacobhernandez4347]

new to blender, im taking the dragon course, its challenging but fun! I'm learning what retopology is and why its needed for animating and designing, thanks for the tips! Its only been a couple of months and i find myself wanting to quit but im going to hang in, most of the time its because i dont know what to design, something is telling me i should keep making characters from games and shows that i enjoy.

[@kennethkam9747]

great advice...I am still with you!!!

[@grabbitt]

I appreciate that!

[@momo-ne4tt]

I'm still with you Grant 😉 I love your content. You are a wonderful teacher, I find your courses invaluable, as well as your general advice. Thanks for everything!

[@grabbitt]

Thanks 😀

[@zanzoid8975]

Great video Grant, made it to the end. I think it was important to touch on the mental health aspect of becoming an artist. I didn't develop as well as I could in University because I was struggling mentally. That turned into less learning, which lead to feeling guilty about neglecting learning; it became a vicious cycle. School focuses on how to be an artist, but not how to think and cope emotionally with creating art, which is a shame. Over a decade later, I'm healthier than ever and interested like never before. Thanks for being a source of information and inspiration.

[@grabbitt]

Good to hear

[@markokovacevic3225]

Still with you Grant! :) Great advices! The one about health is indeed very overlooked! Btw, I started my blender journey with you - not the doughnut! The mini course of building the robot and the man in the cubic style - the old version! :) Thank you for that! Keep at it! 💪

[@grabbitt]

Nice 🙂

[@tomaszwoznica9862]

Thank for the video! The health part is really essential. Healthy diet and exercise allow hard work. It is all connected

[@lucasthuoart]

Hey Grant. As a fine artist who has taken up 3D modelling and sculpting, I can't thank you enough for the knowledge you share.

[@samueltadesse1838]

I’m just looking to start studying by my self, I thought it is only done by big industries, I even couldn’t sleep until I buy a good computer and start studying 😃 and you just said everything what I have in mind!! Thanks!

[@sasori720]

I took your course on Udemy. Gotta say you have taught me a ton. 3D modeling kinda fell on me as a skill. Now im approaching intermediate level I would say. I never planned on being a 3D artist but hey, if the shoe fits! Thanks a ton!

[@RalphTompkins]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@dissonancedepot]

Still with ya 😊 thanks for the advice. I am mostly learning for fun, as I have a different full time job. I am enjoying blender so much, and I really enjoy learning so I'm keeping at it as a hobby. I initially set out to try and learn enough to do some short animations as my "long-term" goal. I am very interested in learning all of the things 😁 I think being a part of a team making a game might be the coolest thing imaginable 🤯 and quite an undertaking! I found some of your tutorials on KZbin and also took some of your paid courses. You are a fantastic teacher and I hope you continue making content! Even though I'm not doing this as a career, you've inspired me toward some new goals, and I thank you 💫

[@xJustBillyx]

Great video grant, I’m really interested in this subject I’m 36 near 37 I’m from London and I’m a truck driver so I do long hours. I’ve always had a passion for game design, concept art and good old fashion pen and paper drawing, but I really only have the weekends to really put my head down and crack on with it I’m not really looking to get a career out of it. I just have a real passion for anything designing so I will be purchasing your courses in the near future, I look forward to becoming a student. 😊

[@petermorgan5519]

Great last thought regarding keeping healthy. I wasn’t so good at this in my youth, but have to agree that it makes a big difference.

[@NEERAJKUMAR-iy9kn]

you are such a great man.

[@DarkDiaspora]

Thank you Grant.

[@adnankhan077]

Amazing u r and Amazing the software is ..... U made my dreams true Thanx 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@adnankhan077]

Grant .... love u

[@IzanRamos]

Watched the entire video, great tips!

[@grabbitt]

Awesome, thank you!