MEDCAST 2 - Getting into Concept Art Industry

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Hello! Ahmed Aldoori here -
This discussion is my perspective on getting into the concept art industry.

[@GERDHEHE]

I think the major difference between design and illustration is; Designers are hired to create a design SOLUTION, based on market data, tedious research and ideation. An illustrator is hired to take a completed design or idea, and showcase it in a way that stirs an emotional response (ie; looks nice)

[@GokuFlyfam]

I think your off by a bit in an illustrators job, Look at Alphonse Mucha, or the other old master artist who were amazing illustrators, it's not always to get a emotional response, they're the ones that create things from scratch when there is only a vague description and they flesh it out with time

[@tristanight.official]

interesting.

[@BKupchuck57]

I'm a young artist and this was an incredibly helpful video. Looking at it now, after watching this, I realize my recent art is entirely based around me copying other artists and trying to make their styles my own. Thank you so much for this because I think it is a turning point in my artistic process!

[@thomaskriaras]

This channel has the best community on KZbin! No hate, only advice-seekers and givers. Loving it!

[@emilypratt6512]

Thank you so much for this! I've been hearing the "Have great work and be great to work with" a lot and it makes looking at my own career a lot simpler and more narrowed down. I really appreciate all your down to earth advice!

[@LeaElfArt]

Straight to the point, no sugar coating, yet gentle and encouraging. Nice. This is helpful!

[@nemam83]

The ideas towards the end resonated with me the most - todays games don't need more polygons and particles and shaders and whatnot. They need a team that knows how to design a game, not an interactive engine showcase.

[@adriandelacerna1339]

I completely agree with what you said in the end about games these days (at least a lot of the more popular ones) just all want to have realistic graphics. I just recently just finished Bastion, but I started to play that game with the first Dark Souls about the same time. I ended up getting hooked to Bastion more because of it's beautiful art style. That game had a lot of the magic that you said existed more often with games from the past. Another game series that I loved as a kid was Crash Bandicoot. It's apparently getting a reboot for the PS4, hopefully that game retains its magic and impact level that it had back in its PS1 releases.

[@dannybee6677]

Gameplay and story are king when it comes to video games. However, it is pretty cool seeing characters rendering in higher detail (more polys) from year to year. Take the Khatjit or the Argonians in the Elder Scrolls for instance. They look better and better with each game.

[@AmmarYaqoub1020]

Last mins when you said aargh was hilarious hhhhh. Just like how Adam Duff described you, incredibly normal honest and funny. Thanks for all the insights.

[@ymirsmack324]

24:00 100% agree with that, games should focus on being fun, colorfull if possible, artistic and with great gameplay. Who wants realistic graphics when the gameplay and design and bad. Thats why old games are still more fun than 90% of AAA games. Hopefully, there are games like GW2 thst have everything, beautiful art, amazing gameplay, and much more

[@jluiscc25]

thanks a lot for this, im learning to draw with my goal on concept art, and at my 30s now i need to figure out a lot of thing and some you explain them in this video, thanks.

[@cr0uchingtiger]

I liked this talk. There's (as you say) a lot of similar talks about this online but I liked how you mentioned about not trying to fit in too much. I struggle massively with trying to get into the industry for the following reason: it seems like you have to be at the very top to even break in and start earning a living, and then the salary is amazing. But not much in the junior level. And while there are lots of tutorials around, the vast majority don't teach you anything except technique. Without a proper art mentor, it's incredibly hard to actually get good, quick enough to turn it into a job before the threat of quitting kicks in so you can put food on the table via a shitty normal job.

[@planeofimmanence2157]

Yeah I like things stylized but I think it is important for things to make sense realistically, I'm not into the pure realism style but I like to add abit of it because I feel it adds to them immersion people connect with it more balancing the creative and realism is a cool balance.

[@jordanhaynes6892]

Haha, I get the feeling you got carried away and went on a little rant about video games towards the end there, not entirely off topic though. I totally agree, people have forgotten about why games exist in the first place, it's about removing yourself from the world you're in, not about having motion blur and crazy fluid dynamics. These aspects should be nothing more than a step ladder to the core elements that are design and storytelling, and shouldn't define the quality of a game. On another topic, what did your portfolio look like when you started working? I'm mostly referring to work outside of the entertainment industry, as I keep seeing concept design jobs and they're often interiors or bits of industrial design etc. Of course I would love to work in entertainment and my work reflects that but I want to appeal to a wider demographic, and not to make excuses but the time taken to create so many different examples of work is a little impractical when you're out of work. For example, how did you find your appeal to theme park design roles? Cheers, Jordan

[@JiMun]

Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom. It's especially helpful when I don't know any concept artists in real life who can share these gems.

[@Iad83]

The skill part is tough to know. Been teaching myself digital illustration/concept art in photoshop the past few years. I've made a lot of progress, but I'm not 100% sure I'm at the point yet where I can construct a convincing portfolio. I like to think I'm at least close.

[@gilserranito951]

9:00 "How to get in the industry??" "GIT GUD!"

[@kohchenkit266]

So are you gud now?

[@austinpholt]

I have a question, you talked a lot about how to get in the field and the requirements, however what does a typical day look like in the field for you and how would you treat skill Improvement or maintenance in accordance with constant performance?

[@Morgenrot333]

wow your voice is so calming I could listen to this for hours

[@helmighs]

Loving this podcast! Already been working as a concept artist in games and films for 5 years but it's great and refreshing to hear this solid advice. In many ways the things you were saying are applicable for people that are already out there too.

[@EricRiffe]

There's so much of what you've just expressed in this vid that I've been thinking on for the past year lol. Also that Penxo looks freakin' awesome. Can't wait for the demo.

[@noxmoonyisadork]

This was really inspirational, esp the be true to yourself part. It's difficult but once you remember to be yourself and honest about your work, it definitely gets more easier and more enjoyable to do your thing. "You spend so much energy holding onto the weight that you have no energy left to do the work". This is so true. You just nailed it. Thank you for this :) Oh and wonderful painting, so elegant! Loved seeing it come together.

[@Jojjywil]

I just recently came across your art on Instagram and fell in love with your work. Was super stoked to find out that you had a KZbin channel and I've been watching your videos a lot lately. Just wanted to say thank you because I really needed this. Listening to your videos has helped me improve on my skills and I am looking forward to viewing more of your content!

[@jamesbeihl5795]

I agree with regards to video games. I liked the old Fable games for X box. Fable had a really illustrative look to its series. At least the first one did.

[@SkorgandSlicer]

I can't convince myself that I'm more valuable than other artists, I don't want to lie on my skills, I don't like competition and so I can't work in this industry. Thank you.

[@anghang355]

Thank you so much for putting up these videos.Your words are what I needed to hear to get by in art school.

[@dahViceroy]

Inspirational, Informative, and talented artist. Thank you for this video. You widened my horizon by mentioning childhood interests. I could remember how my eyes lit up when I drew Goku and Spongebob lol. Subscribed.

[@Josueabrahamluna]

Best talk ever, thank you!

[@josefine3869]

Hello Sir, I just watched this Video. Im a fan of yours now.

[@brentlio5578]

I had times I thought, be Feng Zhu. No, not gonna happen, ever. I like to design how game is played, I like to fiddle around stories. Art is really just a side thing that I happen to be somewhat good at. I mean. I draw what I wanted to draw, what I am interested in and what ideas just pop up in my head. When someone tells me to draw something, I just become numb. Don't be like me. It's not a kind of personality that fits well with entertainment art jobs. And that's why I decided I'd keep art as my hobby, and learn some more useful skill like Programming.

[@Ebondreamer]

Hi Ahmed! The video is really inspiring, and the topic is almost exactly about my situation at the time being. But I've got to disagree with your point of view about modern graphics you expressed near the end (or, I could just get it wrong). While games utilize art to be produced, like, they use graphics, they use music, they use storywriting, the games themselves are art, too. And modern graphics allow us to better express it. Nobody would like Mona Lisa if she was drawn 32x32 pixels, or she wasn't realistic (well, some would like - but I think majority like her the way she is - and she is realistic). Many people blame Oblivion/Skyrim for being worse than Daggerfall - but I couldn't imagine the epic starting scene from Oblivion, that simply stunned me, at the time, taking place in Daggerfall, just because Daggerfall was a good game, or more fun than Oblivion. Same, I can imagine playing DA:I similar to BG and infinity engine-style games, and, perhaps, I could feel for the characters, still - but I couldn't be able to fall in love with those faces, little mimics, slight motions, hugs and overall emotion and tension they allow you to perceive. That being said, gamers (and people in general, since everybody perceives art every day in some way) are all different - some like the gameplay and the game just to be fun, some like the story and the writing to be solid, some like emotions, some like experiencing new things all the time. And a large part of these things cannot always be expressed well enough with text or context alone. If a character winks at you and all the game can do is tell you "x winked at you!", it's way sadder than actually seeing him wink. Some, even many games actually need it. I wouldn't exchange Dreamfall's graphics for Pong, sorry :) after all, there isn't much concept art work in it. It's fun to play, but not beautiful, not visually interesting, not fun to the eye - and the job of an artist is to make visual part interesting, beautiful and fun, no? I'd hate to live in a world where there would be ONLY retro-style games. Given the popularity indie games are gaining of late, I'm already getting tired of them. That being said, the pretty grass and CoD's endless chapters aren't inspiring things, they are just products of good graphic engines and routine making of things over and over.

[@deerkitten6678]

gosh i love your art and your voice is very relaxing, its fun to draw while listening to you

[@JacquelineYoungJumpingJax876]

Love this! How does this not have more likes?? Thanks Ahmed you are very inspiring. I personally prefer the CG in Mario games, i'm not a sucker for realism in gaming either. thanks for sharing the knowledge, keep making videos!

[@zenkiea9663]

Very helpful tutorial. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Thanks So Much!

[@DemonFromDownUnder]

I agree with what you say about graphics to a point I'd think of photo-realism as and enhancement to an aesthetic rather than an aesthetic in of itself and so sometimes you're left with a bunch of games that look real but boring because they had weak artistic vision.

[@AmyZGreen]

Sorry to comment again, but I was wondering if you could do a video all about composition, line of action/directional lines? What they are, what they achieve, how to master them etc.? Maybe incorporate more about colour and how to use it to draw the eye? I know you'd explain it clearly. Thanks

[@andre1cruz]

Hi! :D I'm in my senior year in Highschool (i'm 17) and I'm seriously confused as to what should I do with my life. I'm really interested in concept art (or illustration, not sure yet) and I want to learn about it and get into it, do what I love for a living. I have no idea where should I start my professional life, like should I choose a Design course in College? Or any other course? Should I even go to college?

[@nickstar437]

andre1cruz I'm literally in the exact same situation as you haha

[@BlazeWolf9511]

+andre1cruz same, im applying to some art schools but im trying to be carefulas well haha

[@SonNguyen-ft4hk]

+andre1cruz hey, first very nice to hear that ur interested into concept art, but i can give u 1 advice that our instructor gave me : if ur younger than 20 years old, then chill, enjoy ur life first, hang out with ur friends, do stuffs that teenager do, u can start drawing and see if its fits u, because interested won't help u much, u have to love what ur doing, otherwise its gonna be just ur hobby, the industry is hard right now, much harder than 10 years ago, u have to compete with the current professionals to be able to break into the industry. But try out first, try some courses to see if u like to make design ur career

[@andre1cruz]

Son Nguyen Thank you for the advice :D I draw, in a sketchy kind of way but I'm working on it. I'm "learning" (videos and stuff, no money for courses yet) how to paint (digitally), just to test out some software and tools. In Portugal, the Education system gives you about 5 "usual" highschool courses that have different classes. In the 9th grade, I was seriously confused as to what I wanted to do with my life, I was 15 so instead of listening to some people who told me: "- Yeah, choose the Sciences course because you'll have a job after college for sure." I asked, and thought to myself... If I have an idea of what I want to do for a living, in the best case scenario, I'd be a concept artist, so I chose the Arts course in order to learn more about the Art universe and to broad my horizon. Now, I have a little bit more knowledge and experience as to my 15 yo self, yet still kinda lost in which path should I follow to accomplish that goal. Probably I'll never achieve it, but if I "jump" into it and give everything I got, just that one shot is worth it, I won't get any other life to try this out so might aswell do it in this one. Sorry for the long story... just kinda needed to get it out of my mind. And if you are a pro or working on becoming one, my best wishes!!! And good luck!

[@SonNguyen-ft4hk]

+andre1cruz it's cool, i mean if ur ambitious, like u really really want make this as ur career, u have to be really disciplined, then no one is gonna stop u for what u want to become, cheers

[@naamasharon4712]

such an awesome, clear and down to earth video. thank you so much!

[@3lit3gn0m3]

Heh, I've never considered myself an artist. I got into it as a means to illustrate my stories, because I really wanted to create the worlds I wrote about. Years later, I've realized that creating worlds and concept art/design go hand-in-hand Thanks for the vid. Gathering perspective from those in the industry is quite fun.

[@dashers1004]

honestly, you're the best.

[@greedmarks7478]

Yesterday I realised I can't push my artwork further than the initial sketch. I lack of rendering skills, lack of visual library and so on. It is so visible once you try to actually paint something. I have to rethink the way I look at 'practising' to actually LEARN rather than "trololo-sketch" all the friggin time.

[@kaihughes-foynes418]

I genuinely found this video to be great for me, as i want to become a concept artist and illustrator. I have a question, what softwares are generally most reliable for working in the industry? keep up the amazing work your doing. Enjoy life.

[@romenpheonixx7005]

love this. thanks

[@PhantomDrawing]

Hey great video man! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@miskatonicartkhamasureemo2728]

Master Ahmed, i fan of you work, its very inspiring for the soul!! thanks for show your art!! see you master :)

[@razorback7828]

Great advices and what a beautiful painting!!

[@anas3356]

I love your style

[@alianajacobs5703]

oh thanks for sharing this video your my hero

[@AliceDiamondWisdom]

Very insightful video. When you're applying for jobs how do you get past Human Resources? I find that they don't look at applications the same way an art director does. What do they look for in a portfolio, resume and cover letter? Especially if you're new and don't have any video game experience?

[@jamesbeihl5795]

Thats a lush painting btw. These videos are very therapeutic. Would be curious to learn more about your experience working in the them park industry.

[@AmyZGreen]

Just found portfolio advice for anyone who's interested: chrisoatley.com/illustration-portfolio-pitfalls/

[@pixelputty]

Hi Ahmed. I love your work and your videos. I'm 41 and have been doing things like t-shirt art and little things like that for a very long time and basically wasted 15 years where I could have been improving my art. I don't have a good portfolio for concept design or maybe not even the skills yet for concept art but I really want to get into the game or animation industry. What exactly should I be focusing on to improve my skills and to create the right portfolio. I know you said that the new portfolio is a personal project but I'm not even sure what that looks like. I'm waking up everyday at 5am to start drawing/painting but I know I need to be working on the right things and not spinning my wheels. What do you suggest?

[@Xylofoam]

Hey quick question do you know what sculptors can do to get into the working industry? Because i feel like i can't get any better in digital art

[@CaCriGuz]

Great podcast !! very interesting thoughts , Thank you so much for sharing :D

[@757beko]

I live in Türkiye. Is it just enough to have a good portfolio and language to work in a different country?

[@weewilly2007]

This is not a commercial artist, this is a professional suit case packer, who gets paid to sit on company overheads (figuratively speaking here), to squeeze out more yield for less money, so companies can afford to hire more wage slaves. At the expense of squeezing them dry and burning them out at the end f the day, by throwing up to 90% of work into the reject bin that is actually a stock pot. A percolating base sauce that companies use to get more work. Just so profits can be plowed into more automation and computerization at the end of the day. Entire sectors and whole nations find themselves doing this for a living, ultimately rendering themselves obsolete in the process. Especially nations who have large trade surpluses (product of the same stock pilling approach, not to mention hyper automation), who often use profits to pay for corrosive or reductive elements to be introduced into other market-places (prospective competitors), to prevent them from starting up the ladder, or to slow down growth. Such reductive elements would include managers who resort to such deleterious methodologies that jeopardize whole economies, just so they may continue to enjoy fat pay checks!

[@emmy8548]

Thank you!

[@ronceluxey9550]

Hi, I'm a children book illustrator, but I'm not very much into that and I really want to get into concept art. There are tons of usefull advices online on how to get into a studio, but I can't seem to find many talks about the freelance way. How do you apply for freelance work ? Do you need to be very specialized in one specific thing (like hard surface for weapon, etc) ? And how do you get in contact with potential clients ? Thanks in advance, if you find some time to answer that !

[@nicoledesignsthings]

I'm a sophomore in high school right now, and tbh I'm already freaking out about what's happening after. I know what college I want to get into, and I know I want to get into the video game industry on the art side of it, probably the concept art. But I'm so scared that I'm not gonna make it, like no matter how much I practice it won't be good enough and everything I put my effort into will not work and I won't have a good future. I'm not even sure if anything I've really been making would go into a portfolio for the college I wanna get into. Do you have any advice? I want to stand out, but sometimes I feel like maybe my ideas and style is more cutesy than what people look for sometimes. And like how some things that try to look more threatening, they look a bit funny like they have their own charm. I love everything you talked about in this video too, I just wanna soak up so much info on this I wish I could replace my math class with the hour of just clicking around on things like this to learn more...

[@karenwang313]

Think of it like this: you have 2 more years of high school left, and then you have 4 or 5 years of college ahead of you. Thats six whole years to get good. Thats more than enough time to get good enough, if you draw like crazy during that time. So I dont think you'll have too much of a problem getting a job if you keep going.

[@jmacomic82]

I really love your work man.

[@d4nreis]

Didnt finish watching it yet, stopped when you said you were going to cut short XD but, anyway. Great video! I'm starting at this, not drawing, but wanting to make a life out of it, and am studying art at a university here in brasil [fine arts, not really the same thing, but i get trad painting technique witch is great] so. I came just to tell ye that I loved the video, really. I didnt exactly came looking for class in painting, just to check it out really and the things that you said make a lot of sense to me, I really got into this to put what's in my head, out , you know? I want to be able to paint the things that I imagine, be it.. whatever. And Im glad to hear that it might lead me somewhere in life xD haha. Anyway, great vid! Thanks for sharing ur knowledge with us :-3.

[@ted1995art]

please make more videos bro. and can you show whats the best please to get a art job?

[@JohnnyDPanda]

Hey Ahmed! I wanted to ask you something. "How do artists impact the world?" Architects make beautiful buildings to give shelter, scientists study to further our understanding of the universe, doctors find cures for diseases and heal people. But what can we as artists do to impact the world? I want art to be my career but I want to help the world, help people but how can I do this with my art skills? I was thinking about doing Industry design but I also want to study entertainment design. But I'm unsure of what to do, I want to change the world with my skills and drawing is the greatest skill I have but I don't know how. Thank you for these great stories and advices Ahmed! I really enjoy them and have helped me a lot.

[@JohnnyDPanda]

Ahmed Aldoori Thanks! It's something that has been bothering me a lot lately and my parents want me to decide what to do with my life.

[@jaradolander6731]

+John Kim hey there this is none of my business but what was the answer to the question you asked? I'm stuck in the same situation haha

[@JohnnyDPanda]

Jarad Olander Hey Jarad! What he basically said was if you are an artist and want to truly influence the world you will find a way to do it. Such as bringing awareness to issues with art etc.

[@jaradolander6731]

+John Kim oh sweet, thank you so much for informing me on that. I feel like this is probably a phase. but I almost feel bad that I'm not discovering the cure to aids or something like that haha

[@JohnnyDPanda]

Jarad Olander XD Yeah me too. But I feel like we all have something to contribute to society even as artists. Art can inspire and bring emotions or bring awareness in a way no other medium can. You can also contribute by just helping your friends:)

[@conanrogue2483]

Nice work. Thanks for the reminder about being yourself. Can you upload a video about the simple sketches you pass on down the pipeline. I'm an illustrator and I like the roughs more.

[@letslearnwithpranav7194]

Hi sir, Can you post a video of basic wacom setting ..shortcut all this.so i can understood more of your working style..please..thnk u in advance..BDW u r funny though in some videos also can u show more video on color wheel

[@dodgemastersama]

Well. It's an old video and all. But I'm giving it a try either way hoping for an answer :) first off -your art and style is really inspirational to me! I really want to reach that 'higher lvl' off drawing and then see where I could end up working. I'm in an artclass now that is focused on concept art and illustration (kind of first one in sweden) and so far so good! But I am really torn between; 1. Focusing really really really hard at the art so that I might reach my aim in a year. And 2. Being social with classmates, both because it's nice and the whole thing about making connections cause it's and important part of the industry to. What are your thoughts on that? :)

[@ThePlugTurtle]

hey ahmed, i live in ireland and am studying games dev here, we do mostly unity, 3d and coding but i want to do concept art in 2D. my teacher is saying i need to get into another role like lighting technician or 3D to make my way into conceot art, do you think i should study something like that or keep going hard with developing my 2d skills? or both? i wont advance at fast in 2D if i do lighting aswell though

[@seanpaints]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah i realized I'd rather be an illustrator for children's books etc and try to be a gallery artist (who gets to render beautiful images for hours :DD than fail terribly at designing mechs and stuff for the next transformers movie. (Not that that's all there is out there concept art wise of course) but designing things is just too difficult.

[@danix454]

Ok, I went to college for something other than art, but art's my true passion. Now I want to get into the field. Is this possible? :( Sometimes I wonder if I don't have enough "credit" in the field, or if I need it.

[@lolmaorofl]

Gotta disagree with you about games not being about graphics, I'm an old school gamer but I like it when games look sexy visually. That's why I'm an artist too

[@PracticeDrawing101]

Graphics definitely enhance any game but its generally not what you play it for. I would think gameplay is of utmost important, no?

[@lolmaorofl]

I play games for immersion and graphics play a big part of it for me, maybe it's not a big deal for you but everyone's different

[@PracticeDrawing101]

+Jack Plissken Indeed, though what separates a game from a story is the gameplay which adds a whole new dimension to the immersive experience. I understand what you're saying too. I love games that have art styles that work in unison with the story.

[@UshioKiss]

For me, the writing plays the strongest role, then the art.

[@lolmaorofl]

UshioKiss In that case, isn't reading a book more enjoyable for you?

[@michelleleon8687]

Hey Ahmed, just stumbled across this really great inspirational vid. I appreciated the good words you had to say about the industry. I am applying to Art Center in the spring and it was cool to hear you also went there. I will be looking through your other vids, but was also wondering if you knew of any other great digital painting tutorials or sites I can study. Working on beefing up my application portfolio over the next two months and would love to work in Photoshop for some of my character designs.

[@saioheeryee]

i love your video but i have to ask u a question, In the concept art portfolio ,should have various thing like , Character design , Environment , etc or should i pick my nich one i'm very confused the way to build my porfolios

[@redroka7485]

Is it necessary to finish some art university and get a diploma? Or I still can get a job by improving my skills by doing researches on my own?

[@ninety9of100]

beautiful painting. really like it.

[@emilya1631]

How do you come up with an original concept art style? What do people like to see in applicants portfolios if not apocalyptic scenes? :)

[@emilya1631]

Ahmed A Thanks Ahmed, your videos are so helpful, you definitely deserve more subscribers and views.

[@brushrunner]

Margot Williams you're on the ross draw channel as well aren't you?

[@ipanda99]

Great video, I love hearing perspectives from people who work in the industry. I earned a graphic design degree in my early 20's but I've never been fully satisfied with my career and I've always been interested in concept art and illustration. I'm in my late 20's now and I am considering switching paths, do you think age is a factor when trying to get into the industry? Can you be too old?

[@AhmedAldoori]

+Nolan Jolson Also! I'm listening to this interview, and Ryan Lang talks about EXACTLY this situation about age not being a factor (it's about 18 minutes in) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqCzZKSuqdqSrac

[@ipanda99]

+Ahmed Aldoori Thank you for the quick response! I appreciate your input and I'm going to go watch that video now.

[@auds6281]

+Nolan Jolson Going through the same exact thing! I'm originally a graphic designer, but wanting to switch over to Concept Art. I also feel like I waited to late and that I'm too old. But who cares! Age doesn't matter. As long as you want to grind and have the passion to learn, go for it dude. On the same path together.

[@DanUrbano]

+Nolan Jolson Another one on the same situation. I´been working as a motion designer. Now I´m want to get into de concept art industry and environment design. I´m about to be 25 years old.

[@ellenhohoho]

Thanks for sharing!! Love your talking and drawing~ I have an question~ Do you think its a good ides to put FAN ART in the portfolio, since you mentioned the importance of original creativity~~~

[@AhmedAldoori]

+Chang Jung-Shan thanks for listening - I'd recommend not putting fanart in your portfolio, its best to show your thinking and problem solving. Unless you're doing your own take or style for the fanart, but primarily you should showcase your own content

[@nigheanu]

If say it was a book? Would work that you have done in your idea of the characters or settings of of any said book, Would that be ok in putting it in your portfolio? Idk if that makes sense... but.. Thank you!

[@0MOLOTOV]

So helpful, thank you! I just wanted to ask a quick question, as I do want to be in the industry you're talking about but I'm 17 and currently still doing A Levels. Do you think it's worth my time spending another 4 or more years working to get into and completing a good art degree? I'd probably do an illustration degree as I'm more interested in the 2D art as opposed to 3D design, and want to paint people and scenes, possibly graphic novels. Just wanted a little input as my teachers dont really know anything about this.

[@devishreepawar6296]

hey im just curious...what are you studyin now?

[@0MOLOTOV]

@@devishreepawar6296 nothing ahaha. I didn't go to university. I just kept doing freelance and eventually started my own game company. I'm self employed now, its good. :)

[@JuanSebastianSColmenares]

keep de podcasts!

[@lolbirdie]

A few years ago I decided to become a freelance illustrator and concept artist, I live in Australia and there aren't any courses in uni for it what so ever, so I decided I'd just have to teach myself I guess! But now, I've finished high school and I just don't know what to do with myself, Im stressed all the time thinking that if I don't go somewhere to be taught that ill never make it, not just because I won't have the skills and knowledge but because i won't have all those connections. But it feels so hopeless because the one thing I want to learn doesn't exist as a course, and I'm just so lost not knowing what to do or where to go, sometimes I'm even tempted to pick any other job cause at least then there'd be course, even if my grades won't get me anywhere, I'd still have the opportunity :( does anyone have any words of wisdom, I could really use it right now.

[@AhmedAldoori]

+lolbirdie so what do you want to do specifically? Work on games? Characters? Splash art? Movies? Weapon design? Vehicles! Anime???

[@AMO17]

Very insightful. I'm more interested in doing my own thing. Having been in a field that isn't the one I want to be in and having someone as my manager, I'm not overly fond of that. Don't like being told what to do or being micromanaged as I am currently, very annoying. I'll be working on trying to make passive income with my art :P

[@dontmindme4276]

Hello. I'm 16 years old and am having a crisis. My parents want me to go into a medical field and I am quite interested in forensic science myself. However, more recently, I have been getting into concept designs for video games. I would not say I am the best artist but I intend to improve. My question is, does one need a degree or to go to an art school to get int concept designing or will a good portfolio suffice? Also, if I were to take a gap year, would it be possible to find work as a part time concept designer in that time? Thank you so much for your time

[@AhmedAldoori]

+Don't Mind me to answer your question, no you do not need a degree at all if you want to be in the concept art industry. However, you do need a very powerful portfolio that shows that you can provide really great content for whatever the IP is. I have worked at many places and none of them cared whether or not I graduated or have a degree in anything, they just saw my work and figured that they can use my skills to further their product.

[@dontmindme4276]

Ah, thank you so much! This has really lifted a huge concern off of my shoulders

[@CosmicLeche]

Excellent video, very helpful! :)

[@CeiTreiGameri]

About what you said a 3:35 I don t think anyone would say that they are ready an would hire themselves. Not everyone thinks that are good, and I am not talking about people who draw for 3-5 years. A lot of pros think their artwork is crap, and still, manage to get a job smh?

[@razorblade8757]

hi ahmed. how do you change the color at 1:53?

[@blueinfiniti22]

Thanks man, awesome vid

[@Maverrix28]

thanks for this, it was super helpful. also, you have a really nice voice :)

[@natashagalea7895]

great podcast, can't wait to see more. :) I grabbed 4 of the penxo thanks to you ;P

[@frametheory]

thanks for the video. how do I know if people are seeing the work I'm posting on my site? is there any way to help drive traffic to my portfolio?

[@heroz1]

You sound kinda like Nathan Drake. Great video by the way!

[@KuroCyou]

Hi! First of all, thank you so much for this video. It helped and inspired me a lot :D (also that illustration is incredibly beautiful, wow) I wanted to ask you: I am a 21 years old student from Italy, my only art studies are the ones I'm making at an illustration school here. Very little of what I was taught was about concept design and digital art though (no sculpting, no rendering, everything is mostly focused on traditional editorial illustration). Would I even have some chances of getting in the industry, since I'm practically beginning just now to delve into concept art and with no mentor/teacher whatsoever? (also with no degree)

[@peygus1877]

I am 19 and I want to be a concept artist but I have no drawing experience. Is it too late for me?

[@YenoWorld]

Of course not. But you need to know its going to be rough and hard and you will have to work like never before for the next 4-6 years to get to the professional level. You have to gradually change your mindset to being the average consumer who watches netflix, plays games and wastes time to a creator who is obsessive of putting shit out there. The harder and longer you make yourself work, the faster you will get there. I'm 18 and I've been drawing seriously for about 4 years now. My sketches I think are really pro quality but its painting I need to work more on. Go for it bro!

[@peygus1877]

thx alot for the motivation. I talked to my parents about it and they told me that I could put as much time as I wanted into drawing during my breaks from college so thats good. I always tend to put hours into things, i mean like whole work shifts into it XD. So im really glad about that. I dont realy have many friends or wacth tv, or even games for that matter XD, so i tend to devote alot of my time to anything and everything I find an interest in. btw do you have a deviantart account i kinda want to see where I might be in about 4 years.

[@YenoWorld]

Peygus Dude that sounds awesome! You'll do great but getting yourself to work 8 hours straight is a lot harder than it sounds hahah. yeah here's a link to one of my sketches: uyeno.deviantart.com/art/Sketches-1-647698161 I have a million other things I post on my facebook. You can look me up at "Dane Uyeno-Matsuda" If you ever have questions or need an art bud hmu whenever!

[@YenoWorld]

Also I forgot to mention. Since you're starting out don't worry so much about specifics of how to draw stuff like studying perspective, anatomy, form. I strongly recommend throwing it all out the window for now and spend a few months everyday just fucking around and having fun for 1 hour at least. Listen to music and just jam and explore and get excited. That really is the most important thing and if you do this, it will carry you for years. That is the reason why I'm still drawing now.

[@peygus1877]

well I guess I kinda over exaggerated like I usually do but I actually started drawing in about may so im not brand new to but new none of the less and I have been studying everything you mentioned XD. Im tryna go for realism first then do what I realy want like concept art and stuff.

[@fr0stlegend712]

There is any school that starts instantly from digital artist with out have never paint in paper ever again? I whana just do digital artist and great characters poses learn Shadows all this thing's with out make anything again with artist in past do you know guys?

[@dennyyeah9913]

THANK YOU!!!

[@nakada1996]

Hey Ahmed! the painting you did in the video did u look at any reference or it just your imagination!

[@tiiaj7589]

Thanks for the informative video. I'm 36, and a decent artist in traditional mediums, a good eye, and creative. Unfortunately, I don't have much CG experience. I'm checking out tutorials on KZbin, but the CG programs out there seem so complicated, with so many options! At my age is it even worth it to take courses in this? Will I even get looked at by the time I'm done schooling?

[@vic0de]

Tiia J have u tried Blender? it's what got me into cg. it's completely free forever (don't let the free fool u, have a look at it). and has many good tutorials, and got the best community compared to any other cg software. check my channel , if u would like to see me making cg artworks with blender to see if it's rightt for u

[@jaradolander6731]

Hey Ahmed! Great video, im glad i stumbled upon it was very inspiring. Can you give me advice on something? I'm starting to find I want to make a bigger impact with my artwork. Ive always loved drawing and I've been doing concept art for small indie games for a short time now, but im starting to want to do more (entire storyline and stuff as well). I almost feel bad that I'm just drawing and not discovering the cure for aids or something like that, I believe this is just a phase do you agree?

[@R9Josh]

levelup guys? link? site? podcast? i listen to this video alot while i draw even though i herd this multiple times, keep it up

[@mohammedgadi8716]

dude u need to set art aside and become a voice actor lol , you sound quite like Nolan north over there ,,,awesome channel , following your artstation already

[@yolyd]

The Facebook link doesn't work. :(

[@AhmedAldoori]

+YolyD Fixed it, thanks for letting me know!