What You Need in a Concept Art Portfolio with Nacho Yagüe and Tim Warnock

Summary

The video script features a Spanish concept artist, now living in Canada, who has spent 14 years in the video game industry and co-founded Northmen Studio in 2014. He emphasizes the importance of design thinking and problem-solving in portfolio building, advocating for a curated and consistent showcase of one's abilities. The artist discusses his varied process, including 3D modeling and Photoshop painting, and stresses the value of simplicity and strong compositions in concept art. He also shares insights on avoiding common mistakes in portfolio presentation and the importance of understanding material choices and scale in design.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker is a concept artist from Spain, currently living in Canada and working in the video game industry for nearly 14 years.
• 🎨 He is transitioning from being a concept artist to a director and co-founded Northmen studio in 2014, which works in film, television, and video games.
• 🛠️ The studio values design and the ability to think and create new concepts, not just the ability to produce beautiful images.
• 📚 Building a portfolio should be curated based on the individual's goals and should be consistent, showcasing the best and most representative work.
• 🔍 It's important to show the ability to think, design, and solve problems through a portfolio, including sketches and the process of reaching an idea.
• 🛑 The speaker emphasizes the need to change techniques and approaches for different projects to learn and grow as an artist.
• 🖼️ The creative process involves thumbnails, sketches, research, and sometimes 3D builds for reference, depending on the project's requirements.
• 🎨 Tools like Photoshop and ZBrush are used for the finished painting, with a focus on photo-realism and attention to detail like lens flare.
• 🔑 The speaker advises simplicity in composition and color, suggesting that less can be more effective in concept art.
• 🚀 He encourages artists to explore different sources of inspiration to avoid replicating the same styles as everyone else.
• 💡 For beginners, the speaker points out common mistakes such as a lack of clear idea, overemphasis on final results, and misuse of photobashing without understanding materials and scale.
• 📈 The importance of having a concise portfolio of no more than ten images to effectively showcase one's capabilities and style.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video transcript?

The speaker is a concept artist from Spain who has been living in Canada for five years and has worked in the video game industry for almost 14 years.

What is the speaker's current role in the industry?

The speaker is transitioning from being a concept artist to a direction role in the video game industry.

What studio did the speaker co-found in 2014?

The speaker co-founded Northmen Studio in 2014 with Ryan Denee.

What type of work does Northmen Studio do?

Northmen Studio works in the fields of film, television, and video games, focusing on design and concept art.

What does the speaker emphasize when hiring for their studio?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of hiring people who can think and design new things, rather than just being illustrators.

What advice does the speaker give for building a portfolio for a studio?

The speaker advises to curate the portfolio according to one's strengths and the studio's needs, showing consistency and the best images that represent who you are and what you offer.

How does the speaker approach different projects?

The speaker changes their technique for each project, doing research, sketches, and sometimes 3D builds to understand the requirements and find a unique approach.

What software does the speaker use in their work?

The speaker uses software like Photoshop, ZBrush, and 3D modeling tools for their work.

What is the speaker's approach to achieving photo-realism in their work?

The speaker focuses on studying reference material, analyzing photographs and film frames, and paying attention to subtle details like lens flare to achieve photo-realism.

What mistake does the speaker see in portfolios of new artists?

The speaker sees that new artists often lack a clear idea of what they want to show, focusing too much on the final result without understanding the 'why' behind their choices.

What advice does the speaker give for artists starting their career?

The speaker advises new artists to not rush into big studios, but to start in smaller ones to gain experience, learn to work with teams, and develop communication skills.

What is the speaker's view on the evolution of concept art?

The speaker believes that concept art is in a constant state of evolution, becoming faster and better, but also emphasizes the importance of thinking simple and focusing on strong compositions and colors.

What is the speaker's opinion on the use of digital tools in art?

The speaker appreciates digital tools for quick iterations and exploration but warns against losing sight of the basics and relying too much on layer modes and effects without a solid foundation.

What project is the speaker particularly proud of?

The speaker is proud of working on 'The Expanse' and with Riot Games, mentioning the creative freedom and high standards that pushed them to excel.

What is the speaker's personal site and its significance?

The speaker's personal site represents a pinnacle of their career and a passion for traditional art, combining European culture and a love for the saga.

What is the speaker's advice on portfolio size?

The speaker suggests keeping the portfolio to around ten images, as it is enough to show who you are and what you can do without overwhelming the viewer.