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Daniel_Araya
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Registered User regular
Welllll , I've been a long time fan of the strip, but for some reason I've never been to the forums until now. I looked around and saw a lot of work that I thought was great, but didn't really comment on because I couldn't think of anything constructive to say (I'm terrible at critiquing.) Anyway, since this is an introductory post I'll give some info about me.
I just graduated from the Art Institute of Washington this past June majoring in Animation. I'm looking for work doing pre production in 3d animation, or in video games, or illustration, or comics. I really have a deep appreciation for entertainment art in general. I've been having a HORRIBLE time getting any kind of work though, but I'm just gonna keep trying and applying until I get something. I really want to work at a studio like Valve, Insomniac, or Lucasfilm Animation (on the Clone Wars series) but I totally acknowledge that I'm aiming high as shit by reaching for those right out of school. I love those places because of the stylized work (which seems to be a rare thing in the games industry now) The truth is, things are so unstable that I'm probably going to apply to places like Best Buy or something pretty soon until I can land my first gig. Anyway enough rantin and sobbing, here are a few recent-ish pieces. Feel free to tear them apart (and feel free to tear apart my portfolio in my sig too, I need to GET BETTER).
the last one is a self portrait.
I hope you all enjoy.
I just graduated from the Art Institute of Washington this past June majoring in Animation. I'm looking for work doing pre production in 3d animation, or in video games, or illustration, or comics. I really have a deep appreciation for entertainment art in general. I've been having a HORRIBLE time getting any kind of work though, but I'm just gonna keep trying and applying until I get something. I really want to work at a studio like Valve, Insomniac, or Lucasfilm Animation (on the Clone Wars series) but I totally acknowledge that I'm aiming high as shit by reaching for those right out of school. I love those places because of the stylized work (which seems to be a rare thing in the games industry now) The truth is, things are so unstable that I'm probably going to apply to places like Best Buy or something pretty soon until I can land my first gig. Anyway enough rantin and sobbing, here are a few recent-ish pieces. Feel free to tear them apart (and feel free to tear apart my portfolio in my sig too, I need to GET BETTER).
the last one is a self portrait.
I hope you all enjoy.
Daniel_Araya on
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The generic pre-rendered frame on your self portrait makes it look cheaper, I think. I find that one lackluster in comparison to your other work, which is great. I really like the way you render stylized characters. I think I'll try and imitate it.
it wasn't deliberate, but that's a really good point, I hadn't even given that a thought until now. Thanks man.
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Tofu wrote: Here be Littleboots, destroyer of threads and master of drunkposting.
Ive attended a few studio information sessions (video game companies) in my local area, and many of them say they are more concerned with seeing your ideas rather than your skill. Although skill is important (and you clearly have nice illustration skills) you're selling your ability to come up with creative ideas. Nice start. I hope you keep posting!
Also, nothing wrong with working in retail
EDIT: Holy SH*T! I checked your website. Very good work. If you havn't, make some phone calls to some studios, and ask them DIRECTLY for a meeting (dont say interview). You might get lucky.
I really like your stuff, feels clean and well rendered. I am digging the following: the blocky Humberto Ramos style of Wolverine, Hampster Head is a lot of fun, but because of your Ness I will begin stalking you in 3...2...1...
Some of the bigger studios are hard to get noticed at right away unless you have some experience. You have got major skills but experience working to a deadline is super important for pre-pro work. Have you considered doing a bit of freelance to bulk up on some clients and gain some exp first?
While your stuff is stylized, it's tight. Pre-pro or concept artists at the big places come from a variety of backgrounds and personal styles, they are usually just capable of wearing a variety of "hats" when the project calls for it.
Also, apply to some of the smaller unknown studios (google search your area + game studio) they're a foot in the door and while most of them won't pay that great or necessarily be exactly what you want to do, it's a stepping stone.
You seriously are probably just hitting a bad patch in hiring, your work is highly polished and professional, I have no doubt you'll make it into one of the big places with some exp.
great stuff guy
Tam: Y'know, you aren't the first person to tell me that. I really liked that pic, I thought it was a funny idea but most of my friends seem to not like it too much. Maybe it's a vanity thing.
Godfather: Oh if only it was like that. JUST RECENTLY I've started getting a wee bit more confident with my work, mostly with stylized characters. I've found that I don't have to struggle TOO hard when I do them, but when it comes to life drawing, environments, realistic/less exaggerated characters, there's still confidence to be built.
LittleBoots: I like him too. Someone pointed out that he looks like some existing character in Time Splitters though, and that made me sad.
winter_combat_knight: Yeah I agree, I'm working on a personal project with a friend to try to develop original concepts for a fictional game called Drenched. We're making a blog to track our progress, I'll post it up when we have some material just in case anyone's interested. Thanks for the compliment about the website, but I'm not sure whether or not companies appreciate it when you just call and ask for a meeting to show them your work.
As far as getting a real website? I had one, but it was more difficult to update. I talked to a bunch of recruiters and Art leads, and most said they actually PREFER this approach. It's straight to the point, they don't have to click anywhere to find your artwork, and it's all right there. They can get an instant feel for your stuff. A lot of them take it one step further and they just do this: http://www.thurd-eye.com/portfolio/portfolio.html
brokecracker: lol, thanks man. Ramos is fucking great! He was an influence on me when I was younger, and I probably still carry some of those influences. I also check www.creaturebox.com on a daily basis, and am constantly ripping off their shape language. I can't help it!
beavotron: I know, the experience thing is really working against me. I tried to get some internships while I was in school but I had no luck. I've been TRYING to get freelance, but I've only gotten 2 or 3 bites, nothing major. I apply to studios every day, going to sites like creativeheads.net, gamedevmap.com, etc. I just gotta keep at it.
LaCabra: yeah, as I posted earlier to winter_combat_knight, I'm working on concepts for a fictional game, which will hopefully allow me to create the kind of pre production material studios like to see.
deadlydorito: Thanks man. I used to love that show when I was in high school.
bombardier: Thanks, that site is great!
mensch-o-matic: Thanks mang! I gotta do more designs like that one and explore my inner child. I think I suffocated him.
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It's the spam protection. You're a new user posting a lot of text. Should see it now though.
oh gotcha, thanks. I'm not used to a feature like that.
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Also, you said you were having trouble gaining confidence? Maybe beefing up that line quality?
Check this guy out. His sketch contour is out of this world
http://biz20.biz/
I know your work from somewhere else?
I really like your style, and I wish you luck getting a job.
Btw: I allready had your diet coke blog bookmarked
deadlydorito: haha, thanks man. I fucking love the style used in TF2.
Fleskefinn: Yeah Ian McConville posted a link to my blog on the site, that's probably what you're referring to. And thanks for the well wishes.
Kendeathwalker: Glacias!
So my buddy, Bakia started modeling the hamster head dude! It's fucking awesome. Here, look:
http://bakiaparker.blogspot.com/
He got the tapering to look perfect! Makes me wanna make an animated short or something.
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My Art BLOG!!!
nice stuffs
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That is the result of meaningless doodling with my roommates!
earthwormadam: Thanks! I'm still working on building good shapes. It's tricky for me to hit that appeal-g-spot. I'll learn.
Mustang: I do suck. All I do is I just use a bunch of photoshop filters in a super secret combination of layers. No joke, takes like 15 minutes per painting.
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i really like seeing this in progress sketch work, or quick doodles from people, it really gives great insight into their process.
urrrgh i hate you
(no i don't
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i hope this reinforces what ur friends have been telling u; you're good dude. Just gotta market yourself more. You posted on concept art/cg society yet?
Your recent inkwork just makes me crave more. I love the flow of your sketches and your CG work is top notch. And you have such good variety with your heads.
Though the first guy on the left in the first picture- What is his foot placed on or is he just striking a Captain Morgan pose? The guy on the right looks so much more grounded and confident.
Other then that you have a good sense of volume to your work and really fine at characterization. And from what I can tell of your self portrait your a cutie to boot.
Ikage: coming from you especially, everything you said is a huge compliment. I just went though your thread, and started crying when I saw the amount of studies you've been doing! You remind me of algenpfleger and janaschi! Are you still in the VA area or did you end up going to Watts? If you're still in the area, it'd be cool to get a bunch of artists together and head to the national gallery of art to do master studies. Regarding the Jedi dude, yeah I totally copped out and didn't draw something for his foot to rest on. I was GONNA, but the deadline for the CGHub jam was approaching, and I really wanted the pose to say "I'm a fucking hero, bitch!"
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that hamster ball is just delightful.
Oh man Jana, Alge, and Falk their whole gang are sweethearts to talk to. I'm rooting for them all the way.
I'm still up here in Virginia Beach! Just a skip and a walk away from that new Art Institute they are opening in April. Though a lot of people speculate it might have more strength in their culinary base then art. But considering how this general area has such a thick connection to New York which is high in fine art, I hope to be surprised.
But I would be so up for any artist elbow rubbing and just getting around together and making a general sketch group. It sounds like such a great ideal.
Don't worry Captain Morgan is a hero to alcoholics and college kids everywhere! Kidding aside great pieces I gotta give my props again.
who is this!?!? you know daniel?!!?!
post your work, I DEMAND IT!!!!
Ikage: You've talked to them? I've never had a conversation with them or anything, I've just seen their CA sketchbook threads, where they draw and paint 22.5 hours a day. I always feel like such a lazy douche when I peruse their work..
I went to the Art Institute of Washington, and while I enjoyed my time there, I wouldn't call it heavy on the fine arts side of things. The Art Institutes aren't really like that...
I'll try to throw together some sketchgroup dealie sometime in the coming weeks, I'll keep you posted.
Sublimus: I'll keep you posted too.
beavotron: He's a friend of mine from art skools. He can draw his ass off, but he hides his gift from the world.
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But I used to go to Jana's livestreams all the time and Alge or Falk would come in and they are just really great folks. She has all her videos recorded so you can watch her painting process.
http://livestream.com/janaschi
I was actually able to attend a few classes with my best bro as a guest to the AI in San Diego. But I went to more the animation/storyboarding ones since that's his major.
But the sketchgroup ideal would be kicking, whenever you do it I know a few locals who would love to participant.
would had i been drawing much. maybe i'll post up some sketchbook pages at some point in the future.
edit; also you should check out this guy, he's the director of training for Lucasfilm Animation Singapore so he might be able to help you out, or at least answer questions. I met him last year and he was really nice so he'd probably respond to anything you sent his way