Hello, I am going to be a senior in high school, and I really hope to be a concept artist for gamesas in the future. Fallout is one of my favorite games of all time, and the main reason why I would like to work at gamesas some time.

I was wondering, how important would math be in this job? Currently I struggle a lot with algebra. I talked with an artist who works for Dark Horse comics, and he thought I really had potential to be an artist, but I feel that lacking skills with math can really hold me back from getting a job.

Also, do certain artists do different types of drawing? Like some do pencil, or painting?

I read that some companies are looking for concept artists. How hard would it be to get into a job like this?

Thanks for reading. There better be a killer reason for you standing in my shadow, normie. Does "next" on the menu ring a bell?.

I'll see if Serg can post something, but I'll give it a shot...

From my experience, which you should take a big ol' grain of salt, there are many different types of artists. Concept artists are probably the least likely to need good math skills. Concept artists use a variety of tools to create their concepts, everything from scanned pencils/inks to Photoshop or Painter. Not many of those tools would benefit from a Masters degree in Mathematics.

Having a solid portfolio to show is the key requirement to getting hired.

Well looks like i finely joined the board, i feel like im part of a bigger cause now..

To answer your question, no you don't need math.
Some basic math can be useful in perspective, and the different rules of it.

What you do need to focus on is drawing, anything and everything, draw all day and everyday till your hands cant hold a pencil. This is the basic and most impotent tool that any artist can have. After that you get in to color and anatomy, and many other things. Id recommend going to a art collage or take some classes at a local art school, may be some night drawing classes at a JR collage.

So dont worry about math, just draw.

Hope this helps, -S

Thanks a lot for the reply! It really helped me out a lot.

One more thing I forgot to ask was if gamesas did any internships for next summer? There better be a killer reason for you standing in my shadow, normie. Does "next" on the menu ring a bell?.

My input as one who has hired artist for games, cards and such.

The above is good advice and to add to it:

Be willing and able to take critizism of your work. Even if you believe the person knows nothing of what they talk about. It is a major turn off to an employer to have an artist get 'sensitive' over comments.

Show your work to others.
This means more than just your family and friends. Go to Comic, Game, Artist and other types of conventions where companies and artists will be at. Attend seminars and/or gatherings that other 'successful' artist put on. Some are free, and those are the ones that I would suggest first.
Don't worry if the artist giving the 'talk' is not of the type of artist you are working on becoming. If they are successful, are making money, and are known, there is a reason. Listen to them.

As you progress, be willing to get your own table at some of these shows. Make copies of some of your artwork for sale. Consider even selling some of your originals (Not required but ... This is a different topic on art and artist). I would say that about 1/3 of the artist that I ended up hiring or reccomending to be hired by my company I found at shows and conventions.

Once you find the type(s) of companies that you would like to work for, frequent the areas (conventions, forums, etc) that they have a presence on. From there you will get a feel for what they want, and sometimes the companies will place notices (not that common but it does happen).

Ask,
this means this thread was a good start. And once you have some solid work (art and experience) built up, send a nice (professional) letter (email) to the company asking what their requirements are for artist (hiring, format, etc) and how you might be considered for any of their future art needs.
Sending them artwork is not always a good idea, (legal and other issues) but having a signature art piece that you use all the time or a website that they can look at is very helpful.

If you get a 'thank you but no thank reply', don't let that depress you. Most companies will reject 80% (or higher), the offers for work from artist.
If you get an invite from a company to look over your work, don't let it go to your head. Go to the meeting, be prepared to hear lots of good and bad and other about your art work, and ask questions. (there is some other advice but that is a different subject).

Don't be demanding. Unless you become like Larry Elmore (or some other big names) making demands will get a close door very fast.

Some well known artists started working for almost nothing doing pencil and pen drawing pieces for game companies even when they (the artist) were wanting to be color, full sized picture types.

And finally (for now ) if you are not one who is much for the business end of it, find someone (family, friends, artist groups, etc) whom you fully trust to assist you.
There are several artist groups out there and there are some good solo artists that could help you get started ro pointed in the right direction.

Hope this helps. It might be more than you need to know or deal with right this moment in your pursuit of being an artist but tuck it away for now and look it over later.

Dave Chase

Thanks, Dave. That is good advice.

There is some excellent advice from Dave there.

If you are just starting out, try and draw often whenever possible. I regret not taking ANY art classes during highschool, and what I learned was mostly self taught. There are actually ALOT of useful books out there that can show you some of the basics of concept art. Perhaps most import is just the general process from an idea, to form, then more defined lines, and rendering and so fourth. Sometimes you wonder how artist can produce a drawing, but when you realise their is a work flow with many many layers to a drawing, it begins to click

Here are some really good books I would recommend checking out.
Mechanika http://www.amazon.com/Mechanika-Creating-Science-Fiction-Chiang/dp/1600610234/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247123771&sr=8-1 An awesome book by a concept artist who did work for Star wars. It shows everything from his design thinking, art supplies, studio and how to conceptualize ideas.
Drawing cutting edge anatomy http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Cutting-Edge-Anatomy-Reference/dp/0823023982/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247123925&sr=1-1 A simple showcase of human anatomy and proportions. I always had a hard time getting my character to "pop" from a page. It is a helpful book for getting the human figure right without pouring through anatomy books with latin names.

I am at that stage were I am a confident drawer. I went to college for a degree in architecture and learned alot of programs such as photoshop... and learn some things like perspective and design. But I didn't get as much artsy stuff, especially rendering.

to the OP, i agree whole heatedly with everything that has been mentioned here. The emphasis on anatomy and proportional drawings must be a foundation for any aspiring artist.

Maths is quite minimal in my opinion when you talk about being a concept artist.
Potentially if you progress into 3D with Maya and such there might be a need
for maths skills for complex operations.

I might add something which i believe is an important point for a young artist.
Drawing from your favourite comics, games, TV shows is great for building up the skills
that enable you to draw. However, if concept art is where your interest is, consider that
drawing is a form of communication.
As a concept artist, you will need to transform an idea into a visual representation of it.
Too many times have i seen portfolio's filled with pretty pictures that all to resemble the
final fantasy's and the World of warcraft's of the world.

While this may not apply to you now, just be aware that when drawing think about what is the
story behind it, what is the idea / concept behind it? hence the name "concept" artist.

On a final note, research some life drawing classes in your local area. Most Universities / Collages
run life drawing both during the day and at night time for both young and old.

All the best with your dreams

*Apologies, just realised the age of this thread