There are many ways that 3D artists get their education. Some artists receive training through formal education at a school, or through specific workshops that are held. Perhaps the most consistent form of education and ability for improvement for a 3D artist is through peer created tutorials and critiques and interactions in online forums.
Online forums act as teachers, mentors, and in a way a 24 hour help line. There have been many times where I have been working on a project and encountered a technical issue that someone else has also encountered, and within very little time I can get an answer. There are many many online forums for artists to choose from. But even more important is the sense of community that is formed in these forums. With artists all over the world, there seems to be always someone online to be able to help lend a critique, or maybe just offer reinforcement of being on the right track. Online forums have a tremendous impact on artists through sponsored competitions, and daily interaction with other artists. They are also a place that an artist always has to go to, either to search for inspiration from fellow artists, or to ask questions of their peers. Asking questions is an important part of learning.
Image Source: Daniel Fleming
“I think feedback from forum communities and friends who helped have really pushed me and directed me. I see a lot of great artists on such forums as Polycount, Zbrush Central, GameArtisans and the like who really push themselves in their areas in which they really enjoy exploring whether it’s hyper-realism or surrealism and I try to do the same. I’ve always wanted to create realistic characters/props or whatever since I wanted to become a 3D artist and looking back now, I reckon I started to venture into the other side when my tutor told me to do something different with a skateboard I made back in second year of university. He was right though, it was just a skateboard.”
Sometimes asking questions happens through simply posting work and asking for feedback. I also asked Thomas Butters, a 3D artist at Facepunch Studios, if he had been stylistically pushed in one direction or another by a teacher or peer.
When asked about how his style had evolved and his skills developed, Tom answered:
“A huge reference library and a lot of practice! Plus I didn’t really have that great of a social life outside of uni so I was and still am modelling/sculpting pretty much everyday or whenever I can, going over certain techniques so they become part of my workflow. I get two trains to work every day and I see a lot of interesting faces pass by me to which I try to make mental notes of certain features they have that I think would look great on a character, whether it be surreal or hyper real. I try to emulate what I see back into 3D in various ways, experimenting. Usually I like to go off from the realistic stuff and to play around with proportions and see what looks good and if it does? Sweet! Keep going with it. I’m constantly lurking on forums and try to post to gain feedback on my work, because I’m learning as I go like anybody else and feedback is invaluable to progressing. That’s helped me a lot, that and watching other artists’ speed sculpting or streams to see how they do things. It all helps drive your own style without purposefully trying to and because I like both styles so much, I switch from one to the other because I never want to stick to a certain style. I guess in a nutshell it’s really down to making stuff I enjoy looking at or that inspires me, at least that’s how it is for me. “
Image Source: butters3d.tumblr.com
Reference! I feel like I know what you mean Tom. You can see a direct result of how forums can help push and motivate an artist like Thomas on his blog you will find a screen capture of peers of his on a forum, giving him some nice and welcome praise. While forums can often times lose their impact when they cease to be constructive with their critiques, there is also a large benefit in knowing that people are appreciating and enjoying the work you are creating. Like many things in life, forums are an investment. You must put in the time making connections and communicating with members to reap the full benefits of the community. Offering your critiques on others work or advice on techniques you have learned or developed is giving back to the community in a way that propagates further learning by all involved.
Image Source: butters3d.tumblr.com
Thanks to Thomas Butters for taking some time to answer a couple questions for me. Online forums have become one of the video game and film industry’s best sources for up to date information and learning materials. The ability to learn from others mistakes and successes makes online forums a powerful teaching tool and a great way for 3d artists to develop their skills.