Texture Artist/Texture Map Painter

Job Description:

The role of the gaming Texture Artist is to recreate realistic or fantastical textures or surfaces to characters or objects. They specialize in all surface qualities of 3D computer models such as skins, flesh, textiles, armor, fur, hair, scales, metallic finishes, nails, claws, membranes, etc. This requires a broad knowledge of the skeletal framework and rigging that suspends and operates the models as the texturing must work as a layer on top of moving parts.

Salary: The role of a texture artist can be an entry-level or junior position. The average salary of a Texture Artist ranges from USD $47,000 to USD $96,000.

Occupational Outlook:

Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,700 openings for special effects artists and animators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

A Bachelor's degree is required for entry in order to become a texture map painter.

Murray State University

Address: Murray State University, 200 Sparks Hall, Murray, KY 42071

Website: www.murraystate.edu/index.aspx

Information on the Major: www.murraystate.edu/academics/CollegesDepartments/CollegeOfHumanitiesAndFineArts/ArtAndDesign/concentrations/GraphicDesign.aspx

University of Kentucky

Address: South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40506-0032

Website: www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major: finearts.uky.edu/savs

Bluegrass Community & Technical College

Address: 1500 Bypass North, US 127

Lawrenceburg, KY 40342-9465

Website: bluegrass.kctcs.edu/index.aspx

Information on the Major: bluegrass.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/graphic-design.aspx

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

Training in computer graphics, 3D animation, or graphic design
Experience in texturing 3D models, knowledge of modeling rigs
Ability to consistently draw inspiration from real-world references
Solid understanding of visual language - texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, shade, composition depth of field, proportion, lighting, spatial awareness, etc
Fundamental understanding of anatomy
Familiarity with geographical and botanical elements, architectural finishes, textile movement, skin and hair behavior, metallic sheens, etc

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

Mari
Substance Painter
Adobe Photoshop
Mudbox
Maya
Zbrush

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Office hours are adjustable, as many texture artists work from home.
This field falls under designing fantasy sights, such as landscapes and characters in animated films or video games.
The pay is high for an art career.

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

One is not only expected to already have an understanding of shading, lighting, etc., but they also need to have an understanding of anatomy.
Graphic Design is oftenly very competitive.
These wages are only mildly above living wages, not leaving a plethora of room for leisure.

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

Many artists and animators work in offices; others work from home. Most special effects artists and animators work a regular schedule; however, when deadlines are approaching, they may need to work nights and weekends.

Paul “The Rusted Pixel”

https://www.therustedpixel.com/

Francisco Rossi

https://franciscorossi.com/

Roman Bratschi

https://romanbratschi.com/

Career Researched By: Tristan Rose