On the (Job) Hunt Again

Finished modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering my architectural visualization. Gave the renders a post production treatment in photoshop, and started applying to jobs.
Unlike concept art, I actually see posting for such positions in Israel. I have no idea how much competition I have or how I compare with others, but at least I have hope.
Being sent a confirmation that my CV has been received is a refreshing change from the days where I applied to jobs I had no intention of pursuing, just so I can get a break from my concerned mother.

After a few days of taking things easy, I felt like there's still plenty to do on the concept art side of things, where my long term plans still lie, and I dusted off the gun concepts I had worked on, finishing them today.

Sign ups for the GDC Eu Conference Associate program have come in last Monday, naturally I signed up. Mom told me she would sponsor just one more such trip to Cologne, so I should probably talk to her about making arrangements to do so, though I still hope I get hired soon and manage to provide for my own travel and accommodation expenses, as well as perks.

Speed Paints:

Not changing direction, more like switching lanes.

It's the middle of April and I've been unemployed for over a year (again.)

Had a few job interviews, of those a few seemed genuinely exciting and interesting, but there's no use crying over spilled milk, and trying to reapply won't change the results.

Just experiencing the usual problems - it's either a lack of experience, an irrelevant portfolio, a mismatch between my personality and the job requirements that makes me shoot it down, or just plain bad luck.

I'm currently thinking it will take me a few more years before I can become an expat, I decided to go with architectural rendering.

Might be able to find a full time position in Israel doing that, and it's not completely unrelated to my game art dreams. Saw a job ad for a studio designing booths for trade shows that seems amazing... Not sure how important the experience requirement really is, but it can't hurt to try.

I found a series of tutorials for architectural rendering in 3ds max + v-ray, which seems to be the software of choice, and having watching them all (and learned a ton) I'm now making progress on my own project, using CAD plans I found as a sample on Autodesk 360.

I've just completed the modeling and set up a basic sun systems and a few cameras to test some clay renders out.

I hope this works, I'd like to make it to Cologne in August again, hopefully as a GDCEu Conference Associate for the 4th time running.
Who knows, maybe having some 3d work in my portfolio will open up the right door.

Also finished working on the dragon egg a while back

And did a silly thing in reply to a tweet about "salamandersona"

Now to go back through memory lane, and pick out my favorite speed paints since the last time I've posted here

Hatching an Egg

I noticed a lack of landscape and fantasy work in the latest incarnation of my portfolio, so I've decided to hit a couple of birds with one stone, and start a fantasy landscape.
Went with a fairly simple idea: The broken shell of a dragon, already departed to do it's own thing, and what might go on around it.

Once again, I find that I have to force myself to work despite the distractions of the modern age. Setting some time aside at night and playing a podcast helps.

Started with the typical process. Value studies come first. (There is a second set, which I'm not sure is interesting enough to show, but I used it as well)

Next I loaded up photos I took with interesting colors, Googled some inspiration, and did color studies of a few of my favorite monochrome sketches, redrawing each rather than overlaying color so that it won't affect my choices and so that I might stumble on some happen accidents:

 Next I've taken an additional step I usually don't, and enlarged a few of my color studies, cleaning them up and adding more details, looking to tell more of a story.

I'm also trying to see if juggling multiple, unrelated projects helps me keep my momentum, so I've done some sci-fi gun silhouettes, with some quick shading thrown on top to give it more form. (need props in my portfolio, too)

Speed paint dump: