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How does one become a concept artist?

Kamapelmeenid·12/15/2015, 1:36:19 PM·1 votes·1,488 views

(Sorry for bad english, and I'm posting this on NA forums because the people there tend to be more active). I know what one does need for being concept artist in Riot, but how do I get to be that good? No. Just saying "practice more" won't help. I'd want help from people who are good at concept art or even Reds who work at Riot.

But lets get to the real part now.

How do I prepare for being a concept artist? I'm a 15 year old kid right now. I usually play LoL or draw on my free time. My drawing skills are decent for my age I think. I don't draw too bad but it's not very good either. However even if I'm not very good at drawing, I still love to draw and especially warriors and stuff like LoL. How much would I have to practive to get good? Consider that I have a 6-8 hours long school day from Monday to Friday. I also have homework to do. Will drawing on paper help? How much hours a day/week should I practice? When and if to get a tablet to draw on(I don't know it's name) + the pencil of it. Pretty much when to start digital drawing. Is there any hope I can reach Riot's concept artists level if I practice long enough for years and years? I don't want to work at Riot when I grow up because of good salary. I mean of course that is also good, but I have other reasons. I love drawing and stuff... I sometimes draw warriors mages and other stuff, so I can imagine that drawing LoL skin/champ or whatever concepts would be awesome too. I also like how Riot is a "chill work". I mean of course, you do some serious work there, but I have seen Riot's offices and other stuff and details about the place where Rioteers work. To be honest, it seems pretty awesome! :)

So if anyone actually read this, answer me please! :) Is it too late to start, and if no, then give me some clarity on concept art. Being a concept artist seems really awesome. How should my whole practice thing look like? (hours a day, what to do when I see that I have improved and etc.) Thank you! :)

2 Comments

IsmokeOregano12/15/2015, 2:39:10 PM1 votes

it's never too late!

When i was your age (im only 21 now lol) i was the same way, i drew on everything. Teachers even gave me bonus points for my elaborate doodles on tests i handed in, i was not excellent but i was better than most. I wanted a job with art because of my passion for it, not money. However people all around me discouraged me, and i eventually decided i was never going to be good enough to get a career in art, and i couldn't afford college for it anyways, so life took me down a different path.

Don't be like me, chase your passion! Draw all the time, make speed drawing videos and put them on youtube (or just save them) so you can see yourself improve. If you get a drawing tablet try making small animations, post them somewhere. People will see them, ask for feedback and advice. Ask what you did well, and what you could improve on. Ask for non-paid internships when you get older, all companies love experience but it's hard to get experience when no one will hire you. Try to find a mentor (like you said maybe a red that can help or anyone you can find with the career you want) and do what they did to get the job they have. Look up concept artists online and study their work, try to mimic their techniques. Learn what tools they use, and understand the difference between concepts and complete works of art. Concepts are very detailed yet are not supposed to take a long time to render, not every concept is accepted.

You seem like a decent kid with an idea of what you want out of life, unlike myself being so indecisive. Do what you must to try to get what you want, but remember to have a back-up plan because it is in fact a hard job to land. Best of luck!

WarPaint553/18/2016, 3:04:08 AM1 votes

Hey, if you'd like to draw up a concept picture for my concept champion, I'll add your picture to my post and make it the first official concept art for my champ! It's up to you. Check out my champ concept and if you feel inspired to draw something for it, let me know. http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/skin-champion-concepts/okQVlv5H-jinxs-sister-should-be-an-assassin-type-jungler-with-a-love-of-knives