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What Are the Ways to Become a Video Game 2D Artist

If you're interested in a career as a 2D artist, you're in for a creative journey. A 2D artist is a person who develops art and draws assets and other attractive images. The profession requires a proper understanding of software and specific art creation tools. Most 2D artists are talented in making visual elements necessary to build up a game, such as weapons, backgrounds, props, characters, and many others.

2D artists can venture into several jobs, like working in a game development organization, advertising brands, drawing cartoons and comics, and providing illustrations for books. Whether you're a beginner or looking to advance in your career, the following tips are crucial for your path to becoming a 2D artist:

Developing your artistic skills

Becoming a successful 2D artist starts with having excellent art skills such as drawing, composition, and color theory. These skills are crucial as they assist you in creating visually appealing and compelling artwork. You can attend art classes at an institution or use online means to develop these skills if that is too hard, the exercise by drawing and painting regularly. It can also be worth looking at the pieces of art from fellow artists for inspiration and to gain new techniques.

Learning software

A strong understanding of graphics software is a must-have when developing digital artwork. For instance, proficiency in software programs like Procreate and Adobe Photoshop is highly acknowledged in 2D art. 2D modeling software lets you satisfy customers by designing superb visualizations for their projects. You can visit online websites to learn how to use this software through video tutorials for free. 

Building a portfolio

As a 2D artist, your portfolio is essential to showcasing your skills and attracting potential clients or employers. It should host a variety of your best artwork, available sketches, character designs, and other ready art-related tasks. A well-organized portfolio attracts more than huge names on a resume. When coming up with a portfolio, ensure it is clear and detailed well enough to make the employer hire you from the first glance at the file. A good portfolio should be standard with your contact details, such as mail, skype, and other links to your social media accounts. Don't give the employer any reason to deny you the job opportunity. 

Networking and finding opportunities

Networking is crucial for all the creative careers you might think of, and it doesn't change when it comes to 2D artists. The following can assist you in networking effectively and efficiently: Attending art events, becoming a member of online communities, and keeping tabs with other artists and experts in the 2D art industry to learn about new opportunities and how you are fairing in your work. By networking and developing strong relationships with others in the same field, you can increase your visibility and find paying markets for your art. 

Good communication 

Communication is a friendly and easy way to gain an employer's trust. How you interact with a client matters, explain a design to a client using simple terminologies and make sure they understand whatever is going on. 2D artists should also be able to collaborate and share their works easily with team members while they are ready to receive feedback and make any necessary changes. 

What Are the Different Types of 2D Art?

Two-dimensional art is simply art that is created in two dimensions, using length and width. It includes different mediums, from traditional media such as pencils, paints, and charcoal to digital art developed using software tools. Below are the different types of 2D art:  

Drawing

This is the most common form of art. An image or a design is created from lines on a surface. In numerous cases, drawing media include pencils, crayons, pens, and charcoal. Artists can draw on various surfaces, such as paper, canvas, walls, rocks, and digital pads. Drawing is the initial step for other types of 2D art. Many different techniques are used in drawing, like line drawing, shading, and cross-hatching. Line drawing is creating a picture using only lines, while shading adds pressure and depth to a drawing to achieve darker values or lighter values of art. Cross-hatching is a process in which several strings are crisscrossed to enhance shading. 

Painting

Painting is applying pigments to a surface, such as canvas, wood, or paper, using a brush or other tool. It might depict time or place, tell a story, or pass a specific message. There are three most used types of paints, each with unique characteristics and techniques, as shown below:

• Oil paints are created by mixing different pigments with oil from dried seeds. These paints are long-lasting and easily blend with other colors.
• Watercolors are made of pigments suspended in a water-based solution. They are available in tubes and pans and are characterized by a translucent quality.
• Acrylic paints are made from pigments mixed with a synthetic polymer and can dry fast. They are also made lighter with water and thickened using paste.

Printmaking

It is the 2D process of creating multiple copies of original artwork using a mechanical printing press. There are several different printmaking processes, such as relief, intaglio, and lithography. Relief printing is whereby a 2D artist carves away parts from a matrix made of wood or another material and then inks the cut part and hardens it onto a suitable surface to produce an image. Intaglio printing works oppositely from relief prints and is defined by incising lines on wood or soft metal blocks. Lithography is drawing an image onto a plate using a waxy substance, such as a greasy crayon or ink, and then pressing the plate onto paper.

Illustration

This is when an artist creates a visualization to explain a particular concept, such as in comics or on websites. 2D artists use different tools in their illustrations. These mediums include pens, graphite pencils, paints, and software tools. The ability to use visual imagery to attract audiences and convey helpful information is overwhelming. Despite being started decades ago, illustration still holds endless possibilities in the modern world through weather forecasts, fashion labels, and maps. 

Conclusion

Being a 2D artist allows you to develop visually engaging artwork and lets you share your ideas with different masses. As mentioned above, I believe you know where to start if you want to become a 2D artist and know the different types of 2D art available. Businesses should collaborate with 2D artists to ensure their products are advertised coolly and fun while aiming to increase sales and maximize profits. For effective 2D artist services, reach out to us.