Aaron McNaughton

Review

Tell us about yourself: Who are you, what do you love to do and where are you from?

Hey! My name is Aaron, I’m from West Yorkshire in the UK. I’m an Environment Concept Artist.

At the start I found it extremely hard to develop and focus as an artist, primarily due to the overwhelming temptation to try and explore everything during my initial discovery of CG arts. As someone that originally planned to be a tattoo artist, I had absolutely no idea concept art existed, or was even a career choice for that matter. As primarily I was training to be a Graphic Designer, under the impression this was the only direction for me to go as an artist to break into digital arts. It was clearly a necessary hurdle for me, to finally understand myself and where I wanted to go. Graphic design was not creatively fulfilling for me at all, and it took some time and financial detriment to accept this.

As much as I love all aspects of concept art, I was completely seduced by the matte painting field originally. In part due to the inspiration of Blizzard’s incredible cinematics over the years, it was here that I truly began to settle and hone my skill set. After successfully winning a matte painting competition, in which one of my favorite matte painters was a judge, Fabio Zungrone. Hearing the words of encouragement from him was surreal and a life changing moment for me. I persisted for a couple of years further into matte painting, subsequently developing my concept art skills simultaneously which was beneficial later due to my shift in focus later down the line after further experimentation.

What were the biggest problems you faced when you started as an artist?

I discovered concept art after watching the 2009 Transformers movie, and was blown away by the CG in that movie. As someone that has always enjoyed drawing. I was obviously aware of CG, but had no idea it was something you could pursue and learn yourself.

Following the movie I began to research its development, and explored the making of. It was here I discovered Gnomon, and their huge library of tutorials. One of which being from a concept artist who had contributed to the movie Transformers. A 3DS max and Photoshop tutorial, outlining the entire process of creating your own mech. I was sold, and completely addicted to these new tools. It didn’t take long to realize my results weren’t exactly what I was hoping, and something was missing. As discouraging as it should have been based on my results I didn’t stop. After getting several mechs out of my system, I started playing around with some of their other tutorials. It was here I fell in love with creating environments, particularly Matte painting. But once again I found myself struggling, at the time I was so consumed with these new tools, that I was under the illusion that if I continued to practice, it would miraculously get better. While that was my focus for a while, and was reaping some results. I definitely had to step away and address the problems, of which being my lack of art fundamentals training. So I would say the hardest thing for me was stepping away from the fun, “end goal”, and really trying to focus on my weaknesses. I did this on and off for many years, and through persistence, I managed to win a few Matte painting competitions, and get employment as a concept artist/matte painting working on contract at several small freelance houses on and off over years.

Alma the Mother Generator

Given the direction from Adam to create a Steampunk generator, I followed through the same process as used on my first image, but with this one given more liberty in the design. It was here I sketched quite a bit before settling on a design, which I followed through, iterating to the final image.

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/39OE9g

Why did you decide to sign up for CGVerse online art school?

Browsing Artstation I came across an artist named Alessandro Paviolo.

Looking through his incredible portfolio I came across some of the work he did during the mentorship with CGVerse. As his work resonated with me not only on an incredible level for creative execution, but thematically as well. As he was essentially the end goal I was aiming for as an artist, it was only natural for me to follow in his footsteps to pursue a similar education. Following this I researched further, and found other artists that had taken the mentorship too, and who had also created incredible artworks from the education. I was already sold from looking at Alessandro’s work, I knew I needed to get something arranged to get myself signed up.

What did you do during the mentorship and what helped you on each task?

My mentorship was a broad, and extensive introduction to a variety of tools that Blender can offer.
With the help of Adam, and clear instruction, together we went through all what Blender has to offer, and directly applied them to a scenario in which would be beneficial for the creative process. Every session we reviewed my work, and direction, to ensure I was not only applying what the mentor was teaching, but understanding why. This right here is the most important aspect of the mentorship for me personally. Being informed why certain things are done the way they are is crucial to developing as a professional, and reassures you throughout the creative process that you’re on the right path. Initially I was of a stubborn mindset, so this is a lesson I had to learn in a few failures of my own, but all necessary for my development.

Asian Urban Alleyway

Inspired by urban Japanese alleyways, and Asian cities in general. This image was my first official mentorship piece. The general idea was dictated by Adam, but with a broad sense of direction left up to my own discretion.

https://www.artstation.com/artwork/OG4VPg

How was the mentorship for you?

The mentorship offered me more than just a new set of skills, and a new tool to my belt. I feel the mentorship has given me more confidence in myself as an artist. Even throughout the mentorship, in particular the start, I faced many struggles. I persisted, to my own detriment at times, but it was necessary. I needed to get this failure out of my system, and challenge my mindset, and everything prior I had learnt as a solo artist. Everything I had learnt in my own bubble, outside of mentor, teacher, professional input and break free and simply listen. Even though at times I was maybe heading down a successful path with my first image, I consistently found myself second guessing, and unsure. This was through lack of planning, and clear direction from the start, so the goal post was always changing. It was challenging for me to walk away, but it was the best decision to leave that piece behind, and with it, that indecisive mindset. Adam is an incredible teacher who supported me throughout my failure, and encouraged me with my successes. It will take some time to fully absorb all the lessons from the mentorship, but from the time I have spent with Adam, I know I have already improved as an artist, and become more confident in my decision making and execution. And in trusting the process, and my own skills gained and existing from the mentorship to follow an image through to final. Regardless of the subject matter, it’s all the same process. I just need to persist, continue and apply everything I have learnt from up to now.

What would you say when you recommend us to an artist?

If you want to improve there is no if, or but, this mentorship will expand your skill set, and you will see improvement. It depends solely on your time and ability to listen to the mentor’s instruction, and not only absorb as much knowledge as possible, but apply it consistently. What helped me several times throughout the mentorship, during Blender training in particular, was simultaneously following the mentors process, so you are actively applying the teaching real-time during sessions. Youtube tutorials do not compare to getting real time feedback and instruction. It will set you on the right path immediately, rather than having to waste time trying to navigate at times challenging technical or other artistic hurdles. This is by far the best method of teaching I personally have experienced, and the teacher has so much knowledge and guidance that is ready for the taking, if you can apply yourself mentally and physically to the task and instruction. In closing I would highly recommend the mentorship, and Adam as a teacher. If you want to create professional environment concepts, using industry standard pipeline, and be encouraged, challenged, and supported throughout the entire creative process, this is your best option.

What are your next steps?

Process all the teachings from Adam, and everything I have learnt from my successes and failures, and continue to develop as a professional artist. I want to take my time, and create a portfolio that I can be proud of. Thanks to Adam, his incredible wealth of knowledge, patience and consistent support I feel much more confident to do just this. I still have a lot to practice and expand upon, but with the knowledge I have acquired from this mentorship I feel I can push through to achieve my goals. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than seeing an idea taken from sketch through to final execution. I want to continue to develop a streamline and effective workflow, following the methods practiced throughout the mentorship. It was extremely important for me to get as broad an education in Blender as possible, so I have all the skills I require to create professional environment concepts, and following the same techniques address other creative needs of which I feel so much more comfortable in creating, thanks to the mentorship.