Stop Watching 3D Tutorials!
The Secret to Becoming A Better Artist
I initially had a different topic planned for this week focusing on being a 3D Artist on social media. An email I received has compelled me to change course. My apologies, social media – I'll be back with you next week. Allow me to share the message I received:
"I'm so lucky that the YouTube algorithm brought me to your videos.! Thank you so much for putting these together. I’ve watched yours, all of Arvid Schneider’s, and some of Andrew Price’s. Are there any others you would suggest to help me?"
This message is incredibly heartwarming, and it absolutely made my day. However, it got me thinking…If this individual has already consumed all of my tutorials and those from other esteemed artists, they DEFINITELY don't need more tutorials. What they need is less learning and more arting! (or art making…or creating…nah…I like arting.)
I had a more in-depth conversation with this person, and they expressed feeling stuck at a beginner to intermediate level as a 3D Artist. They admire the impressive work of others but struggle to elevate their own skills to the next level. Their solution: learn more about 3D to improve.
This situation is a common one, and trust me, I've been there too. Remember, I’m the one that makes the bad art…
But the secret to improvement doesn’t come from watching others. You need to make it yourself. Often, we fall into the trap of thinking that by passively observing others, we will absorb their knowledge and apply it to our own work. It just doesn’t work that way. Improvement comes from the muscle memory developed from actually going through the process yourself time and time again.
Certainly, tutorials are valuable, especially for beginners or when you're stuck and need to learn a specific workflow. However, don't get lost in the tutorial world.
The ideal balance should be 90% creating and 10% reading or watching tutorials. Yes, this advice is coming from someone who has been teaching and creating 3D tutorials for over a decade. But once you understand where all the buttons are and the basic workflows, it's up to you to take the leap. Dive into the tools and challenge yourself to create increasingly better work.
So, here’s the message this week: stop watching tutorials, stop reading this, and start creating something! Use this as your kick in the pants to get going!!!
Then reach out to me and share what you have made! I’ll leave my contact info right here:
michaeltanzillo@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltanzillo/
3D News of the Week
A roundup of interesting 3D-related news you may have missed this week.
Procreates New Animation Tool - YouTube
Roblox is launching avatar-based voice calls with facial motion tracking - TechCrunch
SwiftRes: Free Optimal Texture Resolution Calculator for Unreal Engine 5 - 80.lv
Adobe After Effects Can Now Be Used For 3D Projects - 80.lv
Ada Sokół on Seeking Beauty in ‘Ugly Things’ via 3D Art - WWD.com
Artist of the Week
Great breakdown of creating this project in Blender, Substance 3D, and Unreal on the artist’s Artstation page below:
3D Tutorials
Didn’t you read the article!?!??! No tutorials. Go make something!!!
3D Job Spreadsheet
Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)
Michael Tanzillo is the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, Michael is the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel
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