Art Careers / Concept Artist
What Does a Concept Artist Do? An Art Career for Kids
Curious about this job? Here is what the work looks like, a typical day, the tools, where people do it and how to get started, plus a small activity so you can try it yourself.
What a concept artist does
A concept artist draws the first ideas for characters, creatures, places and objects in movies, games and animation. Their pictures guide everyone else on the team.
Real-world examples: Ralph McQuarrie, who painted early concept art for Star Wars.
A day on the job
- Read the story and talk with the director about the look
- Make many quick sketches and mood boards
- Paint detailed designs on a computer
- Revise designs based on feedback
Tools of the job
- Pencils and markers
- Digital painting software
- Drawing tablet
- 3D sculpting software
- Reference photos
- Sketchbook
Where they work
- Video game studios
- Film and animation studios
- Home offices as freelancers
The path in 4 steps
Start now
- Invent creatures and draw them from the front and side
- Draw imaginary worlds and maps
- Study animals and plants to get ideas
In your teens
- Take drawing, painting and digital art
- Practice anatomy and perspective
- Share work online safely, with a parent's help
Training
Many concept artists study at an art school or university, and others are self-taught through courses, tutorials and online art communities. A degree is not always required, but a strong portfolio is.
Build a portfolio
Characters, creatures, environments and props, including at least one project shown from rough sketch to final painting.
Skills that help
- Imagination
- Drawing anatomy and perspective
- Color and lighting
- Working fast
- Taking feedback
Try this job
A small taste of the real work, using things you already have.
Invent a creature that lives somewhere strange, like inside a volcano or at the bottom of the sea. Set a timer and draw 6 tiny thumbnail versions in 10 minutes. Circle your favorite and draw it bigger, with notes about how it eats, moves and stays safe. Concept artists make lots of quick versions before choosing one.
Ms Artastic lessons
Lessons that practise skills this career uses.
Related art careers
Learn more
For pay, job outlook and training details, read the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook page for this kind of work.
Which art career fits you?
Answer a few quick questions and see which art jobs match what you love to do.
Take the Which Art Career Fits You quizQuestions teachers and parents ask
What does a concept artist do?
A concept artist draws the first ideas for characters, creatures, places and objects in movies, games and animation. Their pictures guide everyone else on the team.
How do you become a concept artist?
Many concept artists study at an art school or university, and others are self-taught through courses, tutorials and online art communities. A degree is not always required, but a strong portfolio is.
What skills does a concept artist need?
Imagination, Drawing anatomy and perspective, Color and lighting, Working fast and Taking feedback.
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