Visual effects and animation
Digital experiences
Becoming an 3D environment artist
It is also called : digital matte painter
The environment artist is responsible for creating 2D and 3D environments for animated films or live-action films. The environment artist develops sets, landscapes, and objects that are consistent with the artistic style, story, and emotion of the scenes depicted. To do their job, environment artists may digitally paint 2D sets, model 3D sets and objects, or use a combination of both methods.
Crédit: SYNTHÈSE Photo: Priss Auvray
Duties and responsibilities
In collaboration with your team (artistic director, concept artist, environment supervisor, etc.), imagine sets and backgrounds that are consistent with the artistic vision and story of the film.
Digitally paint detailed illustrations of 2D environments and sets using creative software such as Photoshop and Nuke. This technique is commonly referred to as digital matte painting (DMP).
Build 3D models of objects that furnish the sets (e.g., buildings, trees, or rocks) using specialized software.
If you like
Visual arts (film, animation, painting, or photography)
Performing arts (theater)
Architecture, decoration, and design
Natural sciences (geography or geology)
Qualities and skills
Qualities
Creativity.
Curiosity.
Good adaptability. Environmental artists are involved in many aspects of the creative process and often have to change their artistic style from one project to the next.
Attention to detail.
Common tools and software
3ds Max
Blender
Cinema4D
Clarisse
Team members
Lead Environment Artist
Concept Artist
Modeling Artist
Opportunities for advancement
Study programs
Some of the skills required to work as an environmental artist can be developed through the following programs. Find out about the specific features of each school to see which one best suits your interests:
Diploma of College Studies (DCS)
Formations techniques (3 ans)
Dessin animé
Cégep du Vieux MontréalIllustration
Collège DawsonTechniques d'animation 3D et de synthèse d'images
Cégep de Matane, Cégep du Vieux Montréal, Cégep Limoilou, Collège Bart, Collège Dawson, Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne, Collège O'Sullivan de Québec, Institut Grasset**Techniques cinématographiques et télévisuelles
Collège Bart, Cégep de Jonquière
Salary
In the province of Quebec, no official data is currently available for the profession of environmental artist. However, for comparison purposes, 3D artists earn between $20/hour for beginners and $51.28/hour for experienced professionals, with a median salary of $30/hour, according to data from the Government of Canada (2024).
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