Senior Environment Surfacing Artist (DNEG Animation)

Overview

In this role you will create CG environment surfacing assets across diverse film styles, ensuring timely delivery and high quality. You will collaborate with Surfacing Leads and Supervisors, participate in reviews, and adapt to varying artistic directions. You will leverage key surfacing tools and renderers, shaping assets for production pipelines. You will work within DNEG’s Surfacing workflow to maintain technical viability and consistency across departments. This is a chance to contribute to award-winning feature animation projects at a leading VFX studio.

Responsibilities

• Create unique CG environment surfacing and grooming using provided reference material
• Submit work to dailies and attend production reviews; address artistic and technical feedback
• Quality check assets before handing off to downstream departments using DNEG protocols
• Learn and become familiar with DNEG Surfacing Dept workflows and pipeline tools
• Attend project-specific reviews, department assemblies, and mandatory meetings

Key requirements

• Experience working on feature animated films of varying artistic styles
• Production experience as an Environment Surfacer including some or all of: props, architecture, terrain and vegetation
• Strong sense of colours and textures balance with ability to adapt to any look or style
• Ability to work closely with Surfacing Leads and Supervisors to ensure quality and technical viability of environment assets
• Ability to effectively translate ideas, suggestions, and questions with other team members
• Highly developed skills with grooming tools and understanding of general use in environments
• Proficient in Mari (preferred), Substance, Photoshop, or BodyPaint 3D
• Production experience in modern ray-tracing or path-tracing software like RenderMan or Arnold
• Demo reel with descriptive breakdown illustrating knowledge and experience in painting, illustration, or design

• Strong communication and collaboration
• Adaptability to multiple styles and feedback
• Attention to detail and problem-solving
• Grooming tools proficiency
• Mari
• Substance

…