Kalen Chock is a concept artist and illustrator working in the video game and entertainment industry.
Professional Portfolio
Check http://www.robotpencil.net/ to learn about Kalen’s mentorship opportunities
Visit http://gumroad.com/k04sk for Kalen’s affordable art tutorials
Educational background:
- Art Institute Of California, Orange County, concept design academy
- Graduated in Game Art and Design in 2009
- Bachelor’s Degree of Science
Number of years in industry: 9
Projects worked on: Pirates Treasure Hunters , Dust , various Film Pitch Projects , various TV commercials .
Kalen Chock’s current portfolio examples:
In this first part of the interview, we asked Kalen Chock specific questions about what it’s like to be a concept artist in the entertainment industry, discuss some of the one-the-job challenges, as well as his educational background. Here’s what he had to say:
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU DECIDED TO COMMIT TO BEING AN ARTIST? WHAT WERE YOUR MOTIVATIONS/ INSPIRATIONS?
I was kind of late to “Concept Art”- I didn’t know I wanted to pursue it until my last year of school. At my school we only had one class of digital painting (which was background design) and although I enjoyed the class, I was still exploring alternate skill sets (mainly modeling, animation, vfx, etc.). Ultimately, I realized that I liked painting on a tablet and concept art was something that I really enjoyed. It also helped, that I was pretty much surrounded by passionate artists all the time; Anthony Jones, Edgar Cardona, Nino Aguilar, and Mio Rosario, to name a few. They were the best in the school.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I think the biggest challenges are usually non art related. I always say: “Art is easy- life is hard”. (Which I still think is true).
I was young when I had my first art job (about 22, I think), and it was a challenge learning how to be a professional, networking, and adjusting to studio life. Everything from taking art direction, making mistakes and then getting scolded by the boss, to dealing with office politics, and even things like paying back student loans, taxes, balancing my personal time, were all life lessons I had to learn over the years.
It wasn’t easy, but I guess that’s just the pressure that comes with being an adult. The only solace that I can find is that I’m not the only person who is going through this. In fact, some people closer to home have also experienced a similar sort of thing than me. Most of the time it comes down to student loans, and some of my friends have had to get creative with how they pay it off. Most of them decided to look at this article from GoFundMe, (https://www.gofundme.com/c/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-debt) to see how crowdfunding can help them to get back on track with their finances. And it’s a brilliant idea if you ask me. Why didn’t I think of it? If it helps you to focus on other things, like art in my case, then why shouldn’t you try it?
I got through it eventually, but it wasn’t easy that’s for sure. Those lessons were tougher to adjust to, as opposed to learning color, perspective, texturing … etc.
CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL STORY, ABOUT A HARD LESSON THAT YOU LEARNED (ON THE BUSINESS OR ARTISTIC SIDE OF THINGS), THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, HAD YOU BEEN BETTER INFORMED?
I have been rather lucky for the most part and haven’t had too many crazy hard lessons that I had to learn.
Only thing I can think of is save your work . You never know when a studio might lay you off and you will have nothing to show for it . If you can’t save your work then do a bunch of personal work on the side.
A few of Kalen Chock’s student examples:
-
- high school work
-
- 1st year of college
-
- 1st year of college
-
- 3rd year of college
DID YOU STUDY OR TAKE ADDITIONAL CLASSES/ LESSONS, OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL? IF SO, HOW FREQUENTLY? ARE THERE ANY CLASSES YOU TOOK WHICH SURPRISINGLY HELPED YOU IN THE LONG RUN MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT THEY WOULD?
I attended the Concept Design Academy while I was also enrolled at The Art Institute (during in my last year). I believe that we are students of art until the day we die, so I am always open to learning when I can. In fact, I currently go to life drawing at least once a week, try to practice traditional painting every other week, and I even take online classes to up my skills. It’s also important to do things that are non art related as well. To help clear my mind, I play lots of soccer and basketball when I can. Or I’ll run with my dog every morning, or do some martial arts when I can. Staying active mentally and physically is a good thing.
HOW VALUABLE WILL GETTING AN EDUCATION FROM A UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE BE FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS WHO WANT TO BREAK INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY? SHOULD THEY ATTEND A REGULAR SCHOOL WITH A LIBERAL ARTS PROGRAM? A 4 YEAR ART SCHOOL? OR JOB SPECIFIC TRADE SCHOOL (LIKE GNOMON, CONCEPT DESIGN ACADEMY, FZD, ETC). OTHER?
I get this questions a lot and to be honest it really depends on the type of person you are .
NOTHING is guaranteed in art. Therefore, going to art school will not guarantee you a job, just as being self taught will not guarantee you a job either.
To me it really just depends on on your personal circumstances and how you like to learn. We are fortunate to be in a time where one can take many different paths to get to the same destination . I think if you talk to a self taught artist who is successful vs a university art student who is successful. Chances are they will have very different backgrounds and upbringings which awesome, but one thing you will find similar across all paths of successful artists is that they worked super super super hard. Granted some paths are much cheaper than others but to me I don’t really think about the price -I simply think about if it will help me get to my destination and if it’s feasible.
This concludes Part 1 of our interview with Kalen Chock. In Part two, we discuss with Kalen his Dos and DONTs of portfolio building, how he branded and marketed himself in the beginning, and much more. All images used with permission by the artist. ©Kalen Chock
