| |
|
3DTotal: Hiya Doug! I’ve enjoyed researching about you ‘cos it’s a fantastic feast for the eyes! So what makes you tick?
Doug: Hmmm, this is actually a tough one. The main drive for everything for me right now is my family. They’re my backbone, my heart and my soul. As far as art: everything! I’ve always been drawn to concept art, ever since receiving The Art of The Empire Strikes Back. That really struck a chord in me. Currently
I’m really into more ‘cartoony’ art – Armand Serrano, Billy George and Peter Clark to name a few.
|
|
| |
|
3DTotal: I’m sure you’re not the only one who said, “That’s what I’m gonna do!” when they saw the concept art behind Star Wars. It has sparked many a career. Have there been any other such moments throughout your career?
Doug: Yeah, tonnes actually. I couldn’t think of them all if I tried! In art school I wanted to be a comic artist or work on films, and that was pretty much my whole goal. Then I saw some concept art in an old gaming mag. I was excited by the thought of doing art for games and working my way up to films. Another one was when I realised how digital art could be just as fresh as traditional art. I used to be a bit biased against computer art; most of what I had been exposed to was pretty stiff. Then I saw Craig Mullins’s website. It was a major eye opener. It was so alive! Then, a few years later, I got the Episode II artbook (Star Wars again!). Dermot Power’s work blew my mind! That was the final kick in the pants I needed to really jump into computer art. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
3DTotal: Tell us a bit about your current company and work at ArenaNet?
Doug: ArenaNet is an awesome company. I started when there was just over twenty people here. Now it’s like a hundred and twenty, or a hundred and thirty. It still has a really great vibe, even though it’s grown. The founders still work in the trenches with the rest of us – it’s really inspiring. To be honest, the founders work probably harder than ninety-eight percent of us, and the last two percent are working at the same level as them. They’re really focused on family life and time outside of work. It’s a great place! |
|
|
| |
3DTotal: Sounds like a great place, do they often hire new concept artists? Do you have anything to do with this process or can you shed a little light onto what you like to see in an applicant’s portfolio?
Doug: It is a super good place!! We don’t hire concept artists too often. There’s really only been two new artists in the last few years. Jaime Jones and Matthew Barrett. Both are beyond phenomenal! I like to see thought process in a portfolio, and a wide range of subject matter. I’m even more impressed if that range of subject matter has a consistent style that pertains to that person. An example would be Matt’s portfolio. He was really hired mainly on his sketchbooks; he would have aliens alongside knights and aeroplanes – all uniquely ‘Matt’.
3DTotal: When creating concept art for Guild Wars, how does the process work; are you free to draw what you want or do you have tight guidelines? Can you take a few days over an image or does a big guy with
a whip shout, “Faster Doug, faster!” all the time?
Doug: Ha ha. It’s actually a mix of all those things, except for the big guy with the whip... it’s actually several smaller men with whips! There are times of complete freedom, where literally anything goes, then there are times when something is described down to the eye-patch label. It really is a mix!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
