Grace Verhagen

Surfacing Artist

graceverhagen@gmail.com

http://graceverhagen.blogspot.ca/

Vision:

I am an experienced surfacing artist with a passion for colour and texture. I am a team player who loves a challenge and takes direction well. I have experience leading a team of artists and a talent for completing projects with quality and efficiency. I am always looking to learn something new and expand my technical and creative skills.

Skills And Abilities:

• Proficient in Mari, Autodesk Maya, Katana, Adobe Photoshop,Mudbox, Renderman and Vray with 14 years of animation industry experience.
• Strong concept of colour, composition and design.
• Excellent drawing skills.
• Strong communication and problem solving skills.
• Enjoys working in a team atmosphere and has a proactive approach to work.

Professional Animation Experience:

Cinesite Studios - Vancouver BC

2018 - Present:

        Lead Surfacing Artist - “The Addams Family”

• Surfaced numerous main characters and key props for this feature film using Maya, Mari, and Katana.
• Developed unique shading looks, most notably for skin, hair and cloth.
• Supported my supervisor by assisting in the training of new artists, reviewing submitted assets, troubleshooting technical problems between departments, bidding schedule deadlines and representing her in reviews and meetings when she has been unavailable.
• Collaborated with other departments to help for create, document and train in our unique pipeline for background characters.

Bardel Entertainment - Vancouver BC

Aug 2017 - Dec 2017:

        Lead Environment Texture Artist - “The Dragon Prince”

• Develop and create texture and shading networks for various 3D props and location assets achieve a 2D look.

2016 - 2017:

        Lead Texture Artist - “Angry Birds Blues”

• Develop and create texture and shading networks for various props and location assets for the Rovio animated property “Angry Birds Blues”
  - Review and approve our team’s UVs and surfacing work before delivering to client.

2015 - Present:

        Texture Artist - Internal Development

• Works closely with design, asset development, and lighting teams to generate new looks and workflows for multiple small projects, including integrating new software packages.

2015 - 2016:

        Texture Artist - “Mack and Moxy”

• Developed character shading systems and textures in Autodesk Maya and Mudbox for the animated property “Mack and Moxy”.

2014 - 2016:

        Texture Artist - “VeggieTales In The House”

• Created textures and shading networks for props and location assets in Autodesk Maya and Mudbox for the animated property “VeggieTales In The House”.

Nitrogen Studios - Vancouver, BC

2011 - 2012:

        Designer - “Kodee’s Canoe”

• Provided 2D designs for characters, props, and locations.
• Created buttons, tables, titles and other additional elements for the apps “Echo” and “Nature Flashcards”
• Designed buttons, frames, and various images for the Kodee’s Canoe official website.
• Organized, designed, and completed the various children’s crafts and explanatory images for the “Discover” section of the website.

2008 - 2011:

Lead Texture Artist - “Kodee’s Canoe” and “Thomas and Friends” animated series

• Textured characters, props, and location elements for “Kodee’s Canoe” and “Thomas and Friends”.
• Required to lead and set an example for other texture artists within the department, work with other department supervisors and step into the supervisor role when called upon.
• Painted original texture images, manipulated photos, provided UV layouts, created Maya and Mental Ray shaders/materials and problem-solved pipeline issues.

Bardel Entertainment - Vancouver BC

2008:

Character Colour Stylist - “Zeke’s Pad” animated series

• Painted character colour designs.
• Responsible for completing digital paintings on time and in style, and reported directly to the series art director.

2006 - 2008:

Colour Stylist / Texturing Supervisor - “Viva Pinata” animated series

• Location colour stylist and texture department supervisor.
• Responsible for approving textured assets and shaders, as well as the final 'look for picture' for lit locations.
• Worked closely with directors to achieve a unified style for the show and ensure that all texturing technical demands were met.
• Painted the colour designs in Adobe Photoshop that were used for texture and lighting reference.
• Helped develop the texturing pipeline to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow, and textured key props and location assets.

2005 - 2006:

Texture Artist - “Word World” animated series

• Textured location and prop assets.

2005:

Texture Artist - “Happily N'ever After” animated feature film        

• Textured characters such as the “Sleeping Beauty” and “Castle Guard” characters, as well as other background characters and some location assets.
• Assisted the texture supervisor in organization and management of assets and client feedback.        

2004 - 2005:

Texture Artist - “Dragons 2: The Metal Ages” direct-to-DVD animated movie

• Textured location, character, and prop assets.

Software:

- Extremely proficient with Maya, Mari, Katana, Mudbox, UV Layout and Adobe Photoshop.

Education and Training:

October 2001 - September 2003:

CDIS (Center for Digital Imaging and Sound) - Burnaby BC

- Certification/Diploma, Computer Animation Program

References:

Available upon request.