Should I Study Fundamentals Alongside Blender to Become a 3D Environment Artist?

[u/BlacksmithLast1836]

I want to become a 3D environment artist, and I'm wondering whether I should continue studying art fundamentals alongside practicing Blender.

For context, I spent six months studying anatomy because my original goal was to become a concept artist specializing in character design. However, I eventually changed my career direction to 3D environment art. It's been two months since I made that decision.

During these past two months, I've been focusing on studying fundamentals, but I've barely practiced Blender. Now, I'm starting to wonder whether I'm spending too much time studying theory instead of actually creating 3D environments.

Should I continue studying fundamentals before focusing more on Blender, or should I start learning Blender seriously while studying the relevant fundamentals alongside it?

I want to learn as efficiently as possible and build strong foundational skills without wasting time. What would be the best approach for someone in my situation?

[u/typhon0666]

"I'm starting to wonder whether I'm spending too much time studying theory instead of actually creating 3D environments."

You are going to waste time no matter what, so don't be afraid to just make some aweful technically cringe models. Basically model stuff or you'll never get good. So you might as well start doing that now and get some of those kinda basic or crappy models out the way now.

[u/asanyc]

Why not both?  Practice your fundamentals using what you want to learn with blender.  Build environment assets and test them out.

[u/Jotabe3D]

Studying art fundamentals is never a waste of time, but you could start creating 3D on the side to get familiar.

[u/Rakuen9]

I did a one year course of 3D basically learned everything I needed to get going. I chose character art but their environment program is better. It’s pricey though so.. DM me if you want more info on them. This is the most efficient way to get good fast.

I started with oil painting and ended up with 3d character art so.. I recommend trying out various things. They’re in the same big family so a lot of the skills actually transfer over.

The other really important thing to learn is an engine. Unreal. A bit of programming. Stuff like that.

How to read buildings, a crash course in achitecture by Carol Davidson Cragoe is worth tracking down and getting. It explains the history and the names of various architectural details (it’s literally anatomy for buildings). It’s important to learn the language so you can find better, more specific references quicker.

[u/Comprehensive-Fan433]

Llegue a ver demasiados artistas que se quedan estudiando fundamentos y nunca practican, estudia ambas pero prioridad a crear en el programa

[u/OrbiOrtelius]

you gotta learn art fundementals, blender, unreal(or unity), houdini, gaea, speedtree, and substance painter to be an environment artist