Clayton Barton Art Blog

ZX-TREM 21 Mech Design

2014-09-09T04:41:00.001-07:00

Just finished up the latest Demo for Visual Design. This time around students were taught how to construct a Mech character using pre-visualization tactics, interconnecting forms to construct a mech and hard surface rendering techniques.

The assignment was an excellent next step in showing students how the rules of perspective could be used to create complex formations using primitive shapes as a foundation.

Admittingly I was a little nervous going into this one – The ZX-TREM 21 battle Mech is my first real shot at the genre. Pleased to say in the end, it all came together. In fact, I wouldn’t mind smashing out a few more of these mecha beasties in the not too distant future.

Here’s a quick description of the design – The ZX-TREM 21 was designed as a battle Mech which would be controlled by cyborg soldiers during battle. This particular Unit has been reprogrammed by a half cyborg, half human super solider experiment named AL to aid in her escape from the NEXZ Complex. The ZX-TREM 21 arsenal consists of High Powered Propelled Laser Cannons capable of instant incineration. It's weaponry, and the Mech itself is powered by a heavily armored Fusion Core.

Enjoy
-Clayton

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Gorgrilla Creater Concept Design

2014-08-13T02:01:00.001-07:00

Remember those Gorgrilla sketches I posted up a few weeks ago?

Well, I decided to polish one of the critters up into a full blown creature concept as a demo for my Visual Design class.

Now he may not win any beauty pageants, but he’s a more then welcome addition to the creepy creature kingdom that’s for sure.

For those wondering, 5 and a half hours of tender love and care went into this beast.

Enjoy
-Clayton

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Character Design Demo - Gorgrilla Creature Sketches

2014-07-17T03:15:00.000-07:00

If you're curious about the creation of these gorgeous Gorgrilla's, here's a sped up review demonstration that'll take you through the entire process from start to finish.

In realtime these critters took 03:12 hours.

Gorgrilla Prototype

2014-07-16T06:11:00.001-07:00

The semester has only just begun and we're already taking on the beastly topic of Creature Design. This first demo focused on teaching students how to conjure up interesting and unique ideas by describing various attributes about their creature inside a Word document. This allowed for the cultivation of a visual interpretation that would give them a place to start working from. The design itself was then prototyped down onto the canvas through a combination of silhouettes and sketching.

For the demo I came up with this ghastly abomination - The Gorgrilla. Amoung his many merits, this guy is able to vomit acidic slime from his mouth as a defense mechanism. This slime is toxic even from a distance due to the potent fumes it unleashes. The Gorgrilla also has a venomous bite it uses to paralyze it’s victims. Once infected, the bacteria in the venom floods throughout the hosts body, and later turns it into a zombified carrier of the Gorgillas offspring. The Gorgrilla is also extremely aggressive in nature making it an excellent weapon of war."

Over the next few weeks we'll be taking these creature drafts and developing them into finely polished creature concepts.

Character Design Demo - Post Apocolyptic Mutant

2014-05-05T22:01:00.002-07:00

This is a recording of the Apocalyptic Mutant Character Concept. The video is sped up from about 2 hours down to about 15 min, and demonstrates the entire work flow from start to finish.

Check it out and enjoy the video.

Post Apocalyptic Mutant Character Concept

2014-05-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

Another glorious inhabitant from the post-apocalyptic, war ravaged Earth theme.

The catastrophic, intergalactic weaponry used by the alien invaders during the war created a fallout of pollution and toxins that caused severe genetic anomalies throughout humanity in the years to come.

The character concept you see in front of you describes one of the beasts left lurking around after the invasion.

This guy was demoed during class in about two hours.

Fraktalvoid Gears up for the Release of They're Latest Mobile Game App

2014-05-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Video games are a unique genre of entertainment aren’t they?

I mean is there anything else out there that allows you to immerse yourself and interact within a world created purely from imagination on that kind of level? That’s what get’s us so hooked so quickly!

Because games are an art form in and of themselves that allow us to communicate our ideas with one another more potently then ever, here in this modern age of technology.

As much love as one might have for Games, there’s no question that setting out to make one is ambitious. In fact often times it’s quite frankly a struggle, especially when there’s only 4 of you pulling every ounce of passion, motivation and drive to make that killer idea become a reality. If you’re part of a small indie dev team you know what I’m talking about.

For the last few years, myself, dev leader Chris, magnificent manga artist Nirza ‘Scyfon’ Khan, sound magician George and the rest of us at Fraktalvoid have been doing just that. We’ve finally made Speed Blazers 2 a reality, with over 72 levels, 8 kickass playable characters, each with unique abilities, and a refined gameplay.

Here’s the exciting news though…

We’re really pushing to get it into your hands within only a matter of weeks from now.

So I'm quickly sending this post out to you because I'd like to invite you to check out http://fraktalvoid.com/ .

Any updates and news about the game will be available for you right there, along with a whole bunch of development content we're currently putting together.

You can also follow us right here on Google Plus. https://plus.google.com/+FraktalvoidGames/

Thanks, and talk soon!
-Clayton

P.S. By the way, if you've got any questions about the game that you'd like to ask, you're welcome to post them in the comments below. I'd be more then happy to answer them.

Character Design Demo - Post Apocolyptic Gaurd

2014-05-01T18:24:00.001-07:00

Here's a 10 minute recording of the Post Apocolyptic Guard Concept I demo'd earlier this week. It's sped up of course, from just under 1:30hrs and takes you through the entire process from start to finish.

Check it out and if you enjoy the video, be sure to like and share the love.

Godzilla Asia Trailer

2014-04-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

GODZILLA is looking more incredible than ever. The design is flawless, the story intriguing and the performances promising. Cannot wait to see it!

Check out the new Asia Godzilla Trailer

Post Apocolyptic Gaurd Concept Art

2014-04-28T03:41:00.003-07:00

This semester we're focusing on designing character and environment concepts for a post apocalyptic world. Planet Earth has been ravaged by a war between two planets, the remaining survivors taking refuge in the scattered ruins across the globe.

Today's class demo is of a guard keeping watch outside one of these hideouts, in charge of warning the rest of the clan against threatening intruders.

- Clayton Barton

This One's a Beauty

2014-02-10T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hi,

it’s Clayton here, bearing a gift for you in the form of a brand new drawing tutorial. How to Draw Female Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits, is fresh, hot and just published. It’s there for the taking, so hit the link below and check it out!

http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-heads-chapter-3-0/c8ty

This one kinda had me biting off a little more than I could chew.

It’s becoming a problem too. Not just because of my high caffeine levels and off the chart sleeping patterns either. You see fellow artisans; I seem to have a problem one upping every new tutorial that’s published!

If they get any longer this site is going to end up more like the How to Draw Comic’s Encyclopaedia… Wait a second… That would be awesome!

In any case, one can never do with too much information so I’ve done my best to pack as much into this tutorial as possible.

I’ve received a load of feedback from you guys on how I can make these walk-throughs the best they can be. Thank you! Since the main benefactor of these tutorials is YOU, your feedback is highly valuable.

A majority of the suggestions focused on two things; a more in depth look at drawing hair and the process behind detailing (rendering and lighting).

You will be pleased to know, I’ve heard your cries for help.

Although these topics will ultimately be expanded into individual tutorials, I’ve made a point of explaining them on an even deeper level in the new How to Draw Female Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits tutorial… And I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

So what is this exciting new addition to How to Draw Comics .NET all bout anyway? Well as you’ve probably already guessed this time around you’ll learn how to draw the head of a female comic book character.

Funnily enough, the basic construction is all very similar to the How to Draw Male Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits so at least that part will be easy peasy for you guys.

BUT, the purpose of this tutorial is not to teach you what you already know…

You see as an artist, you very quickly realize that drawing women is kind of A LOT MORE DIFFICULT then drawing men.
Here’s why…

Men have bone structures and facial muscles that are more pronounced then women. This allows us to use distinctive lines with stronger shadows to describe the prominent, sharper features of the male head in order to achieve that masculine resemblance. In short we’ve got more building blocks to play with.

When it comes to women though, it’s not so easy! There are less bread crumbs laid to help us out along the way. Their faces are smoother, softer, and subtler. This gives us fewer lines to use, less obvious forms to draw, and ultimately results in a considerably constrained approach to drawing.

Lucky for you guys, ‘How to Draw Female Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits’ has been specifically designed not only to address these issues and how to deal with them, but it will also explain ‘why’ the physical differences between men and women exist.

If you let me take you by the hand and follow my lead, I’ll have you drawing your own super, sexy, powerful heroines in no time!

Here’s a list of gems you can expect to glean from How to Draw Female Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits

Learn the illusive elements that define womanly beautyDiscover what to draw, and WHAT NOT TO DRAW to create a youthful, feminine appearance for your comic book heroines.
How to draw, style, and render hair using the ‘BANG’ method.
Find out ‘why’ less is MORE when it comes to detailing women.
Learn to draw alluring eyes, lips and other facial features that exude femininity.
Take an in depth look into the process behind lighting and rendering.

Lastly, I’d like to personally thank everyone who entered the How to Draw Male Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits competition. You all did brilliantly, and being able to physically see the results you ended up with by following these tutorials is incredibly rewarding, not just for you but for me aswell.
The winners have been announced and you can check out their entries over at the new Winners gallery. http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-contest-winners/c1d0o

If you missed the comp last time around you’ll be pleased to know that another one has just been launched for the new How to Draw Female Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits tutorial. For more information be sure to hit the link below.

http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-comics-competition/c3tw

As always, it’s your feedback and suggestions that help make How to Draw Comics .NET the best possible drawing resource out there. So if you’ve got any suggestions, constructive crit, or input for the site, you’re more than welcome to e-mail me at claytonbarton@howtodrawcomics.net . Of course, if you’d just like some good old fashioned one on one help with your drawing, I’d also love to hear from you.

Until next time Comic Artisans,

Keep learning, keep drawing, and keep the dream ALIVE,
-Clayton

Morgan Freeman Finger Painting

2014-02-06T04:39:00.000-08:00

You certainly couldn’t call me a Picasso when it comes to finger painting, let alone an IPAD finger painting Picasso. But guy’s, this is incredible.

How to Draw Male Heads - Picture Perfect Profiles

2014-01-27T17:24:00.001-08:00

Hey everybody.

How are you? I hope you’ve had a pleasant week thus far.

And if not… Here’s a treat that’ll make it better regardless.

http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-heads-chapter-2-0/c14yy

That is the link to the newest addition in the How to Draw Heads series over at http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/. I’m not quite sure, but I think I’ve managed to pack even more into this one then the first.

This time you’ll learn a step by step process that can be used to draw the classical Male Head from the side.

If you managed to fly through the first tutorial without a problem, you’ll absolutely ace this one. In fact, it turns out that the Side of the Head uses the same proportions as the Front.

Which means you can take what you learned in the first tutorial and apply it here too!

It’s not always sunshine and roses though. Because although the proportions of the head remain the same… The way the features are drawn is completely different. Not just from the side either, but from every angle! It’s a bit of an obstacle for us artisans to overcome, but this tutorial has been especially design to give you the tools needed to tackle it head on.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s covered in the tutorial:

- Creating a base blueprint that’ll make drawing head profiles a piece of cake.

- Laying out proportional guidelines to ensure your heads looks correct each and every time.

- Drawing facial features from the side. You’ll be surprised how easy this one is!

- An in depth look at layering hair using ‘the bang technique’.

- An overview on how to use shadow and rendering to refine form and create 3D depth.

If you liked the first tutorial, I’m confident you are going to get just as much out of this one. Please enjoy, and good luck!

-Clayton

P.S.

Got some feedback or suggestions on how these tutorials could be made even better? Maybe you’ve got some questions about the site or upcoming content? Whatever it is, I’d be more than happy to hear from you!! So send your e-mails to claytonbarton@howtodrawcomics.net, and I’ll personally reply to all of your questions and suggestions.

P.S.S

And one more thing! Turns out a lot of people missed out on the competition I ran on howtodrawcomics.net last week for the Picture Perfect Portraits tutorial. And it’s my fault for hiding it on the very last page…

So I’ll be leaving it open until next week. Here is the more… exposed link for more information on the comp and what you can win. http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-comics-competition/c3tw

How to Draw Male Heads - Picture Perfect Portraits

2014-01-20T05:47:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone.

Well, it has been a long time coming.

As I type this, I’m running on about 4 hours sleep. Yes. I’m fully aware that’s probably not good for my health. But the reason why I’ve been up so long is so I could get this to you.

http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/#!how-to-draw-heads-male-front/c108u

I’m pleased to tell you that How to Draw Comics . NET is now live. And when you click that link you’ll be taken to the first, new and completely free tutorial available on the site.

This first comic art tutorial focuses on how to draw the front of the male head, leading you step by step through the technique I personally use for all my characters.

Bear in mind, this is the very first tutorial in a series of many. So be sure to keep a close eye on your inbox; that way you’ll be sure not to miss out on any new releases.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s covered in the tutorial.
- A simple, easy to remember method for drawing the human head.
- Nailing down the classical proportions of the head and face once and for all.
- Correct placement of the facial features, the jaw and cheek bones.
- Helpful tips on creating stylish hair do’s and how to lay them on the heads of all your characters.
- An overview of various shadow and rendering techniques and how to use them.
- How to create an endless variety of unique and memorable heads using a single method.

Enjoy the tutorial guys,
-Clayton

P.S.

I’ve never written a how to draw book before. In fact this is really the first time I’ve documented a step by step written guide for my drawing techniques. So if you get something out of the tutorial (or if you don’t), your feedback and suggestions are more than welcome.

Game of Thrones Season 4 Trailer

2014-01-12T18:58:00.002-08:00

For those on the hunt for a little inspiration - There is still 3 months to go. But season 4 of Game of Thrones is shaping up to be absolutely EPIC.

Wolverine Gestures

2013-12-18T21:59:00.001-08:00

Hello boys and girls.

Well it's just hit the crack of dawn over here in Australia and I'm off to get some much needed shut eye. Can't say I'm looking forward to the 40 degree forecast they've predicted for today. May have to crank the air-con if there is any hope in hell of productivity taking place.

Before I turn in though I'm going to quickly throw up these Wolverine gestures. Hard to look at I know...

But I have high hopes that these little gems are going to help me out greatly with the 30 plus villains I need to smash out in the next two or three months. After a bought of inking and coloring, the drawing side of the coin tends to get a little rusty.

-Clayton

Wolverine Gestures

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Godzilla 2014 Trailer

2013-12-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

I’m not sure how many of you guys have seen this yet but the new Godzilla 2014 movie is looking pretty damn awesome. And not just because of Bryan Cranston.

Lazer Beams, Trees and Hipsters

2013-12-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

My internet presence has been in a sorry state of affairs lately. So I figured it’s about time to step out of my hobbit hole and enter back into the cyber scene. Make way for some FB, thumb twaddling procrastination!

I’m also going to drop youtube in the procrastination box, and that’s okay… because this is AWESOME.

I’ve really gotten into this gig with Tin Man studios since jumping onto their new game ‘Appointment with Fear’. I guess that comic artist inside of me finally got a chance to shine through a video game… book… which is a weird mix but something I’m grateful for. Not sure when it’s coming out exactly and wouldn’t be able to tell you if I did.

I’m sworn to secrecy on this stuff. That’s why I can’t show you any of it :( .

Tin Man aside, I wound things up with Big Ant and a few other contractors, and Vic Uni wrapped up for the year as well. Which gave me a little down time to kick back and relax.

So I felt it would be a healthy choice to chill at Earth Core. For those who don’t know, Earth Core is a giant trance-music festival in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills, where you drink, camp and dance (in any order) the entire time. Colourful light’s, lazer beams, trees and hipsters are always the perfect recipe for an enlightening experience.

Chilling at Earth Core with the cool kids.

The mountainous wilderness that is Earth Core

Outback clubbing is so much cooler.

And it’s what I needed! The absence of busy city life, work, and life in general is sometimes needed to reground oneself. Even a creative soul like me needs to be reinspired every now and then.

I also figured it was time to catch up with the friends of mine who still remember me and remind them I’m not dead and we should go for a drink.

Somehow I manage to fill up my emptying schedule with evermore projects and late night, coffee consuming work smashing. Good work of course! Otherwise I’d never be so motivated nor obsessed with it.

And one of the things blamed for these highly erratic and unhealthy sleep patterns is this new website I’ve been diligently working on. As much as I want to spill the beans, I don’t want to say too much just yet, but… I sure am excited to share it with my fellow aspiring artists out there. It’s killing me because I’m itching to unveil it!

Well everybody, Christmas creeps ever closer and I wish you all good luck with your gift hunting. I know I’ll need it… You can’t really go wrong with chocolates, cake and flowers right? Kinda caters to all tastes all year round. Sure they’re cleche’, maybe even a little disappointing, yet always satisfying, sweet and dandy.

-Clayton.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Society 6

2013-10-08T18:06:00.003-07:00

Hello everyone. How are you all?

Recently, I put uploaded some work onto Society 6. If you haven’t already heard about this cool site, here’s the rundown – basically it’s an online store with everything from T-Shirts and Hoodies, to IPhone and Ipad cases, plus more. The unique perk this site has to offer is that all these products are available in a limitless assortment of unique art works and prints, created by artists just like myself, which you can choose from.

So be sure to have a peek through my gallery and the rest of the site, you might even find something that captures your attention. I’m offering up a promotion for a short time that’ll give you free shipping when you order a flashy new product with my work printed all over it.
Enjoy!

http://society6.com/claytonbarton?promo=af5955

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Have some Sympathy for Mr Vengeance

2013-10-04T17:51:00.002-07:00

Whipped up this study last night. I chose a favorite movie of mine as the subject, Sympathy for Mr Vengeance. In fact all the movies from director, Park Chan-wook, are mesmerizing.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

An Update on Tinman Game's 'Apointment With Fear'

2013-09-22T01:41:00.000-07:00

I’ve been working with the guys over at Tin Man studios on a title for their new Fighting Fantasy series. Recently they released a post on their blog talking about the project and what you can expect to see coming in Appointment With Fear. It’s been a good run so far, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to work with Tin Man, and on a game that allows me to let loose my passion for comic art. Enjoy!

http://tinmangames.com.au/blog/?p=3614

Dormant Ark

2013-08-10T06:39:00.001-07:00

The last few months have had me hard at work, on numerous top secret projects I’m not allowed to talk about just yet. But. In the late hours of the night, wide eyed on too much caffeine, while all the sane people sleep in their beds, I still manage to find the time to concoct my own tantalizing creations - one of which I am now happy to announce.

Some of you might remember a while back, I created a short demo for a Horror Survival Game called Cradle which served as the major project I undertook during my course back in 2010. Well, I didn’t abandon it entirely; however it is undergoing a major rework from the ground up, with an overhaul on story, characters, environments, and gameplay. Actually it’s basically a brand new game, jammed into the same genre and loose story as the original. The new title for the game will be ‘Dormant Ark’ following the similar, but evolved idea of Cradle. At this point, I’m still in the design phase and will be posting updates here on this blog as well as the official blog (which needless to say is very barebones at this point) as development on the game progresses. Starting with some concept art. :)

Dormant Ark - LEF Scientist - Female

The LEF Science division ('L'unar 'E'xploration 'F'action) spend up to half a decade away from their homes and families, dedicating that time to their otherworldly passions. Committed to their work, the highly motivated team set out to explore undiscovered areas of the Moon's Lunar surface, mapping out new coordinates in search for possible life forms, and natural resources that might see the moon someday harbor a possible colony.

Rickon Hyde is head of the LEF Science Division, both directing and overlooking the research being undertaken at Dome Corp. Working around the clock to ensure productivity, Hyde is clean cut, straight to the point, and unwavering when it comes to compromises. He’s not stubborn because of his position or any kind of arrogance, but when it comes to making the right decision he doesn’t let bias or emotions get in the way. Although some of the team might have their differences with the director, as much as they might hate to admit it, he is usually right.

To find out more about the project and keep up to date on whats happening check out the official Dormant Ark blog at http://dormantark.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.claytonbartonart.com/

In Places Far, Far Away

2013-08-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

Some worlds spawned from the depths of my imagination. I don't do many environment concepts, but when I do, I begin to remember just how fun and creatively liberating they are. I also did these a fair while ago, as class demos for my wonderful student padawans.

And a link to the accompanying video tutorial. Enjoy!

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Blog Love

2013-08-10T06:15:00.003-07:00

Back with some updates. These pieces have been floating around for a while - my blog just has a nasty habit of getting dumped at the bottom of the bucket list. It's time to show it some love. I'd like to say art takes time and lengthy bouts nurturing... but. Ahhh, life and it's business. Would I have it any other way?

Here are some speed paints I did some months back.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/

Interview With Moni Jay 2013

2013-04-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

I was recently given the opportunity to have my first interview this week, conducted by aspiring journalist and writer Moni Jay. And here it is. Enjoy.

Interview with Freelance Concept Artist, Clayton Barton

1. How did you get started as a concept artist? Share a little bit about yourself?

Concept art was something I fell into because I liked to draw. I figured if I want to draw and I want to paint I could get into illustration for books and games. Originally I wanted to do art for comic books, but the demand for artists in the comic industry has declined in the last few years, so instead I worked hard on improving my skills and concentrated on my own artwork.

2. What are the challenges that an artist would normally face when starting a freelance career, and how did you overcome them?

When starting out, there are a lot of freelance artists who may become discouraged, generally because they don’t know what to expect. A lot of freelance artists will often do work for companies literally for nothing for the opportunity of getting their name and artwork out there. But after a while you’ll say to yourself, ‘hey I should be getting paid for the effort I put into this project, even if the project is never released.’ So eventually I started writing my own contracts, which is something a lot of professional freelance artists do.

3. There is a lot of advice on concept art forums about what a successful portfolio looks like. What would be an ideal portfolio if you were in a position to review someone else’s work?

Your portfolio shows off your skill and shows that you can work with a variety of styles. A client may ask for something more stylized or they may want something more simplified, or maybe even something more realistic depending on the project. The artist has to be prepared for anything, especially a freelance artist because they have to get work wherever they can and on many different projects in different industries.

4. The life of an aspiring artist is a relentless learning process. Artists inspire each other all the time on online communities such as Deviant Art and concept.org. Outside of online sites, where else would a young artist be looking for inspiration?

There are a lot of art courses and tutors that can teach and inspire young artists. But my best suggestion would be Gaming conventions, or any kind of art convention, whether its Comicon or BlizzCon, and there are often open seminars that are held where an aspiring artist can learn and be inspired by other artists. Conventions are a good source of information and networking in the industry.

5. Now with huge blockbuster games in production what is the competition like in the concept art industry at the moment?

There is always competition in any industry. There are big-name artists out there with excellent skill who constantly get work. If your new to industry it can sometimes be hard for you to break through, but at the same time there are smaller companies who provide opportunities for young freelance artists.

6. The concept art industry is forever changing. How important is the concept artist’s role in the future?

A concept artist’s artwork often determines the overall design and look of a game, a movie or a character. They can determine the environment, and how the characters look in that environment. As the artist you are creating an entire world from your imagination.

7. How would you see 3D art evolving in the next five to ten years?

Artists will always be needed in the industry, but that doesn’t mean the methods and the tools in which they use won’t change. Programs like ZBrush, 3DSMax and other programs that produce digital media provide new methods of design, and are becoming more popular and more effective in the industry.

8. You have been a freelance concept artist for a few years now. What was it that made you decide to be a teacher, and how would you manage both.

What I like about teaching is I see how my knowledge can help other people. When I acquired a certain skill, naturally I wanted to share my knowledge with aspiring artists, so when I was offered the opportunity I immediately took it. They work hand-in-hand and I will often draw and paint in my classes and students would learn from the outcome of the artwork, so it was easy for me to balance art and tutoring.

9. On November 13, 2012, THQ reported that they had defaulted on a $50 million loan from Wells Fargo. One month after the company filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy, all THQ's properties were auctioned off individually. It was estimated that over 1.09 thousand employees subsequently lost their jobs. How hard will it be now for artists to get a job when up against so many professionals all vying for work in the same industry?

Many employees would have possibly gone into teaching and tutoring, some may have acquired work in other companies. An optimistic way of looking at that situation is a large company can break down into many smaller companies, and this actually provides more jobs and opportunities for artists wanting to get experience in the industry.

10. After working on projects such as the iphone game ‘Speed Blazers’ and a full 3-D simulation game for Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace, what does the future hold for you?

After working on various projects, I would see them all as a beginning of something larger. I look at all projects as a learning experience to prepare me for the future. The Occupational Health and Safety game was one of the first projects I worked on with a team of other artists. I met challenges I had to overcome, such as working to a schedule and working in a team environment. Speed Blazers was the first iphone game I worked on, and during its development I felt I was a part of the company and that company’s future.

11. If you had to go back in time and tell the young Clayton Barton two important things, when he was first getting started, what would they be?

Don’t be a hermit. Remember the other important things in life like friends and relationships. You can hide away in a basement drawing and painting all day, and have no life outside your work, but networking and communication is important. An artist’s inspiration is acquired by seeing the world.

12. If you had a message to share with other talented artists, what would it be?

Be dedicated to yourself and your work, especially if you’re an aspiring artist. The more time and effort you put into developing your skill the better you’ll get, and the better you are the more you’ll want to do it.

Thank you very much Clayton for your time, and now I ask at the end of our interview where can people go to find out more about your work?

My email is, claytonbarton.art@hotmail.com and blog is, claytonbartonartBlogspot.com.au.

http://www.claytonbartonartist.com/