Digital Matte Painter

All applicants must be residents of British Columbia, Canada.
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada ie. Citizen, PR, Open Work Permit.
At this time, we're pleased to offer this role as an option to work from home OR work from our Vancouver studio in the beautiful Gastown area, close to the Waterfront Station in Downtown. (Remote is not available outside of BC; there is no hybrid)

About Zoic
Zoic Studios is a Visual Effects company that specializes in high end visual effects for television, film, and advertising. Our mantra is Visual Evolution - we focus on every part of the process, from the final picture to the pipeline used to create them.

Are you looking for your next creative and technical challenge? Come join our team!

Why Join Zoic?

• We are an Artist owned and operated VFX studio.
• We love what we do and always stay curious about new technology and techniques.
• We respect work/life balance in a hectic industry.
• We work with a team from all walks of life and backgrounds.

We are excited to share an incredible stop-motion animated feature project that promises creativity, collaboration, and a fantastic chance to showcase your skills!
Summary of Position
The VFX Digital Matte Paint Artist is responsible for creating photorealistic environments and visual effects that blend seamlessly with stylized, stage-driven stop motion photography and CG elements. This role will collaborate with the VFX Art Director, Lead Environment Artists, and Sr Compositors to craft environments that elevate the narrative and visual style of our film. The VFX Digital Matte Paint Artist demands both technical expertise and creative problem-solving, translating complex creative visions into production-ready assets under tight deadlines in a fast-paced creative environment.
Job Functions

• Create highly detailed, photorealistic matte paintings that integrate seamlessly with practical set builds and CG environments, maintaining consistency with the established visual style.
• Collaborate with the VFX Art Director and Lead Environments Artists to develop and refine visual beats that match the storytelling and themes throughout the film.
• Render 3D images and elements that are both visually compelling and optimized for integration into the production pipeline, working closely with departments such as Environments, Lighting, FX, and Compositing.
• Use studio-provided suite of digital tools (Photoshop, Nuke, Mari, Substance Painter, Houdini, Blender, Maya, etc.) to produce environments, landscapes, skies, and set extensions that match the photorealistic qualities of stylized practical elements.
• Work efficiently within production timelines, delivering high-quality assets that are ready for final compositing.
• Demonstrate versatility by selecting the most appropriate solution for the job, i.e., knowing when a 2D or 2.5D approach is more effective than a full 3D solution.
• Ensure flawless integration of matte paintings into both set-based plates and CG shots, aligning with lighting, perspective, and texture to create a seamless look.
• Provide guidance and feedback to artists, ensuring the team maintains high standards of quality and consistency when necessary.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a Digital Matte Paint Artist in VFX or film, with a portfolio that demonstrates expertise in 2D, 3D, and hybrid matte paintings.
• Strong knowledge of 3D modeling, sculpting, and rendering techniques with proficiency in industry-standard software (e,g., Photoshop, Nuke, Mari, Houdini, Maya, Blender, Substance Painter, etc.).
• Exceptional understanding of color theory, lighting, composition, and visual storytelling.
• A keen eye for detail and realism, with the ability to recreate environments that feel authentic and integrated into both practical and digital worlds.
• Experience working with shoot data including HDRIs, photographic reference, and photogrammetry.
• Ability to collaborate in a high-pressure, creative environment with a focus on quality and efficient delivery.
• Strong communication and time-management skills to navigate fast-paced production schedules.
• A strong portfolio in photography or traditional art forms (e.g., drawing, painting, sculpting) preferred.
• Familiarity with lighting and compositing techniques to ensure smooth integration of matte paintings into final shots, preferred.

Additional information

• British Columbia Employees Pay Range: $45 - $65 (The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position)
• Zoic does not cover relocation costs.
• Any and all WFH positions require the candidate to have a reliable internet connection via ethernet and work on Pacific Standard Time.
• This job description contains the basic requirements for the position and is NOT intended to be a complete list of responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.
• Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we regret that only those selected to interview will be contacted.

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