Risograph and Halftones

 

Experimenting with risograph and halftones textures on Infinite Painter

Happy New Year 2026

The start of a new year has always a strange weight to it. The calendar changes, but life doesn’t magically reset. Habits come with us. 

I don’t feel the urge to reinvent myself in 2026 but sometimes progress often comes from subtraction, not addition.

So this year is about showing up with honesty and less noise. Doing the work. 

That’s enough of a resolution for now. 😊

Podcast: From Recruitment to Retention: Growing Strong Art Teams

I recently joined Elliot Tripp on his podcast From Recruitment to Retention – Growing Strong Art Teams, alongside Lora Tsvetkova (Liquid Ice Studios), Shaun Yow (Sandsoft), and Anto Covi (DECA Games).

We explored what it really takes to build and sustain creative excellence inside a studio. The discussion touched on:

• How to recruit and identify the right talent for a team.

• The importance of career development and mentorship in helping artists grow.

• Building a culture where creativity thrives and people feel supported.

• Retention strategies that go beyond perks, focusing on trust, growth, and shared purpose.

It was a thoughtful exchange of perspectives from different corners of the industry. I’m proud to have contributed my experience as Senior Art Director at King, and I believe these kinds of conversations are essential for shaping the future of art leadership in games.

If you’re interested in team leadership, studio culture, or simply curious about the challenges behind growing strong art teams, I invite you to listen to the full episode here:

👉 Listen on Spotify

#GameArt #ArtDirection #GameDev #Leadership #CreativeTeams #Recruitment #TeamCulture #CareerGrowth #ArtDirector #Podcast

More sketches in Adobe Fresco

 

Here are three recent life drawing sketches I made in Adobe Fresco.

These are quick studies focused on movement and form rather than detail. The goal was to stay loose, not focus on details (especially the first sketch), and work fast.

#LifeDrawing #AdobeFresco #DigitalSketching #SimonLocheArt

Streets of Rabat - Painted in Adobe Fresco

A quick digital painting study based on the streets of Rabat, Morocco. Painted in Adobe Fresco using a limited brush set and a limited palette.

#AdobeFresco #UrbanPainting #DigitalPainting #Rabat #Morocco #SimonLocheArt

Sketch with Adobe Fresco

 

This one's been sitting in the archives for a while. I don't think I ever posted it here.

#Sketchbook #ThrowbackArt #SimonLocheArt

The Video Games Industry Layoff Survival Guide

How to stay grounded, rebuild momentum, and protect your creative future

1. Let it sink in (but not for too long)

A layoff hits hard. Whether you saw it coming or not, it can shake your sense of self.

You’re not just losing a paycheck, you’re losing teammates, routines, and creative flow.

Give yourself space to feel. Talk to people who understand. Then put a short time limit on the emotional spiral. Even two days of rest can make a big difference.

You need your energy for what’s next.

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2. Don’t isolate yourself

Reach out. A short message to trusted colleagues or mentors goes a long way. Let them know what happened and that you’re open to future opportunities.

You don’t need a perfect pitch. Just be real.

Here’s a simple message you can send:

“Hey, I just wanted to share that I was part of the recent layoffs at [Company]. I’m taking a moment to breathe, then starting to look ahead. If anything comes up that feels like a good fit, I’d love to hear from you.”

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3. Update your portfolio without panic

Don’t try to rebuild your whole career in one night. Start with your best 5 pieces. Add a short caption for each: What was the goal? What was your role? What problem did you solve?

If you need more time, consider making a private link to share with recruiters now and polishing it later.

Related article: Video Games Industry: How to Get Hired as a Concept Artist

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4. Protect your narrative

People will ask, “What happened?”

You should keep it simple and neutral:

“There were company-wide layoffs, and unfortunately my role was affected.”

You don’t owe anyone the internal drama. Stay focused on where you want to go, not on what went wrong.

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5. Set a short daily routine (and don’t overdo it)

It’s easy to fall into panic mode and spend 10 hours a day on job boards. Please don’t. Overwhelming yourself won’t speed things up; it’ll just drain you.

Set a light, realistic pace:

• 1 hour: Apply to 1 job

• 1 hour: Personal project or study

• 30 min: Reach out to 1 or 2 contacts

Then stop. Reconnect with your family. Call a friend. Take a walk. Rest. This is also a chance to reset.

Ask yourself:

• Do I still like the kind of work I was doing?

• What do I want more (or less) of?

• Is now the time to start that personal project I’ve been putting off?

Layoffs can create space. Protect that space and use it with care.

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6. Explore your “creative anchor”

If your job was your main creative outlet, you may feel a void.

Try anchoring yourself in a personal project, sketch study, or idea you’ve shelved for years. No pressure to monetize it. This isn’t about proving your worth; it’s about staying connected to what makes you feel like an artist.

Aaaannd... Maybe this is the moment. The one where you finally start building your own game. Or draw that comic book you’ve carried in your head for years.

You don’t need to make it perfect. You just need to begin. Personal projects give structure and meaning when everything else feels uncertain. They remind you why you started this path in the first place.

... And who knows, what begins as therapy might grow into your next opportunity.

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7. Watch your self-talk

It’s easy to spiral into “Maybe I’m not good enough” or "That's maybe the end of my career in the industry". But that’s just your fear voice trying to feel in control.

Replace it with:

“This is a hard moment. I’m allowed to feel it. But I’m still an artist. I’m still building.”

Your identity isn’t tied to a company name.

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8. What to post (and what not to)

You can post publicly about your layoff, but keep it clean and forward-looking. Avoid venting. This is usually not well received by recruiters.

Try something like this instead:

“Today, I join many talented teammates in being affected by layoffs at [Company]. I’m proud of what we built and grateful for the people I worked with. I’m now open to new roles in [discipline], and excited to keep growing.”

It positions you as professional, not bitter.

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9. Consider freelance work

Full-time roles may take time. Freelancing can keep your skills active and your name in circulation. You don’t have to go all-in; one short contract or remote gig can rebuild momentum and help pay the bills.

Try posting availability on ArtStation, LinkedIn, or Discord communities. Let your network know what kind of work you’re open to. Be specific and focused.

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10. Reach out for mentorship

Now may be the time to ask for help. Reach out to someone whose work you respect and ask for a brief chat or a review of their portfolio.

You don’t need to know what you’re asking for perfectly, just say you’re looking for honest feedback or career advice. You might discover gaps you can work on, or even new directions to grow into.

For job seekers in games, Amir Satvat’s website is one of the most practical and generous resources out there, updated job boards, mentorship, and real tools to get back on your feet.

Mentorship can shift your mindset from “What now?” to “What’s possible?”

Amir Satvat's website is a resource's goldmine

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11. You’re not alone

The industry is currently experiencing a challenging period. But talent, care, and craft still matter. Stay in touch with what makes you proud to do this work, and keep showing up, even if quietly.

You’re not back at square one. You’re just in the pause between chapters.

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#GameIndustry #GameDev #LayoffSupport #ConceptArt #ArtCareer #DevLife #CareerTips #SurvivalGuide #ArtistSupport #GamesArt #LevelUp #VideoGameIndustry #PortfolioTips #CreativeResilience

Video Games Layoffs: A Personal Perspective from Inside the Industry

The recent layoffs at Microsoft alongside Xbox, Activision Blizzard, and King were personal for me. Like others in my field, I’ve experienced a cocktail of sadness and frustration. These weren’t simply headlines. They were friends, former colleagues, and people I admired.

Although I am fortunate to still be working in a role I care about, it’s difficult to remain unaffected knowing how many talented and dedicated individuals are now jobless. Some of them spent years crafting game designs, mentoring, and developing complex systems and pipelines which, while unnoticed by the majority of gamers, were essential.

I doubt this will be the last round of layoffs, as it’s the first of many we’ve encountered recently. Each attempt at restructuring reduces the amount of order and reliability that we attempt to accumulate. It also makes us examine in greater detail the ways in which the industry values people, what type of leadership is required, and how we analyze meaningful outcomes.

Most of the effort put in by developers and artists goes unrecognized. Every project has its share of decisions and sacrifices that accelerate progress, and in the case of a game, a game that is far deeper than what the final product goes far deeper than what the final product reveals. In every game, there’s many pieces of work that are missed, thus remaining unpaid, and most of them are and most of them are a requirement.

If you’re in a hiring position, or know someone who is, I hope you’ll look seriously at the many talented individuals now looking for new opportunities. Their value doesn’t disappear because of a restructuring decision. If anything, their resilience and perspective are more vital than ever.

To those affected: I admire the contributions you’ve made. I’m hopeful that your next chapter brings you not only stability, but a place where your talents are truly seen.

And to those still standing: let’s support one another. Share portfolios. Make referrals. Push for transparency and empathy where we can.

Because this industry doesn’t thrive on tech alone. It thrives on people.

#GameIndustry #MicrosoftLayoffs #GameArt #GameDevCommunity #SupportArtists #SimonLocheArt

Taste doesn’t scale, trust does

Most people think an art director’s job is to dictate a visual style...

… I disagree.

In my experience, the real challenge is helping the team believe in a shared vision, and in themselves.
Inviting your team to actively contribute to the art direction fosters both trust and a shared sense of clarity.

Anyone can point at a moodboard and say, “Let’s make it look like this.” But building visual coherence in a game is less about aesthetic preference and more about alignment, communication, and trust.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years leading diverse art teams:

▶︎ Taste doesn’t scale, trust does. Your personal eye matters, but empowering others to solve creatively within a direction is what makes teams strong.

▶︎ Clarity beats control. A great direction gives artists room to explore confidently, without second-guessing. Micromanagement kills both speed and spirit.

▶︎ Consistency is co-authored. Art direction isn’t about having the final word. It’s about shaping the first one clearly enough that others can build on it.

The best work I’ve seen didn’t come from enforcing taste, it came from shared ownership.

As an art director, your job isn’t just to see the picture. It’s to help others see themselves in it.

#ArtDirection #GameDevLeadership #ConceptArt #CreativeTeams #TrustOverTaste #GameArtTips

Ink and Character: Digital Portrait Study in Rebelle 7

Drawn in Rebelle 7, focused on gesture.

#InkDrawing #DigitalSketch #Rebelle7 #PortraitStudy #Brushwork #SimonLocheArt