Sourabh Singh is an artist in love with games and designing for them. It’s something he always persevered in even if everybody around him didn’t understand what he was doing or why he was doing it.
A minor introduction, if you aren’t freelancing or studying, where are you working and what’s your current job title?
I am a full-time freelancer for 1 year now, before that I worked for 3 years in different studios. My current job title would be Freelance Game Artist/Concept Artist /Illustrator.
From MECH by Sourabh Singh
What made you so good at what you do? What was your journey like from discovering your craft to acquiring the skill you have now?
I am not good at what I do, it’s just that people like it but for me, I am far far away from what I want to be. Constant practice and learning every day helped me a lot to make me reach where I am today.
My journey was not ideal. I faced much resistance from family when I chose this field as it was brand new around 6 years ago. I went to an Institute for 2 years where I learnt most of my basics. After my time in the Institute had ended in 2013, I began work at an internship where I learnt the basics of making a tv series flash animation. As time went by, I changed studios because I wasn’t getting what I wanted.
In 2014, in Indore, I got my first gaming studio job. I learnt a lot there. The following year, I went to Bangalore to get a taste of a big city life and work culture and it really was an eye-opening experience for me. Last year, I began freelancing had the opportunity to work on a few big projects which helped me to learn a lot. My main purpose will always be to make games or to work in game projects. I constantly watch youtube videos about my field and practice.
From FOUNDLAND ( 1/3 ) by Sourabh Singh
After dealing with clients/bosses/teachers, which moment with them was the strongest learning experience for you?
The strongest learning experience would be when I was working on a game project as a freelancer last year. There was a time constraint to the project so the last 2 or 3 characters were not as good as the first ones. They told me we can give you more time but don’t compromise with quality. That moment was my biggest moment in learning. Since then, I would take a bit more time from a client but my works now are always with quality.
From INHABITED by Sourabh Singh
In the whole world, whose work do you aspire yours to be like? What attracts you to appreciate what they do?
For me, as I am inclined towards games. I admire SPARTH (Art Director of Halo 5), Joshua Singh (a very prominent character artist) & J.C. Park (a very prominent Concept Artist). I would also like to mention Josiah Brooks( aka JAZZA) from whom I learnt almost everything to get me started.
Their work is at the level I want to achieve in the next 2 years. Their style is very unique. Jazza is the kind of professional I aspire to be with the skill-set of the remaining three.
From DYSTOPIA #1 by Sourabh Singh
What do most people not realise about your work/area of expertise?
That it takes a time to be good at what we do. It takes much more time than conventional fields. People compare money made in this field to others fields without realising it takes more time in this field to get off the ground than the other fields. My parents don’t understand still what I create or make.
From INVASION by Sourabh Singh
Which project of yours are you particularly proud of? Could you tell us a little about it?
I am particularly proud of the game that I worked on for which I created 25 characters and 100 map screens. I worked on it as a freelancer. Unfortunately, the game didn’t do too well on the Google Play Store but that was my best work and it’s in my portfolio.
From SURPLEPLAY CHARACTERS by Sourabh Singh
Can we have a piece of advice that helps you with your own workflow?
I listen to music while working especially on earphones. It helps me focus. I would suggest instrumentals more than vocal based music. I personally go with Celtic music.
From SURPLEPLAY CHARACTERS by Sourabh Singh
So, what are you working on now?
I am working a project which requires me to make a lot of emojis for an app. Also, I am working on my own game project. This one is a secret. I will upload artworks and level designs once I get to the creating-gameplay stage.
From BASE by Sourabh Singh
Where do you see yourself in the future?
Probably working a big game studio or roaming around as a freelancer to work on my own games. I like to move around a lot.
From GEMBERG by Sourabh Singh
What refreshes your creative juices?
Artstation, movies, games and sometimes, nature.
From DYSTOPIA #2 by Sourabh Singh
Have you ever tried your hand at a different creative field? If yes, how did that turn out?
I am particularly good at singing. When I was in college my classmates wanted me to go to auditions but I was too lazy to stand up in line. I haven’t tried but if not for art, I would have definitely tried singing once.
From DOODLES/ILLUSTRATION by Sourabh Singh
If you had to start afresh in the industry today, would you choose a different path and if so, what would it be?
With all the knowledge I have today, I would start directly in the gaming industry, no questions asked. I took around 2 years to find what I really like in this field. Especially concept art.
From CASTLE by Sourabh Singh
If you could claim that any one person’s work in India as your own, who would it be?
I particularly don’t follow anyone but if I have to choose one; it would be my first 2D art mentor Mr Jayanta Roy Chowdhary. He was insanely good in his work when I met him. He can create anything.
From DOODLES/ILLUSTRATION by Sourabh Singh
Now that you’re a Spotlight artist, what would you like to say to ‘all the haters’?
I might have no haters as I don’t meet people. But if there are, I would say please stop hating, I don’t even know you.
Quick Questions
Favourite font?
Alpaca Solidify
Favourite movie?
War Horse
A book everybody should read?
I don’t read books. Seriously. An encyclopaedia maybe. XD
A quick tip to everybody who does the same job as you?
Keep at it, don’t leave just because you are getting bad results or are getting pressurised.
What’s the best project you’ve seen on IndieFolio?
This one:
Could you make something exclusive for us in the next 5 minutes?
Go and check out Sourabh Singh’s portfolio and see what else is there to see and enjoy.
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