Generalist Artist - Digital Matte Painting for Feature Animation - Expression of Interest

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

This posting is an opportunity to submit your resume for future consideration; this is not a role that is open at this time. We anticipate this role may be open in the future, but we are not actively hiring for the position. If you would like to be considered for this potential role, please submit your resume. If the role becomes available, you may receive an email or call from a recruiter.

Position Summary

We are looking for a talented and collaborative artist to join our Environments team. As a Digital Matte Painter, you will create striking digital environments that support the storytelling and visual style of our feature animation projects. Working under the guidance of the Environment Supervisor or Matte Painting Lead, you’ll craft digital matte paintings that blend seamlessly into the animated world, using a mix of painted, photographic, and rendered CG elements.

If you thrive in a creative, collaborative environment and enjoy combining artistic vision with technical skill, this could be the opportunity for you. We value diversity and welcome artists from all backgrounds and experiences to bring their unique perspectives to our films.

What You’ll Do

• Create high-quality digital matte paintings and set extensions that align with the film’s art direction and maintain stylistic consistency across shots and sequences.

• Integrate 2D and 3D elements with a strong understanding of composition, color, light, and atmosphere to achieve visually compelling and cohesive environments.

• Collaborate closely with Environment, Lighting, and Compositing teams to ensure that matte paintings integrate seamlessly into the final shots.

• Translate concept art and visual development materials into production-ready environments that reflect the story’s tone and mood.

• Maintain continuity and visual consistency across sequences while adapting to creative feedback and evolving direction.

• Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges independently, while seeking guidance and sharing solutions across departments.

• Proactively communicate progress with production and supervisors, ensuring that deadlines and creative goals are met.

• Research and gather visual references to support environment design, composition, and lighting.

• Participate in reviews and contribute to a positive, collaborative team dynamic.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Digital Art, Computer Graphics, or related field; or equivalent experience.

• Minimum 3 years of production experience in matte painting, environment creation, or related disciplines within feature animation.

• Proficiency with Photoshop and Nuke.

• Good knowledge of 3dsMax, Maya, or Houdini (with VRay or RenderMan).

• Familiarity with Gaea, SpeedTree, ZBrush, or Substance Painter, or Linux-based pipelines is a plus.

• Strong understanding of lighting, color theory, atmosphere, and composition within a stylized or cinematic animated context.

• Ability to create artwork that blends with the unique aesthetic and visual style of an animated feature.

• Excellent problem-solving and time management skills; able to adapt under shifting priorities and tight deadlines.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills; open to feedback and eager to contribute to a team-oriented environment.

• Desire to grow professionally within the studio.

As part of your application please include a current resumé, demo reel, art portfolio and shot breakdown.

Join ILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver, BC, Canada is C$85,900 to C$109,900 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.