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Background Painter Animation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Insomniac Games

Lead VFX Artist

$153K - $230K/yr

... animation/keyframing, rigid-body and fluid simulations, materials, shaders, lighting and rendering ... Proficient in Photoshop for painting and editing textures. * Strong knowledge of procedural texture ...

Company 3 / Method Inc.

Tax Analyst, Lead

Santa Monica, CA · On-site +1

$70K - $100K/yr

The ideal candidate will have a background in Accounting, Finance, Tax, or a related field. They ... animation/CGI, motion graphics/designers, matte painting, compositing, dailies and production ...

2K

Associate Art Director

Novato, CA

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Painter / Designer and PBR workflows. * Houdini, AfterEffects, Nuke or similar. * Background in 3D ...

Cloud Chamber

Associate Art Director

Novato, CA · On-site

We will work closely and constructively across design, art, engineering, animation, and audio teams ... Painter / Designer and PBR workflows. * Houdini, AfterEffects, Nuke or similar. * Background in 3D ...

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Background Painter Animation information

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How much do background painter animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for background painter animation in the United States is $21.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $24.04 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Background Painter Animation job?

A Background Painter in animation is responsible for creating the final painted environments in an animated production. They work from layout designs and color scripts to develop detailed and visually appealing backgrounds that match the style and mood of the project. Their work helps establish atmosphere, depth, and perspective, enhancing the storytelling experience. Background Painters use digital or traditional painting techniques and collaborate closely with art directors and designers to ensure consistency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Background Painter Animation position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Background Painter in Animation, you need a strong understanding of color theory, composition, perspective, and digital or traditional painting techniques, often demonstrated through a portfolio. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, and sometimes proprietary studio tools is typically required. Attention to detail, time management, and the ability to collaborate effectively with animation directors and other artists are valuable soft skills. These abilities ensure the creation of visually compelling environments that support storytelling and fit seamlessly within the overall animation production pipeline.

What kinds of collaboration can a Background Painter expect with other departments in an animation studio?

As a Background Painter in Animation, you'll frequently collaborate with layout artists, art directors, and the animation team to ensure your backgrounds support the story and maintain visual consistency. You'll often attend team meetings to discuss scene requirements, review style guides, and incorporate feedback from creative leads. Effective communication and openness to revisions are crucial, as backgrounds must harmonize with characters and animated effects. This collaborative environment fosters creativity and ensures that the final product is cohesive and meets the project's artistic vision.

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Background Painter Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Background Painter Animation job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 67% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,394 per year, or $21.8 per hour.
Lead VFX Artist

Lead VFX Artist

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Cheyenne, WY

$153K - $230K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Insomniac Games is searching for a Lead Visual Effects Artist. The Lead VFX Artist is responsible for managing and developing a visual effects team. Has the knowledge and experience of creating art assets and sets an example for the team by demonstrating a mastery of industry standards and tools, proprietary technology, and departmental production workflows. Has a proven understanding of production schedules and project goals, along with game performance, and technical considerations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Balance hands-on VFX asset creation with day-to-day team leadership and management of the VFX team.

  • Partner closely with Principal VFX Artist to plan, create and test content creation and pipelines before deploying to the development team

  • Oversee and support external VFX partners, ensuring they are properly onboarded to style and technical standards and that their deliveries meet quality expectations.

  • Collaborate with Production Management to scope and estimate work, build schedules, assign tasks and track progress for VFX deliverables.

  • Works closely with Art Directors to develop visual targets, maintain a cohesive visual style and consistent quality bar across all aspects in VFX.

  • Review VFX artists' work to ensure VFX content is performant aesthetically and technically that is aligned with Art Direction.

  • Collaborate with multiple disciplines to support gameplay, characters, cinematics, environments with VFX requirements.

  • Coordinate with cross-disciplinary teams to ensure VFX assets are delivered on time and integrated smoothly into the game.

  • Works closely with the Tool and Engine team to aid in the ongoing evolution and enhancements of proprietary tools and engine to improve and enhance VFX fidelity.

  • Champion and implement new production methods, best practices, and optimizations to improve efficiency and in-game performance.

  • Ensures that all complaints and concerns related to inappropriate or unprofessional conduct in the workplace are addressed immediately to foster a safe work environment.

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of VFX artists, including consistent quality bar, goalsetting and performance reviews.

  • Other duties may apply

Supervisory Duties:

  • This job has supervisory responsibilities

Supervisory Responsibilities:

  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws

  • Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems

Computer Skills:

  • Advanced level in Houdini and Maya: expert understanding of these DCC visual effects packages, competent working with joints and locators, animation/keyframing, rigid-body and fluid simulations, materials, shaders, lighting and rendering.

  • 3d modeling and procedural modeling/UV'ing skills are a must.

  • Strong knowledge and experience with modern game engines/editors such as Unreal, Unity, proprietary, etc.

  • Proficient with real-time particle-editors and VFX systems such as Unreal's Niagara, PopcornFX, etc.

  • Advance understanding of complex node-based shader networks such as those used in Unreal, Unity, etc.

  • Familiarity with game scripting and/or node-based systems (e.g. Unreal Blueprint, etc).

  • Have strong grasp of technical scripting, programming and expressions pertaining to DCC and graphics: e.g. MEL, Python, Houdini VEX, HLSL Shaders, etc.

  • Proficient in Photoshop for painting and editing textures.

  • Strong knowledge of procedural texture generation software (e.g. Substance Designer, Filter-Forge, After-Effects, etc).

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

  • Knowledge of other visual effects or CG software a plus (e.g. Blender, Nuke, etc).

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please submit your application below.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Base pay is one component of our total compensation package. Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location, as well as additional compensation components, such as annual bonus, profit sharing, and other incentive plans.
In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhere to learn more.

Profit Sharing (PSS Only)
$153,000-$230,400 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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