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Character Drawing Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Austin, TX · On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Must present online portfolio with high-quality, varied examples of character and environment concept art. * Excellent 2D drawing skills with a strong grasp of composition, color theory, perspective ...

Able to read blueprints and electrical drawings and install as specified. * Verify dimensions ... Character First , Total Accountability , Performance Culture , and a Winning Attitude . These aren ...

The teacher will maintain a Christ-centered classroom environment, model Christian character, and ... Teach knowledge and skills in art, including drawing, painting, lettering, and art history,

Apply Early

Read blueprints and electrical drawings and install and lay out as specified. * Verify dimensions ... Character First , Total Accountability , Performance Culture , and a Winning Attitude . These aren ...

Journeyman Electrician

Garland, TX · On-site

$24.50 - $33.75/hr

Read blueprints and electrical drawings and install as specified. * Verify dimensions, alignments ... Character First , Total Accountability , Performance Culture , and a Winning Attitude . These aren ...

Be Seen First

Who You Are You bring both talent and character. You are: * Driven and self-motivated ... Create and update CAD drawings including floorplans, elevations, and MEP plans * Manage project ...

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Character Drawing information

See Texas salary details

$9

$17

$35

How much do character drawing jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for character drawing in Texas is $17.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $22.60 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges character drawing artists face when working as part of a creative team?

Character drawing artists often encounter challenges such as balancing their unique artistic style with the project's established visual guidelines and meeting tight deadlines. Collaborating with writers, animators, and art directors requires clear communication to ensure the characters’ designs align with narrative and functional needs. Additionally, adapting to feedback and making iterative changes while maintaining high-quality work is a frequent part of the process. These challenges help artists grow their skills in flexibility, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Character Drawing Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Character Drawing Artist, you need strong foundational skills in figure drawing, anatomy, and visual storytelling, often supported by formal art education or a strong portfolio. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Procreate is typically required, and knowledge of graphic tablets and animation software can be beneficial. Creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate and interpret feedback are essential soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure that artists can produce compelling, marketable characters that meet client or project specifications in various creative industries.

What is the difference between Character Drawing vs Character Illustration?

AspectCharacter DrawingCharacter Illustration
CredentialsTypically no formal certification, but strong drawing skills and understanding of anatomySimilar; often requires portfolio showcasing both drawing and illustrative skills
Work EnvironmentFreelance, studio, or personal projectsCommercial projects, publishing, advertising, or entertainment
Industry UsageUsed in concept art, character design, and personal artUsed in books, games, animation, and marketing
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding basic character creation and drawing techniquesLooking for detailed, polished character artwork for commercial use

While both character drawing and character illustration involve creating images of characters, character drawing focuses on the fundamental skills of sketching and anatomy, often for personal or conceptual purposes. Character illustration, on the other hand, emphasizes polished, detailed artwork intended for commercial or publication use. Both roles require strong artistic skills, but their applications and end goals differ.

What is character drawing?

Character drawing is the art of creating visual representations of fictional or real characters, often for use in animation, comics, video games, or illustration. It involves designing the appearance, posture, and expressions of a character to convey their personality and story. Artists use various techniques and styles, from traditional pencil and paper to digital tools, to bring characters to life. Strong fundamentals in anatomy, gesture, and imagination are essential for effective character drawing.
What job categories do people searching Character Drawing jobs in Texas look for? The top searched job categories for Character Drawing jobs in Texas are:
Infographic showing various Character Drawing job openings in Texas as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,968 per year, or $17.8 per hour.
Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Concept Artist [Contract] (Retro Studios)

Nintendo

Austin, TX • On-site

$125K - $144K/yr

Contractor

Medical, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Nintendo rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

83rd of 202 rated software companies


Job description

THIS IS AN ONSITE CONTRACT POSITION - Austin, TX
Position includes:
  • Paid weekly
  • Health care benefits available
  • Paid time-off provided
  • Paid holidays observed
  • Access to Nintendo discounts

RETRO STUDIOS:
Founded in 1998, Retro Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd., and a powerhouse in game development. Working hand-in-hand with Nintendo, we craft award-winning titles for the company's cutting-edge platforms, blending innovation, artistry, and gameplay excellence.
Our home base is Austin, Texas, a vibrant city known for its creative energy, live music, stunning natural scenery, and forward-thinking culture. With year-round sunshine and endless options for outdoor adventures, Austin offers the perfect backdrop for world-class developers to stay inspired, balanced, and at the top of their game.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:
  • Collaborate with the Art Director, Artists, and Designers to define the look of our games by working to establish consistent visuals for characters, environments, props, and effects, with an emphasis on boss characters.
  • Work closely with Design to rapidly iterate gameplay thumbnails to be used in conjunction with design specifications to communicate gameplay properties, interactions and sequencing of boss characters.
  • Adopt a broad range of styles from realistic to highly stylized based on goals and direction for a given project to produce concept art with an appropriate sense of color, drama, shape language, personality, and design.
  • Take ownership of concept work for various game features while actively collaborating with other disciplines such as Design, Art, and Engineering to achieve high-quality, innovative concept art.
  • Produce boss, character, environment, and prop concept art in the form of thumbnails, sketches, breakdowns, reference sheets, paintings, and other digital imagery.
  • Provide visual contextualization support for game design efforts at all stages.
  • Perform research as necessary to support visual development.
  • Work with Art Director and Leads to provide feedback and guidance to artists.
  • Create storyboards, background illustrations, and promotional artwork.
  • Provide and receive feedback professionally.

*This job description outlines primary duties and requirements and is not intended to identify all tasks that may be performed; individuals occupying the position may be required to perform other duties. The company may modify job duties from time to time, either in practice or in writing.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS:
  • Has 3 or more years' gaming industry experience as a concept artist, including at least one complete product cycle shipping AAA title.
  • Must present online portfolio with high-quality, varied examples of character and environment concept art.
  • Excellent 2D drawing skills with a strong grasp of composition, color theory, perspective, lighting, environment and architecture.
  • Examples of modern rendering process using 3D art and modeling tools (Maya, Blender).
  • Mastery of fundamental artistic principles.
  • Experience executing a wide range of artistic styles.
  • Good communicator, self-motivated, driven to grow professionally.
  • Undergraduate degree in art-related subject, completion of an intensive art training program, or equivalent professional experience.

Retro Studios is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment in service to one another, our products, the diverse consumers we represent, and the communities we call home. We do all of this with kindness, empathy, and respect for each other.

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