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Texturing Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tolan

3D Artist

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Model and texture characters, accessories, props, environments, and world objects that define the Tolan experience. * Tune materials, shaders, lighting setups, and VFX to create a stylized ...

INSPYR Solutions

3D Artist

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$50 - $80/hr

Title: 3D Artist Location: Remote US Duration: 8 months + Extensions Compensation: $50-80/hr Work ... Expertise in retopology, UV creation, and texture baking is essential. RESPONSIBILITIES * Hard ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$170K - $200K/yr

Sculpt, model, and texture characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project. * Contribute in planning, organization and prioritization of tasks with Production for internal ...

Absurd Ventures

Lead Character Artist

Santa Monica, CA

$170K - $200K/yr

Sculpt, model, and texture characters to meet the artistic and technical requirements of the project. * Contribute in planning, organization and prioritization of tasks with Production for internal ...

AGBO Films LLC

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Model, sculpt, texture, and optimize assets for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring they meet gameplay ... artistic intent. * Participate in look development and R&D to elevate visual fidelity while ...

AGBO

Asset Artist

Los Angeles, CA

Model, sculpt, texture, and optimize assets for use in Unreal Engine, ensuring they meet gameplay ... artistic intent. * Participate in look development and R&D to elevate visual fidelity while ...

Bellota Labs

Senior Technical Artist

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$170K - $225K/yr

As a Technical Artist, you'll collaborate closely with designers, 3D artists, and frontend ... Profile and optimize assets, textures, lighting, and rendering pipelines to maintain high frame ...

AGBO

Technical Artist, Assets/Materials

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Audit draw calls, texture memory, overdraw, and material complexity; identify and action ... Interface with internal artist teams and codevelopers to maintain milestone cadences * Perform all ...

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All JobsTexturing Artist JobsTexturing Artist Jobs in California

Texturing Artist information

See California salary details

$10

$29

$49

How much do texturing artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for texturing artist in California is $29.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.35 and $36.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do texture artists make?

Texture artists typically earn between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced artists working on high-profile projects or with specialized skills can earn higher salaries. Many also work freelance or contract, which can affect income levels.

Is 3D modeling still in demand?

3D modeling remains in high demand across industries such as gaming, film, and animation, with roles like texturing artists frequently required to create detailed surfaces and materials. Proficiency in software like Maya, Blender, or Substance Painter enhances employability, and ongoing technological advancements continue to drive job opportunities in this field.

What does a Texture Artist do?

A Texture Artist creates surface details and visual effects for 3D models used in video games, movies, and animations. They apply textures, materials, and maps using software like Substance Painter or Photoshop to enhance realism and visual appeal. Strong knowledge of color theory, UV mapping, and attention to detail are essential for this role.

What does a Texturing Artist do?

A Texturing Artist is responsible for creating realistic and visually appealing textures that are applied to 3D models in films, video games, and animations. They use specialized software to paint, map, and edit surface details like color, patterns, and material properties to give digital models a lifelike appearance. Texturing Artists work closely with modelers and lighting artists to ensure consistency and high quality in the final visual output. Their work is essential for adding depth, realism, and character to digital environments and objects.

What is the difference between Texturing Artist vs Modeler?

AspectTexturing ArtistModeler
Primary FocusCreating surface textures and materials for 3D modelsBuilding the 3D geometry and shape of models
Skills & ToolsUV mapping, Photoshop, Substance PainterPolygon modeling, Maya, Blender
Work EnvironmentVFX studios, game development, animationVFX studios, game development, animation
CredentialsPortfolio, knowledge of texturing softwarePortfolio, proficiency in modeling software

While both roles are essential in 3D asset creation, a Texturing Artist specializes in adding surface details and materials to models created by Modelers. Modelers focus on shaping the 3D geometry, whereas Texturing Artists enhance visual realism through surface textures. Both roles often collaborate closely in the production pipeline, but their core skills and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are some common challenges Texturing Artists face when collaborating with 3D modelers and animators?

Texturing Artists often work closely with 3D modelers and animators to ensure that textures align seamlessly with models and support the desired visual style. A common challenge is maintaining consistency in texture resolution and quality across assets, especially when multiple artists are involved. Additionally, Texturing Artists must adapt their work to meet the technical constraints of different platforms or engines, which may require optimizing textures without compromising visual fidelity. Clear communication and feedback loops with modelers and animators are essential to address issues early and ensure cohesive results.

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

To thrive as a Texturing Artist, you need a strong understanding of texture painting, UV mapping, and material creation, often supported by a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in digital art and a background in 3D modeling or visual arts. Mastery of tools like Adobe Photoshop, Substance Painter, and 3D software such as Maya or Blender is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills ensure visually compelling assets that meet technical requirements and enhance the overall quality of digital productions.

How to become a Texture Artist?

To become a texture artist, develop skills in digital painting, 3D modeling, and software such as Substance Painter, Photoshop, or Mari. A relevant degree or portfolio demonstrating your ability to create realistic textures is often required, along with knowledge of materials, lighting, and rendering techniques.
What are popular job titles related to Texturing Artist jobs in California? For Texturing Artist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Texturing Artist jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Texturing Artist jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Texturing Artist jobs? Cities in California with the most Texturing Artist job openings:
Texturing Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Texturing Artist job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,083 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

3D Artist

Tolan

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

The Role
We're hiring an artist to help build the 3D world of Tolan. You'll create beautiful, production-ready models and textures yourself, then help bring them into the product.
This is a hands-on role. We need someone with world-class modeling and texturing skills. But we're a small team building a real-time companion on mobile, so the best person for this role is comfortable working in many different areas of the project.
What You'll Do
  • Model and texture characters, accessories, props, environments, and world objects that define the Tolan experience.
  • Tune materials, shaders, lighting setups, and VFX to create a stylized, expressive and rich world.
  • Own assets from early exploration through final Unity integration.
  • Work closely with art and engineering to turn ideas into shipped features.
  • Use user feedback and data to shape how and what you build.
Who We're Looking For
  • World-class modeler and texture artist. You can create beautiful stylized 3D assets from scratch, with taste, polish, and a clear point of view.
  • Excellent design sense. You can look at a concept and make it better through the 3D modeling process. You consider broader product context.
  • Small team generalist. You're happiest when the job crosses boundaries: modeling, texturing, materials, optimization, lighting, or VFX.
  • Emotionally driven. You care about personality and expression in your work. The best Tolan assets should make people feel something.
  • Strong portfolio. You have a body of work that shows exceptional craft, especially in stylized 3D modeling and texturing.
  • Performance-aware. You understand texture memory, draw calls, poly budgets, batching, LODs, compression, and the tradeoffs that make mobile 3D feel alive.
Bonus Points If You
  • Have worked on character-driven products where personality and expressiveness matter.
  • Have shipped products built in Unity(++) or Unreal(+).
  • Have experience working with blendshapes, shaders, and/or VFX from scratch.
  • Have shipped stylized 3D work on mobile, games, AR/VR, or real-time interactive products.
  • Can write tools or scripts in C# or using AI to speed up the production process.

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