Artist Painting jobs in Toronto, ON

Sugar’s Mascot Costumes is looking for a creative, hands-on sculptor and fabricator to help bring mascot characters to life.

This position combines artistic sculpting with technical craftsmanship. The primary focus is physical, reductive sculpting - carving and shaping foam and other materials by hand to create mascot heads, facial features, body forms and other character components.

We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of three-dimensional form, proportion and character design who can work from approved artwork and reference images and develop toward independently taking a mascot sculpture from concept through physical sculpting and fabrication to completion.

Specific experience building mascots is not required. We will train the right person in our construction methods, materials and techniques.

What the position involves:

• Physically carving and shaping foam and other materials using reductive sculpting techniques
• Sculpting mascot heads, facial features, fabricating body forms and/or character components
• Working accurately from approved artwork, drawings and reference images
• Hollowing and finishing sculpted heads
• Pattern making and reference storage
• Installing eyes, mouth screens, fans, helmets and other interior components
• Working with foams, plastics, adhesives, paints and other fabrication materials
• Assisting with props, footwear and other mascot components
• Using hand tools, shop equipment and machinery
• Collaborating with artists, fabricators and other members of the production team
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced production environment

What we're looking for

• Hands-on experience with physical/reductive sculpting, carving or similar three-dimensional work
• A portfolio showing physical sculpting, carving or fabricated 3D work
• Strong understanding of shape, proportion, volume and three-dimensional form
• Ability to translate two-dimensional character artwork into a physical three-dimensional sculpture
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Good attention to detail and organization
• Comfort working with tools, machinery, adhesives and a variety of materials
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a production team
• Willingness to learn our mascot sculpting and construction techniques

We are open to either an experienced sculptor or a talented developing sculptor with strong fundamentals and the potential to grow into an independent mascot sculptor.

Additional assets

Experience with any of the following is an asset, but not required:

• ZBrush, Blender or other 3D modelling software
• Photoshop or Illustrator
• Sketching cartoon, character or animation-style artwork
• CAD programs
• Prop building or special-effects fabrication
• Arduino, electronics or animatronics

Please note: This is primarily a hands-on physical sculpting position, not a digital 3D modelling role. Digital modelling experience is welcome, but applicants must be comfortable physically carving and shaping materials by hand.

Portfolio and sculpting test

Applicants should submit a portfolio or examples of their sculpting, carving or other relevant physical 3D work.

Please visit www.sugarsmascotcostumes.com to see the type of character work we produce and include examples that demonstrate your ability to create similar three-dimensional forms.

Candidates selected for an interview will be expected to complete a hands-on sculpting test onsite as part of the interview process. The test will allow us to assess three-dimensional problem solving, proportion, carving technique and ability to work from reference artwork.

Pay: From $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person