Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuwei (Rita) Li.
Yuwei (Rita), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! I’m Yuwei (Rita) Li, currently a concept artist working at Obsidian Entertainment.
I have always enjoyed creating fantastical worlds and bringing my imagination to life on paper. As a child, I was heavily influenced by manga, video games, and movies like Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series. I loved sketching little fantasy manga in my sketchbooks and sharing them with friends. I also enjoyed creating maps of fictional worlds and embarking on imaginary journeys with friends. These activities provided an escape from the demands of school and were some of the happiest moments of my childhood. I find that drawing is the best way to tell stories and express my emotions and thoughts. Despite not having any formal training in art, the pure joy of drawing and sharing my creations has kept me motivated over the years.
However, I never considered becoming an artist or designer until later when I was in college. I initially studied Computer Science and Media Arts in college but eventually realized that my true passion lies in art and design. To pursue my dream of becoming a concept artist in the entertainment industry, I spent one year preparing my portfolio and was fortunate enough to get into Art Center College of Design. This opportunity allowed me to start my concept art journey in the United States.
Currently, I’m a concept artist at Obsidian Entertainment, designing fantasy environments for video games. I am excited to continue growing in this field and exploring where this career path takes me in the future.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My biggest challenge was not listening to my inner voice initially. Deep down, I knew that I wanted to become an artist, but I lacked the confidence to pursue it. It was also difficult to fight against my parents’ wishes for me to study science-related subjects instead of pursuing art, especially since no one in my family works in the creative industry. I persevered and showed them that I was capable of pursuing concept art as a career.
My determination and passion for art have motivated me throughout the years. Being surrounded by talented classmates at Artcenter has also inspired me to pursue my passions and to work hard. I dedicate every spare moment to sketching and practicing, and I consistently strive to improve the quality of my artwork. My hard work has paid off, and I am now living my dream of working in the entertainment industry. I am still on my journey to becoming a better artist who can create compelling and meaningful images and designs.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in designing environment concepts and keyframes for games and films, and I take pride in my versatility in art styles and genres. I can create concepts for a wide range of themes, from fantasy to sci-fi and grounded stories, and I am not limited to any specific art style. My open-mindedness allows me to explore new techniques and try something new in each project. What sets me apart is my ability to blend 2D and 3D art to achieve the desired style and efficiency. I am constantly learning and applying new techniques to my work, which keeps me up-to-date in the industry.
More recently, I have been exploring more expressive illustrations outside of work. I have started to miss the freedom to tell my own stories and convey my thoughts through drawing, just like when I was a child. Therefore, I am trying to infuse more personal emotions into my illustrations, and I hope to bring this element into my concept work as well.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I currently live in Irvine, which I find to be a beautiful and well-organized city. One thing I really appreciate about Irvine is the abundance of outdoor activities. There are plenty of hiking trails and parks where I can go for a walk or do some plein air paintings. I also enjoy spending time with friends at the nearby beaches. One downside of the city is that everything is quite spread out. Compared to where I used to live in Pasadena, I miss the walkability of that city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ritaliart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ritayuweili/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ritrrrita?lang=en
