Mithun Nath

Can you tell us about your journey as an artist in the gaming industry?

I have always been passionate about art and craft since childhood. I used to make models and character designs of my own and was amazed to see art moving in computer applications in one of the 90s trade expo. Since then, I was very eager to learn and explore this area and started seeing my future where I can give life to my art and creations. I felt nothing could be better than having a passion as a profession and got into the business of art with technology. My journey started in the gaming world that has been very exciting as every day I have to innovate and create new art and animation that fits in the technical framework. My creation must go through many approval levels of artists and non-artists that measures every art as per business values and goals.  I started with the usual computer gaming, simulation and animation path that moved me from India to the world’s slot gaming capital in the USA  and actively involved in slot gaming development where I have a bigger digital canvas with state-of-the-art hardware technology to showcase my art in public.  Working in the gaming industry, I understood the demography of art trend, player psychology, math model, working in restrictive gaming engine memory footprint and policies that I designated to deliver and build successful games over years. Artists in the gaming world are always encouraged as there is in house training, recognition and awarding as the art catches the attention primarily. There are continuous changes with art styles and supporting technologies that I must remain motivated to adapt to the changes and present the best of my designs and thoughts. So, traditional art forms, particularly sketching and color theory are an everyday practice that is initially the fundamental block of my thought process in presenting the idea. The journey has been challenging and fulfilling till date.

How do your experiences in digital 2D and 3D design influence your traditional artwork?

Since I am into the job of digital creation, the computer generated light and shadow definition are easy to study and apply the concept in traditional form. 3D design helps in understanding the depth and volume of a shape that is greatly implemented and compared on canvas. Talking about the 2D, the arc of action and balance line testing of character help me to get the proper weight of my character art on paper. Digital art form always helps in colorizing and shaping my idea quickly so that I can take reference to a map on canvas by hand. My experience in digital platforms gave a good understanding of  focus subject and composition layout of fit-form and function that I can follow in my paintings. So, in many ways digital exposure has helped getting better on traditional art creation.

Mithun Nath | Darkness to Love

What inspires your traditional art forms, especially your oil on canvas works?

It is the random thoughts that I feel to project on canvas. I mentioned, I have been drawing all day back in my school and was recognized as an art kid. The passion grew with time and thoughts wanted to come out in colors and forms. The world I see around, and the moments are the inspiration to quickly print in mind and connect with hand to sketch on paper. The free world of my own with no restriction inspires me to sit and start painting in many moods. The best medium I found was oil and studied fine arts where I can keep changing and blend colors in layers easily and can store art for years. My oil portraits feel special to find space in a few galleries that are an absolute inspiration. Museum visits and other galleries inspired me with this technique of great satisfaction and promising output. However, being in the digital world of art, I still connect with oil colors as it gives immense pleasure and happiness to touch and feel a visual piece in the real world shaped by my own passion.

Mithun Nath | Water, Fire, Air, Earth

How do you balance your work in the gaming industry with your passion for traditional art?

Gaming output is digital; however, it starts with a traditional approach. It is mostly an in-ideation level with rough state of color choices and for concept approvals. So technically a part of traditional art practice is there every day. There are thoughts that can be kept out of gaming and wanted to bring it on the canvas for visual treat. I find my time occasionally after work and participating in art shows helps me with a target date to submit for art calls. I have the necessary art gear, and this is the medium of stress reliever for me. So, time is managed well to cultivate this passion outside work. I use my vacation time from work for a few art projects a year.

How has your cultural background influenced your artistic style and themes?

I am originally from India, a land of diverse culture, heritage, and many colors.  My upbringing in different locations has greatly inspired me to look at various local styles. There are art and sculpture displays across the nation depicting lives in mythological stories from ancient times. I shared the art with a mesmerizing face of calmness, beauty of music and spiritual strength in many colors and patterns that are purely Indian by heart. This theme is showing my background connection as the way I thought of Krishna’s personality and blended in the festival of colors Holi.  Most of my creations will have colors that came from my cultural influence. Similar color band is seen in Taj paintings. Although I brought my unique mixed style of Eastern and Western to my present workplace, I adapted to Western and Asian as well to cater the art package to these demographics.

Mithun Nath | Taj

What message do you hope to convey through your traditional art pieces?

Water, Fire, Air, Earth – Found life in the light of hope (Earth), dipped in calmness (Water).. Let the flowing thoughts (flowing hair in Air) spread the warm positive energy (Fire) all over to win the darkness..

The basics of life building are based on these elements. These are not destructive but appear fierce and deadly sometimes. Life is in good hands (Goddess of Nature) when these four elements are respected and taken care of in a continuous flowing manner.

Darkness to Love – Darkness induces dreams of oneness..when music touches the soul, a little flier can trace her aromatic goal. A small light blends, intensifies colors of all races and minds together.. with peace, harmony and love forever..

The beauty of darkness is amazing. Music is a universal of one language and doesn’t need light to see but loved by all around the world equally, a flower fragrance can be smelled in darkness as well.. and a little light of empowerment in darkness can be strong and amplify all positive beautiful thoughts together to greater mission on humanity of love leaving behind inequality and sufferings. In darkness all are equal.

Krishna – Life is a color of multiple shades.. Turn darker ones to brighter with melody and calmness. A smile is always winning in all situations.

Taj – A wonder in a wonder of colors..Floating amidst sky and water in desk and dawn. Start a day wonderfully and the day’s achievement in the end makes it wonderful again.. 

Mithun Nath | Krishna

How do you see the relationship between digital and traditional art evolving in the future?

Digital art is enormously evolving at a greater pace with AI these days, however traditional art I feel to be valued forever. As I am very connected in digital media, still my heart follows traditional art forms.  The feel of thoughts and being unique of its kind will always be there in want. I would compare it with Violin instrument. There are electric ones too but still there is such a unique attachment to the traditional one that has been there for ages. Knowledge of traditional art forms is the basic criteria to work in digital art media. Digital is in business demand as it is quickly done and can be replicated but the original idea is planned somewhere on paper and pencil mostly. Concept art is formulated traditionally for digital production from games to movies. The future could be promising for traditional art forms with more encouragement to talents from art houses and strict policies on original copyrights. Business would always follow a faster pace where traditional art will lag behind unfortunately. Art is non technical and I believe more people would love to do art if that is directed in making a competitive living. I am seeing more exhibitions and visits happening that are very hopeful. There are street arts, hand painted billboards and interiors sponsored by big agencies to present uniqueness in decor. More buildings and architecture can provide opportunities to bring up local artists and manual art installation. Future is largely dependent on how the awareness and support from various schools, government agencies and appreciators are interested. I will do my part as much as I can in my capacity.