Paul Tobin
Paul Tobin
World Builder - Art Director - Concept Artist - Illustrator
Wellington, New Zealand

Paul is currently the Creative Director at Arkus Games, Wellington, New Zealand. 
He was formally an Art Director and Concept Artist at Wētā Workshop, where he worked on film, television and game projects notably; Peter Jackson’s and Guillermo del Toro’s “The Hobbit Trilogy”, James Cameron’s “Avatar” (and sequels), Andrew Adamson’s “Chronicles of Narnia”, Blade Runner 2049, “Ghost in the Shell”, “The Expanse”, Activision’s “Call of Duty:Vanguard” and Monolith’s “Shadow of Mordor”. Paul was also the course supervisor at the Wētā Workshop School at Massey University (2018-2022).

He founded New Zealand’s first science fiction and fantasy art-book anthology White Cloud Worlds (2010). This led to the creation of the entertainment convention Industry of Imagination (2016-17). Most recently Paul has returned to his gaming roots and co-founded Arkus Studios (2019).

When time permits he works as a freelance concept artist and illustrator and consults on World Building IP.

http://www.paultobinart.com/
https://arkusgames.com/
https://www.whitecloudworlds.com/

Skills

Creative Development ConsultantArt DirectionWorld BuildingVisual DevelopmentCharacter DesignCostume DesignCreature DesignProp DesignEnvironment DesignIllustrationGraphic DesignWritingStoryboardingGuest LecturerConcept Design Tutor

Software proficiency

Photoshop
Photoshop
InDesign
InDesign
Illustrator
Illustrator
ZBrush
ZBrush
DAZ Studio
DAZ Studio

Productions

    • Movie
      Avatar : Way of Water
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Pearl
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      Matt Painting
    • Company
      OHU fx
    • Video Game
      Call of Duty : Vanguard
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • TV Production
      Altered Carbon
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Art Director Weta Workshop
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Bloodshot
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Mortal Engines
    • Year
      2018
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Wrinkle in Time
    • Year
      2018
    • Role
      Art Director Weta Workshop (uncredited)
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Blade Runner 2049
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Early development concept design and visualisation.
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Ghost in the Shell
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Power Rangers
    • Year
      2017
    • Role
      Concept Designer (suits)
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      The Great Wall
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • TV Production
      Cleverman
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • TV Production
      The Expanse
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Video Game
      Grey Goo
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      ZHONGKUI: SNOW GIRL AND THE DARK CRYSTAL
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Hercules
    • Year
      2015
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Dracula Untold
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Video Game
      Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
    • Year
      2013
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      THE HOBBIT : AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
    • Year
      2012
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      The Adventures of Tintin
    • Year
      2011
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Avatar
    • Year
      2009
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      District 9
    • Year
      2009
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Under the Mountain
    • Year
      2009
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Outlander
    • Year
      2009
    • Role
      Concept Artist (uncredited)
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • TV Production
      Legend of the Seeker
    • Year
      2008
    • Role
      Costume Illustrator
    • Company
      Freelance
    • Movie
      The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
    • Year
      2008
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      Black Sheep
    • Year
      2006
    • Role
      Concept Artist
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      King Kong
    • Year
      2005
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop
    • Movie
      The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
    • Year
      2005
    • Role
      Concept Designer
    • Company
      Weta Workshop

Experience

  • Creative Director at Arkus Games
    Wellington, New Zealand
    February 2019 - Present
  • Freelance World Builder - Concept Artist - Illustrator at Paul Tobin
    Wellington, New Zealand
    May 2022 - Present

  • Art Director/Senior Concept Artist at Weta Workshop Design Studio
    Wellington, New Zealand
    March 2003 - January 2022
  • Program Supervisor/Tutor at Wētā Workshop School at Massey University
    Wellington, New Zealand
    October 2018 - April 2022
  • Creator/Editor at White Cloud Worlds - Art Book Anthologies
    Wellington, New Zealand
    September 2007 - Present

    White Cloud Worlds is a three book art anthology of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art showcasing over 70 NZ artists from New Zealand, 'The Land of the Long White Cloud'

    www.whitecloudworlds.com

  • Creative Director at Art and Industry of Imagination
    Wellington, New Zealand
    June 2016 - June 2017

    ‘Art and Industry of Imagination’ brings together a spectacular lineup of leading international and local artists in science fiction and fantasy.

    This inaugural Wellington event, will inspire and share how these experts create and develop imaginary worlds for film, television, publishing and games.

    http://www.art-and-industry-of-imagination.co.nz/

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