Groom Artist

Mr. X Inc.; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mr. X Inc. is a Toronto-based creative production studio offering in-house departments for Art, Creature, Editorial, and Visual Effects.

The role focuses on grooming hair, fur, and feathers using Houdini with Groombear, ensuring seamless integration with models and shaders, and maintaining consistency across shots. Ideal candidates have 3+ years in VFX, strong Houdini Groombear experience, and a background in creature work with Maya and ZBrush.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in a VFX/animation studio.
• Strong knowledge of Houdini grooming workflows using Groombear.
• Creature background in Modeling, Texturing & Lookdev with proficiency in Maya and ZBrush.
• Solid understanding of anatomy, hair/fur growth patterns, and real-world reference.
• Experience with shading/rendering workflows (Karma, etc.).
• Strong eye for detail and artistic sensibility.
• Ability to take direction and iterate quickly based on feedback.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Create and groom hair, fur, and feather systems using industry-standard tools.
• Collaborate with modeling, texturing, lookdev, rigging, and CFX teams to ensure grooms integrate with character models and shaders.
• Develop grooming techniques for various species, materials, and styles based on supervisor/director direction.
• Support creature turnovers by contributing to modeling, texturing, and lookdev tasks as needed.
• Troubleshoot and optimize grooms for rendering efficiency and simulation compatibility.
• Maintain consistency of grooms across shots, sequences, and episodic deliveries.
• Participate in dailies and incorporate feedback from supervisors.

Skills

Houdini grooming

Groombear

Maya

ZBrush

Anatomy knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Houdini

Groombear

Maya

ZBrush

Karma Renderer

Job description

Mr. X is a creative production studio, complete with in-house Art, Creature, Editorial, and Visual Effects Departments. We collaborate with A-list directors, production teams, and filmmakers to develop projects from conception to completion. We embrace innovative approaches to design and workflows, where the artist is encouraged to run with their ideas and inspiration. We’re dedicated to offering a modern and safe working environment, including work-from-home, in-studio, or hybrid options. Embedded in this effort is support for one another in the moments that matter, both inside and outside the workplace.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create and groom hair, fur, and feather systems using industry-standard tools (Houdini Groombear, Houdini tools et other)
• Collaborate with modeling, texturing, lookdev, rigging, and CFX teams to ensure grooms integrate seamlessly with character models, shaders, and rigs
• Develop grooming techniques for various species, materials, and styles based on supervisor/director direction
• Support creature turnovers by contributing to modeling, texturing, and/or lookdev tasks as needed
• Troubleshoot and optimize grooms for rendering efficiency and simulation compatibility
• Maintain consistency of grooms across shots, sequences, and episodic deliveries
• Participate in dailies and incorporate feedback from supervisors

REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years of professional experience in a VFX/animation studio (adjust for level)
• Strong knowledge of Houdini grooming workflows using Groombear
• Creature background in Modeling, Texturing & Lookdev strongly preferred, with proficiency in Maya and ZBrush
• Solid understanding of anatomy, hair/fur growth patterns, and real-world reference
• Experience with shading/rendering workflows (Karma a +, etc.)
• Strong eye for detail and artistic sensibility
• Ability to take direction and iterate quickly based on feedback
• Strong communication and collaboration skills