BG Lead Artist

(immediate start)

About Elk Studios and the Project

We are on the lookout for experienced BG Lead Artist to join the growing team as we start production on an exciting new long form 2D animated series.  We are looking for a like minded, experienced and enthusiastic BG Lead to come onboard the already established crew.  The show is a 2D Toon Boom Harmony series for BBC/WDR  based on a very well-known children's book property.  The crew will reach a capacity of approx 60 people for this show.

We are based on Bridge Street in Dundalk town centre and we are a hybrid studio; the full crew working 3 days a week in house (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and 2 days remotely. We’ve chosen to work like this as we are a creative industry and need to come together in person to collaborate as a team and to work through any issues as they arise.  It’s a great way for all of us to upskill and learn from one another.  Being able to work from home 2 days a week, allows flexibility to our work/life balance.  Work Life balance is one of the guiding principles of our ethos, and we feel that the 3/2 day split goes some way in achieving this.

About The Role

We are looking for experienced & talented BG Lead Artist to join the established Art Department. The ideal candidate will have excellent artistic skills, as well as a strong working knowledge of creating backgrounds directly in Harmony. We are looking for a lead to work closely with the Art Director to oversee the briefing of the small but mighty BG artist team, take a first pass review of their work before it gets to the art director, giving feedback and notes where needed, and ensuring that the BG team are working inline with the technical pipeline. They will also produce key backgrounds for the show. 

KEY TASKS AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

  • Work closely with the Art Director to brief and oversee the BG artist team on their episodic backgrounds. 

  • To review the artist's work and provide feedback prior to the Art Director’s review, providing clear direction and both technical and artistic guidance and support.

  • Maintain established style throughout all BGs produced and ensure that the BG artists are also staying on style.

  • Generate production ready episodic key backgrounds in ToonBoom Harmony based on storyboard panels and concept art in a vector format. 

  • Maintain neat and tidy file structure based on guidelines and templates already in place and ensure the BG team is also staying compliant. 

  • Collaborate with the Production team to ensure that the workflow is as efficient as possible

Must Have:

  • Experience working on a Toon Boom Harmony animation series, creating the backgrounds directly in Harmony.

  • Must have experience working on a long form TV show producing Production Backgrounds in 2D.

  • Excellent layout perspective, color, lighting and composition skills 

  • Must have experience in a leadership role, with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask. 

  • Must be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland and located/ able to relocate to Ireland.

  • Comfortable working to tight deadlines, reviewing artwork and giving constructive feedback to a team.

Bonus Points:

  • Experience using industry tracking software.

  • Knowledge of Photoshop and other 2D tools for background art.



Elk is an equal opportunities employer committed to supporting diversity and inclusion within our work environment. All suitably qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Travelling Community.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment

Only applications submitted through this portal will be eligible for consideration