Need art for your game? Here's where to find artists and VFX
If you're thinking "I need art for my game" and don't know where to start, you're not alone. I'm making my own game too. Here's how I'd figure out what kind of art I need, where to find the right artist, and how to hire them without wasting anyone's time.
- Name the kind of art you need: 2D, pixel art, 3D, concept and character art, UI, or VFX.
- Gather a few reference images and write a short asset list.
- Look where artists already show game work, and filter by the style you want.
- See their work next to your game before you message anyone.
- Start with a small paid test, and put rights and AI use in writing.
First, what kind of art do you need?
"Game art" covers a lot of different jobs, and most artists specialize. Knowing which one you need makes the search way easier:
- 2D and illustration: hand-drawn characters, backgrounds and key art. Great for cozy, narrative and card games.
- Pixel art: sprites, tilesets and animations on a fixed grid like 16x16 or 32x32. If you want to hire a pixel artist, check that they can animate and work at your size.
- 3D: low poly and stylized, or realistic. Ask about poly counts, textures and which engine they export for.
- Concept and character art: exploring what your world and characters look like before anything gets built. Concept work and final game-ready assets are often different people.
- UI and icons: menus, HUD, buttons and item icons. Easy to forget, and it's a big part of how polished your game feels.
- VFX: hits, spells, explosions, pickups and screen effects, either as sprite sheets or in-engine with Unity VFX Graph, Unreal Niagara or Godot particles.
Need art and VFX together? Some 2D artists can make simple sprite-sheet effects, and some 3D artists know shaders. For a lot of effects or real engine work, a dedicated VFX artist is usually faster. You can look for both at once and message the people whose work fits.
Where to find artists for your game
- Credits of games like yours. If a small game looks close to what you want, its artist might be open to new work.
- ArtStation and itch.io, where you can see a lot of one person's work in one place.
- #PortfolioDay on Bluesky and X. Game artists post their best work and say they're open for hire. Pixel artists also use #pixelart.
- Game dev Discords, subreddits and job boards, where you can post a role. Expect a flood of replies, so say exactly what style you need.
- ComposerScout, where artists and VFX artists have portfolios tagged by style (pixel, 2D, 3D, anime, isometric and more) and by what each piece shows. Pick the Art or VFX tab in Find my match, message who you like, and skip the sifting. Every artist confirms their work is human-made, no AI.
See it next to your game before you decide
A piece can look amazing on its own and still feel off in your game. In ComposerScout's Gameplay studio, the art tab puts an artist's piece next to a screenshot of your game, so you can flip between artists and see what fits.
What to send an artist
One clear message gets you a real quote instead of a guess:
- Your game's name, genre and a few screenshots or a short clip
- Three to five reference images, plus one or two you don't want
- The asset list: characters and how many directions, animations and frame counts, tilesets, backgrounds, UI, icons, store art
- Your engine, sizes and file formats
- Your deadline and budget, or that you're open to rev share
For a step-by-step version, read how to find an artist for your indie game or how to find a VFX artist.
Post what you need and let artists find you
Don't want to search? Make a free studio page on ComposerScout and post an open role. You can name the art style you want, and artists and VFX artists who fit can find it on Studios hiring and message you.
Frequently asked questions
I need art for my game. Where do I start?
Decide what kind of art you need first: 2D illustration, pixel art, 3D (low poly, stylized or realistic), concept and character art, UI and icons, or VFX. Gather three to five reference images and write a short asset list. Then look where artists already show game work: credits of games like yours, ArtStation and itch.io, #PortfolioDay posts on Bluesky and X, game dev Discords and job boards, and ComposerScout, where you can filter art portfolios by style and message the artist directly.
Where can I hire a pixel artist for my game?
Pixel artists share a lot of work on Bluesky, X and itch.io, especially on #PortfolioDay and #pixelart. Check that their sprites match your grid size (like 16x16 or 32x32) and that they can animate if you need it. On ComposerScout, pick the Art tab in Find my match and look for the pixel art specialty.
Can one person do both the art and the VFX for my game?
Sometimes. Many 2D artists can make simple sprite-sheet effects, and some 3D artists know shaders and particles. For a lot of effects, or engine work like Unity VFX Graph, Unreal Niagara or Godot particles, a dedicated VFX artist is usually faster. Ask to see effects they made in your engine.
Do indie games need a VFX artist?
Not always. Small games can get far with simple particles and a few sprite-sheet effects. Hits, spells, pickups and UI feedback are where good VFX make a game feel much better, so it's worth it once your core gameplay is fun.
How much does game art cost?
It depends on the style, detail, number of assets, animation and deadline. Artists charge per piece, per asset, per sprite or animation frame, per hour, or per project. A clear asset list lets an artist quote honestly, and a small paid test is a good first step.
Is ComposerScout free for game devs?
Yes. ComposerScout is free while in beta for game devs and creators. You message artists directly, and payment and rights are agreed between you and the person you hire.
Find art and VFX for your game
Browse human-made art and VFX portfolios by style, put a piece next to your game, and message the person who made it. Free while in beta.
Find my artist