Colour Key Artist (short contract)

OUR STORY

For more than 35 years, Bardel Entertainment has been growing and evolving, yet at our core, we remain grounded in the creative roots of the craft of animation.  Our pursuit of fresh ideas, techniques, and technologies is driven by the belief that together, through creativity and collaboration, we can accomplish anything!  If you want to be part of an environment that empowers you to experiment, learn, and contribute to exciting projects, come and join us.

We are looking for a Colour Key Artist for a 3-week contract on a 2D production starting ASAP. Must be BC-based.

What You’ll Do 

Core Responsibilities 

• Develop and define the color schemes that support the visual storytelling of the 2D animated project. 

• Create color keys for characters, backgrounds, and props to convey mood, emotion, time of day, and atmosphere. 

• Ensure color continuity and consistency across all scenes and episodes, following the established style guide. 

• Interpret and adjust work based on notes from the art director, supervisors, and directors. 

• Assist with the creation of color scripts and reference materials for compositing teams. 

• Generate and maintain the show’s color style guide and related documentation. 

Collaboration & Workflow 

• Collaborate with leadership, production, and team members to solve problems and share insights.  

• Engage in dailies, rounds, and team discussions to contribute to creative and technical improvements.   

• Adhere to pipeline workflows and technical requirements for seamless integration into the production process.   

Time Management & Communication 

• Maintain consistency in quality while meeting production needs. 

• Manage time effectively, working with production to stay on schedule. 

• Keep the team and production staff informed about progress, challenges, and solutions. 

What You’ll Bring 

Experience 

• Production design or color-focused role in animation or entertainment. 

• Experience in 2D productions. 

Skills & Communication 

• Excellent communication skills to clearly present creative ideas and incorporate feedback effectively. 

• Strong traditional drawing and digital painting skills with a deep understanding of color theory and lighting. 

• Proficient in Photoshop and other digital painting tools; familiarity with Harmony is a plus. 

• Ability to establish and maintain consistency in lighting moods, color palettes, and storytelling tone. 

• Capable of handling notes and revisions with flexibility while maintaining creative clarity. 

Portfolio Requirements 

A portfolio that demonstrates: 

• Strong color design for characters, props, and environments. 

• Clear understanding of lighting, mood, and atmosphere in storytelling. 

• Range of color key samples for various times of day and emotional tones. 

• Style guide or reference materials created for production teams. 

• Visual storytelling through color keys, color scripts, or similar material. 

Pay Range: CAD $1,200 - $1,400 per week   

This salary range reflects our current expectations for these roles as of this posting’s date. Your final salary offer will consider various key factors, including your education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographical location, as well as the needs and requirements of the business. 

If this seems like a good fit, what are you waiting for, get your application in!