How an Apex Legends artist went from traditional painting to video games

March 23, 2026 - 16:53

The vibrant, battle-scarred worlds of Apex Legends are born not just from code, but from the imagination of artists like Jude Smith. His path into the heart of a blockbuster video game franchise began far from a digital tablet, rooted instead in the tactile world of traditional painting.

Smith recently reflected on his artistic evolution, detailing a journey that started with physical brushes and canvases. He spent years honing his craft through classical techniques, studying light, form, and composition. This foundational period was crucial, instilling a discipline and an eye for detail that would later become his digital signature. The transition to digital art and the games industry was not an immediate leap, but a deliberate expansion of his toolkit.

He entered the gaming world by applying those traditional principles to concept art, where speed and iteration are key. His ability to quickly visualize characters and environments, informed by his deep understanding of paint and texture, proved invaluable. At Respawn Entertainment, Smith found a perfect outlet for his skills, contributing to the rich, distinctive visual identity of Apex Legends. His story underscores a vital truth in game development: that cutting-edge digital artistry often draws its greatest strength from timeless, traditional roots.