Imagine you’re walking along a street in a big, busy city. Despite all the noise and movement, something shiny catches your eye. It’s a key. You pick it up and realize it’s the most unusual and ornate key you’ve ever seen. You take it home, toss it in a drawer and forget about it. …or […] The post The Best New Concept Art Books (2019 Edition) :: VSP #4 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In this short audio announcement, Chris Oatley shares updates on the return of his Composition & Color Theory course called Painting Drama and his appearances at CTN-X 2019! Click through to hear the announcement… http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/VSP03b-Announcement-PD2020-CTNX2019.mp3 [ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe ] *The gorgeous illustration at the top of this post is by Alex […] The post [Announcement] The Return Of ‘Painting Drama’ & CTNX 2019! appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Disney Storyboard Artist and Director Natalie Nourigat describes her book I Moved To Los Angeles To Work In Animation as “part Autobio Comic and part ‘How-To’ guide.’” It’s hilarious, emotional, beautifully illustrated and I now consider it required reading for every aspiring Animation professional. Today, Natalie joins me for a lesson inspired by her book: 4 […] The post 4 Ways Animation Artists Can Mentally Prepare For The Move To Los Angeles: With Natalie Nourigat :: VSP #3 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Is there more to you than what other people see? Character Design is a fundamental aspect of Visual Storytelling. …but there’s much more to Character Design than the visual aspects. Disney Visual Development Artist James Woods – best known for his Animation Character Design work on Mary Poppins Returns – joins me for today’s lesson: […] The post Character Design and The Illusion Of Life: With James Woods :: VSP #2 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

“Show, don’t tell.” It’s every Visual Storyteller’s mantra. …but it’s easier said than done. In today’s lesson, you’ll learn four ways to write – with pictures! …a practice that will help you solve existing Story problems, make a Story more powerful or get started on a new project! Brian McDonald – Visual Storytelling consultant for […] The post The Power Of Pictures: 4 Ways To Make Your Stories More Emotional :: VSP #1 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Hello, my friends! Chris Oatley here with a few time-sensitive ArtCast Announcements! In this recording, I’ll provide updates on: Dream Machine my new Social Media course for Artists. My upcoming presentation at Artistacon 2019 (plus a discount code). …and what to expect as we begin re-branding The ArtCast! Here we go! Listen To The Announcement: […] The post [Announcement] The Future Of The ArtCast, Artistacon & Dream Machine! appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

These days, whenever I ask my industry colleagues where they’re finding work, the answer is almost always one of two things: Industry connections or Social Media. …but, despite the proliferation of Social Media success stories within the Entertainment Industries, many of us are still afraid of Social Media. …and if we’re not afraid, we’re often […] The post 11 Social Media Habits That Hurt Your Art Career (And How To Break Them) :: ArtCast #115 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

How long did it take you to learn the “Happy Birthday” song? …and how long would it take you to learn to sing a pitch-perfect, note-for-note, Broadway power ballad? Years, right? Because style takes time. …and how many wrong notes would you produce in private before you gained the confidence to perform live? Millions. Process […] The post 4 Keys To A Long and Healthy Illustration Career :: ArtCast #114 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

What makes Toy Story a timeless classic? In this short video tutorial, I share three lessons to help you create stories that resonate – to infinity and beyond. [ download the video ] [ download the transcript ] Lesson 1: The Premise Is Universal Almost every child wonders, at some point, if their toys come to […] The post 3 Lessons For Writing Timeless Stories :: “Toy Story” Edition appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

When author Mindy Johnson set out to write a book about of the history (or as Mindy says, the “HERstory”) of Walt Disney‘s definitively female “Ink & Paint” Department, she began her research in the most obvious place: The Disney Archives. I’ve been to the Disney Archives several times. It’s the epicenter of animation history […] The post The Lost HERstory Of Disney Animation :: ArtCast #113 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

How would you prepare for a career in a mysterious industry like Theme Park Design where information about job requirements and current projects are almost impossible to find? …and what would you do if you were stuck in a desert (literal and creative) with little more than a stack of comics, a Disney Imagineering book […] The post Theme Parks Concept Artist Chris Bradley On Building A Dream Career :: ArtCast #112 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia continues his story today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast! In part one of this series, Zach told the story of how he challenged his family’s expectations to pursue an artistic career, struggled through art school and avoided debt by working multiple jobs (including some uncomfortable internships). …and when he finally […] The post Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough (Part 2) :: ArtCast #111 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

What would you do if you struggled for seven years to finally get an interview for your dream job at Disney… …and then completely blew it? Would you give up? …create a “Plan B”? What if you had already tried “Plan B”? …or would you hold onto hope for a second chance, humble yourself and […] The post Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough :: ArtCast #110 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

So you trashed your last project and started over… …and then again. …and then again. …is that because you just aren’t meant to be an artist? …or is it simply because you’re ambitious? So you spent your weekend sleeping instead of drawing… Is that lazy? …or healthy? Are you blocked? …or just solving the wrong […] The post How To Fail Like A Professional Artist (…and Find Inspiration In The Process) :: ArtCast #109 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

What is the difference between drawing and design? When working for a studio, does your personal aesthetic matter? Are you thoroughly exploring your story ideas or are you stopping too soon? What do Pixar’s Coco and The Shining have in common? And how can you get out of your own head and bring more freedom […] The post Visual Development Mythbusting :: ArtCast #108 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Can distractions help you become a more focused artist? Why does speed seem like such a waste of time? Do you draw in “The Beginner Style?” …and how can you avoid the most common drawing mistakes? Life Drawing Expert Stan Prokopenko joins me today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast… Listen To The Episode: [ download […] The post How Distractions Help You Become A More Focused Artist (With Life Drawing Expert Stan Prokopenko) :: ArtCast #107 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

The term “Concept Art,” brings to mind a specific kind of imagery. …but isn’t that a problem…? What if the struggle of learning Perspective Drawing simply isn’t worth it…? How can an animated TV show be deeply autobiographical for it’s creator and still have huge, mainstream appeal? Maybe what other people think of your art matters less […] The post Books That Will Change Your Creative Process (Best Of 2017) :: ArtCast #106 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In today’s conversation with Jake Parker (Author/ Illustrator of Little Bot and Sparrow, Creator of Inktober) we discuss different ideas for promoting your picture book: When should you start growing an audience? (Sooner than you think!) Why trust is essential for growing an audience. Should your project have its own website? The importance of school visits. …and […] The post How To Promote Your Picture Book with Jake Parker :: Stories Unbound #20 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

This month, Sarah Marino (Color Supervisor at Nickelodeon), Jenn Ely (Production Designer for House Special, Visual Development Artist for Dreamworks) and I are teaching a new online workshop called First Flight: How To Create Your New Career In Visual Development. I invited them both to join me here on The ArtCast to promote First Flight and talk about how they achieved such significant success in their animation careers… Episode Highlights […] The post Creative Bravery: Why Animation Pros Sarah Marino and Jenn Ely Thrive In A Challenging Industry :: ArtCast #102 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In the previous episode, we met Ryan Carlson – my Disney mentor and the person without whom The Oatley Academy may never have happened… Now in part two, Ryan talks about: Working on The Iron Giant and what he learned from Brad Bird. His advancement from Assistant Effects Animator to Art Director. How to lead […] The post Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 2) :: ArtCast #101 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In many ways, I owe my career to  Ryan Carlson. He played a key role in giving me my first break at Disney, taught me more about painting than any other individual and he, more than anyone for whom I’ve worked, has intentionally helped to advance my career. …and considering that The ArtCast probably wouldn’t […] The post Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 1) :: ArtCast #100 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In part one of our interview, John Nevarez (Sony, Illumination, Pixar, Disney) gave us a masterclass in gesture drawing technique. Now, in part two, John talks about: What that first day at Pixar is really like, Sneaky ways to get your work noticed, And the secret to staying sane in this crazy business… Listen To […] The post Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 2) :: ArtCast #99 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

John Nevarez approaches his art and his relationships the same way. Whether he encounters a new, blank page or a new person, John sees the opportunity to freely explore new and inspiring ideas. The whimsical energy in his sketches combined with his delightful personality has made him one of the most reputable professionals in the animation […] The post Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 1) :: ArtCast #98 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Orli Zuravicky is a Senior Editor at Scholastic and the author of the forthcoming Happily Ever Afterlife middle grade novel series. In this interview we talk about: How an Editor chooses an Illustrator. How to approach an Editor at a conference. How being an Editor helped Orli become a better writer. Why manuscript submissions get […] The post Interview with Scholastic Editor Orli Zuravicky :: Stories Unbound #19 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In part one of our interview with Brynn Metheney, we talked about her childhood in the desert, how her father’s job as an engineer helped her understand creature design, and how she makes her animals feel so real… In part two, Brynn shares some nitty gritty drawing tips and practical ways to improve when your […] The post Interview with Creature Designer & Fantasy Illustrator Brynn Metheney (Part 2) :: ArtCast #97 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Brynn Metheney puts the “dragons” in Dungeons & Dragons. While many of her animals come from imaginary worlds, they look like they could exist in this one… In part one of our interview, we talk about Brynn’s childhood in the desert, how her father’s job as an engineer helped her understand creature design, and how […] The post Interview with Creature Designer & Fantasy Illustrator Brynn Metheney (Part 1) :: ArtCast #96 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

In part one, we talked about query letters and how to submit your work to an agent with Jennifer March Soloway, Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Today in part two we talk about: Beginning writer? Learn more on how to get started! What makes a great Critique Group – and why you need one. […] The post Interview with Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway (Part 2) :: Stories Unbound #18 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

If Radiohead was a painter they’d be Frederic William Stewart. Fred’s experimental mark-making is simultaneously raw but refined, deliberately spontaneous, visceral and inviting. He was the first Background Painter on Nickelodeon’s epic animated series The Legend of Korra and today he holds a coveted role as a Dreamworks Visual Development Artist. In this episode we […] The post Interview with ‘Korra’ and ‘Dreamworks’ Artist, Frederic William Stewart :: ArtCast #95 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Jennifer March Soloway is an Associate Agent at the reputable Andrea Brown Literary Agency. In this interview: How to pitch your story to an Agent. What’s a query letter? …and how to write one. Why it’s important to keep revising, rewriting and resubmitting your story. What is the Big Sur Writing Workshop? …and why you […] The post Interview with Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway (Part 1) :: Stories Unbound #17 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

For Children’s Book creators, it has never been easier to Self-Publish… But is Independent Publishing the best way? In today’s episode, Mike Sundy, former Pixar crew member and best-selling Children’s Book author talks about: Do you really need a big publisher? How to market your own independent Children’s Book. “Hybrid Publishing” and why you might […] The post Indie Vs Traditional Publishing with ‘Part Of My Heart’ Author Mike Sundy :: Stories Unbound #16 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.