The DIY Animation Show

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.

Three years ago, Darren Yeow, a successful, self-taught Concept Artist created The Nomad Art Satchel: a product we didn’t know we wanted, yet it changed the lives of artists around the globe. The bag’s unique tool storage system and thoughtful design made it possible to sketch anywhere. It’s simply the best art bag in the […] The post Quick, Draw! The Making Of The Best Art Bag In The World (Part 3) :: ArtCast #105 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Three years ago, Darren Yeow, a successful, self-taught Concept Artist created The Nomad Art Satchel: a product we didn’t know we wanted, yet it changed the lives of artists around the globe. Now, the Kickstarter for The Nomad’s successor, The Etchr Art Satchel, made over $200,000 within the first 24 hours of launch… …and we’ve been recording […] The post Quick, Draw! The Making Of The Best Art Bag In The World (Part 2) :: ArtCast #104 appeared first on ChrisOatley.com.

Three years ago, Darren Yeow, a successful, self-taught Concept Artist created The Nomad Art Satchel: a product we didn’t know we wanted, yet it changed the lives of artists around the globe. The bag’s unique tool storage system and thoughtful design made it possible to sketch anywhere. It’s simply the best art bag in the […] The post Quick, Draw! The Making Of The Best Art Bag In The World (Part 1) :: ArtCast #103 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.

I have an urgent (but awesome) announcement!

Our new Visual Development Workshop is finally open for enrollment!

To learn more, listen to the audio announcement via the media player below…

Listen To The 'First Flight' Announcement: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/FirstFlight-OatleyAcademyArtCast-Announcement.mp3

[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]

*Banner Image Credit: Detail from a Character VisDev painting by Sarah Marino for Book Of Life (Fox/ ReelFX).

Announcement Transcript:

Chris Oatley here with an urgent (but awesome) announcement!

Our new Visual Development Workshop is finally open for enrollment! 

You can go now to http://OatleyAcademy.com/go/ff/ to learn more and register.

For those of you who aren't able to visit the website right now, I'll share a the teaser – accompanied by the new score written by Seth Earnest:

Sarah Marino (Nickelodeon) and Jenn Ely (Dreamworks, Laika) will join Maike Venhofen (Director, The Storytellers' Summit) and me for an emotional, inspirational, educational experience unlike anything available online or offline…

First Flight: How To Create Your New Career In Visual Development is a five-week online workshop that will help you launch a new career in Visual Development for Animation.

With the information-rich lessons, fifteen hours of real-time Visual Development Demos / Q&A Sessions and personalized guidance you’ll find in our Group Coaching Sessions, you will:

- Create a Visual Development Portfolio and corresponding web presence that meets industry standards while rising above the competition. - Form the professional mindset and focused work habits that will help you reach the high levels of artistic skill required by the animation industry. - Choose an area of specialization and expand your versatility. - Avoid the Top Ten Visual Development Career Killers! - Know whether you’re “good enough” to get hired now and, if not, what you need to do to reach that level of quality with your work. - Strengthen your skill in the three main areas of Visual Development – Character Props and Environments – and make a plan for ongoing practice. - Overcome the fears and bad habits that prevent aspiring Visual Development Artists from landing their dream job. - Understand how an Animation Art Department works. - Prepare for your first week as a professional Visual Development Artist.

If you're interested in a career as a VisDev artist for animation, it would be amazing to have you join us…

You can get all the details at http://OatleyAcademy.com/go/ff/

…and you'll also be able to read about How A Boring Illustration Job Changed My Life Forever.

We gave a sneak peek to some of our current students.

Here are some of the many fantastic reviews:

“I'm so excited to be starting First Flight!  Already watched the first two videos and love it so far!  I'm still working through Magic Box and Storyteller's Summit and thrilled to add another OA class to the mix.  OA's seriously my favorite place on the internet.  :D” 

– Veronica

“I was impressed by everything the course contains. By the second video I already felt my confidence boost.” 

– Vismaya

“I'm already feeling the love. Really like the attention you guys are putting into developing a good atmosphere and attention to the students. Looking forward to learning, growing and adding new friends in my life.” 

– Carlos

“First Flight is the Voltron of OA Courses”

– Chad

“What I like most about First Flight is how honest and clear it is about what both you and your work need to be like to be successful, and what mindset you need to achieve that. Would definitely recommend it, just the first few videos have been so mind-opening for me!” 

– Mari

“First Flight lifts ...

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.