“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.