The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

The ArtCast:

Artistic insight and career advice from the most inspiring voices in animation, games, vfx, comics and new media. Hosted by Chris Oatley and The Oatley Academy Team.

Extended Interview: Creature Designer & Fantasy Illustrator Brynn Metheney

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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 the podcast version of this interview, we talked about Brynn’s 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 shared some nitty gritty drawing tips and practical ways to improve when your artistic growth seems slow.

This Extended Interview Includes Over 40 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Drawing the human skull.
  • Horses!
  • Stylized animal anatomy in 101 Dalmatians.
  • Perfectionism & Introversion.
  • Being bullied as a kid.
  • Coping with social anxiety.
  • Why artists shouldn’t sacrifice sleep and food.
  • Creating an ideal home studio.
  • When artists take themselves too seriously.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: ‘Korra’ and ‘Dreamworks’ Artist, Frederic William Stewart

BSP-FredStewartExtended-PostArt-1280Frederic William Stewart 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 the podcast version of this interview, we talked about the early days on Korra, pushing the limits of digital media and why a diversity of influences will make your work stand out…

This Extended Interview Includes Over 20 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • The challenges Fred faced while working on Korra.
  • Tracing Lion King off the TV.
  • Jim Henson, Mister Rogers, and the beauty of stubborn optimism.
  • Sensory overload is an inspiration killer.
  • Being nerds in high school.
  • Why Fred ditched mechanical engineering to pursue art.
  • Learning art at the Shrunken Head Man Club.
  • The secret convenience of Voodoo dolls.

[Read more…]

DELETED SCENE: Show, Then Tell!

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Once I really started writing in pictures first, it changed the way I wrote.

– Mark Pett

Mark Pett is a former syndicated comics creator and self-proclaimed “Authorstrator” of 5 charming picture books.

In this deleted scene from Stories Unbound #7, Mark tells us how he used to create “talking heads” comics. But after taking a challenge from a friend to make “silent comics,” his writing process changed forever…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Novelist/ Screenwriter Abbey Cleland

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In our two-part interview for The Paper Wings Show, Abbey Cleland talked about the crazy way she made a career as a freelance writer.

She also shared some mind-blowing writing advice like:

  • Why you should think of your a novel as a house, your screenplay as a room, and your short story as a window.
  • How to work in Hollywood while living somewhere you actually like.
  • Why we should be “fiercely specific” in our pitches.
  • And how bad ideas can help you break through writer’s block.

In this extended interview – which features over 40 minutes of extra audio – you’ll hear even more surprising writing advice and some hilarious personal stories…

[Read more…]

DELETED SCENE: Just Design What’s Right For The Story

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Don’t waste your time worrying about what people think of your work, just do the best you can.

– Ovi Nedelcu

Ovi Nedelcu is an animation visual development artist and character designer (Warner Bros., Laika) and a picture book creator.

In this deleted scene from Stories Unbound #5, Ovi and Shawna discuss the importance of sketching and behind the scenes development of an illustration.

We discuss the very planned and calculated process of Norman Rockwell versus Mo Willems’ simpler style, and why there is a need for both types of storytelling.
[Read more…]

DELETED SCENE: How The Pixar Art Department Works

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I call the work at Pixar “aggressively collaborative…”

– Noah Klocek

Noah Klocek is an Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios by day, and a picture book creator by night.

In this deleted scene from Stories Unbound #4, Noah talks about his role at Pixar and provides some unique perspective on their collaborative process.

Inspiring Highlights:

  • The differences between concept artists and Art Directors.
  • How the Pixar Art Department works.
  • Collaboration vs. personal projects.
  • Why Pixar isn’t everything.

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Armand Serrano (Part 1)

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Armand Serrano‘s inventive compositions, visceral line work and story-rich environment designs have made him a living legend in the animation industry.

From humble beginnings as an illustrator for a telegram company, to creating iconic layouts for classics such as Disney’s Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Big Hero 6 (and numerous other varying films and productions), Armand has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share.

This Extended Interview Contains 8 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • Armand’s lifelong determination.
  • How the amazing Paul Felix helped Armand break-in.
  • How Armand’s math and engineering background informs his art.
  • Would you move to the other side of the earth to pursue your dreams?

[Read more…]

Designing An Adaptive Portfolio For Conventions & Recruiting Events :: EAJ #5

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Many artists are under the misconception that “the portfolio” is a fixed, finishable thing…

This misconception can be particularly restrictive at conventions, job fairs and other recruiting events where you get frequent feedback from industry pros.

In this episode we share a strategy that will help you design a physical portfolio that can adapt to the feedback and unexpected opportunities you’ll encounter throughout the event…

[Read more…]

Extended Interview: Jason Brubaker :: Dreamworks Visual Development Artist & Creator Of “reMIND” (Part 3)

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In the first two parts, Jason Brubaker told us the story of his unexpected success at DreamWorks Animation and provided fresh perspective on the power of persistence.

Now, in part three, we discuss his career-defining graphic novel reMIND, his record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns and the broad appeal of deeply personal work…

This Extended Interview Contains Almost Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

  • Jason explains the origins of his comic ReMind.
  • His list of “things comics should do,” but he didn’t see happening.
  • Jason’s transition from B&W to color.
  • He discusses his strengths and weaknesses in art vs. writing.
  • Jason explores his experience with Kickstarter, Patreon, and WebToons.
  • The financial pressures of doing an independent comic and how he navigated that.
  • How Jason’s faith drives him forward in making comics.
  • The soul search and evolution of his reasons for creating art.

[Read more…]

Connect With Us:

Whether you’re pursuing concept art, illustration, character design, storyboarding, comics, animation or children’s books, The Oatley Academy will help you become a professional Visual Storyteller. Please reach out! We would love to connect with you.