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Portfolio Review: Values, Edges & Staging with Shawna JC Tenney

Patt-ShawnaJCTenney-PortfolioReview-900x485Chris Oatley and Shawna JC Tenney (Freelance Children’s Book Writer/Illustrator, Host of Stories Unbound) critique Patt Ann’s Portfolio.

Topics Covered:

  • Advice on approaching publishers as a non-published author.
  • Tips on improving values, edges and staging.
  • The importance of seeking objective feedback, before submitting your finished book dummy.

[Read more…]

“Escape From Art Jail” Live Q&A :: Personal Brand (Part 2)

EAJLiveQAPurpleCow21280wChris Oatley and Ejiwa (Edge) Ebenebe answer your questions about how to discover and develop your Personal Brand (aka your “Purple Cow.”)

Questions Answered:

  • How do I get my drawing skills to a competitive level, while working a full-time job?
  • What online resources do you suggest to help build and strengthen the fundamentals?
  • How do creative products/works satisfy the needs of our audiences?
  • How do I create a Personal Brand when my career consists of many disparate things?
  • What are the most effective ways of growing your Personal Brand?

[Read more…]

Portfolio Review: Color & Composition with Sarah Marino

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Chris Oatley, Sarah Marino (Nickelodeon, ReelFX) and Amanda Duarte critique Michelle Lockamy’s Portfolio.

Topics Covered:

  • How to use color and composition to guide the viewer’s eyes.
  • Tips on maintaining good clients.

[Read more…]

“Escape From Art Jail” Live Q&A :: Personal Brand (Part 1)

EAJLiveQ&A_PurpleCow1_1280w

Chris Oatley and Ejiwa (Edge) Ebenebe answer your questions about how to discover and develop your Personal Brand (aka your “Purple Cow.”)

Questions Answered:

  • When do I start worrying about building my Personal Brand?
  • How can I maintain a reliable online presence?
  • Can I have more than one Personal Brand?
  • Can my Personal Brand change based on location?
  • Is it possible to make a living selling only digital products?

[Read more…]

Portfolio Review: Chris Oatley & Ashley Dotson Critique Francisco Matos’ Concept Art Portfolio

BSP_LivePortfolioReview_AshleyDotson_PostArt

Chris Oatley and Ashley Dotson (Mojo Games) critique Francisco Matos’ Portfolio.

Topics Covered:

  • How characters and environments are related through composition.
  • Using color to communicate emotions in your painting.
  • Studying your inspirations as a way to develop your personal style.

[Read more…]

Portfolio Review: Lines & Colors with AJ Nazzaro

michael-ackerman

Chris Oatley and AJ Nazzaro critique Michael Ackerman’s Concept Art and Illustration portfolio.

Topics Covered:

  • Why curating your influences is essential.
  • Specialization vs. Versatility.
  • How the fundamentals can work together to form an iconic style.

[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 2)

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In part one we heard the story of Armand’s long road to success in the animation industry…

Now, the conversation with Armand gets spiritual as we discuss “pure creativity,” the role of Armand’s faith in his career and creative process and how many aspiring artists are working backwards…

The conversation then spins around 180 degrees to focus on technique and workflow.

Jose-Luis Segura joins me as guest co-host.

This Extended Interview Contains 20 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

  • How Armand overcame his doubts about fitting into the animation industry.
  • How Armand got his job on Surf’s Up.
  • Being brave enough to let go of opportunities that don’t suit your path.
  • What would your career look like in an alternate reality?
  • Armand’s return to Disney and his reunion with Paul Felix.

[Read more…]

It’s Aliiiiive!

– Home Page Redirect

Attracting Art Directors In Kidlit And Children’s Book Publishing: With Shawna JC Tenney :: EAJ #4

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Artists often struggle to find a balance between work that attracts Art Directors and work that pleases their target audience.

…but can your work accomplish both things at the same time?

Children’s book author, illustrator and host of Stories Unbound, Shawna JC Tenney, joins us for a conversation about attracting art directors in the field of kidlit children’s publishing.

[Read more…]

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