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Case Study With AJ Nazzaro: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 3) :: EAJ #23

AJNazzaroCaseStudyP3_PostArt_1280wIn part two of our “Purple Cow” Case Study with AJ Nazzaro, we talked about how his commitment to excellence led to work with his dream clients.

Today, our conversation concludes with AJ’s thoughts on professionalism and creating an optimal digital painting workflow…

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Case Study With AJ Nazzaro: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 2) :: EAJ #22

AJNazzaroCaseStudyP2_PostArt_1280wIn part one of our “Purple Cow” Case Study with AJ Nazzaro, we discussed how, despite getting a late start, his willingness to face any and every creative challenge is why he’s now working for Blizzard and Wizards Of The Coast – his dream clients.

In this episode, he paints a vivid picture of what it means to be committed to the craft…

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Case Study With AJ Nazzaro: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 1) :: EAJ #21

AJNazzaroCaseStudyP1_PostArt_1280wAJ Nazzaro (Blizzard, Wizards Of The Coast) is the kind of person who will, to use his own words, “fight a grizzly bear with a toothbrush.”

Though he got a late start, his willingness to face any and every creative challenge is why he’s now working for his dream clients.

In this first part of a three-part series, AJ reveals the invisible but intense dedication that led to his unique success…

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Connect With Industry Pros By Writing Better Emails

OaNow5PostArt-1024x576Have you ever reached out to a creative pro or art hero via email…

…and been completely ignored?

In this Escape From Art Jail lesson, Chris and Edge help you develop your professional network with email tips and examples that you can put into practice right away!

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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.

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DELETED SCENE: Why You Shouldn’t Wait For Creative Fulfillment :: With Prescott Harvey

In this Deleted Scene from ArtCast #94, writer Prescott Harvey provides an intense reality check for creative people with less-than-creative day jobs.

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Portfolio Review: Concept Design & World Building with Paul Scott Canavan

Yaniv-PaulScottCanavan-PortfolioReview-900x485

Chris Oatley and Paul Scott Canavan (Lead Artist at Blazing Griffin) critique Yaniv Cahoua’s Portfolio.

Topics Covered:

  • The difference between Concept Art and Illustration.
  • Building a fantasy world based on real world reference.
  • Conveying a clear story with your design.

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How To Become A Competitive Creative Professional (Part 6) :: EAJ #14

EAJ14_GetBusyLiving_1280w

Previously, in our series on developing your personal brand, we discussed three ways to pursue excellence through learning.

Today we’ll look at how you can leverage your location to find unexpected opportunities…

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How To Become A Competitive Creative Professional (Part 5) :: EAJ #13

EAJ #13 Minas Tirith Academy

Previously, in our series on developing your personal brand, we talked about the benefits of non-art skills and the importance of knowing your gear inside and out.

Today we’ll consider three ways to pursue excellence through learning…

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How To Become A Competitive Creative Professional (Part 4) :: EAJ #12

EAJ12Rocky-EvenStrongerNow1280w

Previously in this series, we discussed the value of reliability & commitment and how you can prove to studios and clients that you possess these essential qualities.

Today we’ll consider how your skills (that are unrelated to art) can inform your personal brand …and discuss the power of perfecting your techniques.

[Read more…]

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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.

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