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Case Study With Rebecca Black-Gliko: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 1) :: EAJ #18

BekiCaseStudyP1_PostArt_1280wRebecca Black-Gliko’s unwavering focus led to a highly-competitive, entry-level position at Laika – the stop-motion feature animation studio that produced Coraline and Kubo and the Two Strings.

In part 1 of this series, we hear how Beki shaped her own personal brand, and proved herself with an ambitious personal project…

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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: 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.

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“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?

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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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DELETED SCENE: Show, Then Tell!

MarkPettBSP-Sign

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…

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Portfolio Review: Color & Composition with Sarah Marino

Michelle-SarahMarino-PortfolioReview

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…]

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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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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