The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

Escape From Art Jail:

Available exclusively to students, Escape From Art Jail helps you pursue creative freedom by becoming a true, creative professional. Monthly lessons on money, social media, portfolios, self-promotion, networking, managing clients, collaboration and more!

How To Ask For Donations Without Sounding Pathetic (Part 2) :: EAJ #29

EAJDonations2

One of the fastest, simplest ways to begin making money with your art is to accept donations.

…but how do you ask for donations without sounding pathetic?

In this LIVE episode of Escape From Art Jail, Chris and Edge explore why artists often avoid asking for donations and why they should do it anyway.

Questions Answered:

  • What can I do to increase the chances that people will donate?
  • Where can I find donors to support my art?
  • How can I as for donations while avoiding desperation and self-centeredness?
  • Why is gratitude so important? …and am I being gracious enough?
  • Do you I need to be “established” before taking donations?

[Read more…]

How To Ask For Donations Without Sounding Pathetic (Part 1) :: EAJ #28

Mordecai-and-the-Rigbys-Money

One of the fastest, simplest ways to begin making money with your art is to accept donations. But how do you ask for donations without sounding pathetic?

In this episode of Escape From Art Jail, Chris and Edge discuss why you feel bad about asking for donations… and why you should do it anyway.

Questions Answered:

  • How do I know if I’m providing value with my art?
  • When should I start creating donation opportunities?
  • What’s a good pricing tier to start with when setting up my Patreon?
  • How do I figure out what my audience wants?
  • Is it a good idea to set up multiple options for people to support me?

[Read more…]

Inches From Breaking In: Personal Brand Development Case Study (Part 4) :: EAJ #27

In our previous Escape From Art Jail series, we learned how three successful artists developed their personal brand.

Now our hosts Chris Oatley and Edge help Escape From Art Jail student Dan Kelby develop his own personal brand and present himself as a competitive professional in the Visual Development Industry.

Questions Answered:

  • How do I adapt a well-known story for my portfolio without being cliche?
  • How far should I push my ideas and designs before stopping?
  • When is it okay to put “unfinished” work in my portfolio?
  • Are traditional mediums accepted in Visual Development?

[Read more…]

Have You Lost Your Creative Identity? Personal Brand Development Case Study (Part 3) :: EAJ #26

HannahDaigle-Glowbug-1024x537In our previous Escape From Art Jail series, we learned how three successful artists developed their personal brand.

Now Edge and Sarah Mills (Social Media Manager and Magic Box Coach) help Escape From Art Jail student Hannah Daigle develop her own personal brand and present herself as a competitive professional in the Animation industry.

Questions Answered:

  • How do I keep depression from stalling my work?
  • How do I punch social anxiety in the face?
  • When can goal-setting be harmful?
  • Will I be blacklisted in the industry?

[Read more…]

Planning A Career As A Creature Designer: Personal Brand Development Case Study (Part 2) :: EAJ #25

SarahDahlinger_SeenAndUnseenCover_EAJMarch In our previous Escape From Art Jail series, we learned how three successful artists developed their personal brand.

Now, Chris and Edge help Escape From Art Jail student Sarah Dahlinger develop her own personal brand and present herself as a competitive professional in the creature design industry.

Questions Answered:

  • How do you handle organizing a diverse portfolio?
  • Should I use international networking to expand my client pool?
  • What happens when funding dries up from potential clients?

 

[Read more…]

Wait… You Mean There’s No Money In Comics?! Personal Brand Development Case Study (Part 1) :: EAJ #24

JoieFoster-Clucked In our previous Escape From Art Jail series, we learned how three successful artists developed their personal brand.

Now, Chris and Edge help Escape From Art Jail student Joie Foster develop her own personal brand and present herself as a competitive professional in the comics industry.

Questions Answered:

  • Should I branch out to diversify my income streams?
  • Are agents useful for comic creators?
  • Can I rely on crowdfunding to make a living?
  • How effective is networking when I don’t live near my clients?
  • Should I represent myself with an alias or pseudonym?

[Read more…]

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…

[Read more…]

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!

[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.