The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling

  • TESTIMONIALS
  • MENTORSHIP
  • ABOUT
  • MY OA

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 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…

[Read more…]

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…

[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…]

Case Study With Rebecca Black-Gliko: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 3) :: EAJ #20

BekiCaseStudyP3_PostArt_1280wIn part 2 of our “Purple Cow” Case Study with Rebecca Black-Gliko, we talked about her commitment to the craft of stop-motion, and how with deliberate practice, she developed an authentic visual voice which launched her creative career.

Today, our conversation concludes with Beki’s thoughts on improving your craft by thoroughly knowing your tools, seizing opportunities to learn from professionals, and making a habit of experimentation…

[Read more…]

Case Study With Rebecca Black-Gliko: Anatomy Of A Purple Cow (Part 2) :: EAJ #19

BekiCaseStudyP2_PostArt_1280wIn part 1 of our “Purple Cow” Case Study with Rebecca Black-Gliko, we discussed how her 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.

Today, our conversation continues with Beki’s thoughts on committing to your craft, practicing fundamentals, and launching a career through the development of an authentic visual voice…

[Read more…]

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Search

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.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 Visual Voice, LLC · Privacy Policy · Terms Of Service · Cookie Policy · Community Guidelines · Your Account · Help · Login