If you’re truly dedicated, work hard and do great work, someone will have the common sense to recognize you.
Concept artist Ashley Dotson reached a career milestone…
Name:Ashley Dotson
Location:Maryland, USA
OA Course(s): Painting Drama 1 and 2
Current Creative Pursuit: Making sure the art of Aderyn’s Cradle pushes the game to the Hall of Game Fame that it needs to be in.
Describe your most recent creative breakthrough:
A lot of my most recent creative breakthroughs (and struggles) have consisted of nailing perspective and lighting situations.
A lot of my work with Mojo has been pushing me with this in a way that I wasn’t being pushed on my own, and it’s resulted in some really killer pieces that I can’t wait to show.
Perspective drawing especially has always been a challenge for me, and it’s taking a lot of time, but I’m slowly getting better and better, and getting a more immersive experience in my paintings.
Describe your most recent career breakthrough:
I got brought on to Mojo Game Studios as a Concept Artist at the beginning of November 2014. It moved really fast, much faster than I expected!
The morning that I was contacted by the CEO/Founder of Mojo I was kind of a vegetable the rest of the day. I was both nervous and incredibly excited, and even more lucky.
I had originally contacted them for advice since I was so humbled by their artwork, and was not at all expecting the response I got…
…which was basically “Let’s Skype in a few days and get you on the team!”
Nothing about the situation was normal. But I suppose that’s only fitting because this is definitely not a normal team!
I’m so humbled and inspired to be part of it.
What is the most important lesson you have you learned about your art and/or creative career?
I would say there are two that apply to my everyday thought process:
The first is that successful people do the things no one else wants to do.
No one wants to take the time to do studies, or go outside and sketch, or really dissect and study the masters, or gather references more than they want to paint/draw their own ideas.
But by being one of the few that just knuckles down and does them even though you don’t want to, you instantly put yourself ahead of the crowd since most people just give up because it’s outside their comfort zones…
…and your work will be so much better for it.
It’s not about who was born with more talent; it’s about who is willing to have fun AND do the work.
If you decide nothing will stop you, nothing will.
The other thing I’ve learned is that being someone who relentlessly pursues the truth and everything that means–empirically, emotionally, empathetically – is a dire necessity when it comes to art and life in general.
What story do you want to tell? What are your own biases? Do you treat your word as the binding pact that it should be?
The bottom line is for me, I would always rather admit a mistake and learn from it, no matter what form it comes in, than continue not addressing my faults for the sake of my own comfort (not the same as beating yourself up by the way!).
If the evidence contradicts me in an argument, I adopt the opposing argument with no shame; if my work has an error I’m willing to concentrate my effort on studies that will fix it.
It may sting a little bit to leave the echo chamber–you’ll find out who your real friends are in these moments–but the fact is none of us have time to waste by living in our comfort zone, because comfort zones almost never reveal truths to anyone.
Not you, not your peers, and not your audience.
What are your thoughts on failure?
When life knocks you down, try to land on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up.
That’s a quote by Les Brown, a motivational speaker I’ve listened to a lot.
Everyone fails sometimes, and it doesn’t feel good…
But when you get knocked down (which is inevitable in life), what you do in those moments is what REALLY defines you.
Keep your eyes on the dream, even when you fall, and that’s all you really need to keep going.
What you say doesn’t hold any water until things get hard and you still hold on, still stick to your word, still work when no one cares or thinks you can do it.
Those moments build character and integrity, confidence and trust in yourself. Because it’s easy to be optimistic when things are going well, but it’s so difficult when you’re having a hard time.
Just remember that when things are really difficult, you’re building character, and learning and growing.
I truly believe that in adversity there is always opportunity, if you’re looking for it. I consider that as another motivation to get better and another reason why achieving the goal will be so fulfilling.
Because you CAN fali. That’s the stuff worth falling down a few times for.
What’s the one thing you’re doing to reach your next creative goal? What is that goal?
Probably the R-word…research!
For the last year I’ve learned from multiple great artists (Chris included) that the research necessary to create a living and believable world for your story, whether it’s a game, personal project, movie, whatever, is extensive.
And so enriching to your mental library and ability to paint, even though it’s pretty under-appreciated.
As a Concept Artist it’s really a big part of my job not just to paint pretty pictures, but to be able to come up with ideas for plants, animals, structures, etc to go into the world we’re creating…
…and to do that I have to really deeply understand both the game world and the world around me so I can be a medium for the two.
It’s actually really cool!
I am personally someone who is quite thirsty for knowledge in any form so I love being able to learn about all kinds of stuff.
A fascination and curiosity with everything in life is essential to being an artist, so don’t let yourself put that stuff on the back burner.
Learning and play is just as important as practice!
How has The Oatley Academy affected your life?
It’s been THE turning point in my artistic life. Without a doubt.
When I found The Oatley Academy on a little over two years ago, I had already started to get more serious about my painting but still needed a lot of work (and still do!).
Before I took Painting Drama I was focusing on trying to speed paint like the guys on YouTube, but after the first portfolio review with him I realized I had thought about all of this the wrong way…
…I was losing something by watching those YouTube videos, but had no idea what it was.
I’ve since figured out what it was: fundamentals.
Trying to get all my learning from videos of speed paintings was just like getting a shorthand version of what these guys spent years learning before they could do this, which were the fundamentals of painting, composition, lighting, etc. that they learned from the masters and studies.
Things only continued to rocket upwards for me after I enrolled in The Oatley Academy.
It’s a lot of hard work and it’s a lot of responsibility, but that’s the kind of environment I thrive in.
Not to mention, Chris himself has been an invaluable asset and friend as well as the other students in the class. They are some of the most talented, understanding, encouraging and thoughtful people I’ve ever encountered.
Great kind of thing to surround yourself with.
Favorite Color:
Man this question, I never know how to answer it… haha. I like all colors if used well in a painting! But I guess I would say…orange. I’m partial to warmer colors.
Favorite Movie:
Another hard one for me!
Most of my favorite cinemas were based on other mediums first or are TV series, since I tend to prefer stories that give a long time to bond with the characters and see a progression.
But there is one movie that has always been one of my favorites no matter what…
…so I’ll go with The Iron Giant.
Favorite Painter:
Albert Bierstadt, no trouble there. His environments…they’re so epic!
It’s clear to me that tons of modern-day concept artists have learned an immense amount of artistic knowledge from him.
Guilty Pleasure:
I’ve taken up pipe smoking recently (only occasionally, don’t worry)!
I also have other weird hobbies like long boarding and dipping my potato chips in yogurt…
…although I wouldn’t call them guilty exactly… haha.
What advice can you provide for young, aspiring artists?
Two concepts you have to understand: Confidence and persistence.
Understand that the people you admire, the ones that got the jobs that you want, did not get there because it fell into their lap: they weren’t born luckier than you! Haha.
They had the confidence to pursue their goals with vigor and always get back up and try harder, and not let anyone tell them “you can’t do that”…
…because no one can tell you you can’t.
If you’re truly dedicated, work hard and do great work, someone will have the common sense to recognize you.
You just have to go out and do it for yourself, because as Seth Godin says, the age of “being picked” is over. You have to pick yourself, and trust that somehow it will work out if you don’t give up.
Because it will–there’s no way it couldn’t if you decide you’re not going to give up!
So go for it and don’t hold back!
What advice can you provide for pre-professional artists?
Probably the biggest thing I struggled with as a “pre-professional” is that it felt like I was on the edge between worlds…
…so close and yet so far not knowing when something would happen for me, but still having to act as if it could be any moment and I had to be ready for that.
The advice I’m going to give others reading this that may feel this way may be what I need to hear as well: try not to ignore the present too much.
Having your taste for success whetted is excruciatingly tempting–ironically, I usually deal with it by working more to get my mind off of it!
Because of this I tend to ultra-focus on my work in times of stress, so just take a minute and relax if you’re like me.
Know that slowing down is alright and that you’ve earned it.
Spend time with your friends and family, take a walk, do something to give yourself a break every once in a while, and try to be patient (though it’s SO HARD).
Everything about this is a patient person’s game, so of course invest in yourself, your mind, your skills, etc and be dedicated to putting your time into that–but also don’t ignore great opportunities to experience life when the opportunity arises.
What advice can you provide for seasoned pros?
Maybe it’s silly, but probably the best things you can do from my perspective if you’re a seasoned pro is just to keep making amazing work that inspires us to climb higher…
Always lead from ahead, and always innovate in favor of the better ideas.
Don’t get stuck in a formula of style and “what sells” even if it’s at the expense of quality, as I see so many game companies falling victim to nowadays…
…though I know the producer gets the last word there usually and sometimes that can’t be helped, if you’re working at a place like this and are bored of it maybe it’s time to go create your own thing.
Also, just keep being super cool people.
Something I’ve learned about art professionals is that most of them are really nice guys/gals! Very approachable and passionate, overall great to talk to.
If you do amazing work and love what you do, I can’t ask much else of you. That kind of passion and competence is what the world needs more of, and it inevitably spreads!
What can one artist do to change the world?
If you can change a few peoples’ worlds and hopefully your own for the better over the course of your life, that’s huge and all that really matters.
Do what you love honestly and consciously, and in finding your own happiness you may gain the attention, support and admiration of others who look up to that.
The only way you can really stand out is find what YOU love, personally, and concentrate on making that as good as you can…
…that’s where you’ll find your artistic voice and really make a difference to some people.
Integrity in your work is immediately recognizable over someone who did an okay speed paint just to churn something out that looks “concept art-y”.
Since we’re the world’s next “trend-setters”, we have to be brave enough to actually try something new and be true to ourselves. Don’t worry if people will think it’s stupid–some will. But if you think it’s interesting, someone else will too.
Work to keep those people.
What does it mean to be an Oatley Academy Student?
Being an Oatley Academy student means, more than anything I think, to take the pledge to pursue mastery, and absolutely nothing short of it.
That you accept that it is hard, and it will test your patience, your passions and your resolve.
You accept that there are no shortcuts, and vow to do things the right way, not necessarily the easy or fast way.
You want to step ahead of the crowd and be the best that you can be, because you’re interested in excelling, not just being good enough.
…And while you’re taking on all these monumental challenges, you’ll be part of an intimate circle of trust with teachers and students that really care about your success, and you care about theirs.
It’s really amazing and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of it…it continues to make me want to push my limits more and more every day.
I’m convinced that there’s nothing else like The Oatley Academy online, anywhere.