Visual Storytelling Archives

Extended Interview: Claire Keane

Claire Keane is a brilliant illustrator and visual development artist, who has helped to develop numerous immersive worlds, including Tangled and Duet.

After leaving Disney, she released her first illustrated children’s book: Once Upon A Cloud. It’s a beautifully rendered, heartwarming story about family and following your dreams.

This Extended Interview Contains 15 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

When characters start writing themselves.
Revealing characters through moments.
The big question in developing Rapunzel.
Once Upon A Cloud.
Getting lost in the illusion of a story.
Making the kind of marks you want to make.

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Extended Interview: Eric Canete: Animation Storyboard Artist & Co-Creator of “Run Love Kill”

Eric Canete‘s unique drawing style demonstrates layer upon layer of artistic mastery: Anatomy, character, caricature, composition, storytelling…

After 20+ years of trend-setting work in story, games and comics, his style is as distinct and intense as ever. So you might find it hard to believe that such beautiful work was once rejected by industry gatekeepers.

This Extended Interview Contains fifteen Minutes Of Extra Audio:

Eric describes how his art was fostered by competition.
The key is healthy obsession.
The premonitions of professionalism.
Moving to the U.S. with the help of James Bond.
The Little Mermaid was a game-changer.
Uncanny X-Men to Aeon Flux.
Eric discusses Run, Love, Kill and working with friends.
Three fascinating things about storyboards…

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Extended Interview: Aliki Grafft :: Prolific Animation Writer/Director Story Artist & Show Creator

Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft describes her career as “failing upward.”

She broke-in during the TV animation revolution and has since accumulated numerous impressive credits including: animated series creator, director, storyboard artist, writer, emmy-nominated songwriter and voice actor.

This Extended Interview Contains Almost Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

The artistry and emotional power of cartoons.
How Aliki practically applied her love for cartoons.
Her adventures as a PA at Hanna Barbera.
And the rest is history? No!
Growing (painfully) through character design.
The art and heartbreak of pitching.
Phineas and Ferb.
Being a mom in animation.
The road maps of storytelling.

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DELETED SCENE: The Power Of A Focused Concept Art Portfolio :: With Paul Scott Canavan

Being a concept artist is like being a five-year-old kid. You need to constantly be asking ‘Why?’

– Paul Scott Canavan

Paul Scott Canavan, Lead Concept Artist for Blazing Griffin, talks about how to know when you’re “good enough” to get hired as a concept artist.

Inspiring Highlights:

A common (but often invisible) barrier to becoming a “hirable” concept artist.
A surprisingly effective way to track your artistic growth.
How to check your art for clarity.
The value of a focused portfolio.
The cost of pursuing too many goals at once.

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DELETED SCENE: When A Character’s Emotions Get In The Way :: With Justin Copeland

As you are building your portfolio, I believe that there is a nucleus that everything is derived from … and that nucleus, to me, is the story….

– Justin Copeland

Justin Copeland (Storyboard Artist for Marvel and Warner Bros.) talks about the challenge of finding truth in a character’s performance in this deleted Q&A segment from Chris Oatley’s ArtCast.

Inspiring Highlights:

The problem of phony emotions.
Understanding the true source of a character’s emotions.
Why “pencil mileage” matters.
Do I need to draw digitally?

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