There Are Easier Ways To Become A Professional Artist: Live Q&A With Noah Bradley :: ArtCast #60

Chief Of The Ways by Noah Bradley

It’s never been easy to become a professional artist, but most young artists make it way more difficult on themselves than it has to be.

Yesterday, I was a guest on Noah Bradley‘s Livestream and we covered what seemed like every hot topic that professional and pre-professional artists are facing today.

  • Is a traditional, brick-and-mortar art school education worth the extremely high cost?
  • How important is personal style?
  • How do you grow your social media following?
  • What about creative burnout?
  • How do you know when a painting is done?
  • Which creative discipline transcends skill level, struggles and personal goals?
  • Why money doesn’t always matter.
  • How to deal with parents who don’t support your art.
  • Why most critiques are a waste of time and energy.

And, so, SO much more…

If you’re an artist who is trying to survive in this new, weird, unpredictable, inspiring, connected world, you will not want to miss this.

Here I’ve posted both audio and video versions of the interview.

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The Technique Trap

A Goldfish In A Bag

A perceptive (and talented) art student by the name of Chris Campbell recently asked me this impressive question:

“What do the animation industry pros say about us when we’re not around?”

He elaborated…

“Have they noticed any common mistakes or bad habits in current student portfolios?”

“What do most pros think we need to work on?”

Obviously, I can’t speak for everyone.

But…

…there is, in fact, one general criticism that comes up pretty much every time I discuss current student work with animation industry artists.

Just this past week, I had three different conversations with three different artists and they brought it up every time the topic of student work came up.

It isn’t going to be easy to hear.

But because I love you, I have to share it with you…

For many aspiring concept artists, the answer to this question could be the most important critique you’ve ever been given.

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When Jobs In The Animation Industry Disappear…

Shrek's Family

Anyone who has worked in the animation industry knows that layoffs and studio closures are just standard occupational hazards.

…but times are especially tough right now.

350 employees at Dreamworks Animation were recently recently laid-off and the creature effects powerhouse, Rhythm & Hues just filed for bankruptcy.

…and let’s not forget that Digital Domain’s brand new feature animation studio in Florida was shut down this past September – before they could even release a movie.

Is there still hope for art students and professional artists who dream of working in animation?

…and how do we respond to the troubling news of layoffs and bankrupt studios?

…and what does it mean to those of us who are trying to break in?

Read on for some words of encouragement…

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‘ImagineFX’ Features Oatley Academy + New Digital Painting Workshop!

My "Animal Farm" Digital Painting for ImagineFX.

My “Animal Farm” Digital Painting for ImagineFX.
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This morning, my friends at ImagineFX Magazine got me all choked up.

As many of you have now seen and read, ImagineFX interviewed me about The Oatley Academy for Issue #94 (March/April 2013).

The article is really encouraging. …and humbling.

The issue has already hit shelves in the UK and will be available in the US in early April.

You can read an additional article (which includes the majority of the interview and input from some of my Painting Drama students) at ImagineFX.com.

To accompany the article, I finished the first personal piece I’ve done in over a year. It’s an illustration inspired by George Orwell’s cautionary tale: Animal Farm.

But I also discovered another opportunity in the process…

I recorded nearly every minute of painting, every thumbnail sketch, every study, every color comp, basically, every stage in the creation of this painting.

…the entire process, from idea to completion.

I’ve been working hard for the past two weeks to synthesize the over-24 hours of recorded video into a new, week-long, Digital Painting Workshop for concept artists and illustrators.

I call it: “Animals, Atmosphere and How Not To Kill Your Painting”

Detail image from Chris Oatley's 'Animal Farm' Digital Painting for Imagine FX.

Detail image from Chris Oatley’s
‘Animal Farm’ Digital Painting.
[ click to enlarge ]

This epic collection of instructional videos, resource files and tutorials answers some of the most frequently-asked questions about my process.

…and it reveals many of the most effective Digital Painting Techniques that I’ve  developed over the past five years working as a Visual Development Artist at Disney.

It is unlike anything you can find online.

Read on to get the details…

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The Making Of ‘Paperman’ and The Future Of Disney Animation

The Making Of Paperman

Last week, Disney released Paperman, the new CG/2D hybrid short film, on YouTube and it already has about 14 million views. Shortly after it went viral, the industry honored Paperman with the Annie Award for best short film. The response at the Annecy Animation Festival was also inspiringly positive. The director recently confirmed that Disney is pursuing the Paperman process further. Could the Paperman process be a picture of the [...]

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The Rising Stars Of Animation: Betsy Bauer, Elsa Chang, Jessie Greenberg, Natalie Hall, Sarah Marino & Isaac Orloff: ArtCast #59

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I always say that the two secrets to success in animation are “Do great work and be great to work with.” Sometimes, artists just get mad when I say that. But more often, they ask thoughtful follow-up questions. …questions like “How, if I’m not already working in the industry, do I prove that I’m great to [...]

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How To Get Mind-Blowing Portfolio Feedback At CTN Animation Expo

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Several of you have emailed me and asked how to get the most out of CTN Animation Expo. MY ADVICE: Focus on building long-haul relationships with a few of the many talented artists who are there to help you pursue your dreams. One great way to begin building a relationship with another artist at CTN-X is through a [...]

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What To Do When Portfolio Feedback Doesn’t Make Sense

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Concept artist and illustrators often encounter portfolio feedback that is either confusing or nonspecific. Many artists just smile, nod, shake hands with the reviewer and walk away confused. Others blame themselves for not understanding and get discouraged and frustrated. So what can you do when you receive feedback on your concept art or illustration portfolio [...]

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82 Free Concrete Textures for Digital Painting

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This collection of concrete textures serves as a great companion to my Stone & Brick Textures. There’s asphalt, cracked sidewalks, parking garages and I threw some cool hydraulic elements in there too! Read on to download the textures and get some tips about painting grungy, grimy environments…

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95 Free Stone & Brick Textures for Digital Painting

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Here, have some more huge, free textures… This collection of stone and brick textures is one of my favorites. There’s some great, grungy stuff that will inspire all you dark, dystopian types as well as some very cool, industrial stuff for your more sanitary environments. Read on to download the textures and receive a personal [...]

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155 Free Wood Textures for Digital Painting

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Wood and I go way back. One of my first jobs was managing inventory for an antique restoration shop. I restocked and organized wood, woodworking supplies, paneling, stains etc. and on occasion I assisted the craftsmen. In that time, I learned most of the various types, colors and textures of wood. Little did I know that [...]

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Free Yourself From Perfect

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When Robert Zemeckis decided to do the movie version of The Polar Express in hyper-real mo-cap, he boarded a doomed vessel. He was so focused on achieving “perfection” in realism that he made a nigh-unwatchable movie featuring awkward, zombie-eyed characters with oversized pores. The Polar Express never became the timeless, holiday classic it might have [...]

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How To Keep Going If You Hit A Dead-End

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“You Look CORNFUSED!”  The old, hand-painted sign marked the first dead-end in the enormous corn maze. I, however, was not cornfused nor was I disheartened by the maze’s mockery. Throughout the course of my creative career, I have encountered many dead-ends and I’ve learned how to navigate with focus and patience. Many artists react to every dead-end with a [...]

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Karaoke And Your Inner-Critic

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A whole new world, (Don’t you dare close your eyes.) A hundred thousand things to see… (Hold your breath, it gets better…) I’m like a shooting star, I’ve come so far, I can’t go back to where I used to be. The two tiny japanese girls belted that Disney love ballad like Celine Dion. …if [...]

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The Gustav Klimt Drawings: Inside The Mind Of A Master Draftsman

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I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was up to no good. Her expression, eternal, enticing and vile has, for centuries, lured many men to suffer many, awful consequences. Fortunately, a grumpy docent intervened and saved me from a similar fate. Closing time. He kicked me out and locked the beautiful, deadly spirit-girl inside. [...]

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“Painting” Starts With “Pain”

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‘The Rehearsal’ by Edgar Degas, 1877 If you’re an illustrator or concept artist, I guarantee that your art will eventually cause pain. I know it hurts to even think about but it’s true. The good news is you can put pain in its place so it actually serves a purpose instead of just bringing you [...]

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