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Disney Character Designer answers your questions about Concept Art, Character Design for Animation, Digital Painting & Illustration.

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Concept Art: How To Break In and Stay In

Concept Art for Chris Oatley's personal project based on 'The Wizard Of Oz' Legendary Disney artist Armand Serrano told me: "They hire you for your art, but they keep you because of your ideas."

There are a million concept art portfolios out there...

...and very few compelling concepts.

A professional concept artist designs the future. They don't simply copy current trends.

They envision environments, props, characters, costumes, color palettes and compositions that audiences have never seen before.

A professional concept artist is collaborative and infinitely curious.

A professional concept artist has an inexhaustible visual library.

A professional concept artist is a master of the fundamentals and knows numerous efficient, focused techniques.

Here's a collection of my best interviews and articles to help you stay focused on what really matters to concept artists who are serious about breaking-in, staying-in or getting a better gig...

The Best New Concept Art Books (2019 Edition) :: VSP #4

By Chris Oatley

A cartoony, fan-art-mash-up drawn in gloppy, black ink lines and colored in soft, pastel hues, features characters from each of our 'Best New Concept Art Books' review. Kratos cradles a sleeping Link while fending off a hungry Skeksis. Cappy floats above Mario's head, transforming into The Mad Hatter's hat while the March Hare looks on, impressed. Spider-Ham pours the tea while Mr. Link lends his signature bowtie to Chewbacca.

Imagine you’re walking along a street in a big, busy city.

Despite all the noise and movement, something shiny catches your eye.

It’s a key.

You pick it up and realize it’s the most unusual and ornate key you’ve ever seen.

You take it home, toss it in a drawer and forget about it.

…or maybe you display it, so you can share it with others. After all, the key is a beautiful work of art in and of itself.

Now imagine, one day, a good friend comes over for coffee.

They notice this beautiful key you have displayed and they say to you: “I think I know where to find the lock. It’s on a door just down the street. Wanna go see what’s inside?”

A single piece of Concept Art is a key.

Some aspiring Concept Artists spend all their time collecting keys but never bother to unlock any doors.

They scroll the Internet, collecting single pieces of Concept Art and toss it all into a hoard file on their hard drive.

Sometimes they’ll share it on Social Media but, either way, they’re not learning anything about what it really means to be a professional Concept Artist.

Your random collection of keys won’t unlock anything on their own. You have to find out what’s behind the doors and why.

I know it can be overwhelming to research the history of Concept Art and stay relevant in such an innovative industry…

…but this list of The Best New Concept Art Books will help you do both.

[Read more…] about The Best New Concept Art Books (2019 Edition) :: VSP #4

Character Design and The Illusion Of Life: With James Woods :: VSP #2

By Chris Oatley

A pair of James Woods Character Designs. A dark-haired woman in white, minimalist-diva attire snuggles up to the shoulder of a huge jaguar with pastel-blue fur. The two are drawn with undulating "S" curves so complementary, they almost merge together.

Is there more to you than what other people see?

Character Design is a fundamental aspect of Visual Storytelling.

…but there’s much more to Character Design than the visual aspects.

Disney Visual Development Artist James Woods – best known for his Animation Character Design work on Mary Poppins Returns – joins me for today’s lesson:

Character Design And The Illusion Of Life.

Click through to start the lesson…

[Read more…] about Character Design and The Illusion Of Life: With James Woods :: VSP #2

Theme Parks Concept Artist Chris Bradley On Building A Dream Career :: ArtCast #112

By Chris Oatley

How would you prepare for a career in a mysterious industry like Theme Park Design where information about job requirements and current projects are almost impossible to find?

…and what would you do if you were stuck in a desert (literal and creative) with little more than a stack of comics, a Disney Imagineering book and a school trip to Disneyland to guide you?

Concept Artist Chris Bradley is here to share how he went from working construction to designing Theme Park attractions for Disney Imagineering, 20th Century Fox and Hasbro!

You’ll also get to hear how Chris thinks when he visits a Theme Park and learn about his favorite attractions.

…and at the end of the interview, he shares some challenging advice for aspiring Theme Park Concept Artists…

[Read more…] about Theme Parks Concept Artist Chris Bradley On Building A Dream Career :: ArtCast #112

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough (Part 2) :: ArtCast #111

By Chris Oatley

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia continues his story today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast!

In part one of this series, Zach told the story of how he challenged his family’s expectations to pursue an artistic career, struggled through art school and avoided debt by working multiple jobs (including some uncomfortable internships).

…and when he finally got a chance at an interview with Disney Animation, he completely blew it.

Now, in Part 2, Zach tells us:

  • How he finally broke in at Disney.
  • Why all the struggle was all worth it.
  • Why Mentorship is so crucial for success in the entertainment industry…

[Read more…] about Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough (Part 2) :: ArtCast #111

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough :: ArtCast #110

By Chris Oatley

What would you do if you struggled for seven years to finally get an interview for your dream job at Disney…

…and then completely blew it?

Would you give up?

…create a “Plan B”?

What if you had already tried “Plan B”?

…or would you hold onto hope for a second chance, humble yourself and double your efforts?

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia shares the first part of his story today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast!

Episode Highlights:

  • Redefining hard work.
  • Challenging your family’s expectations by pursuing an artistic career.
  • The struggle of getting through art school without going into debt.
  • The unglamorous life of a Disney Theme Park intern.

…and what happens when you go into an interview at Disney Animation unprepared…

[Read more…] about Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough :: ArtCast #110

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