“No one can hand the career of your dreams to you. More than any online school I’ve encountered, Chris Oatley’s Academy has shaped my work towards my ultimate dream. Thanks to my amazing instructors, classmates and this community, I’m going further than ever before!”
– Ryan Hansen, Storyboard Artist, DreamWorks
Painting Drama [2020]:
Over the past twenty years, I’ve interacted with numerous aspiring Visual Storytellers both online and offline, in my courses, at physical art schools all over the world and as part of the recruitment team at Disney…
Most of the portfolios I review demonstrate the exact same problem:
The work fails to connect – emotionally – with the audience.
There’s no rhythm. No tension… No drama.
…but that’s the job!
The job of the Concept Artist, the job of the Illustrator, the Comics Creator, the Story Artist etc. is to create drama with pictures!
If you can’t figure out why you’re not getting the good gigs or why your fan base isn’t growing, this is the most likely reason.
Your work is failing to connect – emotionally – with the audience.
So how DO you paint immersive, emotional, visual stories that gather fans and get you the good gigs?
That’s why I created my online course: Painting Drama: Composition & Color Theory for Visual Storytellers.
I’ll begin accepting applications in November of 2019 (soon!).
Due to the extremely high demand for this course, I plan to Painting Drama in Winter of 2020, again in the Spring of 2020 and, possibly, a third time in Summer of 2020.
If you’re interested in joining Painting Drama, subscribe to my email notifications and I’ll be in touch.
Contact Oatley Academy Support with any questions.
*Note to alumni: The 2020 offering is an almost entirely new version of the course. I combined PD1 (composition) and PD2 (color theory) into one unified curriculum, added an introductory series of lessons and assignments and revised or replaced every existing assignment with even greater emphasis on Visual Storytelling. If you already completed PD1 (or both PD1 and PD2), but you’re interested in joining the new, 2020 version of the course, special pricing will be available. Just email Mari in Support and she’ll provide the details.
Dream Machine [2021]:
In Dream Machine, you’ll develop an effective, efficient and sustainable Social Media strategy that helps you rise above the chaos and competition.
My friends Loish (world-famous Illustrator and Concept Artist), Lauren Panepinto (Creative Director for the Sci-Fi/ Fantasy Publisher Orbit Books) and Alison Mann (Creative Talent Recruiter for Illumination and Disney) will also be there to support you with their own, specialized guidance.
I plan to offer Dream Machine again in 2021. Subscribe to my notification list and I’ll follow-up via email as plans develop.
In the meantime, check out my most recent Social Media lesson: 11 Social Media Habits That Hurt Your Art Career (And How To Break Them)
First Flight [TBD]:
Create the kind of “Wow” portfolio projects that Animation studios are always looking for.
I plan to offer First Flight again in the Fall of 2021 but, depending on the level of interest in Painting Drama, and Dream Machine, First Flight might not start until 2022.
Subscribe to my notification list and I’ll keep you posted via email.
In the meantime, check out the free Character Design lesson I created with Disney Visual Development Artist James Woods!