ChrisOatley.com

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

Visual Development

Disney’s ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ Visual Development Painting: Glimmer

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In May of 2010, I was promoted to Character Visual Development Artist as I joined the crew of ‘Pixie Hollow Games.’

Suddenly, I went from designing props and tertiary background characters to designing brand new principal characters.  …a rare and precious opportunity.

My favorite of all the new characters we created for ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ is Glimmer (shown above) a lightning fairy and a member of the Storm Team (painting by Chris Oatley based on LineArt by Ritsuko Notani).

I’ve posted some detail images below, so click through for a closer look…

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My Daily Routine: Comics, Podcasts & Visual Development At Disney

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*UPDATE [Fall 2018]: This post was originally published in the Fall of 2011. A lot has changed since then. I started The Oatley Academy in 2012 and I now devote most of my time to my work with our students there.

I shelved my webcomic because I got overwhelmed with too many projects (but I still hope to create time for it sooner rather than later). …and speaking of too many projects: We have been gradually consolidating our multiple podcasts: The ArtCast, Paper Wings, The DIY Animation Show and Stories Unbound back into one, amazing podcast for Visual Storytellers.

My point is: Though this post doesn’t reflect my current daily routine, I believe the lessons here are still relevant for those who aspire to work at a mainstream animation studio and also create personal projects.

People always ask me about my daily routine.

Sometimes this question is code for or coupled-with “Do you ever sleep?” and sometimes they just want to know what my work days are like at Disney.

Although a worthwhile productivity talk requires more words than this post can hold, I’ll share about my daily routine and my life at the studio. …which will give a little insight into my disciplines for productivity.

If you have more questions after reading this, please send us an email.

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Interview With Chris Oatley :: PWP #13

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In this episode Paper Wings host Lora Innes interviews her co-host Chris Oatley about his career and journey as a character designer, writer and podcaster.

Press PLAY and listen to Chris and Lora discuss:

  • How Chris got his big break to work at Disney.
  • Chris’ sloppy character design process.
  • How Chris got lost in art school and how it took him four years to find his way back.
  • Why grad school (and even art school) isn’t right for everyone.
  • Chris’ dreams for the future (big things for Paper Wings!)

Oh, and Chris announces the TITLE, URL and THE PITCH for his upcoming web comic!

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Ask For The Job

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My first job out of art school was a website for an engineering firm in Ohio.  I worked on contract, in-house for a summer.  A hundred people that do math all day… …and me.

In my free time I painted monsters. The engineers golfed and renovated their own homes.

There were fun-ish things about that job but, for me, it was not a dream-come-true.

Five years later I got my first job at Disney.  I worked on contract, in-house for a summer and into the fall.  A hundred people that tell stories all day… …and me.

I’ve spent the last four years here, mostly. It’s been amazing. …and none of this would have happened if I hadn’t asked for it.

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Five Tips To Make Your Character Designs More Dynamic & Believable :: PWP #9

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How can character design strengthen the emotional impact of your story?

Are turnarounds really a waste of time?

How can you avoid cliches in your designs, and make your characters both surprising and memorable?

In this episode of The Paper Wings Podcast, Chris and Lora give you FIVE tips that will help you make your characters more dynamic and believable.

Press PLAY, and get ready to learn how to set your characters apart, and take your stories to the next level!

READ ON to DOWNLOAD our FREE Character Design Cheat Sheet to learn how YOU can enter to WIN a WACOM Intuos4 Tablet and to download the episode Cheat Sheet!

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