ChrisOatley.com

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

Visual Development

Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 2) :: ArtCast #101

By

RyanCarlson_TajMahal_AC101_1280px

In the previous episode, we met Ryan Carlson – my Disney mentor and the person without whom The Oatley Academy may never have happened…

Now in part two, Ryan talks about:

  • Working on The Iron Giant and what he learned from Brad Bird.
  • His advancement from Assistant Effects Animator to Art Director.
  • How to lead a team of creative professionals well.
  • The greatest gift an aspiring animation professional can offer an Art Director…

PLUS: The ArtCast: Behind The Scenes with the OA Team!

[Read more…] about Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 2) :: ArtCast #101

Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 1) :: ArtCast #100

By

RyanCarlson_PleinAirBarn_AC100

In many ways, I owe my career to  Ryan Carlson.

He played a key role in giving me my first break at Disney, taught me more about painting than any other individual and he, more than anyone for whom I’ve worked, has intentionally helped to advance my career.

…and considering that The ArtCast probably wouldn’t exist without my time at Disney, and The Oatley Academy only exists because of The ArtCast, The Oatley Academy might not exist without Ryan…

In this episode we discuss:

  • Why failure is a necessary part of the creative process.
  • What makes a good Art Director?
  • Ryan’s process for creating a Color Script for an animated feature film…

[Read more…] about Interview with Animation Art Director Ryan Carlson (Part 1) :: ArtCast #100

Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 2) :: ArtCast #99

By

ArtCast-99-John-Nevarez-Art-P2

In part one of our interview, John Nevarez (Sony, Illumination, Pixar, Disney) gave us a masterclass in gesture drawing technique.

Now, in part two, John talks about:

  • What that first day at Pixar is really like,
  • Sneaky ways to get your work noticed,
  • And the secret to staying sane in this crazy business…

[Read more…] about Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 2) :: ArtCast #99

Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 1) :: ArtCast #98

By

John Nevarez approaches his art and his relationships the same way. Whether he encounters a new, blank page or a new person, John sees the opportunity to freely explore new and inspiring ideas.

The whimsical energy in his sketches combined with his delightful personality has made him one of the most reputable professionals in the animation industry.

His stellar career spans from storyboard revisionist to visual development artist, with stops along the way at every major animation studio, including Disney, Sony, Illumination, and Pixar.

Today we discuss:

  • John’s iconic, visceral drawing style…
  • Just saying no to your eraser…
  • And what two dozen rejection letters gets you.

[Read more…] about Interview with Animation Layout & Visual Development Artist, John Nevarez (Part 1) :: ArtCast #98

Interview with ‘Korra’ and ‘Dreamworks’ Artist, Frederic William Stewart :: ArtCast #95

By

Frederic-William-Stewart-KorraConcept-420wIf Radiohead was a painter they’d be Frederic William Stewart.

Fred’s experimental mark-making is simultaneously raw but refined, deliberately spontaneous, visceral and inviting.

He was the first Background Painter on Nickelodeon’s epic animated series The Legend of Korra and today he holds a coveted role as a Dreamworks Visual Development Artist.

In this episode we talk about the early days on Korra, pushing the limits of digital media and why a diversity of influences will make your work stand out…

[Read more…] about Interview with ‘Korra’ and ‘Dreamworks’ Artist, Frederic William Stewart :: ArtCast #95