Visual Development

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

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…

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

By Chris Oatley

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…

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

By Chris Oatley

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.

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

By Chris Oatley

If 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…

Claire Keane, Jenn Ely & Brian McDonald on Art, Fear & Finding Your Calling (Part 2) :: ArtCast #93

By Chris Oatley

In part one, Claire Keane (Disney, Penguin Random House), Jenn Ely (Laika, Google, Dreamworks), Brian McDonald (Pixar, Disney, Industrial Light & Magic) and I announced that we will be teaching at The Story Design Conference from September 28th – October 2nd, 2016* in the awe-inspiring city of Rome, Italy!

(*Note: The conference was moved from May to September.)

In celebration of our announcement, we decided to record a conversation about some of the big ideas we’ll be discussing during the conference.

What followed was a riveting discussion about art, fear and finding your calling…

In this second part you’ll hear us talk about:

How to convey emotion through your work.
What makes student work stand out.
How to keep going when you feel defeated.
What we’re looking forward to at The Story Design Conference!

Visual Development

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