‘ImagineFX’ Features Oatley Academy + New Digital Painting Workshop!
My “Animal Farm” Digital Painting for ImagineFX.
[ click to enlarge ]
As many of you have now seen and read, ImagineFX interviewed me about The Oatley Academy for Issue #94 (March/April 2013).
The article is really encouraging. …and humbling.
The issue has already hit shelves in the UK and will be available in the US in early April.
You can read an additional article (which includes the majority of the interview and input from some of my Painting Drama students) at ImagineFX.com.
To accompany the article, I finished the first personal piece I’ve done in over a year. It’s an illustration inspired by George Orwell’s cautionary tale: Animal Farm.
But I also discovered another opportunity in the process…
I recorded nearly every minute of painting, every thumbnail sketch, every study, every color comp, basically, every stage in the creation of this painting.
…the entire process, from idea to completion.
I’ve been working hard for the past two weeks to synthesize the over-24 hours of recorded video into a new, week-long, Digital Painting Workshop for concept artists and illustrators.
I call it: “Animals, Atmosphere and How Not To Kill Your Painting”
Detail image from Chris Oatley’s
‘Animal Farm’ Digital Painting.
[ click to enlarge ]
…and it reveals many of the most effective Digital Painting Techniques that I’ve developed over the past five years working as a Visual Development Artist at Disney.
It is unlike anything you can find online.
Read on to get the details…
[click to continue…]
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The Making Of ‘Paperman’ and The Future Of Disney Animation
Last week, Disney released Paperman, the new CG/2D hybrid short film, on YouTube and it already has about 14 million views.
Shortly after it went viral, the industry honored Paperman with the Annie Award for best short film.
The response at the Annecy Animation Festival was also inspiringly positive.
The director recently confirmed that Disney is pursuing the Paperman process further.
Could the Paperman process be a picture of the future for Disney Feature Animation?
Read on to watch full short film, The Making Of Paperman videos and learn what I think it all means for the future of hand-drawn animation…
[click to continue…]
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The Rising Stars Of Animation: Betsy Bauer, Elsa Chang, Jessie Greenberg, Natalie Hall, Sarah Marino & Isaac Orloff: ArtCast #59
I always say that the two secrets to success in animation are “Do great work and be great to work with.”
Sometimes, artists just get mad when I say that. But more often, they ask thoughtful follow-up questions.
…questions like “How, if I’m not already working in the industry, do I prove that I’m great to work with?”
Although I have a few responses to that question which I will talk about in an upcoming episode, I thought it would be clearer to just show you how it’s done.
So I brought together six of my favorite “Rising Stars” of the animation industry and interviewed them…
[click to listen...]
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How To Get Mind-Blowing Portfolio Feedback At CTN Animation Expo
Several of you have emailed me and asked how to get the most out of CTN Animation Expo.
MY ADVICE: Focus on building long-haul relationships with a few of the many talented artists who are there to help you pursue your dreams.
One great way to begin building a relationship with another artist at CTN-X is through a portfolio review.
It gives you both something to talk about and there’s a bit of emotional security in this familiar ritual.
Plus, even just one thoughtful remark or question from an experienced artist who can communicate clearly will work wonders.
So today, I’ll shine the spotlight on eight of my favorite artists who give mind-blowing portfolio feedback.
I honestly believe that if all you do is find these eight artists at CTN-X and have a conversation about your portfolio, your entire trip will be worth it.
[click to continue…]
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What To Do When Portfolio Feedback Doesn’t Make Sense
Concept artist and illustrators often encounter portfolio feedback that is either confusing or nonspecific. Many artists just smile, nod, shake hands with the reviewer and walk away confused. Others blame themselves for not understanding and get discouraged and frustrated. So what can you do when you receive feedback on your concept art or illustration portfolio [...]
82 Free Concrete Textures for Digital Painting
This collection of concrete textures serves as a great companion to my Stone & Brick Textures. There’s asphalt, cracked sidewalks, parking garages and I threw some cool hydraulic elements in there too! Read on to download the textures and get some tips about painting grungy, grimy environments…
95 Free Stone & Brick Textures for Digital Painting
Here, have some more huge, free textures… This collection of stone and brick textures is one of my favorites. There’s some great, grungy stuff that will inspire all you dark, dystopian types as well as some very cool, industrial stuff for your more sanitary environments. Read on to download the textures and receive a personal [...]
155 Free Wood Textures for Digital Painting
Wood and I go way back. One of my first jobs was managing inventory for an antique restoration shop. I restocked and organized wood, woodworking supplies, paneling, stains etc. and on occasion I assisted the craftsmen. In that time, I learned most of the various types, colors and textures of wood. Little did I know that [...]
Free Yourself From Perfect
When Robert Zemeckis decided to do the movie version of The Polar Express in hyper-real mo-cap, he boarded a doomed vessel. He was so focused on achieving “perfection” in realism that he made a nigh-unwatchable movie featuring awkward, zombie-eyed characters with oversized pores. The Polar Express never became the timeless, holiday classic it might have [...]
How To Keep Going If You Hit A Dead-End
“You Look CORNFUSED!” The old, hand-painted sign marked the first dead-end in the enormous corn maze. I, however, was not cornfused nor was I disheartened by the maze’s mockery. Throughout the course of my creative career, I have encountered many dead-ends and I’ve learned how to navigate with focus and patience. Many artists react to every dead-end with a [...]
Karaoke And Your Inner-Critic
A whole new world, (Don’t you dare close your eyes.) A hundred thousand things to see… (Hold your breath, it gets better…) I’m like a shooting star, I’ve come so far, I can’t go back to where I used to be. The two tiny japanese girls belted that Disney love ballad like Celine Dion. …if [...]
The Gustav Klimt Drawings: Inside The Mind Of A Master Draftsman
I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was up to no good. Her expression, eternal, enticing and vile has, for centuries, lured many men to suffer many, awful consequences. Fortunately, a grumpy docent intervened and saved me from a similar fate. Closing time. He kicked me out and locked the beautiful, deadly spirit-girl inside. [...]
“Painting” Starts With “Pain”
‘The Rehearsal’ by Edgar Degas, 1877 If you’re an illustrator or concept artist, I guarantee that your art will eventually cause pain. I know it hurts to even think about but it’s true. The good news is you can put pain in its place so it actually serves a purpose instead of just bringing you [...]
The Bad Client Diet
Nobody walks into Whole Foods and says: “Wow, this organic grapefruit is pricey. I work for a non-profit so can I have it for free?” Nobody walks into Jiffy Lube and says: “I know an oil change is $30 but I don’t have the budget for that. How’s $5?” Don’t Be A “McIllustrator.” Your art has [...]
Become A More Confident Painter and Tricks With The Lasso Tool :: ArtCast #57.2
This is PART 2 of a 2-part Digital Painting Tutorial Series. The series features a time-lapse recording of the entire painting process which took a total of about 6.5 hours in real-time. Concepts Covered In Part 2: Combine the Gradient Tool & Lasso Tool in Photoshop for time-saving digital painting techniques. Feathering/ Sharpening effects with [...]
The Hudson River Painters Vs. The Texture Monster :: Digital Painting Tutorial
The painters of The Hudson River School used tons of Texture but they kept it under control. [Painting: 'Among The Sierra Nevada Mountains', 1868 by Albert Bierstadt] [click here to see the hi-res version] The Texture Monster Is On The Hunt. We all must remain watchful for no painting is completely safe. When The Texture [...]
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