Imagine you’re walking along a street in a big, busy city.

Despite all the noise and movement, something shiny catches your eye.

It’s a key.

You pick it up and realize it’s the most unusual and ornate key you’ve ever seen.

You take it home, toss it in a drawer and forget about it.

…or maybe you display it, so you can share it with others. After all, the key is a beautiful work of art in and of itself.

Now imagine, one day, a good friend comes over for coffee.

They notice this beautiful key you have displayed and they say to you: “I think I know where to find the lock. It’s on a door just down the street. Wanna go see what’s inside?”

A single piece of Concept Art is a key.

Some aspiring Concept Artists spend all their time collecting keys but never bother to unlock any doors.

They scroll the Internet, collecting single pieces of Concept Art and toss it all into a hoard file on their hard drive.

Sometimes they’ll share it on Social Media but, either way, they’re not learning anything about what it really means to be a professional Concept Artist.

Your random collection of keys won’t unlock anything on their own. You have to find out what’s behind the doors and why.

I know it can be overwhelming to research the history of Concept Art and stay relevant in such an innovative industry…

…but this list of The Best New Concept Art Books will help you do both.

EPISODE LINKS ::

If you liked this post, check out my original blog series on my Top 10 Essential Concept Art Books (Part 1) and (Part 2), my series about Visual Development Portfolios and learn more about the power of shape language in Good Character Design Goes Deep!

Our Theme Music was composed by Seth Earnest, produced by Seth Earnest and Chris Oatley and performed by Seth Earnest with guitar work by Storybook Steve.

Our Album Art was designed by Maike Oatley with Chris Oatley.

Until next time, my friends, remember: Books are meant to be read. …not just decorate your shelves.

https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/

Animation visual development artist and background painter Amy Lewis (SpongeBob, Moominvalley) talks about establishing a freelance animation career from Europe, the most devastating rejection of her career and the amazing opportunity that followed.

This is the first of a two-part series.

Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance in our mentorship: The Clockwork Heart: https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/clockwork-heart/

Subscribe to this podcast on any of the major platforms and join our email list for notifications about future episodes, courses, and mentorship opportunities. It’s 100% free and we will always respect your privacy: https://visual-voice-llc.ck.page/688dccdf68

Next, In Part Two: Amy shares insights about the vitality of professional networking, balancing perfectionism with self-acceptance and the attitude she expects from her students and crew...

00:00 Introduction

00:39 Meet Amy Lewis

02:11 Amy's Early Influences

05:03 Frustration With University Art Programs

07:02 Experimenting With Illustration

08:05 "I've Found My People..."

09:49 Amy's First Big Break

14:08 Another Year Of Skill Building

15:33 Moominvalley & Art Directing In Lockdown

16:45 Knowing What You Don't Want

18:50 Amy's Dream Job Disappointment

21:33 SpongeBob SquarePants

24:13 The Brave Locomotive

25:52 Amy's Artistic Development

32:17 Next In Part 2

32:31 Credits/ Hidden Track

https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/

Animation visual development artist and background painter Amy Lewis shares insights about the vitality of professional networking, balancing perfectionism with self-acceptance and the attitude she expects from her students and crew.

This is the second in a two-part series.

Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance in our mentorship: The Clockwork Heart: https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/clockwork-heart/

Subscribe to this podcast on any of the major platforms and join our email list for notifications about future episodes, courses, and mentorship opportunities. It’s 100% free and we will always respect your privacy: https://visual-voice-llc.ck.page/688dccdf68

00:00 Introduction

01:42 The Struggle Of Self-Critique

05:52 Growing Confidence - Brass Bands And Bullies

09:13 How Amy Beats The Odds

12:11 The Vitality Of Networking

14:21 Happy Little Trees

15:14 Amy's Current Mindset

16:37 Evaluating Amy's Old Portfolios

18:26 The Mindset Amy Recommends For Her Students And Crew

19:38 The Best (And Worst) Advice Amy Ever Received

22:29 The Magic Feather

25:30 Anything Else?

26:41 Credits

https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com

In this episode: Graphic novelist and literary agent Tori Sharp shares tips on pitching to publishers, how story guides design and the challenge of creating honest art.

Our Production Coordinator, Mari Gonzalez Curia, who is currently seeking representation for her first original graphic novel, joins me as co-host.

This is the first of a two-part series.

Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance in our mentorship: The Clockwork Heart: https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/clockwork-heart/

Subscribe to this podcast on any of the major platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, YouTube) and join our email list for notifications about future episodes, courses, and mentorship opportunities. It’s 100% free and we will always respect your privacy: https://visual-voice-llc.ck.page/688dccdf68

Next, In Part 2: Tori talks about stories as “sense-making” devices, urges the importance of “celebration breaks” during long projects and shares her experience as an autistic artist.

00:45 Meet Tori Sharp
02:59 Tori's First Comics
05:19 Do You Consider Your Work Nostalgic?
09:24 Coursework Vs. Conversations
11:46 Understanding Passion
13:15 The Challenge Of Creating Honest Art
17:25 A Quick Note From Future Chris
17:44 Continuing Education
19:37 Passion Is Past-Tense
21:17 Rediscovering Her "First Love"
23:02 Tori's "Scariest" Project Yet: Just Pretend
24:36 Managing Panic
25:32 The Unique Challenge Of Sequential Art
28:57 Developing A Visual Style
30:48 Discovering Synesthesia
31:45 Imperfect Perspective
33:06 The Emotional Process Of Pitching
36:52 Pitching Multiple Projects At The Same Time
40:32 Next In Part Two
40:45 Credits

http://linktr.ee/chrisoatley

In part one of this series, graphic novelist and literary agent Tori Sharp shared tips on pitching to publishers, how story guides design, and the challenge of creating honest art.

Now, in part two, Tori talks about stories as "sense-making" devices, urges the importance of celebration breaks during long projects, and shares her experience as an autistic artist.

Once again, our production coordinator, Mari Gonzalez Curia, who is currently seeking representation for her first original graphic novel, joins me as co-host.

Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance in our mentorship: The Clockwork Heart: https://howtobecomeaprofessionalartist.com/clockwork-heart/

Subscribe to this podcast on any of the major platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, YouTube) and join our email list for notifications about future episodes, courses, and mentorship opportunities. It’s 100% free and we will always respect your privacy: https://visual-voice-llc.ck.page/688dccdf68

00:57 Agent Vs Creator
01:32 Magical Or Terrifying?
02:43 Shouldn't You Be More Excited?
04:24 Taking Celebration Breaks
06:45 Why "Get Out Of The House" Is Good Writing Advice
07:38 Stories As "Sense-Making" Devices
09:26 Neurodivergence & Artistic Development
10:53 Good Teachers Are Good Listeners
11:26 The People Who Can Only Hear Your "Voice"
12:28 Developing Adult Characters In Stories For Kids
14:31 Feeling "Seen" By Stories
19:36 How Has Your Mindset Changed?
21:05 The Best Advice You've Ever Received
21:44 ...And The Worst?
22:45 The Magic Feather

http://linktr.ee/chrisoatley/

What would you do if you learned that your artwork would be featured in an industry-leading magazine for creative professionals all over the world?

…and you only had a few days to select and submit your samples, write a professional bio and a short blurb about each submission, update your website and prepare a series of social media posts to coincide with the publication date?

Would you find that inspiring?

…motivating?

…terrifying?

Nine of my students faced this question when they were named among ImagineFX Magazine’s “Rising Stars” of 2D and 3D art.

…and they’re all here to talk about this career-defining moment.

They’ll share their initial reactions and the challenges they encountered throughout the process. They open up about their struggles with self-doubt, perfectionism, and the super-tight deadline.

…and offer insights about how the experience changed them.

…probably forever.

Today, in part one of a two part series, we’ll hear from Mutia Terian, Rami Juma, Dan Tompkins and Veronica Kosowski - in that order.

You can find samples of their work and links to connect with each of them at http://bit.ly/ifxmb

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NEXT IN PART 2:

We’ll hear from the rest of the “Rising Stars” in the next episode. For your convenience, I made a Linktree where you can easily find your favorite ways to subscribe: http://linktr.ee/ChrisOatley

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LET US KNOW WHAT *YOU* THINK!

Of the many insights and stories shared throughout this episode, which one resonated with you the most?

Let us know! Email my team and I via Support@ChrisOatley.com or leave a comment on YouTube or social media. I’m @ChrisOatley everywhere.

The guests from this episode will also be interacting so you can look forward to meeting them in the comments.

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00:00 Intro

01:29 Learn More At MagicBoxAcademy.com

01:47 Mutia Terian: Animation Artist

02:50 Mutia Terian: Developing Confidence

07:07 Mutia Terian: Defining Confidence

09:54 Mutia Terian: What To Do When You're Stuck

11:10 Mutia's Magic Feather

16:49 Rami Juma: Digital Painter

17:28 Rami Juma: The Benefits Of Writing About Your Art

20:08 Rami Juma: Effort Vs. Effect

24:41 Rami Juma: When To Change Things Up

27:00 Rami Juma: Gifts From Your Younger Self

29:03 Rami Juma: How Mindset Affects Art

31:19 Rami's Magic Feather

34:13 Dan Tompkins: Character Designer

34:53 Dan Tompkins: Improving Old Art

37:07 Dan Tompkins: Saved By "Game Face"

38:01 Dan Tompkins: Drawing Yourself Out Of Doubt

39:19 Dan Tompkins: Desensitizing Yourself To Doubt

41:58 Dan's Magic Feather

43:05 Veronica Kosowski: Animation Background Painter/ VisDev Artist

44:12 Veronica Kosowski: Learning From Your Younger Self

47:05 Veronica Kosowski: The Benefits Of Life-Long Projects

48:59 Veronica Kosowski: Fear As Perfectionism

50:37 Veronica's Magic Feather (Except Not)

54:57 Connect & Subscribe

http://Linktr.ee/ChrisOatley

Nine of my current mentees were named “Rising Stars” of 2d & 3d art by ImagineFX magazine.

In this two-part interview series, they’re here to share stories of artistic development and how being selected for the article affected their mindsets.

Illustrator Andrea Ivetic Vicai begins the episode with a positive spin on the more frustrating aspects of illustration.

Next, animation artist Lucy Ledsam talks about finding an art career that matches your personality.

VR artist Elizabeth Person and CG artist Carmen Thora Smith talk about making the switch from painting to 3d.

…and finally, character designer Laura Horan presents the benefits of an agile creative process.

Find links to their portfolios and samples of their art at bit.ly/ifxmb

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Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance at MagicBoxAcademy.com

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01:18 Illustrator Andrea Ivetic Vicai:

02:17 Infinite Challenge = Infinite Inspiration

03:46 The Devil On The Shoulder

04:52 Be Your Own Best Friend

06:36 Andrea's Magic Feather

08:09 Animation Artist Lucy Ledsam:

08:48 "I'm Not Big And Bombastic..."

12:14 Advice For Non-Bombastic Artists

13:05 Lucy's Magic Feather

18:01 VR Artist Elizabeth Person:

18:26 Specialization As Curation

18:59 Switching Industries

23:14 Lizzy's Magic Feather

23:51 Disney Is Convenient

25:53 CG Artist Carmen Thora Smith:

27:06 Learning Complicated Software

28:12 Shifting Stories

29:36 Tools Do Matter

30:28 Carmen's Magic Feather

31:26 "Just-In-Time" Learning

33:08 Character Designer Laura Horan:

34:28 Don't Settle For Less

36:01 Objectivity Is Impossible

38:04 Laura's Magic Feather

39:16 CREDITS

http://linktr.ee/chrisoatley/

In this episode: "The Disney Revolt" author Jake Friedman surveys the infamous animation strike of 1941, and explains why it matters to present-day artists.

We consider the cost of Walt Disney's perfectionism, the painful, personal consequences of his decisions, and whether he ever learned from them.

PLUS: The most influential Disney animator you've never heard of...

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Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance at MagicBoxAcademy.com

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00:49 Introduction: The Disney Animators' Strike Of 1941

04:08 Disney Vs. Disney

06:37 Art Babbitt - The Most Influential Disney Artist You've Never Heard Of

12:47 Reconstructing The Timeline Of The Disney Strike

15:37 Would The Disney Strike Have Happened Without Art Babbitt?

17:27 Loyalty Above Creativity?

19:01 Products Of Our Influences

20:08 How Walt Disney Was Like Michael Scott From "The Office"

22:44 When Disney History Repeats Itself

25:18 You Can't Fire Family

26:23 The Cost Of Walt's Perfectionism

28:41 Walt Supported His Artists (Until He Didn't)

31:37 The Emotional Ending

34:37 Did Walt Ever Learn His Lesson?

35:42 Was Walt Anti-Union?

39:15 Learn More At TheDisneyRevolt.com

39:55 Credits