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© 2025, Chris Oatley
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In “You're A Better Artist Than You Think,” host Chris Oatley (Disney, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation) explores the mindset, strategies and practices of professional artists from a wide range of creative fields.
Whether you're a total beginner or seasoned pro, this podcast provides actionable insights to enhance your creative skills and advance your artistic career.
Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance at MagicBoxAcademy.com
Whether you're a total beginner or seasoned pro, this podcast provides actionable insights to enhance your creative skills and advance your artistic career.
Get clear, relevant feedback on your work and personalized career guidance at MagicBoxAcademy.com
118 Episodes
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Storytelling guru Brian McDonald joins us for another mind-blowing interview. In part one of this two-part interview, Brian discusses writing roadblocks, how theme creates character and why you have to send your characters to Hell… MORE FROM BRIAN MCDONALD :: Invisible Ink The Golden Theme Freeman Ink Spots Subscribe to The Invisible Ink Blog OTHER 'PAPER WINGS' POSTS FEATURING BRIAN MCDONALD :: Brian’s First Paper Wings Appearance “Forget Hollywood” Chris’ Review Of ‘Ink Spots’ ANIMATED GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY LINKS :: Character Designs Rocket Raccoon Animated Short Jeff Wamester
Jedi master Brian McDonald is back with more revelatory perspectives that will challenge the way we think about visual storytelling. In part one, Brian showed us how theme creates character and character creates theme. Now, in part two, we discuss when to stop dreaming and start writing, how success can kill creativity, why style isn’t always a good thing, and why the students who struggle the most, often grow the most. Oh! …and we have some big news: Lora’s going to be on TV! MORE FROM BRIAN MCDONALD :: Click here to get the new ‘Invisible Ink’ Audiobook Invisible Ink The Golden Theme Freeman Ink Spots Subscribe to The Invisible Ink Blog OTHER 'PAPER WINGS' POSTS FEATURING BRIAN MCDONALD :: Part One Of This Interview Brian’s First Paper Wings Appearance “Forget Hollywood” Chris’ Review Of ‘Ink Spots’ AWESOME LINKS :: Eddie Smith The Dreamer (Lora’s comic)
Leonardo Da Vinci was a LOSER. This radical proposition was so intriguing, I had no choice but to click “Play.” What followed was a brilliant video about the nature of artistic mastery and how the digital culture is actually making it more difficult to pursue. With the authenticity of Ken Burns and the roguish efficiency of the Freakonomics authors, Adam Westbrook’s “Delve Video Essays” inspire us to explore the depths of our craft, our culture and ourselves. In today’s interview, Adam and I discuss the dangers of your creative comfort zone, facing our fear of failure, how to communicate complex ideas in clear and compelling ways and what’s to love about the struggles of storytelling… Read the transcript for this episode here. MORE FROM ADAM WESTBROOK :: Watch the Delve Video Essays Follow Delve on Instagram Read Inside The Story Magazine LINKS MENTIONED :: Read about the vagaries of the writing process in James Cameron’s introduction to his script treatment for Strange Days Read Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield Read The Day Lincoln Was Shot
In part one of this interview, Adam Westbrook told the story of how he left his career as a radio journalist, moved from England to Paris and created Delve.tv… …an ongoing series of short, snappy documentaries that challenge creative people to deepen their understanding of craft and culture. Now, in part two, we’ll talk about becoming a lifetime learner, the storyteller’s responsibility and how social media can confuse your creative process… After the interview, I’ll introduce a new segment called The Student Spotlight where you’ll meet Jessica Doll and Reggie Rock in a firey discussion about the power of visual storytelling… MORE FROM ADAM WESTBROOK :: Watch the Delve Video Essays Follow Delve on Instagram Read Inside The Story Magazine LINKS MENTIONED :: Making Comics by Scott McCloud Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon Check out Austin Kleon’s website. Jenn Ely STUDENT SPOTLIGHT :: Jessica Doll Reggie Rock Tong Bui
Like the design of the world of The BoxTrolls, Jenn Ely‘s life is full of quirky twists and turns. Her wonderfully bizarre childhood involved multiple encounters with emus and alligators. …and at an art school where students were jumping into giant cupcakes she had to find and fight for her identity as a commercial artist. With stories like these, it’s no wonder she eventually got a job at Laika. AWESOME LINKS :: Jenn’s Website Jenn’s Tumblr Chris’ Interview With Sarah Marino The Magic Box
In part one of this interview, Jenn Ely regaled us with tales of alligators, emu burgers and art school… …and just as one of Jenn’s fellow undergrads dove into a giant cupcake for her senior exhibit, so we dove into a passionate discussion about art education. Now, in part two, Jenn talks about her time at The Savannah College Of Art & Design (SCAD) as well as her mentorship with Dreamworks Production Designer Kathy Altieri. …but most of the episode is, as promised, about her time at Laika. AWESOME LINKS :: Jenn’s ‘Boxtrolls’ Gallery Jenn’s Website Jenn’s Tumblr Chris’ Interview With Sarah Marino Mia Goodwin The Magic Box
Since he was 15 years old, Jimmy Gownley has never stopped breaking the rules of self-publishing. He went from selling self-published comics in the hallways of his high school to huge publishing deals with both Simon & Schuster AND Scholastic. Join us as Jimmy shares what it took to break in with the big publishers. And don’t miss the interview with long-time Winger Scott Wiser as he walks us through his successful Kickstarter campaign inspired by Paper Wings! MORE FROM JIMMY GOWNLEY :: Buy Jimmy’s Books jimmygownley.com Jimmy on Facebook AWESOME LINKS :: The Cerebus Guide to Self Publishing Scott Wiser’s ‘Vanishing Ink’ Trailer Sign Up For ‘Vanishing Ink’ Lora’s Patreon
Lois van Baarle aka “Loish” has designed a successful illustration career almost entirely on her own terms. Now she gets paid to draw and paint the images and ideas she loves most. In this interview, recorded live at a coffee shop in Amsterdam, we discuss how she got started, discovered her unique personal style and why you don’t need to be good at everything… MORE FROM LOISH :: Loish.net Loish on deviantArt LINKS MENTIONED :: Wouter Tulp Wouter Tulp on The ArtCast Edwin Rhemrev Bibo Bergeron Adam Westbrook on The ArtCast Guerrilla Games Aurore Black Cat Marisa Manso Natalie Hall Pascal Campion on The ArtCast MORE FROM "TEAM OA," MY GUEST CO-HOSTS :: Ania Marcos (Oatley Academy Production Manager) Follow Ania on Twitter Jeff Morris (Oatley Academy Support) Follow Jeff on Twitter Derrick Utz (Oatley Academy Support) Follow Derrick on Twitter
Aliki Theofilopoulos Grafft describes her career as “failing upward.” She broke-in during the TV animation revolution and saw the beginnings of Cartoon Network, Adventure Time and Frederator. Though she lacked a clear sense of direction early-on, Aliki has since accumulated numerous impressive credits including: animated series creator, director, storyboard artist, writer, emmy-nominated songwriter and voice actor. Join us for a conversation about the benefits of being a misfit, the heartbreaking work of pitching, balancing work and family and why your most important next step might be the scariest… MORE FROM ALIKI GRAFFT :: AlikiGreeky.com Follow Aliki on Tumblr Girls On The Go Doctor Lollipop AWESOME LINKS :: Creating Animated TV Shows for Disney & Cartoon Network “Story Science” With Louie del Carmen & Jim Zub How To Make An Animation Pitch Bible That Sells Itself Six Common Pitfalls Of An Animation Pitch
Justin Rodrigues is a good friend and one of my favorite current artists. In this episode, we discuss the most productive way to respond to rejection and how his character design style blends 2D sensibility with 3D structure. After Justin’s interview, Spanish concept artist Juan Francisco Bautista Zambrana shares the story of a recent career breakthrough and what he learned while breaking into game design! AWESOME LINKS :: JustinDraws.com Justin Rodrigues on Instagram Juan Bautista Zambrana Ânia Marcos Bridgman’s Complete Guide To Drawing From Life Jose Lopez Stephen Silver Will Weston Mark McDonnell Brett Bean ImagineFX LEARN MORE :: My Interview With Brett “2D Bean” Creative Character Design For Animation, Games and Comics My ImagineFX Interview From 2009
In part one, Justin Rodrigues shared healthy ways to deal with rejection and how his character design style combines 2d and 3d sensibilities. Now, in part two, he talks about how the internal and external aspects of a character inform his designs, why ‘personal style’ can be a problem and the most important question an aspiring character designer can ask… Plus: Sarah Marino‘s mentee, Austin Light, shares an extraordinary breakthrough story that involves Robert Downey Jr. and a deal with Chronicle Books! AWESOME LINKS :: JustinDraws.com Justin Rodrigues on Instagram Steal Like An Artist Ed Venture Sarah Marino Austin Light Lessons From Sarah’s Mentorship LEARN MORE :: Sarah Marino Interview Jimmy Gownley Interview Brett Bean Interview Loish Interview Pascal Interview Adam Westbrook Interview
Eric Canete‘s unique drawing style demonstrates layer upon layer of artistic mastery: Anatomy, character, caricature, composition, storytelling… After 20+ years of trend-setting work in story, games and comics, his style is as distinct and intense as ever. So you might find it hard to believe that such beautiful work was once rejected by industry gatekeepers. In this interview, Eric discusses what goes into his drawing process, the line between arrogance and confidence and why he has to find a personal connection to his professional work… MORE FROM ERIC CANETE Eric on Instagram Eric on Twitter Eric on Deviantart ‘Run Love Kill’ by Eric Canete & Jon Tsuei AWESOME LINKS :: ‘Folding Architecture’ by Sophia Vyzoviti The Art of Robert E. McGinnis Lora’s Patreon
Claire Keane is a brilliant illustrator and visual development artist, who has helped to develop numerous immersive worlds, including Tangled and Duet. After leaving Disney, she released her first illustrated children’s book: Once Upon A Cloud. It’s a beautifully rendered, heartwarming story about family and following your dreams. Join us today as we discuss humanizing your fictional characters, the versatile power of line, leaving Disney and Claire’s new artistic path… MORE FROM CLAIRE KEANE :: Claire’s Website Claire on Twitter Claire on Instagram ‘Once Upon A Cloud’ by Claire Keane AWESOME LINKS :: Brian McDonald Charley Harper ‘Man And His Symbols’ by Carl Jung ‘The Wisdom Of Joseph Campbell’ on Audible.com Carl Jung – Wikipedia Joseph Campbell – Wikipedia Theme music by Research Division Transition music by The Years
My friend Jason Brubaker has achieved impressive success in both the mainstream entertainment industry and as an independent creator. He held a coveted Visual Development position at DreamWorks Feature Animation, broke Kickstarter records with his original graphic novel reMIND and now makes his living entirely from personal projects. In this episode, Jason and I discuss his first big break, midlife crises, the brevity of life and the desire to create work with meaning. MORE FROM JASON :: Jason’s Patreon Jason on Twitter Jason on Instagram Jason on YouTube Sithrah by Jason Brubaker reMIND by Jason Brubaker
In part one of this interview, my good friend Jason Brubaker and I discussed his first big break, midlife crises, the brevity of life and the desire to create work with meaning. Now, in part 2, he tells the story of his unexpected success at DreamWorks Animation and provides fresh perspective on the power of persistence. MORE FORM JASON :: Jason’s Patreon Jason on Twitter Jason on Instagram Jason on YouTube Sithrah by Jason Brubaker reMIND by Jason Brubaker
In the first two parts of this interview, Jason Brubaker told us the story of his unexpected success at DreamWorks Animation and provided fresh perspective on the power of persistence. Now, in part three, we discuss his career-defining graphic novel reMIND, his record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns and the broad appeal of deeply personal work… MORE FROM JASON :: Jason’s Patreon Jason on Twitter Jason on Instagram Jason on YouTube Sithrah by Jason Brubaker reMIND by Jason Brubaker Theme music by Research Division
Preview of Escape From Art Jail :: Episode #5
Welcome to Stories Unbound, your guide to the growing world of kidlit and children’s book publishing. I’m your host, Shawna JC Tenney. This is the first of five new shows that will be launching on The Oatley Academy Podcast Network! Today, I gather six of my experienced author/illustrator friends into a discussion about the bygone days of the industry, how it’s changing and new ideas for the future of children’s book publishing… AWESOME LINKS :: Connect with Shawna on Twitter Jannie Ho | Mike Boldt | Dani Jones | Russ Cox | Will Terry | Kelly Light Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin
Noah Klocek is an Art Director at Pixar Animation Studios by day, and a picture book creator by night. On today’s episode, we learn about the ups and downs in creating his gorgeous picture book Cloud Country. We also discuss how he incorporates his children’s art into his own, and how he makes every moment count… #1 ITUNES ARTS CATEGORY! Thank you for helping us with a successful launch! Because of you Stories Unbound was #1 in iTunes’ New and Noteworthy Arts Category for a good part of the first week… and then several times after that! The show has continued to be part of the top 10 since it’s launch. So thank you, for taking the time to subscribe and giving us great ratings and reviews. AWESOME LINKS :: Connect with Shawna on Twitter Noah’s Website The Making of Cloud Country Video Part 1 The Making of Cloud Country Video Part 2 The Making of Cloud Country Video Part 3 Cloud Country on Amazon (Shawna’s Amazon Affiliate Link) Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin
Armand Serrano‘s inventive compositions, visceral line work and story-rich environment designs have made him a living legend in the animation industry. Join us today as we discuss the start of his long road to success in the animation industry which led to the creation of his trend-setting work on Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Surf’s Up and Big Hero 6… MORE FROM ARMAND :: ArmandSerrano.com Armand on Facebook Armand on Twitter LEARN MORE :: Top 10 Essential Concept Art Books (Part 1)
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