Is there more to you than what other people see?

Character Design is a fundamental aspect of Visual Storytelling.

…but thereâ€s much more to Character Design than the visual aspects.

Disney Visual Development Artist James Woods – best known for his Animation Character Design work on Mary Poppins Returns – joins me for todayâ€s lesson:

Character Design And The Illusion Of Life.

Click through to start the lesson…

Watch The Lesson:

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[ download the mp3 ] [ download the pdf ] [ download the bonus clip ]

Lesson Transcript:

The following is a transcript of the full lesson (with links to each resource mentioned).

Introduction:

Hello, my friends and welcome to The Visual Storytelling Podcast – where I help Artists and Writers find healthy, fulfilling careers in Animation, Games, Comics, Film and Illustration.

Iâ€m your host Chris Oatley. Iâ€m a Visual Development Artist and Illustrator – most notably for Disney – and if you want to become a professional Visual Storyteller like the guests on this show or many of my students, check out the courses and resources here at ChrisOatley.com!

Before we begin, download the PDF Guide and the mp3 for this lesson.

You can also download a deleted scene where James talks about the difference between working alone as a student and working in the studio environment at Disney.

…and if you like todayâ€s lesson, please share a high star rating (and, if you have time, a positive review) on our iTunes page at: ChrisOatley.com/iTunes

Tip #1: Think Like An Animator

Before James became a Character Design wunderkind, he struggled with Animation studies that didnâ€t quite fit.

As you listen to James†origin story, consider how his training as an Animator informs his current profession as a Character Designer.

(Oh, and if you donâ€t understand how Animators think, donâ€t worry. At the end of the lesson, Iâ€ll share a link to my resource list so you can keep learning…)

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