“If there’s truth behind the art, it will resonate.” -Chris Campbell

Most professional artists have been drawing since they first picked up a crayon.

As a kid, Chris Campbell drew the occasional doodle but he never took his art seriously.

…not until his late twenties, anyway.

Abandoning his career as a journalist, Chris enrolled in his local art college and landed a concept artist internship at Riot Games just three years later.

Once his internship wrapped, Chris had to inform his teachers back home that he would not be returning for his senior year.

…because the team at Riot hired him.

Chris Campbell went from total beginner to one of the most coveted concept art gigs in just three years!

Who IS this guy?

Chris shares his passion, his paradigm and the story of his rapid career change in this inspiring interview…

Listen To The Podcast:

“The best approach to school is not to approach it as school, but as a thousand opportunities to get better and better at what you want to do.” -Chris Campbell

[ download the mp3 ]

Episode Highlights:

How to get more “concept” into your concept art.

Finding your own artistic voice.

The expectations of a big studio.

How to find your strengths when you’re surrounded by living legends.

Why you don’t need to get a gig in the industry right out of school.

“One of the beautiful things about animation, illustration and concept art is that nobody’s asking you to draw exactly what somebody (or something) else looks like. They want your filter. You’re not drawing what’s there. You’re drawing the essence of what’s there.” -Chris Campbell

15 Non-Art Books That Every Artist Should Read:

Free PDF Download!

In the interview, we talked a lot about reading because Chris Campbell was a poet and a journalist before he became a professional concept artist.

Reading is one of the most underrated career investments that any concept artist, character designer or illustrator can make.

Reading informs your art and helps you to find your own visual voice.

Chris was kind enough to compile a list of his top 15 Non-Art Books That Every Artist Should Read.

Download it, read it and then go find your library card…

“If there’s truth in the art, it will resonate.”

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Links Mentioned:

Learn tons of creative Concept Art Techniques In The Magic Box!

Interview with Character Designer Brett “2D Bean”

On Writing By Stephen King

How I met Chris Campbell

Music by Matt The Electrician

What Did You Learn?

I’m sure you can tell that I had a blast talking with Chris Campbell about landing the concept artist internship at Riot and the promise that his new career holds…

What insights did you gain from listening to the interview?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below.