Ep #13 - What's missing in your stylized characters? (With Shane Olson)

Shane Olson is a professional character artist best known for his stylized 3D work. Shane is the founder of the 3D Character Workshop, where he’s taught countless students how to bring characters to life.In this episode, Shane shares insights from a career that spans major studios like Disney Interactive, revealing what separates great stylized characters from forgettable ones, and why 80% of the work happens before you ever add detail.He talks about the critical importance of the blockout stage, the unique challenges of translating 2D designs into 3D, and how posing and silhouette play a bigger role than most artists realize.Shane also opens up about the volatility of the entertainment industry, his pivot to education and entrepreneurship, and why now might be the best time to go independent.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your stylized work, this conversation offers both technical insight and creative perspective from one of the best in the game.Shane's Course can be found here: https://www.3dcharacterworkshop.com/