In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Nathan Fowkes appears in a wide‑ranging conversation with Eric Rhoads that bridges feature animation, plein air practice, and practical advice for artists at every stage. Nathan, a seasoned concept artist who has worked with DreamWorks, Disney, and other major studios, explains how relentless practice, visual storytelling, and disciplined simplification produce paintings with emotional impact. Their discussion moves from studio anecdotes to concrete methods for painting outdoors, with an emphasis on gouache and quick studies.
Nathan shares behind‑the‑scenes stories—from being entrusted with color keys at DreamWorks because of his rapid study habit to teaching life drawing across studio walls. These anecdotes reinforce one central point: deliberate repetition and study build the “trainable memory” that becomes an artist’s practical advantage.
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Topics In This Podcast on Artist Practice and More
- Relentless practice: Nathan attributes his career breakthroughs to thousands of short, focused studies—20 to 60 minutes each—built into a daily routine.
- Purpose and selection: A painting’s strength comes from what is deliberately omitted. He advises identifying the single quality that attracts you and painting only that.
- Drama through design: Years in animation taught him to shape landscapes with a visual language of mood, value, and shape rather than literal reproduction.
- Medium choice for speed: For plein air work he prefers waterbased media—watercolor and gouache—because of convenience, quick drying, and the ability to recapture dried pigment on the palette.
- Eliminate friction: Convenience matters. Smaller kits and sketchbooks reduce excuses, encourage daily practice, and make it easier to capture changing light.
Nathan will appear on stage at the Plein Air Convention & Expo, scheduled for May 14–18, 2026 in the Ozarks. Attendees can expect demonstrations that focus on selecting and simplifying a scene, rapid studies, and workflow tips for painting effectively outdoors. Additional details and registration are available at pleinairconvention.com.
Connect with the artist at nathanfowkesart.com.
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