Chad Steahly

Final long-form animation

Style frames for long-form animation

Final long form animation - portrait for social

Final bumper - logo #1

Final bumper - logo #2

Animation created in Adobe After Effects

Oscar silhouettes created in Adobe Illustrator

Final edit and thumbnail

Style frames

Background illustration was a composite of three layers to allow for glow animation to be added to the lighting layer and to enable the AI bot to appear sitting in the bean bag

Final AI Bot designed in Adobe Illustrator

Character animation was created using three comps: Comp for eye animation [left], comp for body animation [middle], and main comp bringing all animations together

Custom Pearson logo animation I created for the project

Over 30 UI graphics were built in Adobe Illustrator to simulate the in-product experience through vectors

Final animation built in Adobe After Effects

The Chill Version = no voiceover. Just LoFi goodness. Enjoy. Music by xethrocc

A looping short edited for use on social media featuring the AI bot

Final edit

Style frames

Custom bumper animation

Chroma key composite and motion tracking shot using stock footage and product image

Animation used to show off the availability of dark mode in the app

The phone was created using a bezel graphic and a phone graphic combined with masked footage

Final album art design

Banner designed for use on VCRNOT’s website to promote album

Model used for illustration on the left and the final illustration on the right

First concept sketch on the left and an early draft of the design on the right

Promotional shots I captured using prints of the designs for use on VCRNOT’s website and socials

Final edit

Style frames

Chroma key composite combined with product graphics and stock footage used to transition to video outro

3D product shot created to introduce movement and energy to a static product capture

UI vectors created in Adobe Illustrator for the project

Storyboard

Pacific Palisades

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Paramount Studios

Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard

Hollywood Boulevard

Disneyland

Santa Monica Harbor

The Bungalow in Santa Monica

Final edit

Style frames

A comparison of the raw stock footage used in the opening and closing shots of the video vs. what the shots looked like after they’d been color keyed, composited with motion-tracked product footage, and enhanced with motion graphics and speed ramps.

Custom “Create account” animation created for the video

Custom “Create password” animation created for the video

Custom logo animation created for the video

Final edit

Style frames

MacOS wallpaper and menu bar created in Adobe Illustrator

MacOS Safari Settings dialog box created in Illustrator

MacOS Safari Settings dialog box — vectors were created in Illustrator to represent the Settings dialog box in various states

Pearson sign-in page created in Adobe Illustrator

Apple Menu created in various states in Illustrator

Custom Pearson logo animation created for the project

Final edit

Style frames

Quick setup introduction animation

Schedule multiple assignments animation

Revel product UI recreated in Adobe Illustrator for use in video

Revel product UI project file

Use quick setup button animation

Fujifilm x-t4 camera

Fujifilm x-t4 project file

Cassette tape

Cassette tape project file

Roll of 35 mm film

Roll of 35mm film project file

VHS tape

VHS tape project file

AI chat bot

AI chat bot project file

Clapboard

Clapboard project file

Boombox

Boombox project file

Synthesizer

Synthesizer project file

Typewriter

Typewriter project file

LEGO brick

LEGO brick project file

Blocky

Blocky project file

I wanted to draw a character that reminded me of myself when I was in high school and falling in love with the guitar. I was finally getting good enough to play famous songs and sound just like the recordings. I remember that feeling of not being able to wait to get back home from school and play again.

A Boy and His Guitar time-lapse drawing

When my wife and I started dating, she lived in the city. I would drive in from town to visit her. To celebrate our 10th anniversary, I created this illustration to document a special moment in the history of our relationship. A print of this illustration hangs on a wall in our bedroom to this day.

Sketching, inking, and painting process for The Boy, The Girl, & The City

The Boy, The Girl, & The City time-lapse drawing

This character is inspired by some of the animated shows my daughters were watching at the time. The shows all had young, intelligent, hopeful, and talented female leads with big dreams. I could imagine the world being led by these woman and just think of their origin stories—that beginning moment when they were young and decided they’ll make their own future…and make for a better world along the way.

Ah, Boba Fett. He’s just cool to draw, isn’t he? I initially wanted this just to be a rough sketch only, but I couldn’t resist adding that reflection to his face shield and fully painting him.

Boba Fett time-lapse drawing

This is my oldest daughter back when she was going through her “pouting” phase. Any time my family said or did something she disagreed with, “bam,” she’d hit you with a pout just like the one in the drawing. I drew this one day at work while listening in on a seminar. When I showed it to my daughter she laughed because she instantly knew who it was and what the drawing was depicting.

Pouting Parker time-lapse drawing

I’m a sucker for the brightly-colored 1970s and 1980s designs for the DC Superheroes (think the show Super Friends or the Super Powers toy collection). I wanted to draw Batman in that style with a pulpy texture like it’s a panel from a comic book. Ah, takes me back…might have to go stream some Super Friends.

Batman time-lapse drawing

I drew this for my nephew for his first birthday. He had a little plushy Curious George which he took with him everywhere he went. He was all about Curious George. My brother and sister-in-law were kind enough to hang it up in his bedroom. Was still there all these years later…last I checked.

Curious George time-lapse drawing

My daughters were going through a Beauty and the Beast phase when I drew this one of Lumière. My youngest daughter still falls asleep every night with her Belle plushy. You’ll see a theme here as you read why I draw most of these illustrations…it’s because my kids are into the characters and I want them to think I’m cool.

Lumière time-lapse drawing

I drew this illustration quickly. It was one of those moments where I ask my kids “what should I draw?” This time they said “A girl.” Thus, “A Girl on a Walk” came to life.

Girl on a Walk time-lapse drawing

The Peanuts hold a special place in my heart, as they do with many others. I grew up reading and watching The Peanuts. A Charlie Brown Christmas is still my favorite Christmas movie or television show. I could watch that animated snow fall on our favorite Peanuts characters all day long. I was in the holiday spirit when I drew this one of Charlie Brown. This image is directly inspired by a similar drawing by Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. Thanks, Sparky.

It’s Snowing, Charlie Brown hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation

It's Snowing, Charlie Brown time-lapse drawing

I was sitting around during the holidays wondering “hmm, what should I draw now?” I looked over at our Christmas tree, scanned it for a moment, and then thought “That’s it!” I’ll draw our Jolly Java Hallmark Christmas tree ornament. Yep, this is an illustration of a Hallmark ornament my wife and I bought. Funny story. I was showing this illustration to some colleagues and work and one of them (who unbeknownst to me had worked at Hallmark when this ornament was sold) looked at me and said “Did you draw a Hallmark ornament?” Busted…

Jolly Java time-lapse drawing

A few of these illustrations on this page were drawn while I waited for my oil to get changed in my car at the shop. Scooby Doo is one of those illustrations. I happen to have a Scooby Doo comic on me at the time and thought, “Yeah, I’ll draw Scoobs.” This one is a little rough—you can still see some of the pencil marks under the paint. It was drawn fast so I decided to keep some of those pencil marks. A quick sketch for fun.

Scooby Doo time-lapse drawing

Here’s another character I drew because my of daughters. They were obsessed with My Little Pony for a while. I can’t tell you how many small pony figures we had at one point. Rarity was my daughters’ favorite pony there for a while. Hence, why I decided to draw her.

Rarity time-lapse drawing

You ever have those “I feel like drawing…this” moments? I was having one of those moments when I drew Dory. I just felt like drawing her. My family and I had just watched Finding Dory, and I loved the color and reflection the animators achieved in Dory’s eyes. I wanted to try to capture that in an illustration. Whether or not I succeeded, I had fun trying.

Dory time-lapse drawing

Okay, remember on the Scooby Doo illustration when I said that a few of the illustrations on this page were drawn while waiting for the oil in my car to get changed? Well, here’s another one. I had about a 30-40 minute wait and thought…let’s draw Mario. Always a challenge to draw such a well-known character and have it come out just right. Hopefully, Shigeru Miyamoto would approve.

Mario time-lapse drawing

When I drew Mickey Mouse & The Haunted Tree I had just subscribed to Disney+ and was watching a ton of the Disney animated shorts from the 20s, 30s, and 40s. It was also close to Halloween, so I wanted to draw an early-20th-century-inspired version of Mickey in a spooky, Halloween-inspired environment.

Mickey Mouse & the Haunted Tree hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation

Mickey Mouse and the Haunted Tree time-lapse drawing

Bambi isn’t just one of my favorite animated films of all time, it’s one my favorite films of all time. Yes, I know. “But it’s so sad when…you know what happens.” I agree. But if you just watch the film for the pure animation skills of Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. There has never been and will never be a more beautiful and technically proficient hand-drawn frame-by-frame animated film than Bambi. It was a rare moment when commerce (in this case the Disneys, particularly Walt Disney) and creativity (the animators working on the film) had the same goal…make the best animated film possible. You can see it in the final film. The animators had the time and the money to make one of the best animated films in human history. I love Bambi so much. I had to try my hand and drawing her myself. This one’s for you, Frank and Ollie.

Bambi time-lapse drawing

Remember the 1990s? Saturday morning cartoons. Sugar cereal in the morning. Nintendo in the afternoon. Kris Kross making you want to jump, jump. A little slap bracelet action while you’re bored before bed. That’s the headspace I was in when I drew this one. Just wanted to capture a character I would like to see as the lead in a 90s animated series that never was. Who knows maybe one day I’ll draw the rest of the cast of School Dayz.

School Dayz time-lapse drawing

This illustration began as an exercise. I was working through a book filled with drawing prompts and lessons. The lesson I was working through called for me to draw a female figure similar to the one you see in this illustration. I finished the drawing and painted the female figure. Then I thought “who is this woman? where or when is she from? She seemed to come from the late 60s to me. That inspired me to add the Volkswagen Bug. Groovy, man.

1968 sketch

This one I drew for my wife. Her favorite Disney character is Ariel. Watching ‘making of’ documentaries of The Little Mermaid, I’m just blown away at how effortlessly animator Glen Keane drew Ariel and brought her to life so gracefully.

At the time I drew this illustration both of my daughters were in dance classes. I drew this one for them to celebrate their love of dance which continues to this day.

I have a confession with this one. I actually drew this illustration all the way back when I was 12 years old. My family and I were on vacation in Orlando, Florida, and we had just visited Universal Studios. At the time, Hanna Barbara characters were all over Universal Studios. I left the park and wanted to draw some of them. I got out my sketch pad and pencil and sketched the illustration you see here. 24 years later, I digitized the pencil sketch and inked and painted it in Procreate on my iPad. I guess I can say it took me 24 years to complete this one. Hope Fred and Barney appreciate that.

My daughters were going through a major Stitch phase when I drew this illustration. They had just discovered the original Stitch movie and couldn’t get enough of the little guy. They even started listening to Elvis songs…because Stitch liked Elvis in the film. When I finished this drawing my girls went “Whoa!” Mission accomplished.

Stitch time-lapse drawing

Peter Pan has always been one of my favorite animated films. The little but feisty character of Tinker Bell cracks me up every time. Some times attitude comes in small packages…which reminds me of my youngest daughter. This one’s for her.

Another Peanuts illustration here. I just love Snoopy. One of my all-time favorite characters. His silent Buster-Keaton-like comedy is what makes him so hysterical and lovable at the same time. I drew this illustration after watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The family and I were gearing up for Halloween.

Snoopy & the Jack-O-Lantern hand-drawn frame-by-frame animation

Snoopy and the Jack-O-Lantern time-lapse drawing

This illustration was inspired by a photograph I took of my oldest daughter standing in our backyard holding a sparkler. It was 4th of July and the family and I were celebrating. I thought the image would make for a fun illustration.

A Girl and Her Sparkler time-lapse drawing

I felt like practicing my Mickey Mouse abilities here. You can see this is a bit of a rough sketch. You can still see some of the pencil guide marks. Drawing the ears for Mickey is probably the hardest part for me. Getting those shapes just right. I get the temptation to draw the ears the way they were originally drawn by early Disney animators—by tracing around the edges of a quarter. No, no, I must draw my Mickeys the modern way.

I have a sketch of Mickey on this page so I have to have Minnie here too. Like the Curious George drawing on this page, this sketch was drawn for my niece’s first birthday. I drew Curious George for my nephew’s first birthday, and I wanted to do the same for my niece. Her favorite character at the time was Minnie Mouse. A print of this sketch still hangs on her wall in her bedroom today.

After my daughters got the chance to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, they fell in love with the character of Rey. So much so, that my wife and I bought them a t-shirt with an illustration of Rey on it. I liked the art style of the illustration and wanted to try my hand at recreating the Rey character in a similar style. I would love a whole Star Wars graphic novel in this style. Really dig this style.

Another confession with this one. I drew this sketch when I was 8 years old. What you see here is a digital scan of the original drawing. I have added anything to the original. This is as I drew it when I was 8. I keep this one in my collection for two reasons: 1) I’m still proud of it and 2) because of the story behind why I drew Cruela. Here’s the story. My dad, who was always fascinated by my drawing skills, decided to give me a challenge. He chose a sticker out of my collection of Disney stickers. It was a bust of Cruela DeVille. He stuck the sticker at the bottom of a page in my sketchbook and said “Create a drawing that looks as close to this sticker as you possibly can.” When I was finished I showed him this drawing you see here. He was floored and told me the drawing was an exact match to the sticker! That’s when I knew I had done a good job. Since my dad is no longer with us, I like to keep this one around to remember that moment.

I stumbled upon a video while searching for drawing ideas that showed how to draw various Disney characters. It provided some tips on how to draw Flynn Rider. I thought, “Cool, my daughters are into the film tangled right now.” So I followed the steps and drew this sketch. I did a version that was inked and painted, but I like this rougher sketch version better.

Flynn Rider time-lapse drawing

As a long-time Star Wars fan, I had to draw R2. What’s fun about drawing R2-D2 is it’s almost like a technical drawing—like you’re attempting to draw a blueprint for vehicle more so than a character. I like how detailed you need to be when drawing R2. I had fun sketching this little guy. I like the roughness of this sketch too. Maintains that technical blueprint vibe to it.

R2-D2 time-lapse drawing

Ah, the wise Master Yoda. I was flipping through an old Star Wars book in my book collection and I stumbled upon an image of Yoda. What stuck out to me in the image were his eyes. They looked so alive, wise, and worldly. And I’m looking at an image of a puppet! I wanted to sketch Yoda and see if I could capture those same wise and weathered eyes through drawing.

Pinocchio is sad that we’ve reached the end of Illustrations & Sketches

Promo animation inspired by Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department album — landscape

Promo animation inspired by Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department album — portrait

I re-created The Tortured Poets Department logo in Adobe Illustrator for the project — download the .ai files here

Promo animation inspired by my attendance at Dave Matthews Band’s performance at The Hollywood Bowl in 2022.

Silhouette of Dave Matthews Band created in Adobe Photoshop

Halloween animation created to celebrate the Haloween season — landscape

Halloween animation created to celebrate the Haloween season — portrait