Since 2001 I have worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in young adult and children’s publishing, licensed characters, character design and sequential art. This experience allows me to apply a wide range of artistic styles to meet the needs of my clients. My own illustration style is heavily influenced by a lifetime love of comics and animation. My clients include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, Activision Blizzard Media, Hasbro and more. Throughout my career I have worked for national publishers, magazines, tech companies, advertising and marketing agencies. I am currently a Guest Lecturer at Central’s Art and Design department where I teach Beginning and Intermediate Illustration. My goal as an instructor is to provide students insight into the commercial art field from a professional perspective.

Shane L. Johnson

PRO

Since 2001 I have worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in young adult and children’s publishing, licensed characters, character design and sequential art. This experience allows me to apply a wide range of artistic styles to meet the needs of my clients. My own illustration style is heavily influenced by a lifetime love of comics and animation. My clients include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, Activision Blizzard Media, Hasbro and more. Throughout my career I have worked for national publishers, magazines, tech companies, advertising and marketing agencies. I am currently a Guest Lecturer at Central’s Art and Design department where I teach Beginning and Intermediate Illustration. My goal as an instructor is to provide students insight into the commercial art field from a professional perspective.

Available to hire

Since 2001 I have worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in young adult and children’s publishing, licensed characters, character design and sequential art. This experience allows me to apply a wide range of artistic styles to meet the needs of my clients. My own illustration style is heavily influenced by a lifetime love of comics and animation.

My clients include Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, Activision Blizzard Media, Hasbro and more. Throughout my career I have worked for national publishers, magazines, tech companies, advertising and marketing agencies.

I am currently a Guest Lecturer at Central’s Art and Design department where I teach Beginning and Intermediate Illustration. My goal as an instructor is to provide students insight into the commercial art field from a professional perspective.

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Work Experience

Adjunct Professor at Central Washington University Art + Design Department
September 1, 2019 - Present
Develop and teach in-person, hybrid, and online digital art studio courses at 200 and 300 levels. Provide students with professional insights into the commercial art field and the role of illustration. Act as Art Director guiding students through all stages of commercial art projects, including concept sketches, feedback, revisions, and final delivery. Discuss the creative and business demands of illustration, combining artistic techniques and software knowledge to deliver visual solutions for digital and print markets.
Owner / Illustrator at Shane L. Johnson illustration
October 1, 2001 - Present
Freelance commercial illustrator specializing in comic-inspired illustration for national brands, advertising agencies, publishers, and educational organizations. Expertise includes licensed characters, historical and contemporary themes for children’s and young adult markets, original character design, and sequential art. Illustrate licensed properties for animation and film, create original style sets, and develop storyboards for multimedia projects. Use Adobe Photoshop CC and Adobe Illustrator CC to deliver diverse artistic styles for print and online formats. Collaborate with art directors, editors, and graphic designers to create budget-compliant and timely graphic solutions. Manage estimates, contracts, and schedules.

Education

BFA, Illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art
January 1, 1992 - January 1, 1996

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail