Wednesday 5 September 2012
Blog Move
The Oatley Academy
"Painting Drama" is a course I'll be taking for the next 3 months through Oatley Academy run by Chris Oatley. Chris is a Disney Character Designer and web comic creator who puts out interesting podcasts and blog posts which I've been following for quite a while. This is a 12-week online course that will teach "a deep understanding of the most essential, foundational concepts for visual storytelling in still-based media." I think it will be a lot of fun! The class of 15 students will meet live each week for 3 hours and we will work on a couple projects based on a story of our choosing throughout the 12 weeks. I really want to put more storytelling into my illustrations and work more on the fundamentals. Since I never went to full-time art school, it's up to me to get the fundamentals down. I can do this quicker by taking online courses and workshops - plus they are loads of fun!
I REALLY want to update my portfolio. After IMC, I see how much I need to either update the current work or just completely replace it. But on top of my full-time job, I'm doing a couple concept art projects as well so there's just no time left to work on personal stuff.
I can't post any of the art I'm working on now, so here are some totally random sketches. I'm trying to follow Iain McCaig's advice and draw at least an hour a day. Some days are easier than others to get the full hour in.
Remember it's ok to draw "stoopid" drawings in your sketchbook. No one has to see them. Don't be so precious about it. I used to be precious about my sketches and it would cause me to not draw as much because I pressured myself to not mess up. Now I just draw all kinds of dumb things but at least I'm drawing more. And the more you draw the better you get! Also, Pixelovely is a great site if you want to do some figure drawing practice when there is no live model available.
I REALLY want to update my portfolio. After IMC, I see how much I need to either update the current work or just completely replace it. But on top of my full-time job, I'm doing a couple concept art projects as well so there's just no time left to work on personal stuff.
I can't post any of the art I'm working on now, so here are some totally random sketches. I'm trying to follow Iain McCaig's advice and draw at least an hour a day. Some days are easier than others to get the full hour in.
Remember it's ok to draw "stoopid" drawings in your sketchbook. No one has to see them. Don't be so precious about it. I used to be precious about my sketches and it would cause me to not draw as much because I pressured myself to not mess up. Now I just draw all kinds of dumb things but at least I'm drawing more. And the more you draw the better you get! Also, Pixelovely is a great site if you want to do some figure drawing practice when there is no live model available.
Illustration Master Class 2012 Recap (June 2012)
The Illustration Master Class was incredible! I thought it was going to be a one time thing; but on the second day, I knew I had to start saving to come back next year. The students and faculty were amazing; it was such a great atmosphere to be around so many other Artists. We got to just nerd out all week over art. At first it was a little scary not knowing anyone but by the end of the week I felt like I had made around 100 new friends. Such a friendly fun group of people. Miss you guys.
The class and faculty of IMC 2012
It's in Amherst, MA so it wasn't close. I took a ferry to Seattle, then 2 flights to Boston where I rented a car with 2 others and drove to Amherst. Next time, a more direct route will do!
On the first day, we had our sketches critiqued. There were 3 critique groups. Iain McCaig, Rebecca Guay, Dan Dos Santos, and Greg Manchess were my critiquers. I was expecting to have to redo everything but luckily that wasn't the case. I made some adjustments to the sketch and on the 3rd day, started painting. Finishing the painting that week wasn't a huge priority of mine; I mainly wanted to soak up all the lectures and try to experience as much of the IMC culture as I could. It was great walking around the other studios and seeing what everyone was up to. I was in the digital studio but there were 2 traditional studios as well.
What can I say about the week other than it was amazing. Listening to all the great lectures, hanging out and becoming friends with the students and faculty, even the cafeteria food was great.
Some highlights:
Learning how important good reference is! I had used reference before but not to the extent of using models, costumes, and lighting to get a great photo. It makes such a difference!
Portfolio critique by Dave Palumbo, a Freelance Illustrator and Doug Alexander, an Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment. So helpful! Doug went through every piece and told me what had to change. I pretty much have to either tweak every piece or just take them out. This is what I wanted to hear! I had never had a critique before but I knew my portfolio wasn't where I wanted it to be, so it was great finding out exactly what was wrong with it and what I need to work on.
I really want to improve my drawing and Iain McCaig gave me some great advice "Draw what you love for at least an hour a day". Sounds so simple right? But I know I wasn't doing that. It's so easy to draw what you think you should be drawing instead, which takes the fun out of it. If you draw what you love, then you get excited to draw and that's what will drive you to learn and improve. It shouldn't always be a chore. I also got some exercises to improve my line quality. So that is my main goal for this year - draw better and any free time on top of that, I'll paint. Great drawing is sooo important; Paint can't cover up a crappy drawing.
Since I've been back, I've been loaded with work. Some overtime at my main job and also a freelance job creating 25 small illustrations. So I haven't had anytime to continue with my Tarzan piece which still needs work. I will finish it though! I'll also be doing a massive clean-out of my portfolio and will take a bunch out and tweak others.
I posted more photos in an album on my Facebook Page.
See you all next year!
The class and faculty of IMC 2012
The wonderful Faculty. L to R, Top row: Iain McCaig, James Gurney, Donato, Dan Dos Santos, Greg Manchess, Front row: Irene Gallo, Scott Fischer, Doug Alexander, Brom, Rebecca Guay, Julie Bell, and Boris Vallejo
It's in Amherst, MA so it wasn't close. I took a ferry to Seattle, then 2 flights to Boston where I rented a car with 2 others and drove to Amherst. Next time, a more direct route will do!
On the first day, we had our sketches critiqued. There were 3 critique groups. Iain McCaig, Rebecca Guay, Dan Dos Santos, and Greg Manchess were my critiquers. I was expecting to have to redo everything but luckily that wasn't the case. I made some adjustments to the sketch and on the 3rd day, started painting. Finishing the painting that week wasn't a huge priority of mine; I mainly wanted to soak up all the lectures and try to experience as much of the IMC culture as I could. It was great walking around the other studios and seeing what everyone was up to. I was in the digital studio but there were 2 traditional studios as well.
What can I say about the week other than it was amazing. Listening to all the great lectures, hanging out and becoming friends with the students and faculty, even the cafeteria food was great.Some highlights:
Learning how important good reference is! I had used reference before but not to the extent of using models, costumes, and lighting to get a great photo. It makes such a difference!
Portfolio critique by Dave Palumbo, a Freelance Illustrator and Doug Alexander, an Art Director at Blizzard Entertainment. So helpful! Doug went through every piece and told me what had to change. I pretty much have to either tweak every piece or just take them out. This is what I wanted to hear! I had never had a critique before but I knew my portfolio wasn't where I wanted it to be, so it was great finding out exactly what was wrong with it and what I need to work on.
I really want to improve my drawing and Iain McCaig gave me some great advice "Draw what you love for at least an hour a day". Sounds so simple right? But I know I wasn't doing that. It's so easy to draw what you think you should be drawing instead, which takes the fun out of it. If you draw what you love, then you get excited to draw and that's what will drive you to learn and improve. It shouldn't always be a chore. I also got some exercises to improve my line quality. So that is my main goal for this year - draw better and any free time on top of that, I'll paint. Great drawing is sooo important; Paint can't cover up a crappy drawing.
Since I've been back, I've been loaded with work. Some overtime at my main job and also a freelance job creating 25 small illustrations. So I haven't had anytime to continue with my Tarzan piece which still needs work. I will finish it though! I'll also be doing a massive clean-out of my portfolio and will take a bunch out and tweak others.
Figuring out where I want to take my art is also a huge desicion I need to make. There are so many areas to get into: Illustration, Concept Art, Gaming, Film... Since I'm a Game Artist now, I thought that staying in gaming would make the most sense but I seem to be more interested in Fantasy Illustration and Concept Art for films. We'll see what happens; right now, I just want to focus on improving so that when I go back next year, I'll be on a different level and will be armed with a new and improved portfolio. :D
I posted more photos in an album on my Facebook Page.
See you all next year!
Leaving for the Illustration Master Class 2012!
Here's my sketch for IMC. Tarzan has just killed Sabor the lioness. I want to get the crap critiqued out of it. I'll probably have to redo everything but the more critique I get the more I'll learn.
I'm a little concerned about bringing my laptop. It's not the most powerful; I put in 3 gigs of ram which is all it can hold and ya, that's not enough. I've managed to squeeze an extra monitor in my suitcase though which is nice, I need dual screens!
I'm leaving in less than an hour. First it's a ferry to Seattle where I'll hangout for the day and check out the Avatar exhibit at the EMP Museum. And then I fly out at 1am to Houston and then up to Boston where I'll rent a car and drive with 2 others to Amherst. A bit of a convoluted route but it was cheapest. I'm going to be dead tired before I even get there :( Oh well. Coffee is my friend. See you IMCers soon!
I'm a little concerned about bringing my laptop. It's not the most powerful; I put in 3 gigs of ram which is all it can hold and ya, that's not enough. I've managed to squeeze an extra monitor in my suitcase though which is nice, I need dual screens!
I'm leaving in less than an hour. First it's a ferry to Seattle where I'll hangout for the day and check out the Avatar exhibit at the EMP Museum. And then I fly out at 1am to Houston and then up to Boston where I'll rent a car and drive with 2 others to Amherst. A bit of a convoluted route but it was cheapest. I'm going to be dead tired before I even get there :( Oh well. Coffee is my friend. See you IMCers soon!
IMC 2012 – Assignment Rough Sketch (June 4)
After trying out different poses and backgrounds as thumbnails I finally decided on something. Here is a rough sketch of what I'm thinking. I picture him scouring the land right after he's finished a meal of raw leopard, mmmm! I might have to change it to a lion though since I know he ate those in the book, I forget if he ate leopard or not. I'm going to clean it up and make any changes and do a color comp too. Only a few days to go until the trip over! Feedback is appreciated.
Oh also, for the pose, I was trying to figure out how to get reference photos. This wasn't the easiest pose to get photos of (I tried). I was told about Daz 3D by fellow IMCer John Petersen; it's a free 3D program that is super easy to use and already comes with human models that you can mold to whatever character you want and you can add hair and clothing and skin and then pose them and add lighting. So awesome for basic reference to try out different lighting, poses, and angles.
Oh also, for the pose, I was trying to figure out how to get reference photos. This wasn't the easiest pose to get photos of (I tried). I was told about Daz 3D by fellow IMCer John Petersen; it's a free 3D program that is super easy to use and already comes with human models that you can mold to whatever character you want and you can add hair and clothing and skin and then pose them and add lighting. So awesome for basic reference to try out different lighting, poses, and angles.
IMC 2012 - Assignment Thumbnails (May28)
The Illustration Master Class is now less than 2 weeks away. After going back and forth a bit with a couple of the choices, I finally decided on the Tarzan assignment. Before this, I didn't know much about Tarzan, I knew him as a wild ape man who runs around in a loin cloth and has a girlfriend named Jane. I hadn't read the books or even seen the Disney movie! Well, now I've seen a few of the movies and read the first couple books. I want to focus on the first book where he grows up with the apes and later finds out that he is a human and starts to differentiate himself from the apes; and of course he meets other humans for the first time.
Here are a few ideas. At first I was thinking of illustrating Tarzan and Jane either right before Tarzan kills Kerchak or after when they embrace for the first time.
Or I might want to do a more iconic image of Tarzan crouching in the treetops with his stolen tribal gear on, his mom's gold chain and locket, and dad's knife. I have a few ideas for the story behind the image; His expression will be important. He could be stalking prey or maybe he's taking a breather and pondering what his heritage really is.
I'm not done with the thumbnails, I still want to rough out a few more ideas.
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