Whooaaa there nelly, have I been a busy bee or what?! The last time I posted here was March? Yeesh, time flies.
OKAY soooo, where do I begin?
Firstly, I shall do a new "Bits of Things" post soon, I have neglected the postage terribly, and I've been burrowing away at perfecting heads.
Cat & Moth has really taken off, with the addition of Artella as a crew finding tool, it's been brilliant.
I've been adding all my drawing stuffs to tumblr and instagram as of late, as it seems easier to keep track of! I'd love if you gave me a like or follow over there!
What else.... ooohh I finished Animsquad, my that was awesome, I miss it so, and feel a bit wobbly without the routine! I'll have my shots from there to upload at the end of the month.
And breath, phew, I think that's it. So watch this space, I have some of the head structural stuff as I mentioned, AND a couple of new books to add to the mix that I'm almost done with.
Thanks for putting up with me!
Over and OUT.
Showing posts with label drawing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drawing. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 June 2016
Wednesday, 16 March 2016
Sketching
We are into the second week of Animsquad spring term, and this week, I had a revelation moment!
I was observing our tutor, Malcon, drawing over our shots and really looking at his short hand for describing a new emotion, or better pose. And I started to draw along with him. I felt as thought my short hand got so much better incredibly quickly.
It's very cool watching someone draw, not for drawings sake, or for making it pretty, but to get the idea and emotion across and using that as a means to study. It really illustrates how they would approach it naturally, and not consciously.
I wish classes for drawing could be set up like that, but the tutor would be too aware of what they are doing. I'm definitely going to be using it in the future to pick up tips.
Oh...and we love foreshortening!
Oh...and we love foreshortening!
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Mistakes
Drawing is a great outlet, I find it therapeutic and mesmerising, it's a gigantic time sink hidden in a sketch book.
Whether you enjoy drawing or just use it for practical purposes, it's an essential tool into the world of observation. It's helped me see things that I didn't even know existed.
I read somewhere, and I regret that I can't remember where, but I live by "No line is a bad line". Meaning, that even when you draw a line you are unhappy with you can learn from it, and to be honest, you can use this and apply it to everything in life. When I've made a choice in animation that doesn't work, I've learnt from one of my tutors to log it, so you can use it when it is appropriate in the future. For example, this part of the animation looks creepy and it should feel relaxed, rather then stiff. So we can use that comment, okay, so this is how something creepy looks, I know now when I get a creepy character to animate, I can use it! There's no such thing as a wasted effort. Which makes all these creative endeavors even better!
Also, I just wanted to point you guys to Aaron Blaise's YouTube channel, the drawing and painting tips he is giving away for free are insan. I'm currently working my way through them and they are so informative, anything from colour theory to painting fur. He tries to angle everything towards all kinds of artists, drawers, painters, photographers, animators and more. Check him out here. He also has a great website full of his paintings and tutorials here.
So be sure to explore, play, have fun and don't be afraid to make mistakes, they are the most important bit!
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Hands and Feet
There's always this thing people say "oooo hands are so hard" or "oooo portraits are the hardest" - to be honest, it's all pretty hard, BUT it can be simplified, in actual fact, hands are a shape, made up of shapes, just like the face and the figure. It makes it so much easier to digest thinking of it like that. At iAnimate, we had a great lecture from Stephen Melagrano about appealing hand shapes, describing different poses like leaves, for example. Anyway, after watching Rad's old lecture yesterday, I found another on his blog "Hands and feet" and it's great, and i'm only a little way in. Check it out here.
I'd definitely recommend spending some separate time on studying hands and feet, as these are some of the most important tools in gesture. As stated in "Drawn to Life" - you can read a pose with just hands and feet, but the pose isn't as clear if you just draw the torso. I think it's important, as it can be a common thing in life drawing or gesture drawing, and you see multiple times the feet and hands are cut off. They are essential body language tools, and definitely one to keep an eye on.
I've started a small board on hand references
http://www.pinterest.com/indi_pops/hand-references/
and have a ton of different feet and hands and body l; language references on animpin http://www.pinterest.com/ejsu28/reference-feet/
Maybe watch one of your favorite movies and sketch the hand gestures, it'll really help if you're into animation too. Man, I need to go draw now.
I'd definitely recommend spending some separate time on studying hands and feet, as these are some of the most important tools in gesture. As stated in "Drawn to Life" - you can read a pose with just hands and feet, but the pose isn't as clear if you just draw the torso. I think it's important, as it can be a common thing in life drawing or gesture drawing, and you see multiple times the feet and hands are cut off. They are essential body language tools, and definitely one to keep an eye on.
I've started a small board on hand references
http://www.pinterest.com/indi_pops/hand-references/
and have a ton of different feet and hands and body l; language references on animpin http://www.pinterest.com/ejsu28/reference-feet/
Maybe watch one of your favorite movies and sketch the hand gestures, it'll really help if you're into animation too. Man, I need to go draw now.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everybody!
I hope you all had a wonderful festive season and a great New Year knees up. Did you get some awesome creative Christmas presents?
I got a 3 set of different blackwing pencils, I've used them a little bit so far, and I'm very excited to start experimenting with them. For those of you that may have started a drawing New Years resolution. Mike Yamada and his wife are competing to finish a 108 page sketch book this month... check it out:
So why not join in?
Also have a peak at Moose Allain's vine animations, some really cool stuff. I got the opportunity to meet him at the designers market (Southbank, London) over the Christmas period, very nice chap indeed!
And here was our "Morning after the night before" attempt after a heavy NYE
I hope you all had a wonderful festive season and a great New Year knees up. Did you get some awesome creative Christmas presents?
I got a 3 set of different blackwing pencils, I've used them a little bit so far, and I'm very excited to start experimenting with them. For those of you that may have started a drawing New Years resolution. Mike Yamada and his wife are competing to finish a 108 page sketch book this month... check it out:
Here's what we're using - 5.5"x8.5" 108 pages front & back. End pages optional. pic.twitter.com/OawNkbG7Qs
— Mike Yamada (@michaelyamada) January 1, 2014
So why not join in?
Also have a peak at Moose Allain's vine animations, some really cool stuff. I got the opportunity to meet him at the designers market (Southbank, London) over the Christmas period, very nice chap indeed!
And here was our "Morning after the night before" attempt after a heavy NYE
Here's to an awesome 2014, and remember to always get inspired!
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Wiggles and Doodles
I've been thinking a lot about drawing recently after seeing a post about a book* by Tom Bancroft, which I promptly ordered with my addicted to books trigger finger. It made me think about the teachers and classes I've been apart of since I was young, and how one is influenced by these people.
At the start of the book there's a brilliant introduction, by Tom and a foreword by Adam Hughes; they both talk about the passing of knowledge down from their mentors to them, and from them to us. It's an enlightening few pages, and definitely worth buying the book, just for that advice alone.
I've been lucky enough to have found a couple of people, so far, that have really influenced my work and only afterwards do I realise how much they have helped. If you have that kind of relationship with someone at work, home, school, or wherever you may be, then definitely don't take them for granted. You might not realise it right now, but they may be a huge influence over your whole career.
I also believe negative experiences are a necessity, as they teach us what not to do, how to approach things later, how to be better, and to spur us into the positive!
I've also (somehow) managed to be on the other end of the spectrum (a little bit). I used to run an extra life drawing class at university, as part of a society, where each of us would help the other members with our stronger discipline. For example, there were lighters teaching the rest of us what they knew about lighting, and then riggers, modelers, matte painters and so forth. I'm mentioning this because, if you have this opportunity, grab it by the horns, as learning as a group, and sharing the knowledge you have, only helps you to understand it even more!
Anyway, time to stop babbling, I just wanted to mention a few things that I had picked up along the way (in no particular order, unless stated :P)
1. No one line is a bad line.
- Always learn from your mistakes and triumphs, I also keep a back log of my old work, it's a useful reference to see how far you have come.
2. Comparing - Negative Space
- This I started to notice in life drawing and portrait classes. My mentors would always be telling me to compare the distance between the heels of the feet, the elbow to elbow, the top of the ear to the eye, and this can also be employed using negative space exercises. Both of these can make you see proportions in a totally different light, it's a bit like looking at a drawing upside down and noticing something that sticks out.
3. Reference
- From a young age my Dad tried to convince me this isn't cheating, and it really isn't! There's no way you can create things without some kind of influence, or my favourite word inspiration. This also relates to animation, there's so many things you might end up animating, you always have to study first.
4. Look where the line is going
- Now this line was from a book I read (I think) but i'm not sure which one. I'll be sure to reference it as soon as I find it. Instead of finding the line, whilst you draw, have a look where you imagine it might end up, rather then just diving in and hoping for the best. It's a really interesting exercise, let me know how you find it.
5. Feeling, questions and shape
- This was mainly drummed into me at Alex Woo's crash course gesture lecture. As the life model stood there, he'd ask what is this pose to you, what is it saying, how do you feel, what's the story? Shape was also equally as important, as everything is really just made up of shapes, and different shapes can really portray different feelings. When I hear someone say "ooh I can't do hands, they are so hard", (I've said it to myself in the past too) I now tend to think that is just a mind set, as they are just another shape, made up of other shapes. I suggest that pick a subject you think may be harder then another and concentrate on it for a month or two, you see them in a whole new light!
6. Anatomy
- This clearly is studied in most fine art courses and probably more prominent for modelers (super detail wise). But recently I took part in a sculpture workshop, where we built up the human anatomy from the inside out, we studied all the bones and how the muscles linked together and where they sat. I didn't realise how much it would effect my drawing, but after the course had finished I coincidentally went to a life drawing class, and I suddenly could see why a certain muscle was in a certain place, and what it was doing, and it made much more sense how the body was holding itself, it was a massive eye opener. I completely recommend a anatomy sculpture class, plus it's really fun!
7. Practice
- Theory is great, it is great to research the greats, and different techniques, but ultimately you need to practice as often as possible. Try even just setting aside 10 minutes a day to do a little doodle, maybe on your commute or at lunch time. Practice, practice, practice!
Anyway, these may or may not be relevant to you, but I thought I'd share them nonetheless. I hope they were useful. Maybe you can share your won list of tips you've picked up along the way? ....For now, you can get your face stuck into some great links, courses and books:
LINK DUMP:
My friend wrote a piece here about Drawn to Life (a must have!) on Splinebomb.com: http://www.splinebomb.com/book-review-drawn-life-walt-stanchfield/
An interesting article in setting up your own art education for 10K
Searching for the perfect pose
How to draw lively loses SPONGEBOB!
Character Design boards
Perfect Posing
Eye direction
Expanding your mental toolbox
http://markpudleiner.blogspot.com.es/2012/12/dragons-lair-2-john-pomeroy-drawings.html
http://pinterest.com/backtohell/reference-for-animation/
http://pinterest.com/cristinadandu/animation/
Dynamic Poses - a great source of reference if you can't make Life Drawing class this week
London courses/groups:
- The sculpture class tutor I had: Patricia Barker, and there's a class on soon!
- Candid arts life drawing
- Adrian Dutton life drawing
Online:
Storyboarding for $10!! by Leo Matsuda - a story artist and Walt Disney Studios
Great drawing/anatomy books:
*Character Mentor
Force
Drawn to Life Vol 1 & Vol 2
The Figure in Motion
Remember to always keep inspired.
At the start of the book there's a brilliant introduction, by Tom and a foreword by Adam Hughes; they both talk about the passing of knowledge down from their mentors to them, and from them to us. It's an enlightening few pages, and definitely worth buying the book, just for that advice alone.
I've been lucky enough to have found a couple of people, so far, that have really influenced my work and only afterwards do I realise how much they have helped. If you have that kind of relationship with someone at work, home, school, or wherever you may be, then definitely don't take them for granted. You might not realise it right now, but they may be a huge influence over your whole career.
I also believe negative experiences are a necessity, as they teach us what not to do, how to approach things later, how to be better, and to spur us into the positive!
I've also (somehow) managed to be on the other end of the spectrum (a little bit). I used to run an extra life drawing class at university, as part of a society, where each of us would help the other members with our stronger discipline. For example, there were lighters teaching the rest of us what they knew about lighting, and then riggers, modelers, matte painters and so forth. I'm mentioning this because, if you have this opportunity, grab it by the horns, as learning as a group, and sharing the knowledge you have, only helps you to understand it even more!
Anyway, time to stop babbling, I just wanted to mention a few things that I had picked up along the way (in no particular order, unless stated :P)
1. No one line is a bad line.
- Always learn from your mistakes and triumphs, I also keep a back log of my old work, it's a useful reference to see how far you have come.
2. Comparing - Negative Space
- This I started to notice in life drawing and portrait classes. My mentors would always be telling me to compare the distance between the heels of the feet, the elbow to elbow, the top of the ear to the eye, and this can also be employed using negative space exercises. Both of these can make you see proportions in a totally different light, it's a bit like looking at a drawing upside down and noticing something that sticks out.
3. Reference
- From a young age my Dad tried to convince me this isn't cheating, and it really isn't! There's no way you can create things without some kind of influence, or my favourite word inspiration. This also relates to animation, there's so many things you might end up animating, you always have to study first.
4. Look where the line is going
- Now this line was from a book I read (I think) but i'm not sure which one. I'll be sure to reference it as soon as I find it. Instead of finding the line, whilst you draw, have a look where you imagine it might end up, rather then just diving in and hoping for the best. It's a really interesting exercise, let me know how you find it.
5. Feeling, questions and shape
- This was mainly drummed into me at Alex Woo's crash course gesture lecture. As the life model stood there, he'd ask what is this pose to you, what is it saying, how do you feel, what's the story? Shape was also equally as important, as everything is really just made up of shapes, and different shapes can really portray different feelings. When I hear someone say "ooh I can't do hands, they are so hard", (I've said it to myself in the past too) I now tend to think that is just a mind set, as they are just another shape, made up of other shapes. I suggest that pick a subject you think may be harder then another and concentrate on it for a month or two, you see them in a whole new light!
6. Anatomy
- This clearly is studied in most fine art courses and probably more prominent for modelers (super detail wise). But recently I took part in a sculpture workshop, where we built up the human anatomy from the inside out, we studied all the bones and how the muscles linked together and where they sat. I didn't realise how much it would effect my drawing, but after the course had finished I coincidentally went to a life drawing class, and I suddenly could see why a certain muscle was in a certain place, and what it was doing, and it made much more sense how the body was holding itself, it was a massive eye opener. I completely recommend a anatomy sculpture class, plus it's really fun!
7. Practice
- Theory is great, it is great to research the greats, and different techniques, but ultimately you need to practice as often as possible. Try even just setting aside 10 minutes a day to do a little doodle, maybe on your commute or at lunch time. Practice, practice, practice!
Anyway, these may or may not be relevant to you, but I thought I'd share them nonetheless. I hope they were useful. Maybe you can share your won list of tips you've picked up along the way? ....For now, you can get your face stuck into some great links, courses and books:
LINK DUMP:
My friend wrote a piece here about Drawn to Life (a must have!) on Splinebomb.com: http://www.splinebomb.com/book-review-drawn-life-walt-stanchfield/
An interesting article in setting up your own art education for 10K
Searching for the perfect pose
How to draw lively loses SPONGEBOB!
Character Design boards
Perfect Posing
Eye direction
Expanding your mental toolbox
http://markpudleiner.blogspot.com.es/2012/12/dragons-lair-2-john-pomeroy-drawings.html
http://pinterest.com/backtohell/reference-for-animation/
http://pinterest.com/cristinadandu/animation/
Dynamic Poses - a great source of reference if you can't make Life Drawing class this week
London courses/groups:
- The sculpture class tutor I had: Patricia Barker, and there's a class on soon!
- Candid arts life drawing
- Adrian Dutton life drawing
Online:
Storyboarding for $10!! by Leo Matsuda - a story artist and Walt Disney Studios
Great drawing/anatomy books:
*Character Mentor
Force
Drawn to Life Vol 1 & Vol 2
The Figure in Motion
Remember to always keep inspired.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Time out
Always take a time out.
Yesterday I did some café sketching, which I hadn't had time to do in a whole long time. I had forgotten how much fun it is! I really recommend you try this out, or on the tube, or at the zoo, at the supermarket, or the park, anywhere really. In fact Emma Coats posted an answer about this to someone yesterday on here blog, here.
It's a great place to observe people, how they act on their own, how they react to company, how they react when they realise you are drawing them! It's really interesting and can spark off some great ideas for your animations or artwork. Also, (if you can) it's a great time to switch off, and take some time out to collect your thoughts. Just take your sketchbook wherever you go, if you find an opportune moment, then your prepared to whip it right out!
Especially whilst there is a lot of rollercoastry type motion in the air within the industry, a little time out for yourself just to take a deep breath might be just what you need.
Now, I know this might not be everyone's 'cup of tea' (eh eh, get it? *I'll be quiet*) for a time out, so make sure you take one, whatever that might be, playing some sport, reading a book - also these and many more are other ways of observing, and building up that mental library of ideas.
Sooooo get out there and sketch (or whatever you fancy!)
P.s the thing I heard most last week from industry professionals was to 'draw draw draw' - I'll be expanding on this in my next post :)
Yesterday I did some café sketching, which I hadn't had time to do in a whole long time. I had forgotten how much fun it is! I really recommend you try this out, or on the tube, or at the zoo, at the supermarket, or the park, anywhere really. In fact Emma Coats posted an answer about this to someone yesterday on here blog, here.
It's a great place to observe people, how they act on their own, how they react to company, how they react when they realise you are drawing them! It's really interesting and can spark off some great ideas for your animations or artwork. Also, (if you can) it's a great time to switch off, and take some time out to collect your thoughts. Just take your sketchbook wherever you go, if you find an opportune moment, then your prepared to whip it right out!
Especially whilst there is a lot of rollercoastry type motion in the air within the industry, a little time out for yourself just to take a deep breath might be just what you need.
Now, I know this might not be everyone's 'cup of tea' (eh eh, get it? *I'll be quiet*) for a time out, so make sure you take one, whatever that might be, playing some sport, reading a book - also these and many more are other ways of observing, and building up that mental library of ideas.
Sooooo get out there and sketch (or whatever you fancy!)
P.s the thing I heard most last week from industry professionals was to 'draw draw draw' - I'll be expanding on this in my next post :)
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Monday, 30 January 2012
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Day 23
Okay so I've kinda failed at updating this blog since New Year! I think I needed a natural break. BUT! I have a new idea...
I really love this blog Dailymation - and since the last task was inspired by a forum post on ConceptArt.org (journey of an Absolute rookie) - why not be inspired and influenced by another! It looks like great practise and would keep me drawing at the same time!
I'm also getting more and more involved in photography, so I hope to add little updates on here too, especially now I'm back to my normal desk and back into routine after a crazy Christmas!
I also want to post more and more inspiring links and videos - I post quite a few currently on my twitter account, and follow some inspiring people, so just follow me to find out!
For now, here's a great talk with the Pixar Creative team:
Next month I am going to the Animex Festival in Middlesbrough. I can't wait for the lectures. I've also booked a workshop with Fraser MacLean; a masterclass in storyboarding. I'm about to order his book too, Setting the Scene. I actually cannot wait for that! It's going to be four days off work, one travelling up and three up there, during the "Talk" part of the festival. Come say hello if you're going to it!
I really love this blog Dailymation - and since the last task was inspired by a forum post on ConceptArt.org (journey of an Absolute rookie) - why not be inspired and influenced by another! It looks like great practise and would keep me drawing at the same time!
I'm also getting more and more involved in photography, so I hope to add little updates on here too, especially now I'm back to my normal desk and back into routine after a crazy Christmas!
I also want to post more and more inspiring links and videos - I post quite a few currently on my twitter account, and follow some inspiring people, so just follow me to find out!
For now, here's a great talk with the Pixar Creative team:
Next month I am going to the Animex Festival in Middlesbrough. I can't wait for the lectures. I've also booked a workshop with Fraser MacLean; a masterclass in storyboarding. I'm about to order his book too, Setting the Scene. I actually cannot wait for that! It's going to be four days off work, one travelling up and three up there, during the "Talk" part of the festival. Come say hello if you're going to it!
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Day 18
Don't worry! I havn't forgotten to upload!
This last week has just been a bit crazy!
In the meantime, I'll share some lovely links for you all
Some great photography tutorials
Hand Drawn blog - some great references!
Meet Buck - nice short film!
Poor Kodak :(
Wikipedia BLACKOUT!
...and what is Ditto staring at?!
This last week has just been a bit crazy!
In the meantime, I'll share some lovely links for you all
Some great photography tutorials
Hand Drawn blog - some great references!
Meet Buck - nice short film!
Poor Kodak :(
Wikipedia BLACKOUT!
...and what is Ditto staring at?!
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Day 4
Not sure where these two came from, but hey some up the last 24 hours a little. Had a nice evening at the porterhouse pub though, such a cool building, looks like the inside of a machine. I'll take pics next time :)
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Monday, 10 October 2011
Day 283
I think I hit something with the bottom drawing on the first page below. I also feel much more confident when drawing hair, so I experimented with starting with the hair, which completely loosened me up for the rest of the drawing, which seemed to pay off. At the very least, something in my head went 'click!'
I miss rendering, so I think tomorrow, I might try a more rendered drawing :). Ooh also, ordered my Revell paints today, so hopefully I can paint up my F1 car finally, I'll upload it, when it's finished.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I miss rendering, so I think tomorrow, I might try a more rendered drawing :). Ooh also, ordered my Revell paints today, so hopefully I can paint up my F1 car finally, I'll upload it, when it's finished.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Sunday, 11 September 2011
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
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