figure and sketchbook post

haven't posted any figure work lately so here's just a few from the past couple weeks.  and theres some dogs at the end too, because well, it's me.

breed all about it

It's been quite a while since I last posted anything here!  I've been busy with thesis this semester and am trying to keep most of that stuff under wraps for now, until it get's closer to the big show.  In the meantime, here are some quick illustrations I have been doing as a small side project, so as not to get burnt out.  I've been doing one of these a night and I hope to continue and do as many as possible!

Baby Sloth children's book

I've held off posting these because I wanted to present them together, but I've been working on a children's book this whole semester and it's been a long process but really enjoyable.  At this point the entire story is written, the pencil dummy is complete but needs a second, cleaner draft, and I present the cover, and two interiors (one spread, one single).

thanks for looking :)

how I wonder

My last illustration assignment for the semester.  It will be printed as a standard size greeting card with information about polar bears on the inside.

Polar bear populations are dwindling fast; scientists estimate that 2/3 of all polar bears will be gone by the year 2050. There is still time to help reverse their decline though! Find out how you can help by visiting www.polarbearsinternational.org.

Gesture Drawing the Pixar Way (notes from CTNX 2011)

Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Creative Talent Network Animation Expo in Burbank, California.  I can not understate how great of a time I had the three days I was there.  I met so many awesome students and professionals who all share my love of the animation industry, and also had the opportunity to attend several extremely informative workshops and panels.  One of the ones I enjoyed most was Gesture: The Soul of Drawing - the Pixar Way!, by Pixar artists Alex Woo and Matt Jones.  These are the notes I took during their panel; a few people have expressed interest in seeing them so I thought I'd post them up here for anyone who might benefit from them.

7 Foundational Topics

Line of Action - what is the main idea of the pose?

Shape - how can you simplify the complex form you see into basic shapes?

Silhouette - successful silhouettes depict the model/character's pose without confusion, choose an angle to draw from where the viewer will be able to correctly read the pose quickly and easily

Space - where is the model in relation to the space he/she is in?  This where perspective and foreshortening plays into your drawing

Exaggeration - push the pose farther than what you see in front of you to give it more life; when viewing a live model your eyes take in so much more information than when viewing a drawing so you have to exaggerate the drawn pose to compensate

Extrapolation - seeing beyond the pose, "Nobody is going to know if you changed the pose, just make it interesting;"use the model as your jumping off point, don't be married to it.  In the photo below the top drawing is of the model's actual pose, the bottom is how Matt interpreted it.

Story - contextualizing your drawing.  In the photo below Matt demonstrates how simple it is to create story out of the model's pose by adding the figure on the right. 

"A strong drawing is one that blends solid draftsmanship with vitality" - Alex Woo

all the creatures were stirring

Recently I was asked to be a part of a small student-curated gallery show at Ringling, so of course I gladly said yes!  The theme for the show was simply "cute" so I decided to do some holiday themed pieces.  Being home for thanksgiving and doing some early Christmas shopping at Crate and Barrel with my mom definitely had a hand in that decision :)

And the final setup:

I had about a day and a half to complete all of the artwork, from concept to final illustrations.  The little stuffed animal guy in the middle there is the only exception; I had made him about a year ago and my mom knitted the scarf for me :)

sketchbook post

back to school fresh from CTN in burbank.  I had a wonderful time and learned an incredible amount in the three short days I was there.  I have a bunch of illustrations to post, including a set of five I did over the thanksgiving holiday for a show on campus that opens tonight!  Those will be up shortly, but for now here are some scans of my recent sketchbook work. 

I know, I know.  It's a lot of dogs... but I always watch the National Dog show after Thanksgiving and I was also home with my own dog for the holiday this year so I couldn't help myself :)

also thought I'd throw this up here.  At CTN this year I had the pleasure of meeting Andreas Deja, an animator who's work has been an inspiration to me for many years.  The whole weekend was quite an experience to say the least!