Back to Basics

So another part of the character design class was going over the basics. The range of talent was pretty broad, from professionals wanting a refresher to people who just wanted to take an art class. There were weekly assignments on top of the semester project, so there was always something to work on. One of the first projects were feet and hand studies. Brings back memories from Ringling for sure! So yeah, pretty simple and straightforward.

Frankenstein Final

And now, the rest of the story. This is the final "pitch" we presented at the end of class. I didn't get as far as I would have liked, and I think there is still a lot of work to be done, but it was a good learning experience, and got me back in the grove of things. For the final, I knew I wanted to paint something, just to show another skill set, since most everyone was working digitally. I don't think it's portfolio ready, but I wanted to show everything involved in this project. You might notice some stylistic differences in some of the sketches, because half way through the design process, our instructor told us an "art director" wanted a different look for the project. It threw some people off, but was meant to show a possible real world situation. I definitely like the more stylized/simplified versions more :)

Something that was actually really fun and I never really did, was to create a reference/mood/inspiration board. I always have reference, but I never compiled them on the same page. It's pretty interesting, trying to figure out which images have more significant value to a project and which ones to leave out. The other thing to think about, if designing for animation, is to trying to imagine who would portray/voice your character. It was really was hard in my case, trying to think of someone young enough that could express those rage of emotions. But over all, I highly recommend this, it's a great way to gather your thoughts and ideas for a project or painting.

Frankenstein...sorta

This is the project from the Character Design class I took in the fall. The main assignment was to redesign Frankenstein, and to incorporate 1 male, 1 female, and 1 quadruped. Some people designed a more straightforward version of the story, while I took a "slightly" different approach. And by "slightly", I mean it's almost unrecognizable as Frankenstein.

My version was set in the North American southwest, with a young Hopi Indian Mother, who tragically lost her first born son. Distraught over the death, she turns to the mystical Coyote, asking for him to return her son to her. He warns that there could be severe repercussions for tampering with the Spirit World, but the young Mother begs. Coyote grants her request, using his powerful magic to bring her son is brought back from the dead! The son is reborn as a Monster, angry and disfigured, nothing like Mother remembered. She shuns the Monster. Confused and upset, the Monster goes on a rampage. When Mother asks Coyote to undo it, he tells her that she must be the one to stop him. He explains that all of her twisted emotions and guilt over losing her first-born has changed his appearance. She must accept that it was not her fault, and to celebrate the life he had, and not to morn the life he lost. She races to find the Monster and stops him from destroying anything more. She confronts him, and her emotions, and makes the toughest decision of her life. She lets go of her guilt and her own anger. As this happens, the Monster transforms into a tiny spirit form of her son. Mother can finally say the goodbye she needed to say, and lets her son return to his rightful place with his ancestors in the Spirit World.

So yeah, really different. When brainstorming, I really liked the idea of magic creating the monster, instead of technology. I also liked having a clear setting/environment to design from. The assignment was also really different form anything I'd normally do, so i was really excited. This is just the development for class, I'll post the more final stuff in another entry. Tell me what you think so far!

I'm Back!

I'm back! No really, I promise. I know it's been a year since I lasted posted (crazy), but a lot has happened to me. I was working, felt unproductive artistically, got motivated, took a Character Design class, completed a mentorship with the awesome David Colman, and got a new job!!! Woot! The new job is a huge breathe of fresh air, and is exactly what I needed. I feel so motivated again! Anyway, with all of these happenings, I've decide to resuscitate my poor forgotten blog. It's taken me a while, but I think i finally found it's purpose. It's a visual time capsule! A digital sketchbook! It's not always going to be pretty or exciting, but a way for me to look back and see how far I've come. I'm not going to worry about silly sketches or imperfect paintings. Too many times has that happened before, causing me not to post at all. And thats no fun. And who knows, maybe I'll incorporate some other things, like things I find inspiring or awesome artists I stumble upon? Sound cool? I think so. Well, enough talking, let's post!!!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

So remember that project from last year? Well, this is the result of it, and as you can see, I didn't get very far. These character designs are inspired by the book "The Mysterious Benedict Society". It's awesome, and if you are a fan of mystery/detective young adult books, then I highly recommend it. So when I was working on it, it just boring. The character designs aren't particularly unique or interesting, just ordinary. I really like the color pallet and the original story, but that's about it. But for the sake of sharing, and trying to get better about posting, here it is. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear your opinions and maybe get motivated to work on this project again.

Halloween

I know, I know. Halloween was LAST week, and I'm just now getting my post up. But I've been busy, and there were festivities and parties, so this got pushed back a little. The good news is that it's done, the bad news is I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'd love feedback on it, seriously. I tried for something more dramatic and moody, instead of a generic broadly lit scene. Now that this is done-ish, I'll start working on Tristan and his story. And you think I was joking, but I want feedback!!!

Please?

Figure, Pt. 1

Here are some figure drawings I did during a workshop at work. Nothing serious, just 10 mins. poses. Let me know what you think.

Influence Map

So I know I've been neglecting my Halloween assignment, but things have been super busy at work! I mean it, CRAZY busy. I promise, I will finish it before the big day arrives. But in the mean time, here is a silly thing I made. It always seems like I'm behind in the times, but this "influence map" was floating around the interwebz a while ago and I thought it would be fun to do my own. It turned out to be more time consuming than I thought, but I wanted to find things that really influenced me as an artist. Can you see some of these things in my work? I can, but then that's why I picked them, duh!

Introducing...

... Tristan! Surprise, another post! I've been saving up to make sure there are tons of new content. Hopefully this will give me the momentum to keep posting. Anyway, Tristan is the main character of my new project, and he is a fabulous hi-wire walking, acrobatic giraffe from a traveling circus. All that should give me tons to work off, and provide for interesting side characters and awesome environments. Let me know what you think. I really want to make this project super successful. I figure the more I say it, the more likely it is to com true. Anyway, comments, please!

It's Officially October...

And you know what that means... Halloween is coming! Yes, that time of year that allows us to eat too much candy, and prepares us for November and December holidays! So, to start the month off right, lets start some Halloween fan art. I'm giving myself a week to get it finished, so lets see if I can do it. Let me know what you think.

New Project... Finally!

So I just wanted everyone to see a sneak peak of the personal project I'm working on. I'm trying to get a more "film" quality to it instead of something too "TV", if that makes since. Let me know what you think. Thanks - Matt

Retrospective

So at the beginning of the year, this thing started spreading around DeviantArt. Even though I don't have an account, I couldn't resist making my own. When most people get rid of old embarrassing work, I hold on to it, all of it. Because at one point, I thought it was quality, original work. Of course now I realize its horrible and possibly offensive, but it's nice to have things to show your progress. So look at this "Retrospective" and enjoy. It might even inspire you to make your own. And hopefully I'll continue to get better to the point where I look at the work from 2009 and cringe :)

Gorillas and Tigers and Polar Bears Oh My...

Just some simple sketches I did one day. I think the Polar Bears are my favorite, but thats just me. Which are your favorite?

"Where Have All The Cowboys Gone...."

Thank you Paula Cole, for that lovely introduction. I know I'm on a role, because 3rd post this week! Yeah boy! So, again more sketch, this time focused on some hard workin' cattle folk. I don't know if it was growing up in Oklahoma, or Montana, but I think cowboys are awesome, and should be drawn more often. And trust me when I say, I'm totally going to draw more cowboys... maybe soon?

Landscapes

What? Another post... in the same week?!? Crazy-ness I know. But I've had some time to go through my computer files, and found somethings I had done, but never posted. So here are just some quick landscapes, you know nothing fancy. I wish I could say I did them from life, but that's only sort of true. They are from pictures I took. So yes, I saw them in person, documented the occasion, then did some drawings in Prisma. Enjoy

Figures

So recently, I've decided to take up Disney's Consumer Products free figure drawing class.  Unfortunately, it's only Friday during lunch, and always a costumed model, but I shouldn't complain (it is free after all).  It's been good though, trying to get back into the groove.  Ignore all the males faces, because something just wasn't clicking that day.  I'm not saying these are amazing, but at least I'm trying, and that's all that really matters right?

Introducing....

Ami!  First off, what do you think of the names? I really like Ami, but not sure how I feel about Travis. Suggestions? Anyway, slowly but surely, the family is coming together.  I have a pretty clear idea where I want to take the parents, but you know how things can change.  But can you feel the conflict? Delicious!

Turn Arounds

While looking at my concept portfolio, I realized that most of the things in there are "one shots", a basic study, emotions, or maybe just one environment.  I hardly ever flesh out the worlds, with multiple pieces relating to one project, and giving the viewer a sense of mood and what the story is.  I'm working on that though, and I'm starting with the gamer from a few posts back.  I'm going to do more characters/ family member designs, plus some environments and maybe a few props.  Check back to see my progress.

Tree House Revisited

I was looking at my portfolio the other day, and felt like I needed more environments.  Not that this is really an environment, more of a design. Anyway, another realisation is that I need to flesh out pieces in my portfolio.  I have so many things that are just one shots, and not a lot of exploring every aspect of a project, from environments to turn-a-rounds and expressions to prop designs. Well, hopefully I'll have more time to round out some ideas I have.   Tell me what you think.

Reggie...Again

So I finally finished something. I've been so busy at work, and bringing it home, that it's been hard to work on anything personal.  Like the other day, I went on a one day business trip to Utah, to get secret Maya secrets passed on to me. Crazy. Anyway, here is a Reggie painting. I just wanted to play with texture and lighting. Super cute right?