Book Illustrations

Alright, so I have been pecking away at my diminishing free-time and trying to get this book thing to a point I can shop it around (so I can then get back to work on my film). I am not quite half-way through painting the characters. of course, I landed on a method that is neither fast or easy or consistent. so in order to see if I am off base with it, I am posting a work-in-progress on the 'look'. any thoughts?

ready...discuss

lately I have been pre-occupied with the concept of 'appeal' in design and animation. Some people know this word as 'quality' and even more people know this word as aesthetics. to me, its that undefinable concept of what makes a work of art 'good' a purely subjective term that in one sense, can't be defined. but that only suggests that it doesn't exist, when it does in every place we look. I try to get my students to recognize it, strive for it, make it a part of their work from the very start, but without being able to define it, how can I expect them to use it? It's a very complex and vexing situation for me. If anyone has any thoughts on this, let me know. as my train of thought travels down these rails, I will, undoubtedly, add more to this discussion.

cheers

some new backgrounds

and by 'new' I mean, of course, old looking. I did these for a recent job that wanted a limited style of animation. I like working in this manner, it makes me think hard about what is really important to the shot and how to compose it so each element retains its importance. When I add the characters to the shot they become graphic elements as well, and if it works, everything fits and the shot looks more 'populated' than it actually is. I suggest every animator study graphic design in their downtime, it does so much for your sense of space.

Book Art

SO I have finally found some time (how many of my posts begin with that?) to work on painting the illustrations for my children's book manuscript. I have been fiddlin' around with different applications, trying to keep it all digital, and found a process I am happy with. the textures are close to what I want, I think it needs some tweeking here and there, and my sense of color could use a cold, hard slap in the face, but I am on the right track. that track, by the way, is the one diverting me from my film, but I am also doing a little of the film now. more to come?

acceptance!

My film "My Daughter is a Girl!' has been officailly accepted in to two festivals so far! I am waiting to hear on one more. I kept the entries low, not expecting much. but if I had known I would get these ultra cool laurels sent to me, I would have entered anything that I could! can I wear this on my hat?

some early sketches

and here are a few early sketches in the design process. i am not posting all of them. I think I am pretty close on this dude, he may change a bit in the storyboarding process depending on how his acting affects his personality and his 'look'. these earlier ones he is a bit too fat, I think. yes?

latest film designs

so I am currently embroiled in the storyboards for my latest film, tentatively titled 'UnResolved'. but before i can get any of those done, I needed characters, obviously. The story is awesome, and the main character, who does not have or need a name, is kind of a milquetoast, wimpy, but curious dude. He needs to look submissive, but with a scent of wanting to regain control of his life. He is not a killer, not exactly a victim, but not aggressive either. The mosquito still has room for development, I think. He needs an eye at least, but his movement will do more to describe him than an expression will. I cant decide on the hat or any other clothing for him. any opinions?

Color Backgrounds

here are a few of the backgrounds for the Arctic Spot. I designed the background elements, and the very, very talented Jenny Kincaid (thanks Jenny!) painted them digitally.

Storyboard Work

some storyboard panels I did for a cool client. Just a few panels to sell the idea, not enough to really explain the whole spot. you can see these again on my storyboard post,

Layouts

so I've been working lately on some layouts for a NEW spot for Arctic Chiropractic in Alaska. I love the layout stage. I get to pay attention to acting, poses, composition, background design, aesthetic quality, character, and the animatability of the layouts (maybe they can be used as keyframes in some cases. The one with the 'three' bears are the 3 poses I did laid on one BG so you can see the progression of the action. the other one with the family fishing gives an idea of the overlapping and depth of the entire scene. enjoy!

new sketchbookery

These are actually some concept designs for a (let's call it a 'flawed') concept, as is most of my design work these days, tho not all of it flawed, but all of it is proprietary (sp?) so I cant really post images.

but here you go for now!

previous stuff

Just a few more from the (now dormant) Kerplunk site. Check back often for new sketches, designs and thoughts on animation in general and 2D animation, specifically.

Sketchbookery and Designs

As of Friday the 13th, Kerplunk Animation has merged with Mongadillo Studios! Mongadillo is an award winning studio where we will be working on commercials, short films, and developing a boatload of cool properties. I am the Director of Animation, I tried for 'Supreme Allied Commander' but that title is apparently taken.

here are some of the files from the previous version of Kerplunk. check out the Mongadillo link to see waht the awesome studio is all about!

Ottawa!

I just returned from Ottawa a few days ago. I went out for the Television Animation Conference and the festival. I had an amazing time, and I have stories to tell! but that requires typing and I just dont have the where-with-all to type that much right now. but I will, I promise. in the meantime, I have to share this. I ran in to Mo Williams, we have met and hung out prior to this trip. we were waiting for the bus to take us to the picnic. she was with her husband, the amazing and funny, funny Richard Williams ( who I had taken a masterclass from years ago and he thought he recognized my name. how nice of him to lie like that) and teh legend known as John Canemaker. we decidec a cab would be faster, so I got the opportunity to taake 2 cab rides and hang out all afternoon with these legends of animation! I was overwhelmed. They will be in Portland soon and I hope to spend more time with them. I took these pictures, firts, of all threee of them, then growled at myself for not being in the picture! but then I got one of me and John later. they were so funny and genuine. and I promised Mo I would have a dead-on impersonation of her accent by the time she arrives in portland.

oh, and these

these were for a few series pitches I had been working on. one idea is mine and one is for somebody else who is not me. they are both sort of shelved for the time being, as other ideas have received some really great interest form network muckity mucks. I'll post images of those soon, if I can.

other projects

I cant really talk about these, as they are for projects still in th' works, as they say, but I like the way some of these are going....any thoughts?

short film

and then there's this: here is a character for a short film I'm doing called "My Daughter's a Girl". profound, I know. I hope to have screen tests up soon, the animation is nearly done, then the assisting will happen. i met an great animator/director from Rio de Janero ( I know I spelled that wrong) last week named Rodrigo ( we met in Ottawa) and we talked for a long time about style, etc. I love to be inspired by cool animators. the trouble is, a new idea has taken root in my head and I am really, really eager to get started on it! where are we with that cloning thing, anyway?

the other images are development sketches for the film.

my take on it

and here is still form my film. Obviously I had to make up a story, which I admit is not really that clear in the film, but that doesn't really matter, does it?
after teh way-too-long process of cleaning the rough animation, I will paint it.
all while working on my Master's film ( My Daughter is a Girl) and several other freelance projects. so you'll forgive the lack of interesting posts here, as its kind of obvious what I am up to.

here is an image from the film:

one of the films

so I am now in the cleanup stage of one of my films. This one is called 'Acquiesce' and its based on a Klee etching I have always liked. His original etching has no official title, but it has come to be known as 'two men meet each supposing the other to be of higher rank'. here is is original first:

and a pinch to grow on

I just thought I'd throw in this hottie naked soccer mom. she has a lure about her, don'cha think?