All Things Made...

The nape of the neck

2011-12-03T02:30:00.000-05:00

Another late night post:

2011-11-05T01:19:00.000-04:00

Reclined figure painting

2011-11-03T14:58:00.001-04:00

This is it finished. I've come to that point that I know if I add any more to it, I'll ruin it. I'm not 100% in love with this piece. Honestly it looks better in the photograph than in person. But... it's my second finished painting this year. Just gotta tweak the teeth in the squidi painting and that'll make 3. Yay! But for now enjoy this one.

Late night robot girl:

2011-11-03T01:16:00.001-04:00

A quick sketch in marker. Hope you like it. I do!

All Souls Day: Post Halloween

2011-11-01T13:14:00.003-04:00

Should be celebrated with a dance. Here is one that I do believe was choreographed well and executed beautifully. She will eventually have an encore in full color. Enjoy!

It's been a while, I know.

2011-10-24T14:51:00.002-04:00

So I was looking over the old blog recently and noticed that before my last post I skipped a month. I wish I could say that I was working on something awesome, but in reality (as I feel most artists I know) I was actually feeling down to be artistically unemployed for so long. Trudging away in the "real" world for so long starts wearing you down. I feel like I am down to nubs at this point...

Which is why the post. I don't really know you, and you may not even care about me anymore, but here I am to get myself motivated. Even if its something as simple as my competitive edge to get more number of posts this year than last year. Simple, but it can work. I have another painting done. Pictures to go up soon. It's the last one I posted, but with a little more added to it. I'll discuss that one when I put it up. But for today: I went back to figure drawing after, oh I don't know, a year or so of not going. So here are only 2 pages from that session. Not bad, but not great. Gotta keep plugging away. Either way hope you enjoy.

I have been painting

2011-10-21T19:25:00.001-04:00

This is based off a tiny sketch that I took from Liam Murray. This is the second pass at the painting. I'm taking a small break from it tonight, to allow myself to contemplate its future and what the final outcome might be. But either way I like how it stands now. I hope you do too.

Painting again... Final version?

2011-08-30T18:39:00.000-04:00

I went back to the this old painting which has been sitting on my easel for an eternity. Is it done? I don't know. I'm not fully happy with it, but I'm tired of looking at it. I want to move on, so I'll be putting this away. Let me know what you think, what I can do to bring more... something... to it, so that it can be finished proper.

Birthday toast

2011-08-25T10:56:00.001-04:00

It's my birthday, and I made this quick sketch of my midnight birthday toast. Try it, you'll love it!

Maya Animation and the story of heartache...

2011-07-27T13:18:00.004-04:00

As you know by now I took a course on Maya essentials. For said course I had to do a 10 to 20 second animation, based off a toy that I choose. I picked the "Gazillion Bubbles Bug" and proceeded to hate every minute of staring at him and my screen to get even half of his details right, while learning the program. I screamed, I cried, I bitched at the screen, program, on FB and to my husband. BUt I got not only a decent resemblance of the toy, but also a 15 second animation out of it. Just for point of reference on how... hopeful... naive... enthusiastic... and over-acheiving I was at the beginning of class, I am also going to show you the original story boards for what I had conceved as the animation I was going to do.

But first the Animation:

And now my SB's:

Melting Man

2011-07-23T00:44:00.003-04:00

I guess this pic has something to do with the over 100 degree weather we had today, but also cause I felt a little drained right now as well. I feel like it looks a little like a Picasso, but I can't remember which... The Guitar player perhaps? Let me know. Either way, another quick sketch on the computer. I think I may get to liking this drawing on the computer thing after all. I can "undo" "markers" which is great. Maybe I'll finally splurge and get Corel Painter, but we'll see. Hope you like.

"Concept art"

2011-07-20T16:53:00.002-04:00

This is for my project in Maya. Basically it means I got to draw in Sketchbook Pro a couple of cute little trees and color them in Photoshop (cause my Painter "demo" expired). After cursing Photoshop for an hour I remembered everything I needed to do and I like the way it ended up. Hope you do too!

Antique Figure Drawing 2

2011-07-11T13:40:00.002-04:00

Blues and Browns...

That is what I called these when I scanned them in. I was working with 2 Copic markers that are dying and another japanese brush marker that was a mustardy yellow brown. I look at these and I know I still have a lot to learn. I still cheat (which I know all artists do a bit, well actually all humans do it, without it we wouldn't be able to recognize different styles of tables that we encounter, but that is another story) but I shouldn't cheat when I have the figure in front of me. I should just draw what I see. That is the hardest thing to do. Anyway I hope you enjoy these. Finally started playing with the cintiq at home, so maybe I'll have something half-way descent to show you soon. Sorry for the long absence.

Flickr and then some

2011-06-17T01:30:00.003-04:00

So I've been looking into getting myself a new camera. Mostly for Stop Motion, but also for regular photographs. I have a friend who has been quite encouraging with said goal, to the point of lending me his (quite out of my price range, but only if I DON'T win the lotto) camera. With that and my old one I have been putting up a lot of pictures up on Flickr. I had actually opened that account a while ago, but now I'm finally putting it to good use. I'm not sure if I want to use it to showcase my other art, that's why so far it's just my photographs. The good news about all this is that it's been helping my eye in framing. I feel like now I can get a better idea of framing any of my shorts so that they don't look too much like a stage play with wireless puppets and more like an engaging narration. That, I think, is sometimes the hardest thing to learn. The camera is a narration tool, and using it wisely can make or break your story. With that in mind I'm also taking a course in Maya (finally right!), which I know is like going over to the dark side for stop-mo. But basically I want to be able to use my skills in the widest range of mediums to better the animation. Ultimately that is what we all want right? To be better animators or artist or whatever it is that you do and want to be good at. I guess I just take a more wholistic approach which also usually means a longer more round about road. Now without further ado here is a sample of my photos as well as the link to see my Flickr gallery.

Roller Derby Queen

2011-06-08T13:12:00.001-04:00

I have an old photograph of when I won (with my team) the season championships of my derby league. I was thinking about it this morning and it blended in with an image of FLCL. So I sat and drew this image instead. Yes I cheated by only drawing one arm. And yes the skates are off. But regardless I really like the way it has turned out. Hope you like it too.

"Weekend" sketches

2011-05-17T14:26:00.002-04:00

I did these two over the last 2 days, but didn't get a chance to put them up until now. Found an old ziplock bag filled with markers and I'm trying to keep myself limited to just what's in there. Sometimes placing limits frees you up more than having all the freedom in the world. Don't you think?

Sherlock Holmes

2011-05-14T22:56:00.003-04:00

I got you with that title didn't I. Well I saw one of the "new" BBC mini-series of Sherlock Holmes. A scene in that show inspired this... design. It's abstract, and colorful, and a bit random. But a drawing a day needn't be figurative all the time right? Just fill the page and enjoy making marks. If later on it inspires something more thought out, even better. Just be free.

Friday the 13th

2011-05-13T13:49:00.004-04:00

Not really inspired by the day yet. Still just trying to wake up. Maybe if blogger gets going again you'll see this and enjoy.

A new sketchbook

2011-05-13T00:07:00.000-04:00

And new sketches to go with it. There are 68 pages in it. I will not use the first or last page. So that leaves 66 pages front and back. 132 drawings to fill the book. That's about 4 months of drawings to fill the book, with one drawing every day. Here's to hoping, and finishing another book. Fingers crossed.

An old GIANT puppet that I found

2011-04-22T12:47:00.004-04:00

photos of and I helped to build. The client eventually changed their mind and they had to redo the entire thing. But it was fun to help build and set up. I even have a funny story about it. I got a bruise on my thumb from all the cardboard I had to cut to help build it. The scissors I used had a really hard, non-ergonomic handle, that put repeated pressure on my thumb. When I asked the pharmacist if an arthritis finger pressure wrap would help, so that I could continue cutting on day two, she asked if I got the bruised thumb from texting. Ah, to still look so young!

Anyway, enjoy the photos as they show some of the fun we had in building and setting it up for shooting.

So this is how he stood at the end of the day, with the "3D" cardboard words the were going to be stop-frame animated with us as the "models". See those shingles. Hand cut, stapled and glued cardboard and fabric, made by yours truly.

First photo of the yeti being changed. They didn't like the shingles. Bah humbug.
as he stood after the "de-shingling". Cute right?
His arms are too long. Sorry yeti, need to amputate those arms.

His final phase. Framed by the paper set, with tissue water and ice. And here are the final clips:

Movistar Patinaje, Movistar Flamenco, and Movistar Cueva.

Remember me?

2011-04-20T21:25:00.001-04:00

I started this puppet head over a year ago. She was meant for a body that had been made as practice and had sat forgotten. When I tried to put them together... they didn't work. So she sat aside forgotten as well. Today I started working on the torso figure, recently acquired, and saw her once again. I have decided to use her for lip-synch and facial expressions. So a proportional bust was made, and the third bobble on the back of her head removed. She should be closer to use, possibly tomorrow or soon after.

About the torso, a couple of technical issues have arisen. I will take tonight to think them over and start tackling her once I've figured them out.

I also noticed that I have no male puppets. I think I may need to correct that soon enough.

Either way, enjoy.

What you see in front of you:

2011-04-18T22:37:00.001-04:00

Is madness! But also my next project. I was at Micheal's picking up paper for a framing project and I saw this pre-made form. Instantly I had an idea how she would move, the possibilities of the world she'd inhabit, and I knew I'd have to take her home. So tonight and tomorrow, I will give her arms, legs, and a more solid personality. And soon... soon you will see her LIVE!

Weird drawing of the day

2011-03-29T14:48:00.001-04:00

Hadn't drawn in a while. Been doing a lot of knitting and writing, and thinking lately. So I decided that I needed to put some pencil to paper. I tried to leave my wrist and arm loose, let the lines dictate the form and figure. Play with the palominos some, their ability to make good markings are an inspiration all alone. May continue with other similar figures on this page throughout the rest of the day, but work with my WC pencils instead. Let's put some color on this baby! Either way, hope you enjoy.

Antique Figure Drawing

2011-03-01T20:30:00.005-05:00

So I was looking through some old sketchbooks as I try to continue keeping my workspace organized and I found these old figure drawings that I had meant to scan but I never did. To be honest it is a lot of them, so I will only be placing a couple on today. And actually anytime that I don't have another update for whatever project I happen to be working on I will continue to do so as well. The first set are some pen and ink stuff, that i liked the way they came out.

Enjoy:

PS: an old friend of mine also reminded me of a throw down challenge I had given him on FB late last summer, but we both got to busy with other stuff to do it. It is the redesign of a couple of DC characters that we love that will be voted upon by our peers. I will be posting those up here as well, so be sure to check in and vote soon.

End of Phase 1

2011-02-15T14:46:00.007-05:00

So I took one during and one "end of phase one" picture of the painting. I'm sure it won't look any different to you, or at least that much, but the first part to finishing this painting for me was getting away from the watered down paint layer. The colors are brighter and more solid. Next phase will be to bring in the detail work on the skull and squid. I mostly chose this image because I wanted to work with color and swirls. Yeah I know that sounds weird, but I like the feel of the brush as it swirls... it flows for me. And skulls are cool. Give me a day or two and I will have more "behind the scenes" of this painting.

Enjoy!

PS the color will be weird on these photographs because I am using a special truColor light to help me paint, but it reflects of the white skull during photography. For the final photo I will be sure to correct that, but for now, it's all good.

At home with paints

2011-02-10T12:01:00.002-05:00

This is my home studio now more organized, swept and ready to go. Just thought I'd give you an idea of where I work, since I showed you my traveling studio in Ireland. Today I start the painting. Wish me luck!

Next!

2011-02-08T11:16:00.002-05:00

This painting I started a couple of years ago in Ireland. I got frustrated half way through it because I had purchased a cheap beginners acrylic paint set and the colors kept washing out. Basically not enough pigment in the tube. So I brought it home with the hopes of finishing it here in NY, but it never happened. I just placed it on my easel and ignored it.

Today I am setting up my work space (which a while ago became more of a cluttered storage space than an art space), so that I may finish it. I will be painting again, and building again, and animating again. I vow to no longer ignore this art of mine. I think it was the drive to digital that did it for me. I LOVE the smell, feel, and touch of paint and pencils and paper and canvas. I love ending the day covered in plaster, or paint, or glue, or with tiny little cuts from xacto knives (well maybe not the cuts, but glue gun burns, how I laugh at thee!). I am physical! That is why I couldn't finish my computer animation courses. I didn't want to do my art in only the theoretical sphere of virtual images. Where the only proof of a long day at work, was sore eyes, sore neck and back, and a wider derrière. Where walking down the street people know you only by the slumped walk and the hollow eyes of a computer nerd....

But I digress. I know it's not like that. And with Cyntiqs and faster and better computers, well I can see how much faster and better it can be. But you can't take away the joy I get from walking into an oil studio and smelling the paint and turpentine. And so I paint. And build. And continue to animate in the physical realm. That is my joy, and hopefully it's partly yours too.

Don't worry boys and girls, more to come very soon. Until then, go get dirty and have fun doing it!

C'est Fini

2011-01-23T17:58:00.002-05:00

The painting... finished. The hair didn't come out great, nor Ok. But I've decided that I'm finished. I can continue, and continue and continue, but that may mean that I'll just mess it up. I think I got the face good enough for me after so many days, months, and years of not painting. Actually, I do believe that this may be my best self-portrait in all the years that I've done them. That makes me happy. Oh by the way the warmth of the painting compared to the other versions is due to the yellow light indoors. It's been to foggy in Ireland lately to paint outside. Fingers crossed for next time.

Now on to the next one.

Which after some deliberation from friends, neighbors and random strangers stopped on the street are going to be "studies" of other more famous and known painters and paintings. I am quite excited about this.

Don't worry boys and girls, there is loads more to come!

Today's studio space

2011-01-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous sunlight and warmth today. So painting outside!

Paint, paint, and more paint

2011-01-17T12:22:00.003-05:00

So the right is half way through the painting process yesterday as I started trying to get the portrait better. I also wanted to show it to you as well as showing where I ended yesterday so that you can't say that I just started another painting, instead of working over the first one. It's interesting to see them both side to side.

I think it definitely looks like an improvement, as I have "remembered" how to manipulate the paint a bit more, though still not with the confidence I remember I once had. I did stop the other day though because though I painted my face a bit better, I wanted to "style" my hair for the "final" painting so that I looked all pretty and dolled up. No one says that I'm not vain, so I may as well look my best. Though lets be honest I do have a worried look on my face as I paint, more from concentration that anything else. I'm happy where I finished and can't wait to take the time tomorrow to place the last couple of details and then maybe sketch out the next painting. Only 9 more to go!

Traveling studio space

2011-01-16T08:17:00.001-05:00

Here is the "studio space" I'm working with. The other day I was set up outside. Today due to the typical Irish weather I've been brought indoors. A couple of corrections lines as promised and now off to paint.

First painting 2011....

2011-01-15T11:37:00.002-05:00

So I haven't painted in years as you can tell. And on top of that I decided to do a portrait... self-portrait. It's BAD... REAL BAD. But I thought that maybe you can see the progress over time. My nose is off, the eyes not only off but cartoony, among other things. I'm hoping that in the next couple of days to "fix" it, that way I can "remember" my painting technique.

I'm using acrylics on paper and I love the texture the paper gives. I know that by the time I am done all that texture will be gone, but that's the nature of plastic, which is as we know all that acrylics is. I almost wish I had brought oils with me to be able to work the paint better, but acrylics are more forgiving (not going muddy so fast and keeping their pigment longer). Also I can wait a day and practically start over.

Tonight I will draw the basic portrait lines of eyes/nose/mouth, and start painting over this one. I feel like you can see that I have an IDEA of what I need to do with this one, but obviously technique is not yet there. That and I may need better and smaller brushes for some of the tiny details.

I actually can't wait to see how this progresses. And then maybe do some more. The acrylic paper pad I brought with me has 10 sheets. I have 2 weeks left. Here's to hoping that the pad is complete by the time I get back. Finger's crossed.

My giant tabi sock

2010-12-05T22:10:00.001-05:00

So here it is. My first attempt at a sock, done in the toe down method. It is massive. Giant! It'll be a Christmas sock of course. But it was fun to make and I can't wait to make a human sized pair.

Belated Halloween Card Sketches

2010-11-09T14:03:00.001-05:00

I had sketched out a couple of ideas for a Halloween post that I was unable to clean up. Here they are. Hope you like, and that you all had a great Halloween!

Hidden Danger

2010-11-03T20:43:00.000-04:00

A quick animation that I just did. Just trying to remind you that YES I still animate. On occasion. Enjoy.

Hands, Feet, and Batgirl

2010-10-29T13:40:00.000-04:00

Took a moment the other day to practice hands and feet (something every artist should do every so often) because I noticed that my "technique" had been lacking. I think I need to keep practicing.

Then I drew Batgirl because.... well cause she's awesome.

Enjoy!

Late Night Sketching

2010-10-21T23:27:00.000-04:00

Been trying to loosen up my thoughts and drawings lately and so I've been allowing myself to wander a bit more within my sketches. I want to go back to painting again, but a blank canvas now scares me more than a blank page. So I sketch potential ideas that usually stay as such, but it allows me to be more free. Besides, going to NYCC this year reminded me how much I used love comics and be inspired by them, so I've been flipping through a lot of my old ones. My "themes" almost always seem the same, but sometimes I guess you just have to get it out of your system.

Again sorry for the bad photo, but it being late night, didn't feel like firing up the old compu/scanner to get it done right. Soon though, and more color.

By the by, these were done with my fave new pencils, the Palomino's. They've reminded me why I used to like drawing in pencil again.

In Honor of NY Comicon...

2010-10-08T13:41:00.000-04:00

I bring you 4 quick sketches of Harley Quinn in various Japanese incarnations. Vote on your favorite one and I'll clean her up, colorize her, and display her for the world to see.

PS: sorry about the darkness, this is from a quick phone photo.

Enjoy!

Character Animation

2010-05-18T10:42:00.006-04:00

I did this with a digital camera and no Stop Motion capturing software. In a way this was old school, like film, where I hoped that my timing was right as I was shooting it since I wouldn't know until after the fact. No onion skinning or toggle cheats for me. As you can see it's still really fast, but even with "mistakes" like this one I can learn a lot.

My latest animation

2010-04-19T00:07:00.002-04:00

This is another quick animation that I did a couple of days ago. I used the only 2 puppets that I have finished (the others if you recall are in various stages of creation) and decided that having them fight wold be a lot of fun. Other than that though, I really had no set plan as to what exactly they would do. I love it when puppets decide on their own what they will do and truly come to life. I hope you enjoy it to!

Back to the old standard

2010-04-15T12:53:00.004-04:00

Started going to figure drawing again after much time off. Here are some old standards for you to gaze upon.

Do artists read other artists blogs?

2010-04-07T10:47:00.003-04:00

Or do they just go to look at the pretty pictures and either marvel at the audacity of amazing talent or mock the un-initiated "to the realities that is ART"?

I was looking at all the blogs I follow, and thinking of all the blogs that I have had recommended to me from friends and I noticed a pattern. Both in me and in their recommendations. They tend to only recommend things in which they believe will help round out, embellish, inspire, and continue my own art, usually with styles either very similar to my or their own work. I, on the other hand, look for weird blogs that don't look a thing like my own work, have a load of writing and usually use materials that are different from my own. I also seem to look for artists that are not from the states, not because I don't like them or think they have nothing to contribute, but more because I see american art everyday. How often can I see what Europe, Asia, or South America (I still haven't found many African or Middle Eastern art blogs, suggestions?) is doing?

Now I am also new to the whole "blogosphere" as well as to virtual connections thing (yes this blog itself is a couple of years old, and I did have another blog before this, but wait for my point) so I have not made many friends online, nor many connections. I am old fashioned that I like to be able to shake someones hand, look them in the eye and spend an evening chatting with them, before trying to be too friendly online. There is a decorum that I do not posses, and my constant annoyance at some peoples inability to use full words and phrases probably doesn't help with my need to connect. That being said I've noticed that there is a shotgun affect going on with your work in the virtual world. Try to get it on as many sites as possible to get more traffic, and thus more connections. What about the quality of those connections? I am not looking to have the highest number of "friends" around, I am looking for a nice thick hand full of fellow artists that I can show with, possibly collaborate with and generally mutually inspire. Is that unheard of in this day and age?

OK so the point of this blog was to question the reason artists blog. Why do they put their work out there? Is it for fame? exposure? inspiration? connections?Are artist inherently both exhibitionistic and voyeuristic? But also to question why artist look at blogs. I've heard of some artists spending the first couple of moments of their day (whether it be minutes or hours) looking at other blog before moving on to create their own art. Is that ow you use your blog time?

But for those of you who only look at the pretty pictures.... here you go:

Puppet Head Take 2

2010-04-02T13:59:00.002-04:00

So I kept fiddling with the eyes and the head, and making small modifications to this that and whatever, and when I started making the clothe covering for her head, something kept nagging at me. It took me a week to figure out what that was. What was bothering me and making me feel like something was wrong? Take a look at the picture above and tell me if you can figure it out.

Did you figure it out?

The head is half the size of the body! It is huge and would be really difficult to animate as a full puppet. So I decided she will be my close-up head to practice lip synch. AND I've started on another head, more proportional than the original. Her features are off a little, but I like that. I have a personality already, so now it's more like a sculptor figuring out what the physical being looks like to match that personality. I'm having fun again (is that a requirement? Yes if it's your personal project I think) and it feels like she is really being born. Growing.

I have her first scene decided already in my head, just have to time it out, see where my accents hit and finish her. She will be interacting with the spider from the previous animation, so you can count on a cameo of him.

Oh, and if you say that the 2 heads look completely different its because they are. The bigger head will NOT be the CU of the smaller puppet: more puppets, more people to play with, don't you think?

Some old figure drawings

2010-03-27T22:44:00.001-04:00

I was looking through an old sketchbook and came across these. It's
been a while since I did any real figure drawing, but I thought these
were good.

Enjoy!

The body and head con't

2010-03-25T12:40:00.001-04:00

Here is the body that I started last year. The reason that that this particular puppet was put aside for so long was because of the way I had wanted to do her eyes. I and now building her hair and will be adding the eyes and eyelids soon. The funny thing is that I can't seem to find the sketchbook that I designed her in, so she is really in a way a redesign. All I remembered where her eyes, which I guess were very important to me. I think originally i was going to give her a movable mouth, but that has been scrapped. I like her being silent and really emoting with her eyes. Hopefully I'll have her finished soon, and you will all be able to see her act soon. Still no suggestions for names? So sad to see a person come to life without a name....

New puppet being born

2010-03-21T17:56:00.001-04:00

I started to finish (funny no?) a puppet that I designed over a year ago. Especially since she will now have playmate with my spider. More pictures as she progresses, as well as more animation, coming soon.

This picture is the head and eyes in progress. I think they are sufficiently creepy.

Anyone has suggestions for names?

All 6 Seconds as one Movie!

2010-02-08T16:04:00.004-05:00

As promised, here are all 3 dailies in 1 film. A grand total of 6 seconds! Enjoy.

Spider End

2010-02-05T18:15:00.002-05:00

So this is the last part of this animation. I may do more next week, depending on my schedule, but either way I will try to splice this together over the weekend. Enjoy!

Spider Nest Take 2

2010-02-05T16:12:00.003-05:00

Here is the spider taking the egg (did you get that last time? What with all my lighting and aperture changes and whatnot). The legs again get a little jittery, but I think they sorta work here. So far I'm pretty happy with what's coming out. I can't wait to see this thing all spliced together!

Spider Walk from the Beginning

2010-02-05T12:37:00.003-05:00

I started over today. Using the auto-toggle button, and the spider walk cycle research ( I was on the right path, just not quite getting it). It still slides a little (missed a couple of movements with the back legs), but I think it is a vast improvement from yesterday. At the rate I'm going I may have my full scene shot today! I'll post as soon as each 50 frame segment is complete.

Oh, and I fiddled a little with the camera settings through Dragon (nice feature), added some white dry brush and a soft spotlight as well. This way you should be able to tell what the spider is grabbing. Do you know what it is?

Spider Nest

2010-02-04T14:33:00.005-05:00

So I switched from shooting on two's over to ones with this one. I thought I had the walk down better, but I think I was wrong. I found the Auto-Toggle button on Dragon and I think my animation improved. Can you tell when I found it?

Dragon Trial is only 50 frames

2010-02-04T12:03:00.005-05:00

Why am I telling you this? Because I now have to limit how I shoot, shoot multiple takes and then try to string them together afterward to get proper continuity.

Here is my first 50 frames:

I really didn't know how I was going to make the spider walk. And well I am not 100% happy with said walk, especially not the beginning, but it's movement and animation and I'm finally starting to get things done. I may start over to get proper movement down, and I may have to switch some of the lighting since some details are missing. Hope you enjoy.

Really quick Animatic/Beat Board

2010-02-03T16:34:00.004-05:00

So I've been working on a quick practice animation and ended up designing this spider and background. I wanted to start full animation today, but realized that I really had no clue as to what I was gonna make it do. So here is a quick beat board type thing to help me figure out movement, layout and "story". Hope you like it. You'll get full dailies tomorrow.

Enjoy.

Hip shakin' 2

2010-02-01T12:16:00.004-05:00

I just noticed how bad that photo was for the original post, dark and not really showing all the colors nor lines. Here is is the way it'd look in my sketchbook. I have a couple more stuff to show a little later this week, so keep your eye out for it!

Hip Shakin'

2010-01-22T17:49:00.001-05:00

The other day it was quiet in the studio and so I had time to do this really quick sketch. I've been in this "exotic look" kick recently and so I liked the movement of this quick hip shake. I was playing around with the copic brush markers (of which pink is my new addition) and I threw some watercolor and colored pencils on top of them. I think that she really worked out. I had told myself that I was gonna scan her in so that you can see the colors better than this quick pic on my phone, but I also knew that there was a good chance that by waiting, you may never have the chance to see her at all.

Enjoy everyone.

A Single Bulb....

2010-01-21T10:49:00.001-05:00

So with all the changes from last year, one of them had been the Studio's move to a bigger space late last year and the beginning of this year. At one point I stood in the empty old space staring out to the hallway after the sun had gone down and waiting for the movers to grab the last couple of things left. We had left one last lamp without its cover to help illuminate the job.

I was left alone for a while with an image, simple but perfect in its own right. And I tried my best to commit it to memory since I didn't have a camera with me that could capture the subtlies of the light. And as I stood in that empty studio, looking at this perfect moment I was left realizing that I will always be an artist. I may not always see the world as potential images, moments to be captured, but I can see one when it is placed in front of me and then my mind goes wild. all the possibilities all the way that scene could have been used: as inspiration to a written story, a movie, a comic, a lone painting..... I spent almost as much time thinking reasons behind it (other than the real actual reason that had me standing there) that could have been used for it, with it.....

I digress, well not really. That was my point. A non-artist (and I am using artist loosely for all types, styles, forms of creative person) would have just been bored and played sudoku on their phone waiting for the night to end and let them go home.

In hopes that people actually read this blog, I give you a question: Can you tell me of your last perfect artistic moment that made you wish it wouldn't end because you knew the possibilities were endless?

It's the New Year Extravaganza Post!

2010-01-11T18:15:00.002-05:00

The last quarter of last year had a lot of changes for me. I think I am only getting used to them now. I started a new job, as you may have guessed. Working in a local NYC animation Studio that does stop-motion. Within that work environment I have seen some well needed changes in me that were a long time over due. For one, I feel more inspired to do my own work. On my daily commute I see things that though they may have been there the entire time, feel more available to me for inspiration.

I have a start of a series of sculptures that I may be posting sketches for soon, but at currently only 2, don't feel like they are enough. Besides I should make small scale mock-ups so that you may better understand what is in my head.

I have also reconnected with an old HS friend that still feverishly creates work. We have been trying to plan an Art Jam (a la music) in which we paint for 1 hole day together and feed off each other's artistic vibes. That still hasn't happened but again it has been pretty hectic.

Interestingly I have been both drawing more and yet less. More in the sense that I will feel compelled to pull out my sketchbook at various times, yet less because with the drawing classes that I had been taking, the number of pages and drawings were greater.

I also realized I neglected to post up pictures of my knitting. Why is this relevant you ask? Because this blog is supposed to be about whatever I make with my hands creatively. Knitting is one of them, as well as I want to incorporate it more into my art and sculpture. Besides this past summer I made this shawl/sweater thing that if I do say so myself looks great. I have to add sleeves and turn it into a proper sweater for me to be able to wear it, but the pattern looks really good.

This turn for more work production in my life makes me think back on the those old HS/College days, in which we had to create everyday and by connecting with classmates you helped each other through the dry spells and rough spots. Even when you felt you got bad critiques from teachers it still helped build this sense of creativity that seems to get lost sometimes when you leave and go out in the big bad world. Though I know not everyone will agree with me, I feel a youthful drive of inspiration that was sorely lacking in the past couple of years, once you had to start worrying about rent, food, and bills. And yet with this pause that I had in my creative life, I feel as if my work has grown more. The themes though similar feel they have a maturity and depth that I was striving for in my younger years that can actually ONLY be brought about through life, experiences, and change.

I hope that everyone that looks at this blog can see the difference, or I may just need to post a HS/College/Now comparison post to see.

Hope the new year has been good to you so far. More pictures to come soon. So keep coming back!

UNC: Minds on a Mission

2009-12-28T11:26:00.005-05:00

So this is the spot that the globe was created for as well as various other props.

UNC: Minds on a Mission.

I also helped the animator out by being his hand model and all I learned from being animated myself was amazing. I had doped that this year I'd have some of my animation on this blog ready for you all to see, but alas that has not come to pass. I have a week off, so that i may animate, and i will be posting an "End of the Year" post soon, with a lot of interesting insights into this past year in art.

For now, enjoy some animation.

The Creation of the World

2009-12-08T21:54:00.010-05:00

So the title should speak for itself.

This was one of the first projects that I had to do for Dancing Diablo, based off of my boss's design of how to create a globe out of cardboard. The animation is complete and it is currently in post. The color was continually tweaked until animation day so the final will probably not look like this, but it is still one of my favorite projects. I was very happy that I was aware enough to take these pictures after every stage. It looks cool to see it come together. Hopefully before the new year I'll be able to show you the spot. For scale look at those tape dispensers on the bottom holding the globe up. Nice, no?

Some "behind the scenes" for PNC:

2009-12-01T00:14:00.012-05:00

Minature town set for Act 3.

Green screen shooting of kids.

Goose costume before added feathers and sewing on head.

Drummer's drum set with cymbal.

Pogo stick for the leaping Lord. Un-used because the Lord was the same size as the pogo.

Drumsticks and feet for the leaping Lord Pogo stick trick.

Working twisted lamppost.

Head to the calling bird, as worn by it's maker: Jason Villegas.

Partridge head/body , made by me.

Swan wings as worn by it's maker: Kara.

One of my spots has gone LIVE

2009-11-30T16:40:00.003-05:00

So I've been working on various spots for Dancing Diablo as of late, as you may know from my DNA (more to come soon).

One of the first to be completed that I helped on from start to finish has finally gone live. It is the PNC Winter Numberland in which PNC Bank calculates the price of christmas based on the song of "the 12 days of christmas" (which happens to be my favorite xmas song). It was a really fun, cool, interesting piece with great Art Design. The shoot (which happened the day after halloween) ended up being just as much fun as creating all the great pieces. Notice the purple lamppost on the right, that was life size and it really took a lamp in it. Too bad it died on the trip to the shoot and back to the studio... I wanted to keep it and take it home with me. Next time.

What I've been up to: Evolution of DNA

2009-11-23T00:36:00.007-05:00

I've been working at an animation studio that has a client that asked for a model of DNA. We thought first to make it out of paper as such:

But i don't think it really worked. Didn't say DNA. So we went another route, cutting out small slivers into each strip of paper before folding it, so it looked as such:

But the client didn't like that one. They wanted it to look more realistic (if a model of DNA can ever truly be realistic). And so after thinking it over much I remembered how cutting cardboard on a diagonal and twisting it, it would stay twisted, I made this:

I think it is the best one... and so did the client.

This is what I have been up to lately. Working with a studio that allows me to make things, build things and paint things. I haven't really been drawing much, but I've been a whole lot more creative than I have been in a while. I did have to do a series of basic illustrations as a child, and construction of a man running (this I will be throwing into iMovie? or Final Cut Express? later and making an animatic of).

I so much more to show, but this is a teaser for now. Enjoy.

Found Art

2009-10-20T08:16:00.001-04:00

I was on my way home late last night and as I was exiting my local
subway station I found this. 2 young girls looked at it, laughed and
said diresively "someone was really bored" and walked out without
another glance. My instict as you could tell was to capture it, since
I was fairly certain that this morning it would not be there. Either
through "vandalism" or through an MTA "cleanning" crew.
This brought a smile to my face after a long day, and I was saddened
at the young girls' indefference.

Color Gestures

2009-10-12T13:44:00.005-04:00

Here are some of the color sketches from that same drawing night, with the same model. The reddish one I put up because I liked the way the hips came out.

Tomorrow more class, so this friday more drawings.

Enjoy.

2 In 1 week, WOW!

2009-10-08T10:38:00.006-04:00

So Life drawing started up again this week, and I got some interesting poses done. Our model was a flamboyant dancer with an awesome kimono and a hot pink jacket. His poses switched from overly pretzely to static and simple. The first 2 are during the one minute poses and I made myself draw in pen so that I couldn't cheat: just draw what you see quickly. The pencil ones are from the 2 minutes, when I felt I had warmed up some. Later I may post up some color sketches from the longer 3-5 minute poses, but for now enjoy these.

Its been interesting to see how I develop as an artist lately. Trying my hand back at painting, seeing the things I make by hand come to life and actually taking time to develop stories that occur to me as I go about my day. I've also begun to notice age playing a part in it. It's sad to say that though I may have lost some of my youthful vigor, I feel the final outcome of the few pieces that I do produce are of a much better quality than before. Besides, I am no longer obsessed with this hollywood/stylized ideal of what it is to be an artist. Most of my pretensions, I am happy to say, have been lost along with my youth. I sound like I think I'm and old hag, but I definitely don't feel like a kid anymore. What can you do? Your only as old as you think you are...

It's been a while, but welcome to October!

2009-10-06T13:10:00.002-04:00

So I never meant to ignore the Blog for so long, but a lot has happened in these past weeks. I won't bore you with the details, just give a small glimpse of one of the last actually scannable images I did in my sketchbook.

I sat outside in the large patio of a german style beer hall drinking oktoberfest, and chatting with friends. All artists of course so after about a third of the way through out first mug (litre sized mugs at that), we all whipped them out and started sketching. Its amazing how we can't seem to go more than a couple of minutes before someone starts drawing.

I'm getting to like the thinness of my sketchbook pages. There is something nice about the ghost images that drawings on the other side of the page leave. I think it's freeing me to do looser drawings... since they won't look great anyway with random lines/colors running through them, that it doesn't matter how nice/well placed my drawings are. And the yellow color of the pages lets me believe that this can be some exotic travel journal from a bygone era. Or I'm just feeling a bit fanciful today. Who knows?

Enjoy. More to come as always.

Grafton St and a Small Self-Portrait

2009-09-18T11:21:00.002-04:00

Here are 2 quick sketches. One is on Grafton street looking down from the second floor balcony of Beweley's and watching the people go by. And above is a quick sketch of a self portrait that I did and then colored in Photoshop. Yes Photoshop. I'm trying to get back to actually looking, because I had drawn so many self portrait in HS that I was able to draw my face without actually looking at it anymore. Getting past the natural tendency of the brain to simplify what you see into symbols, and actually SEE what is in front of me has been actually tougher than it seems. So I hope you all enjoy, and I WILL be posting up a series of self portraits so that hopefully you'll be able to see the progression of my skills.

The Devil... no God... is in the Details

2009-09-11T15:43:00.004-04:00

So on my second day in Dublin (but my third.. fourth time there) I FINALLY got to see the book of Kells. After much drama to get there and waiting in a longer line than I expected, I was finally led into the exhibit that houses the book. Since photography was not allowed I pulled out my sketchbook and start drawing. I guess most tourist don't expect anyone to record memories/sights in such a manor anymore, because I drew a small crowd. In my uncomfortable limelight I drew as quickly as possible. I was though unable to actually draw from the book of kells... to many people crowding around and trying to see. I was able to sketch another illuminated manuscript from Ethiopia. Still amazing to see, and I wished I could have a small moment (even if it meant wearing a bio suit, to not damage it) and hold both books in my hand and replicate what I saw myself. The detailed masterpieces that was in each square inch of illustration was amazing. I was unable to keep from wishing (slightly) that I could have been one of those monks, sitting and drawing such wonderous things. It almost makes me jealous.

I've always admired artist ability to render and create details in their art. Every time I try, I end up losing out on the big picture and the overall piece ends up laking something. But I can't ignore that some of the best work... the work that I want to put up on my walls... are the ones in which the artist thought hard and diligently on each pencil mark/brush stroke/ square inch of that piece. And I'll just keep plugging away at my attempts to not be ADHD like and move on to the next piece, just because this one has gotten tedious while trying to make it match as closely as possible to my mind.

The Devil IS in the details... because that is where he tries to make you loose focus and not finish your next greatest masterpiece. And God is there when you do.

Abbey Street: Sketch vs Snap.

2009-09-05T10:50:00.003-04:00

When I go to Ireland I usually stay near a small village called Crusheen. The nearest actual town is Ennis. In Ennis they have a street aptly named Abbey Street, which always feels to me as the actual entrance to the town. Now the reason that it's called abbey St, is because at its base there is a ruined abbey that is... oh I don't know.... more than a couple hundred years old. Every other time i had gone there it was under "construction", making a welcome center to the ruins and such, so i could only see it through tall fences. This time i was finally able to walk the grounds (for a price of course!)

The funny thing was that for all my huff and puff of making sure I brought the camera from NY and got it a new awesome HUGE memory card, on this particular day I forgot it at home (back in Crusheen), and so I HAD to sketch.

Now I've read other sketch journals in which the artists say its better to draw the location they're at, to get a better feel/idea/memory of the place. And i've always thought that was a romantic way of looking at travel... You know back when going anyway required at least 2 weeks travel time on boat or train. when you went away it was usually for at least 2 months, and your family and friends had to cope with the very real possibility that you may never return, having caught some exotic illness.

But with my love of photography and all those new nifty digital cameras, I never really did. I lamented my camera's inability to shoot proper macro, as i fell in love with the intricacies of how the moss grows over the stone and the shadow the overlooking tree is making it pop. I would see my trips as a series of compositions with light, color and dimension/focus being played with, and "natural" posing with my friends and family.

All that being said.... I forgot the simple pleasure of perching myself up on a raggedy old rock (that should by modern logic just tumble off with the slightest pressure put on it), and trying to figure out how the place was constructed. Actually LOOK at the location, and not just its compositional elements, but see the overall shape, size, texture of the place. Really think about how time changed the color of the stones, wore away old inscriptions, and let nature reclaim most of it back.

I don't think I could ever be rid of my camera while traveling. But taking small moments and drawing what I see (usually in an uncomfortable position) and getting down a feel for the place (that try as i might i can't get with photographs), i think i have just discovered in myself. Viva the ability to draw!

Emerald Isle Bookends

2009-09-02T11:50:00.005-04:00

So i'm bookending my trip in images. The first is the sunset as seen from above the clouds in the plane ride over there.

The second is the day of my birthday sitting outside enjoy some sun and sketching what i see.

I did some really great sketches while over there. Maybe not super detailed, but enjoyable to do, see, and show. I met really great artist also and had an over all good time.

Tomorrow images drawn quickly from Trinity college and the Book of Kells. Enjoy as always.

60th Post Spectacular!

2009-08-30T08:22:00.003-04:00

Here are some quick sketches of the last figure drawing class i went to, before going on vacation.

I was able to go see the ACTUAL Book of Kells and i must say it was amazing. Those drawings will be scanned and posted in a couple of days, with better commentary.

These though are some of the best from that particular class. i don't know if i was tired or the model didn't click with me, but i have about 10 pages of no goods in my sketch book. I did my best. Enjoy anyway.

On Art, Zen, and Silence

2009-08-13T12:28:00.003-04:00

My Husband left to visit the in-laws a couple of weeks ago and I've been noticing a couple of things about myself in his absence. I want to say that I've re-found my inner-voice, but actually quite the opposite. I'm beginning to realize the pleasure I receive from silence. I spend most of my day to day work life talking and being social (it actually is part of my duties), that finding small moments of silence is a relief. I don't mean silence as in switching off the TV, radio, and closing the windows. I mean just not talking for the sake of talking and not listening just because there is noise. I find the silence of doing the dishes in an empty house enjoyable (and i hate doing dishes!).

Maybe this is a form of "moving meditation", because even though i think, i think of nothing. Thoughts wander in and out and i feel contented that i can be silent. After such moments it makes me think of those articles about "finding time for silence", where you have to practice it. You know, tell your friends and family that for 24 hours you will refrain from talking. It becomes a big deal and an inconvenience to everyone involved. Talk if you must, but when alone just stop.

Now what does this have to do with art?

You can take the same approach to art. Listen tot the inner critic, but don't necessarily respond to it. Be silent and just let the line work. let the drawing happen, and if the image isn't right, try again. I've gotten my most profound leaps of skill with this method. It's like when astrophysicists say they spend days/weeks/months/years trying to solve a problem, but the day they decide to give up, that night their dreams figure it out for them. and thus they can continue in the process. That's how it can be with the pencil/pen/brush.

So this is how it goes:

You listen to the critiques (wether your own, or other peoples); You think it over (trying to process all this new information); You shut up (stop thinking about it, don't listen to the same critiques over and over again); Then just do (just do it, like the Nike ad!)

And what does this have to do with Zen?

Well by accepting (and this is going to sound new age-y and cliched) the noise around you but not necessarily contributing to it, you end up striking a balance. Like the reed in the water (one of my favorite metaphors). The noise bends you one way or the other, but never breaks you. and for not straining to remove yourself from the noise, not make more noise yourself, you don't rip your own roots out! Does that make sense? Zen is about learning to be present in every single moment. and in this day and age and culture of city life, it's hard to find silence. But even if i lived in the country I'd still hear: winds, animals, plants, rain, etc. and those noises can be just as distracting. So learning to allow the noise to be around you, but not necessarily affect you... learning to shut up every so often both internally and externally, without the need to lock yourself up in a padded room or box, will, I think, make you calmer and thus happier. And who doesn't want to be happy?

Late night doodlings

2009-08-11T14:01:00.004-04:00

So I've taken some advice, and started drawing from the TV. Pausing it when necessary to get the face down right and practicing faces. But also just drawing for the sake of drawing. Whatever i see in front of me (like my tiny plush Mayor from Halloween-town). I feel like I'm getting more confident with them since the ones in pen came out great (at least in my opinion). I'm mostly watching the Daily Show, and the History channel, so if some faces look familiar, you know why (and if I did catch their names i wrote them down next to the heads).

I must say though, that its becoming fun. I think i fall into the trap of most artists after they leave school and that's they get stale, and start comparing themselves to professionals with decades in the field. Now I'm not saying there is anything necessarily wrong with that (it can motivate you to become better), but depending on your composition, it can also become discouraging. And though doing the blog rounds CAN be inspiring, depending on the day, you may just want to throw up the pencil/pen/brush/wacom and call it quits. I know i have.

By the by, These 2 pages are from this nice square sketchpad from NY Central. It's the perfect size for right next to the bed and late night doodling, sketching. I need a bulldog clip to keep it closed, and since no spiral no back of page drawings, but i'm enjoying the challenge. No need to feel like you need to fill up every bit of space. and it has a nice tooth in case you want to add more shading/texture.

Either way, enjoy the pictures, and I'll have more for you in a couple of days.

Another Full Sketch Page

2009-08-08T01:26:00.005-04:00

I saw "Brendan and the Secret of Kells" a couple of weeks ago and did these drawings in the pub while we discussed the movie. I liked to composition of the entire page and the color came out nice in the scan. If you get an opportunity to see said movie, i highly recommend it, as it is visually stunning!

I also sat in Borders the other day looking through some graphic novels (mostly Hellboy) and realized that though i am a BatFreak, i never draw him. I guess I'm usually too scared that i'll draw him stupid or messed up. So I said "f"it to the wind, and did a couple of quick pure ink drawings of Batman. If you can't tell the one on the bottom is knitting (another passion of mine).

Weighty Boobs and Babes

2009-07-30T13:51:00.004-04:00

This is some figure drawing from a couple of weeks ago. She was difficult for me, since the boobs felt like they were too weighty. And she had really wide hips but extremely long thin legs. I should have found her exciting with different proportions and all, but instead struggled to get her down right. If i spent too much time studying her, i'd screw up the whole piece, so i had to learn this almost zen like balance of quick study without thought.

I like that you can see a better version of the figure from the other page bleeding through the ink drawings. That's why no retouching. I have one more of her that i need to scan, and the finals of my 72 hr script character designs. Those'll be coming soon. Enjoy.

My Blue Period

2009-07-21T16:06:00.005-04:00

These are a couple of my figure drawings that are predominantly blue. Most artist go through a specific color phase and today is that day. Just realized that i have more than one drawing with that color. Doesn't help that its my favorite. 3 different models so you can see the different takes and ways i draw depending on the day. Enjoy.

These were the ones i meant to post last time:

2009-07-21T15:51:00.000-04:00

Combo post: Sketchbook AND figure drawing! Plus more on the 72 hr Script...

2009-07-17T23:09:00.003-04:00

So Blogger is giving me trouble uploading another picture that i did of this dancer/model with more details. Next time.

This one is a combo scan, showing both another full sketch page for your viewing pleasure, but also more on the fly figure drawing with the awesome pens. I think i am in love!

I've also been working more on my 72 Hour script, writing into Stopmotionanimation.com for some answers on questions so that i can get to the next step. I spend most of my time hanging out with 2d animators that talking to puppet animators really got the creative juices flowing. You should see "final" character designs soon. Still ironing out some details, but the basic design is done. Can't wait to unveil them soon. I'm so excited!

Either way enjoy the picture, with more to come soon.

Dancing with Pens and Models

2009-07-15T14:56:00.003-04:00

So these are drawings done in both pencil and the new pens, plus one more extra special pen i found at NY Central from Japan. It is a brush pen that actually feels like a brush (most brush pens to me feel too stiff, not like real bristles and such).

The gesture was a 30 second pose as a warm up. It was literally my first drawing of the night, but since i have a thing for dancers, i always "get" their posing faster than others.

The others were probably either the 2 or 3 minute poses. I was trying to make each piece feel complete unto itself as if i had imagined it that way and was not dictated my a models pose. Does that make sense?

She was a fun model for me to draw and i hope we get her again soon. I felt like her body shapes were a contradiction and thus found her even more fascinating. Enjoy all.

The new pens i got...

2009-07-13T12:23:00.002-04:00

So remember when i said i got new pens that were supposed to replace all the others, but just ended up being added to them? This is a quick sketch i did on the subway with them to test them out. They bleed through the paper, so if i use them the other side has to be for research, or something that will not be scanned nor seen by anyone else. But regardless i like the way these turned out. The pigeons from the previous post were also with those, but that was the second attempt, so they were a bit more confident. I like how i am forced to think of the line a bit more before marking them, but i was never really one to erase much in my drawings anyway.

I have a couple more samples from a figure drawing class, but you'll have to wait for those later.

Pigeons everywhere!

2009-06-25T14:01:00.002-04:00

On one of my trips to the park to work on my script, I heard some park workers discussing a pigeon in front of the ladies room. It lay there not moving with one wing out and flexing its tail. I stopped to draw it, but the parks person walked up to it to see if it was ok, and it promptly flew off. I guess it was taking in a little sun after so many days of rain.

I also used my new markers purchased to lighten my load in my bag yet still provide color to the sketchbook. They are Copic markers, with a little standard brush markers for flavor. Funny things is though, i haven't taken anything out of my bag, so it's not lighter. Now i just have 4 more markers added to it.

"You can take the girl out of the art store, but not the art store out of the girl!"

The 72 hour script...

2009-06-24T15:24:00.002-04:00

About 2 weeks ago i gave myself an ultimatum....

Well actually it was an idea i got from watching TV. I was watching some really bad horror movie on the Chiller network (which by the way i didn't even know i had) and realized that they had a budget of about a buck twenty, and a weekend to film it on a school campus. This was low budget filmmaking to a "T". And as i saw this, and thought of my armchair critic friends, with their "I could make a better film with my left pinky... if only i actually had the will to move from this chair...", i said to myself: I can do this! I will do this!

And so an IDEA was born. This was a late Friday night, after a long day at work, with 2 more to come. I said i will give myself until monday morning to write a script. Whatever i am left with at that time i will storyboard, design, create and animate in the weeks to come. I knew i would be working on this late at night, working 12 hour days and finishing it in a rush. But in a way that was the point. Don't give yourself time to over think, over design, or procrastinate. By the time i could get bored/distracted with writing it'd be finished. Like the nike ads always said: JUST DO IT!

And so i did. the script is done. I wish i had more time to tweek things here or there. Maybe had more time to embellish or flesh out a couple more scenes. but it is done. The first stage of SB are done. I need to finish designing my characters, so that i can better draw the second draft of the SB. I have most of their personality down, but i am still plugging away. Maybe in a week, i can show you the boards. But for now i have taken to the habit of skating to my local park. Listening to kids play, and i draw the life of these characters, that you will soon one day see.

I encourage you to do the same. Create your own buck twenty mini movie. Don't think big. don't think it can't be done. And even if its animation (which makes people think that it requires massive amounts of time and effort), don't think that we can't make low budget horror/action/love/dramas over a weekend.

A continuation of sketchbook pages

2009-06-24T15:21:00.003-04:00

I just like the way he came out.

Because of popular demand

2009-05-27T14:20:00.005-04:00

So these are 2 pages facing each other from the beginning of my sketchbook. This current incarnation of book isn't as interesting as others, and if i find THOSE i'll definitely scan them in for all to see.

I've come to realize that i've taken to sketching way too seriously. I mean yes its a means of keeping you loose and fluid. a way to have your skills stay up to muster. and a way for you to figure images out, either for a client or for a larger piece for yourself. But sketchbooking used to also be a place to explore the use of line and color. a place to just follow strange train of thought either through images or words or both. I used to cary a small stick of glue and scissors, in case i found an image that inspired me. My books began to fall apart from all the crap i'd keep in them, and the pages i'd glue in them and all the places that they were taken.

I don't necessarily want them to fall apart anymore, but i would like to feel the freedom that it created. Once i finish this book, maybe with the next one i'll be able to recapture that feeling. Or maybe i'm just trying to recapture a past that can never be redone and its all an act of futility. What do you think?

More Pictures for you to look at... and a Book!

2009-05-26T12:54:00.004-04:00

As you can tell, i am still working on hands, feet, and heads...

But i like showing you the difference between a drawing done a couple of months ago, and one a couple of weeks ago. I feel that i am not only getting more confident with my line work, but also my color spaces. I feel like i am getting better in showing volume through color and line, without it having to be a long multi hour painting....

I also just picked up this book that has started to really inspire me, or at least remind me of what i used to do (and still can do) to keep the creative juices flowing. It's called the "An Illustrated Life:Drawing Inspiration from the private sketchbooks of artists, illustrators, and designers".

I find it fascinating and think it'll help inspire anyone. I may start posting up random sketchbook pages soon. Not just the sketches, but the full unedited page... see how that works out. Enjoy the day!

More Watercolor Sketches

2009-05-09T12:42:00.003-04:00

When i was in HS, i had to take Watercolor. I hated it. I felt i didn't have the patience nor the skill to pull off really nice pieces, like the ones i admired. In painting classes i used acrylics because it was fast and forgiving. It taught me how to use the brush. It also showed me my love of bright beautiful colors during the time i only wore black. Years later when i realized that you could be a color artist, i decided to use the small portable w/c set i had gotten years earlier. I figured that i needed to learn how to master this medium which for years had actually only just scared me. I decided that the best way to get over it, was to just use it during figure drawing classes. As "training wheels" i still used my w/c pencils that i had fallen in love with at age 16. Here are some examples from said figure drawing classes and i think you can see that i've gotten over my fear. I may not be as good as some w/c artists, but i enjoy using them more and more. i hope you do too!

Long awaited and long deserved!

2009-05-07T12:04:00.007-04:00

These are from the second to last ASIFA drawing class. He had some interesting poses. The times range from the beginning 1 minute to the last 5 minute. Usually in class i work in various media as the time progresses. I did find though that after a couple of life drawings, my ability to draw a figure from my head improves dramatically. I hope that you enjoy.

Queens Zoo

2009-03-31T00:02:00.004-04:00

I went to the queens zoo the other day for the first time in over a decade. I had lots of fun, since the smaller size of the zoo makes for viewing and drawing the animals easier. You didn't have annoying kids banging on the poor animals caged to get their attention, and since all the animals were native to the northeast, they seemed more comfortable.

Here are 2 pages from the many o did that day that i liked the most. I try to give you as clear and exact an image of my sketchbook pages as i can, usually, so if something is illegible, that's how i drew it. Have fun trying to decipher what that image above the bear is. I may go back again soon as since the days are getting nicer, but schools aren't yet out, i'll still mostly have the zoo to myself. Enjoy as always....

Computers come and go, but drawings never fail you!

2009-03-25T11:08:00.003-04:00

I've been spending the last month trying to get my laptop upgraded and such, just to have the hard drive die on me. i was so saddened that i somehow "forgot" you still have the desk top..... i feel like an idiot. Either way i have some old figure drawings that i meant to put up earlier and so here they are.

Stud Muffin....

2009-02-27T15:24:00.005-05:00

Last week the ASIFA life drawing classes started and we had a short well muscled man that obviously loved comic books. At one point he overheard us talking about the ComiCon and then told us that the next few poses where from X,Y,Z comic book. It was fun... he looked like a rockabilly wolverine. it was fun. here are some of the drawings that i did from that day. One is from a couple of 2 minute poses, and the other from a 4 minute pose. Enjoy.

2009-02-20T00:51:00.005-05:00

After dinner with a friend the other night, we came upon this as we walked on St Mark's. I had to take pictures, but all i had was my phone. A woman came by as i was doing so and kept trying to convince me that the vines were evil.... like nature taking back it's stolen territory is evil? Living in a concrete "jungle" seeing something as raw and powerful as this was awe inspiring. I need to go back with a proper camera and take better pictures. But i figured it's still nice enough to share with you. Enjoy... and may nature always inspire you.

Coraline and all that it entails...

2009-02-10T23:54:00.004-05:00

I went to see Coraline in 3D today. Though the 3D part hurt me somewhat (i need to see it again in regular), i walked away with a feeling of loss.... loss that i didn't try harder a couple of years ago to get on that film. And after a weird conversation today with a friend i also realized that i have to stop sitting on my ass. "Nathalia realizes that she needs to stop saying she wants to do things and just do them" is what my Facebook status says. i came home and thought about animating... but honestly my studio space is a mess. through no ones fault but my own and it'd take me all night to clean. So i popped on the movie that really made me want to go into the animation business in the first place and that was Nightmare. I watched it again and stopped and drew a couple of poses. I've had a couple of whispers of ideas running through my head and i will see them emerge to the light of day. I'm exhausted and need to got to bed, but here are some sketches for you to enjoy.

PS: that will be my motto this year... "Stop trying to hit me and hit me!"

Lotus and Koi

2009-02-03T14:25:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick color sketch of 2 things that are on my mind right
now. I started painting again this year, so maybe this'll be my next
subject. Later this week you'll see my first painting '09. Enjoy!

First sketches of the year & sketchbook

2009-01-03T14:52:00.002-05:00

Late last year as I was presents shopping, I stopped by Blick on Bond St and picked up a more portable sketchbook. I've carried it around since then, but never used it until now. Somehow it feels fitting.

Last night a coworker let down her hair and the image stayed with me. These are my attempts at trying to capture that fleeting moment. There is something about a woman's face framed by her hair that seems captivating. i don't understand it, i just enjoy it when it happens perfectly.

New Year, New Ideas

2009-01-01T13:06:00.002-05:00

Today of all days, blogger probably has the most new posts going up on their millions of published blogs. And it is usually because like myself, most people decide to start anew today. Today is really no different than yesterday, and if one wants to start over, any "new" day will do. Wake up and change, but there is some magic involved with the starting of the new year, that changing of that last number on the date, that gives hope to everyone, and makes them feel more likely to succeed. Does the magic work? Well only as far as you are willing to take it, but when i think of it, last year i published more posts than the year previous with my old blog, and thus this year i should publish more than last. Each year bigger and better.

I was very lax, last year. Allowing myself to get caught up on the mundane realities of living, and keeping all inspirations in my head, never putting them down on paper. Never really giving them a chance of life. I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by the shear number of good artist blogs out there and feel, i had to do better. If i am better or not, is not for me to decide. I just need to publish my work in all its myriad forms and keep producing. Maybe this year will be the year my short will start to see the light of day. All i could hope to do right now though is finish the puppet. Only then can she come to life and i can introduce her to the world.

In this new year of hope, as we all take our first tentative steps out into the unknown future of our own potential, i wish all of you the best. If it turns out that you are better than me, then congratulations, just know i will be constantly striving to surpass you. If we ever chance to meet or work together don't be offended, honest competition always brings out the best in the work, and thus the industry.

May this year be 10 times more prosperous than the last, and may all your lines be straight, all you colors be right, and all your animation be true to life.

Reflections

2008-10-17T13:37:00.005-04:00

Enjoy... i hope you like it. I don't know what to say today so just ponder things, relax and have a good time.

Art & Fear

2008-10-01T13:09:00.005-04:00

I've been negligent about this blog... mostly because i've been negligent about my art. With nothing new done, nothing new to put up.

But i started reading this book, aptly named "Art & Fear" and it got me thinking. I used to be more free, experimental about my work. I would "doodle" across any surface. Filling books up with pictures i would see in magazines or think up in my head. I'd try every color combination i could think of. I'd even repeat the same posing over and over trying to get it just right. On top of all this i would write, anything everything. Thoughts ideas, even recipes.

Somehow i lost that. I started thinking more, this is got to be good enough for a portfolio, a reel, an example of my best work, and so the thought of drawing was no longer exciting. I didn't want to try anything because i was scared it would fail. And i've decided to stop that. I will draw, all the time. I will experiment, all the time. And you will see the results here. this was done a couple of days ago. i have already started a new one. I hope you enjoy.

Of things done and doing....

2008-07-26T12:42:00.000-04:00

Lately I've been working on a not so secret project that is close to
my heart. More info to come soon, but here's a clue. Can you guess
what it is?

Sometimes you just don't want them anymore

2008-07-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

Or at least that's how it seems. I always feel bad for abandoned
toys, don't you?

Butt Paste!!!!

2008-05-29T19:22:00.000-04:00

This is one of the best named products I have ever encountered. Too
bad the people it is used on aren't aware of the awesomeness of the
name.

Enjoy, and let's hope that you never have to experience its soothing
qualities.