An old GIANT puppet that I found

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?

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:

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

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

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

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

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!