2006-05-26

Lesson 2 [Stretch and Squash]

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course - Lesson 2
(also seen at ASIFA-Hollywood)

Notes:

  • I didn't spend as much time on this as I did on the assignment for Lesson One, and it shows ... *sigh*

(clicking on image will enlarge)


Dog 1:






Dog 2:





Dog 3:





Dog 4:






Dog 5:





Dog 6:






Dog 7:





Dog 8:








Worksheets - (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])

page 1 of 2:



page 2 of 2:


2006-05-22

Lesson 1 [Head Construction] - part 4

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course - Lesson 1, part 4

Remaining details

Notes:

  • I'm relearning how time consuming technical techniques can be!
  • We're not perfect at this lesson, but we're finally finished Lesson One!
(clicking on image will enlarge)


Dog 1 (me, Blair, overlay)


Dog 2 (me, Blair, overlay)


Wolf (me, Blair, overlay)



Duck (me, Blair, overlay)




Worksheets:
page 1 of 4:(clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])


page 2 of 4:(clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])


page 3 of 4:(clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])



page 4 of 4:(clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])


2006-05-18

Lesson 1 [Head Construction] - part 3

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course - Lesson 1, part 3

The Horizontal Egg Face

Notes:

  • I'm drawing the images in a larger size now which allows me to better "feel" and correct any minor differences in curve and angle. The downside is that it really minimizes the discrepancy that you see on the scanned images since they're reduced in size.
  • I'm still learning how to use Photoshop so some of the overlays are a little clunky.
  • I'm still learning the finer points of Blogger so some of my layouts are lacking in flow.
  • Already I'm noticing a change in how my hand relates to the pencil and the paper. However, there is still a long, long way to go.
  • I'm finally through with the First Page of Lesson One. This is going to take a while.

Incidental findings:
  • Toddlers find eggs with cartoon faces drawn on them absolutely irresistible!

(clicking on image will enlarge)

Mouse:
Blair -


Me -



Overlap -




Rabbit Up:
Blair -



Me -


Overlap -


- head shape should be more full at the top

Rabbit Up 2:

Blair -




Me -


Overlap -






Rabbit Flirt:
Blair -


Me -


Overlap -


Worksheets:


Page 1 of 5: (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])



Page 2 of 5: (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])



Page 3 of 5: (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])



Page 4 of 5: (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])




Page 5 of 5: (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])


2006-05-15

Lesson 1 [Head Construction] - part 2

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course - Lesson 1, part 2

The Vertical Egg Face

This is one of the best exercises I've ever done. Trying to sketch a face on an egg from a million different perspectives is a big challenge. Definitely worth the time and effort. (Am I the only one who had a hard time copying the face onto the curved surface of the egg itself?)

Here's my best bear (clicking on image will enlarge):

Here's Blair's bear in red:


And Blair's bear overlapped with mine.

I still have issues with:

  • ear shape and placement
  • size of eyes and nose
  • mouth angle
  • jaw curves
  • cheek curves

Here are two worksheets for the Vertical Egg Face part of Lesson One.

Page 1 of 2 (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox]):



Page 2 of 2 (clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox]):


2006-05-14

Lesson 1 [Head Construction] - part 1

The $100,000 Animation Drawing Course- Lesson 1

I thought I'd post-pone the learning of electronic graphics tools for a bit. John Kricfalusi is offering to walk folks through the Preston Blair Animation Classic. How could I pass up an opportunity like that?

I'm a little out of John's target age range of 10 - 24 years. So it's going to take me a little longer to break some bad habits, learn new habits and find the time to get the lessons in. John's already on Lesson Three. I've just completed the first part of Lesson One. I think there are 3 more discrete parts to Lesson One. This could take a while.

So here's my assignment for Lesson One, Part One. Sadly, it's the 20th such sheet like this. You should see the first sheets! Thanks to Mr. Kricfalusi and Mr. Worth for offering the lessons and the valuable feedback.

(clicking on image will enlarge, clicking on enlarged image will allow you to enlarge again [in IE and Firefox])


Notes:

From Stephen Worth:

1. "If you just look at the drawings and read the text, you'll end up with educated eyes and an educated mind... and ignorant hands. A lot of artists excuse their lack of skill by claiming that flat drawings and unappealing shapes are their "style". Poor drawing skills don't constitute a style. "

2. "I would recommend using paper and pencil at first. Drawing a perfect curve, like the one on an egg is difficult enough with a paper and pencil. Adding the separate layer of the wacom tablet is just going to slow down your progress and frustrate you.

Instead of trying to draw with fast sweeps, take your time and really focus on getting the construction shapes absolutely perfect. You need to draw hundreds and hundreds of eggs to get your hand used to drawing exactly what your mind is telling it to... Once you become adept with the pencil, THEN pick up the wacom and train yourself to get used to it. That way, you'll learn one thing at a time. "

From John K:

1. "Use tyracing paper to trace the construction off of Preston's drawings then lay
the tracing paper over your drawings to see where you are off.

Write notes of the mistakes.

Then redraw the same drawing again, trying to fix the mistakes. "


2006-05-11

Anamorphic illusions

Anamorphic illusions are specially drawn so that when viewed from a certain perspective they appear 3 dimensional. I've posted my two favourite pavement chalk drawings from Julian Beever's site. "Boat" and "Arctic."



2006-05-06

Saturday scribblings

Still learning how to use Photoshop. Still intimidated by Illustrator. Perhaps it's time to investigate the Adobe alternatives listed here.

Under the "use it or lose it" theory, here's what I what I had time to knock-off today.