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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

2012 Caricature show up at Disney

 If you all have a chance to see it, do it.  John Musker is a monster! I snuck a few in.  Here ya go!
John Musker
Barry Johnson
Chris William 
Clay Kaytis

Dean Wellins and John Ripa

Don Hall and Joe Mateo

Jeff Ranjo

Jeff Ranjo

Jeff Ranjo
Jeff Ranjo

Jeff Ranjo

Jim Reardan 
Leo Matsuda

Lissa Treiman




Marc Smith

Mark Kennedy

Paul Briggs


Monday, March 05, 2012

The Drawing Pivot point

I always talk about long lines when it comes to drawing.  Long connective lines and shapes help unify the drawings so that there's a harmony and rhythm to it.

When drawing, a good way to keep those lines and shapes flowing is to pivot from the shoulder.  NOT from the wrist.  Drawing from the wrist limits our ability to get fluidity and movement in your work.  Also  when drawing from the wrist the shapes tend to not connect to each other as they're drawn shape by shape.

Try it next time you're drawing.  Keep your wrist in comfortable position and draw by pivoting from your shoulder.  It may take getting used to but it's totally worth it in the long run.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Back at Disney's


This week I'm officially back at the Walt Disney Animation Studios.  I couldn't be more happy to join such amazing and talented artists who are all so happy and eager to make great films.

It's been a while since being at the studio and there are many new faces along with many old ones who I had so much pleasure to see again.  The buildning has undergone many cosmetic changes within but walking through on a tour today brought out dream like memories of experiances long ago.  Some say that walls have memories - today I felt them.

I can remember moments in the corridors of every corner I walked into.  I remembered old production pods of films past and offices that I spent many days in.  Some corners and offices aren't even there any longer as the studio is still undergoing it's metamorphisis.

There was one particular room I went into today that was the most important room of the day for me.

The Art Studio.

The Life Drawing room that Walt Stanchfield held his class in.  The very room where he walked and taught many many artists including me.

As Stephanie (our guide) walked all of us "newbies" into the room, I passed bye them quietly.  No one knew what I was feeling, no one knew why I was whistfully walking into the room and taking in a deep breathe of reminiscence.

I was pleased to see all the drawing horses that he walked around and the cabinets that held all the supplies we used.  The smell of the air was exactly the same as when Walt stood over our sketches with that keane eye.

I felt Walt in the room, I felt his spirit.  As if he was saying with a wink, "Welcome back!"

We all walked out as I held a lump in my throat, I smiled and winked back saying "thanks Walt."

When all of you out there work with students and mentees - remember that your words and teachings can stay with people forever.  The lessons that enlighten us and help us grow are those lessons that live in on as artist's use them to build careers and eventually pass them on.

Walt left such an impression on me and my life I can't thank him enough.  Hopefully being back in the halls where he stood, he'll know how much gratitude I have for all he did for me and so many others.


Friday, February 10, 2012

Sue Blanchard!

There's something so charming about Sue Blanchard's work.  I love the commitment!  Good going Sue!

Check her out!  soobeeblog.blogspot.com

copyright: Sue Blanchard

Friday, January 13, 2012

A New Year

In my recent class I was pretty excited to see so many people wanting to draw!  The class was electric and the students really pushed themselves.  We had two models "Daniella Traub" and "John Tucker" and they had us speeding through ink and paper.

When drawing two models at a time you really want to build the first trajectory lines around both models simultaneously.  If they're drawn seperately time may run out on the pose and then we're left with half the drawing done.

I likened it to a sculpture who may see the two character pose in a large chunk of marble.  The sculpture sees into the stone and carves out the two characters simultaneously.  I wouldn't think that they'd completely carve one model leaving the rest of the marble in tact.

There's a relationship happening when there are more than one model or person on the street that you're sketching.  An electricity that goes between the two (Or more) subjects that we need to notice and capture in our work.That's the spark of life and interaction that we are trying to catch.  Some of my favorite art has this storytelling in it and draws us in. It can be anything to illicit an emotion- a coy look, a smile back and forth or one chasing another. 

Here's to a new year of lots sketching!




Monday, December 19, 2011

Iridescent Blessings!

No matter what plateaus we reach as artists we are always thinking of the next one to get to.  At least that's what happens to me.  I am constantly racing and competing with myself to accomplish more artwork and career work! 

The minutes become precious through out the day as I worry about how many I can dedicate to reaching these higher planes.  Art is always subjective and it's incredibly personal but I can't help but strive to be better.

I'm convinced that is the life of an artist, or at least this artist.  Although we have to be mindful of one thing...stop and smell the roses!...once in a while.

It's those little (or Big!) iridescent blessings that we need to notice!  These are the things that feul our well of resources from which we pull from to create what we do.  It's your friends, your siblings, your family members, or maybe even your pet that inspires life into our work. 

I give one hundred percent credit to my wife for stopping me and showing me all the beautiful iridescent flowers around me.  I'm lucky to have her with me otherwise I'd be missing out!

We all need to take a moment this holiday to be thankful for all the plateaus we've reached this year, smell the flowers and get ready to fill 2012 with more Love, Peace, "Art" and Happiness!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

What we do is Magical

The artwork that is born from our minds is an amazing gift that we get from the great beyond. I like to think that we are blessed souls who get to create something from nothing like magic.

There was a producer that my friend Jenny and I know who used to always have that sense of magic and wonder to her reactions every time she viewed our boards our any artwork on the walls. She would marvel at the amazing artwork and always had that sense of looking at the work for the first time. Her reaction was equal to a childs response to the quarter behind the ear trick.

She was a complete inspiration to me. I believe some artists like me who've been doing this for a while need to view the act and experience of art as blessed magic! This is how I want to feel about art and the experience of it. It's just simply "Magical"