Friday, March 23, 2012
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.
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!"
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
Check her out! soobeeblog.blogspot.com
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| 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!
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!
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
Last class of the year!
Marissa Gomez was here! Last class at DW till mid January. Keep up the sketchbooks between now and then!!!
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"
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"
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
EVOKE with an original sketch.
Between now and December 31 all orders of my EVOKE art of book will come with an original 5x7 sketch and a limited edition numbered print (while supplies last on the print)
Click on the "shop" button above to buy!!!
Monday, October 24, 2011
While I waited...
This little lady dug through her bag constantly while we waited to board our flight from NY to LA last week.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Congratulations to Jim, Megan and Dave!!!
The 2011 Story Initiative is complete! The team pitched their final boards and they all did an amazing job!
Jim Hull,(center) Megan Dong(the girl) and Dave Wolter (far right) will be a force to be reckoned with as they go into production.
The guy on the far left is Aaron Cimity our production sup, we couldn't of done it without him. This was my first time tackling the DW intitiative, judging by my big smile in the far back-I had a blast!
I wish them all the best!
Jim Hull,(center) Megan Dong(the girl) and Dave Wolter (far right) will be a force to be reckoned with as they go into production.
The guy on the far left is Aaron Cimity our production sup, we couldn't of done it without him. This was my first time tackling the DW intitiative, judging by my big smile in the far back-I had a blast!
I wish them all the best!
ART IS GOLDEN
A fellow artist asked me "What keeps you inspired to do the job, what keeps you going"?
This is what I told him.
Think of production as the settlement of the earth. All the meetings, schedules, deadlines, various departments and opinions are like the layers of earth that all add up to the big globe of obligations. But there's a fine layer of gold in the midst of all that compacted pressure. It's bright shiny and full of luster! It's your ART! Your art is Golden!
It's that simple act and ability to bring life to a sketch or painting that never existed before. The lines, strokes and decisions you chose to express in your work will always be yours.
We usually have others supervising, i.e. Directors, Heads of studios, and even our loved ones but none of them can make that exact choice you have. So I finished my answer to my friend as "You are an artist and your art is GOLDEN"!
Interestingly that artists' name rhymes with golden.
Here are some of my quick gestures from Monday's class. Take care!
This is what I told him.
Think of production as the settlement of the earth. All the meetings, schedules, deadlines, various departments and opinions are like the layers of earth that all add up to the big globe of obligations. But there's a fine layer of gold in the midst of all that compacted pressure. It's bright shiny and full of luster! It's your ART! Your art is Golden!
It's that simple act and ability to bring life to a sketch or painting that never existed before. The lines, strokes and decisions you chose to express in your work will always be yours.
We usually have others supervising, i.e. Directors, Heads of studios, and even our loved ones but none of them can make that exact choice you have. So I finished my answer to my friend as "You are an artist and your art is GOLDEN"!
Interestingly that artists' name rhymes with golden.
Here are some of my quick gestures from Monday's class. Take care!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Angel in Heels
Here's some quick sketches from last monday. Rachel Bailit really helped us out with her wings. We were talking about commiting to shapes and caricature!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Con 2011 Drawings
I had Jennifer Fabos Patton from the GalleryGirls joined me in my Booth at the Con. She's one of the best models in the Biz! Have a good day!
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
straights "AND" curves
I know we ALL know it, but straights against curves is always thrown into the ears of my students constantly. I can't emphasize it enough! I believe it's one of the cornerstones of art and design. In my small example here I took one of my sketches from my class and drew over it with various lil' examples of where this applies.
To say straights against curves may only conjure up one design to the theory. But if we say straight "AND" curves it may open up our mind to more variation.
Let it be a psychological "click" in your mind! Straights "AND" Curves!
To say straights against curves may only conjure up one design to the theory. But if we say straight "AND" curves it may open up our mind to more variation.
Let it be a psychological "click" in your mind! Straights "AND" Curves!
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