Pocahontas background practice

I thought it would be a good use of time to practice making backgrounds for animation. So I chose a piece of art by an artist I admire and did a sort of "master copy" type thing. So, no this is not mine. I mean, I did this, but the colors and layout and stuff were done first by another, much more practiced artist.

Though, this little experiment taught me tons about digitally painting. Firstly, that even though it is digital, by NO means is it faster. This took three whole days more than I thought it would. Also, I am pretty sure I soaked up a lot about color saturation, lighting, deep space, and textures. Especially when it comes to trees.... and foliage. Sometimes abstract is the way to go, and other times, you really gotta define stuff (like the up front leaves).

Towards the end, I noticed that I had come up with a system. I would take what I saw and count it as "middle tone". Then, on one layer push the lights (yellows) -because they were never bright enough.... and then on another layer push the darks (reds-blacks). I think I have the tendency to hate using pure black- and I don't know quite yet if that's a good thing or if it will cripple me in the long run, but I'm pretty sure I didn't use any 100% black in the whole drawing.

My favorite part of the drawing was adding the pinks in last. It was SO satisfying.

P.S. Thanks, David!

gypsy idea

can't tell you anything about this yet- let's let it build...

think soda (I would have said "coke" because in the south, all sodas are coke. But I didn't want to confuse you)

SCAD Pearls - Commencement 2009

I got an email a few weeks before the end of the Spring 09 quarter saying this:

Would you like to participate in SCAD Commencement? Would you like to be a Pearl? To celebrate SCAD’s 30th anniversary, the university will present the “String of Pearls Parade” at Commencement in Savannah May 30. Interested volunteers must be available for rehearsal Friday, May 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The performance takes place Saturday, May 30, prior to the processional of graduates. Residence hall extensions may be granted to volunteers.

It looks unoffending, right? So innocently worded? They even offered to extend living in the dorms for a WHOLE weekend! Instead of having to fight everyone in Weston Hall to move out by 5pm on Friday (and risk being fined $100) I had three entire days to get everything into the new Carriage House!

So what, you ask, does this "String of Pearls Parade" involve? My first thoughts were: "kind of like ballroom dancing class- classy." and "we are going to wear pearls and look cute in a graduation procession of some sort" This, plus moving out later (and I later found out that it included a free lunch and fifty bucks) equals I'M IN!!

Man oh man. Was I in for an exciting surprise!

I get there and my actress/dancer friend Adelle is there! Then she says something to the effect of "Oh I'm glad you're here so we can do (I heard 'get through') this together" As in, doing this alone is.. adventurous.

Turns out she'd been a SCAD Pearl before! And she kind of loved it! We went into a back room and changed into our costumes and Let. Me. Just. Say. I felt RIDICULOUS! The next couple of hours of rehearsal I went through several emotional phases..

1. Shame

2. Acceptance

3. "I'm going to dance my booty off for all it's worth!"

Moral of the story: The only one who looks silly in a crowd of people who are all silly, is the one who isn't being silly.
______________________________

And for you visual enjoyment, some actual photos from the actual graduation! Actually!
(c/o Adelle, Scad, Flickr, and the prnt scrn button)


This dressing room photo was taken "post-shame".


Right before our call time.
You can almost feel our butterflies coming through your computer screen!



Our costumes were collapsible for easy storing. How promiscuous!


LOOK AT ALL THOSE PEOPLE!
I'm so glad I quit caring that looked like a doofus! Honestly, I bet it looked pretty awesome from above, but I didn't find any above photographs.

New Carriage House Studio Setup

As I have just moved again, setting up studio to get work done has been a challenge. But, maybe not so much since I only have one table and not the strength to carry it up a narrow staircase all by myself!

I keep trying to remember to take pictures of the new house I've moved into, but I stay so busy drawing and spending time at various Savannah libraries during the day that I forget.

In the effort of trying to keep up with this thing (and hopefully I will be posting regularly again during the summer months), here are some photos of my new work area and the super-awesome-makeshift-"light table" that my generous family donated from their basement. (it's actually the table that I grew up having meals on when I was little, so it's kind of strange to me to be doing what I think is 'grown up work' on it.... and the only reason why I call it 'grown up work' is because it's what I can see myself doing for the rest of my life. And, at some point during the rest of my life, I'll be a grown up. ... ramble, ramble ramble...)

Animation: Sixth Week

Animation: Fifth Week

Animation: Fourth Week