Since my storyboard got accepted I've decided to watch some animated shorts dealing with UFO's and abduction.
First one that came to my mind was Lifted by Pixar
Created in 2006 and directed by Gary Rydstorm. It's a very funny story about two aliens, easy to follow and very enjoyable. UFO design is very simple and sleek, quite 'average' - flat pancake with blue beam. However because of that viewer can recognize it quickly and connect with 'alien' theme.
Another short worht mentioning is PIOK. It was created by a group of french animation students (school: ECV Aquitaine)
Its a very funny story about an alien and a chicken. It happens in farm settings which are similar to the ones I'm going to use in my project. Also, since it a student project, it's something I should be aiming to achive (than a Pixar short that is 6 years older). Moreover it have a little bit of 'X v Y' theme going on :) Plus the spaceship design is a bit different and unusual.
Stopover is a short movie I've came across not long ago. While I was familiar with other two for a long time, this one is a new to me.
Directed and animated by Neil Stubbings, made in MAXON's CINEMA 4D R11.5. Very simple animation but with unexpected plot twist and funny ending. Characters are a bit 'blocky' but also extremly charming.
Last video I wanted to share isn't about spaceships or aliens but it was created by Headless Productions, Sixbirds and Studio Nest.
No pets allowed is a teaser video for a feature film project. Worth watching because of its humor and beautiful characters.
Software used: Zbrush, Softimage, Maya, Arnold, proprietary hair simulation "Melenas".
Since I've became more familiar with Maya I've decided to give a try modelling my toy. It's not the final version and probably I'll model another one and use it in my animation.
I've learnt a lot while modelling. It's quite simple model of my toy cow but I'm happy with how the legs and head looks. Moreover I've found out that I should model ears from primitive (sphere perhaps) rather than trying to use 'extrude' tool. Also using deformers like squash makes modelling some shapes easier and with more control.
While modelling my toy I couln't resist making it into a spaceship. Or a 'space cow' to be more precise :).
I've decided to give a Maya a try in modelling UFO ideas. I've used sphere as my basic primitive shape and then splayed with squash and twist tools. I've also used extrude and bevel. Slowly I'm becoming more familiar with Maya tools.
I believe that this one is my favourite model of UFO so far. It's pretty generic but I think it will work well in my short aniamtion.
Below some more abstract spaceships created from primitive sphere.
Control panel created from square primitive. Happy accidents happen too often to me in Maya ;) But I've also learnt a lot while modeling this cosmic desk. Also it's the first time when I've modelled something more complex.
Today we were introduced to another set of tools in Maya called 'deformers'. I've found modelling with them much more easier. However I still don't have much control and most of the models I've created today were actually lucky accidents.
examples
use a 'cone' primitive and then played with 'twist' and 'squash' deformers
Also today we've started adding colours and textures to the objects
It's great that you can key frame textures and use them to animate face of the character. I'll probably use this technique to animate my toy eyes.
Cow Abduction animatic I've made over the weekend.
I've added few extra camera angles and checked timing. I think it works pretty so now I've to concentrate on modelling my main character and researching/designing set and props.
After interim crits I've decided to go with cow abduction storyboard. Since I'm using my toy as a referance for main character I need to search for inspirations for spaceship and set designs. I've decided on doing hand painted backgrounds instead leaving everything white. Moreover I wanted to start adding little bullet points with milestones I've already reached/completed to the related blog posts.
Milestone: rought animatics finished.I've added few extra shots, camera angles and close ups. Also got the idea for title card and end credits.
When it comes to aliens and spaceships first names that crosses my mind are: Creature Box and Brett Bean. Adorable and full of personality characters, stylized machines and backgrounds. Also dynamic lines and bright, vivid colours makes those critters very appealing to the viewer.
(above) Brett Bean
(below) Creature Box
I'll be looking at them as my primary source for inspiration when it comes to designing a space ship (and its pilot ofcourse). Also I would love to incorporate some of cartoony stylizations into my final animation.
As I've decided on my toy (little plushy cow), next step was to brainstorm some ideas and draw storyboard. I've come up with two different stories and tomorrow after crits I will decide which one I want to do.
pretty simple story about cow trying to eat some grass but can't pull it out.
cow getting abducted by UFO
I've kept my storyboards simple and rought but I may add some more detail to one of them. Also story isn't complex since the final animation should be around 40secs long.
I've also added little notes under each frame of storyboard.
However before I've started storyboarding I did few quick still life studies to better understand the 'anatomy' of my toy.
Since I've been practicing digital speed painting for over a month those took me under 15mins each. I've really enjoyed painting them and my add more details adn finished touches later on.
850 meters is an amazing 3D animation produced by Thurustar (and coproducted by Lunanime) about not so typical knight that, unfortunatly, haven't been released yet. However there is a teaser trailer and bunch of 'making-ofs'.
I really like teaser for this short movie - very dynamic, well rendered, colourful and funny. It introduce hero-knight character perfectly. In my opinion it is going to be a very interesting animated short.
Matt Kohr from Ctrl+Paint posted a very interesting video on how to use yours free time. Focus Your Time video
It made me question if I use my free time in a right way. What is it I really want to do in the future, my dream job/career? I've to admit to having to many hobbies and interests and not having enough time. I would love to draw for living. As simple as that, doesn't matter if it's going to be a concept artist job or maybe illustration or animation, if I'm going to be allowed to draw I'll be happy.
So what I need to do in order to reach those dreams? Draw more! More still life studies, anatomy, colour studies, learn perspective. I've already started doing quick digital still life sketches to improve my skills and hopefully I will be able to add more of those exercises in the future.
Like Matt Kohr said in his video, there is no perfect solution, you just have to find out what works best for you :)
Second part of my toy research.
I've decided to pick three toys from my little collection and took some reference photos.
I thought that little pink teddy bear would be perfect for this animation project. However it will be really hard to model in Maya.
turnarounds
Second toy I was looking at was little doll. It's only one shape, the only part that would be hard to model are hair.
turnarounds
In the end I've decided to go with is plushy cow. It look quite simple and doesn't require much modelling. Also the only movement that it will need doing is bouncing about in all fours.
turnarounds
I have two ideas for the story which I'm going to sketch soon.
I have to admit I'm pretty excited about this brief :).
As part of PPP1 I thought is really good to share some
websites and vlogs I usually check on daily basis. They're run by
professionals and have plenty of useful information.
First one worth visiting is ctr+paint
by Matt Kohr. It contains loads of useful video tutorials and guides;
basic, concentrating on fundamentals, as well as more advanced ones. The
other thing I really like about those is that they're only 3-5 mins,
information is presented in little, easy to digest chunks. Basically you
can't stop paying attention to them.
Second place that
deserve mention is a Feng Zhu youtube channel. Extremely useful for any
aspiring concept artists - advice from game industry professional is
very valuable and helpful.
Third place I like to visit
from time to time is an interview section on schoolism.com by Bobby
Chiu. As the name suggest - it contains interviews with many
professionals from animation industry. Also a good thing is to listed in
an audiobook by Bobby Chiu (The Prefect Bite).
Another good website to visit on daily basis is TEDtalks on youtube. Plenty of interesting talks and presentations.
Todays task was to make a little truck by following a simple guide. This is what I've managed to create:
It was pretty difficult task for me but I've learned a lot from it (+20pts to Maya magic). Slowly I'm starting to feel more confident with using this software. However I will have to practice a lot to get used to it and be able to model things without struggle.
edit:
Truck upgraded a little bit. Added cone and other random shapes :)
This module we're getting introduced to Maya and fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation. First task we have to do is to find a toy - preferably chunky, bold, colorful.
I have a little collection of plushy toys and figurines at home. I'm thinking about ones that have few moveable parts, like head, arms.
I have few anime figurines similar to the one above. However Mat pointed out that when it comes to this type of 'things' (human like shape) we expect them to do certain moves. Also I've never modeled in 3D so it may be too much challenging for my level.
Another thing that I think may work great are my gismo gloves.
Still they have arms and legs but they don't really have to walk or bend they arms, are they? Especially if nobody wears them :).
Also, as I've mentioned earlier, I have a few plush toys - mostly teddy bears plus some from popular franchises (Pikachu, Hello Kitty).
By using stuffed toy I'm allowed to make them squash and stretch :)
I will start thinking about ideas and sketch rough storyboards because that seem easier for me than just simply looking at the toys.
One of the reasons why I've decided to write this short 'half year' review of DFGA is Telthona and one of her awesome articles about industry and schools needed (or not) to get a job in the industry (gaming industry in her case since she's working as a concept artist at The Creative Assembly).
It's been already 4 months since I've started my adventure with DFGA and I'm pretty sure that I've made a right choice. I was having a really hard time deciding which course should I choose - mostly because I share the same, big passion to animation and to illustration.
This half year was gone pretty quick - full of challenging tasks and new thinks to learn. Lucky enough I had an opportunity to try things that I'm normally not much into, like film making and editing. Moreover I was pushed outside of my comfort zone when it came to the first brief (and drawing). I've also really enjoyed a trip to BAF.
The only thing I can't really understand are topics of some of the seminars/lectures and massive amount of written work we had to complete. However it's BA's so I guess we had to do it ;).
This is a very broad course, not a specific one, which I believe is also good. Like I said before, it allows you to try different things first and then concentrate on improving and mastering one of them at the end of the course. In my case it may prove that I'm more of concept artist that animator. Or other way around.
Now the new term is starting and I'm ready to rock it:)!
I have to say that 2012 was a really good year for me when it comes down to art (so glad that none of my art got damaged/burnt during house fire last summer!). I've finished Access to Art&Design(HE), started DFGA, participated in KAAS exhibition in Dewsbury (beginning of 2012) and had my work up during final year show in LCA (Vernom Street). I feel like my coloring skill improved a lot, also I've brushed my digital techniques a bit. Moreover I've developed a style of drawing that people can recognize and connect with me. Created accounts on many concept art websites and kept updating my personal blog often (70 drawing post within a year, yay!). I've got society6 store and portfolio on Behance, kept updating my cghub with quality stuff (over 600profile views) and upgrading my DA portfolio. Well thats a quite a long list of sites, isn't it, haha? But, like many professionals (Bobby Chiu, Feng Zhu, etc.) said, you need to get yourself out there and let people know about you! And believe me, nobody bites on conceptart.org or ImagineFX! The only place where you will be bitten and smack is max3d forum but its polish one so don't fear it :)
In 2012 happen something that made me so happy - I've won HobbyCraft Kickstart Competition! I've got my work on display at Leeds HC store (CrownPoint) for a week and I've got so much nice art supplies :) Now my drawing is taking a part in national edition.
To conclude I wanted to show some drawings I'm really proud of.
::2013 art goals::
keep improving my skills and do still life studies more regulary
conquer YT with a neat animation channel :)
draw more!
transfer stories of my characters down onto the paper, maybe as a comics or little animations
participate in Annecy 2013 competition - or at least try
paint and be more creative
finally - get some real freelance work (paid one!)
This is the first blog post from the little series I'm planning on making :). I've decided to introduce you to some amazing artists from Poland that are involved in animation and you may have never heard about before.
First video I would like to share with you is 'Paths of Hate' by Damian Nenow. Some of you may already come across the name 'Platige Image' (Tomek Baginski and his Fallen Art anyone? or maybe intros from The Witcher game?).
I need to admit that I've been waiting for full version of Paths of Hate for a really long time. I saw short, trailer version few years ago and instantly fell in love with. Even though war settings are my cup of tea I can admire beautiful animation, deep story, music, dynamic shots. And more dynamic shots. Moreover I love how stylized this animation is - thick lines, comic book feel, good choice of color pallette. Also those little details like photograph or rosary gives that extra something.
long 'Making of'/breakdowns:
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Second video is much more relaxed and funny :) Animated by Box Production and illustrated by Grzegorz Przybys.
This is an alternative story of Wroclaw, one of the oldest cities in Poland. And well, it got some aliens in it, which is always a good thing :) Also I'm pretty sure that you don't need to know polish to understand whats going on (I found a version with subtitles.. but still it's not the same).
I'm love this music clip so much - it is actually a moving, 3D comic book! Simply I can't be more awesome than that. This is something I really would love to do in the future, probably as a little personal project.
Some lovely storyboards above :)
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The last video I want to share with you comes from Marcin Krolewski who was Director/Art Director in this production. Behance portfolio
What I really like about this music video is definately charming characters and great story. Moreover everything is so colourful and smoothly animated. It have a nice 2D feel, very stylized and cartoony, also transformation scenes are very dynamic and cool.
This video was created in 3d Studio Max11, AfterEffects CS4, Fume FX and Thinking Particles
There're also 'Making of' videos on YT which are really interesting and exlain a lot of production processes.
