Dwarves

I've been thinking about dwarves lately. The Hobbit is due out in a few weeks and like many, I'm quite looking forward to it. Naturally I'm a little concerned about what is going to happen to the story, but I'm not too concerned about how the film will look. The design, from what little I've glimpsed on line, looks terrific.

Anyway, fingers crossed for the story and get in line when it hits theaters.

More soon.   :)

Faun and Stone Gnome Head

Just a quickie this time.

sold.

More soon.   :)

Life Drawing

Anyone working in the animation industry will probably tell you that drawing people in real life is some of the best practice you can get. It's all there in front of you. The pose, gesture, body shapes, proportions, attitude, costume, and all their stuff. And you have to draw it fast, really fast, which in itself is good practice. I'm doing a bit of character design work right now and I can tell you that this kind of practice is very good for you. What's so useful about life drawing is that the people are always moving. You only have a few seconds to get down the pose that you saw before they move again, and this forces you to finish most of it from memory - and that is where you learn ! When you get warmed up you can glance at a person for a second and see everything you'll need to finish the drawing.

These pages were done last summer at a nearby mall. The reason I'm drawing most of the people from the back or side is because I'm trying to avoid that awkward moment where the person you are drawing sees that you are drawing them. And of course the worst case scenario after that is when they come over to see how you've drawn them. This can happen so you'll need to be careful. The people around you will occasionally pick up on the fact that you are drawing but if you haven't been looking at them, they will probably leave you alone. You might even get a compliment if you're having a good day.

I haven't had a chance to get out there lately but I'm really hoping to do some more mall drawing very soon. Maybe I'll see you out there. I'll be the guy hiding behind his sketchbook.  ;)

More soon.

New Sketchbook

I haven't had a chance to share much of what I've been working on for quite a while. Back in the spring I was doing Visual Development work for an animated feature being done in Germany - all top secret. Then I was doing the Scottish Book of Beasties,  and then back to the Arctic Myths which I've been doing pretty steadily for the past several years, and more recently, Visual Development work for a Stop-Motion, animated film. None of this work can be shown. But I do still get into my sketchbook from time to time and so that's what I have for you today.

Up first is an idea I have for a painting which I hope to get to as soon as I get a chance. This idea comes from a drawing I did several years ago where a giant was making off with a cow shed. Now he's taking someone's cottage as they look on helplessly. He's not a malicious giant. He just wants this cottage and so he's taking it.

Up next are a few pages of ideas for skinny, elongated faeries. These were inspired by looking at Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele who both like to draw long, thin figures with exaggerated hands and twiggy fingers.

Sold.

Sold.

Sold.

Next - I am always trying to find new ways to draw faeries with elaborate displays of wings and leaves and tendrils - this is one of those.

Sold.

And up last are some ideas I had for a character who might be the lead in a story. I was thinking of her as a Pre-Raphaelite figure with lots of hair and big eyes. Maybe she has faerie blood or she might be a witch.

More soon.