June 14 - 16, 2013 Characters!!

So, I have quite a few characters and decided to draw them more.  My goal is to draw at least one of my characters every day.  So let's start out with Nona! She's kind of an important character in my stories.  I drew the character on the right from reference, then decided to try nona in that pose.  Oh Nona you silly.  She's kind of an adorable character.

Next is Leopold.

I have never actually drawn this character.  He is one of the very few serious characters I have.  He is a high ranking knight in a kingdom that is frozen in time.  Perhaps an alternate reality version of my Dogster character?  The two have a connection.


And this guy again!

I have no idea how to draw anthro characters, so there's a lot to learn before I get this one right.  Originally a character that was supposed to be me, I think I shaped him into something a little different.  We will see what happens with this guy in the future.  Currently doesnt have a name (I think)


And sketches!

Did these tonight, I was so tired during these so some didnt turn out too great.  Once again I used http://www.quickposes.com/ for the reference.

There is one more picture I drew and colored, but I'll upload that one tomorrow.  I have a bit to say about that one.

Another little tidbit of information before I end this blog.  I started watching the videos to the "Animator's Survival Kit." today.  I started with the introduction video.  I freakin love Vilppu, but man vilppu has nothing on this guys energy XD.

While watching the video, the guy said "You should know how to draw before trying to animate."  So I decided to put that series away until I finish vilppu.  Or at least the main series for him.

ALSO!!!
OVER 100 BLOG POSTS WOOO!!!
I must continue my training.

Sony Consumer Trust [Animation]

At last it is complete!
I had a lot of anxiety doing this one for some reason.  I'm not entirely sure why but  my brain was just absolutely everywhere when putting this thing together.  From start to finish, the entire project took roughly 5 days, which isnt' bad at all, and is actually, and is rather good if i am perfectly honest with you.  But even still, It was incredibly difficult for me to work on it, let alone finish it.  More info after the animation!  Enjoy :D!!


Perhaps it was the fact that I was emulating a cartoon style that is already rather well known.  A part of me just didn't want to believe that i was able to actually pull it off well.  I kept telling myself that I need to just keep working, just keep animating, it will be fine.

Boy am i glad I did continue.  What is it that gets me hung up on things that prevents me from finishing (or even starting things sometimes)  I shouldn't second guess myself or my abilities.  I know I'm not the best, but that's why I need to continue my drawing CONTINUE MY TRAINING!  During this project, I could really feel all that training slooowwwly paying off.  I'm actually super anxious to start my next animation.  I'm super anxious for a lot of things!!!   OH MAN!  But wow my brain sure was all over the place...  I need to work on that.

Either way it's finally out of the way.
I hope to take what I learned during this animation to apply it to future projects.  Work on that focus! FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!!!!!  I really need to cut back on non-artsy things.  I need to get in the groove and stay in the groove!

E3 and Animation

E3 had me tied down.  I'm a gamer at heart so you have to excuse my absence while I painfully awaited Nintendo's E3 conference.  BUT it's came and I got my smash bros. so back to work!

Animation wise. I started this animation a few days ago and am trying to crank it out as fast as i can.  It is in a completely different style than I am used to so it is taking some time.  I hoped to finish it tonight but my brain stopped working.

I will resume it first thing tomorrow and hopefully have it uploaded by night!

And just... here.  go here and just....  just go.
http://www.smashbros.com/us/
You can thank me later.

I freakin love the random characters in smash bros.  I finally got the character i've always wanted!!!  But Wii fit trainer.  I think we're married.  It's totally cannon.  Doggy <3 Wii Fit Trainer 4 life.



ok bed.

June 08, 2013

Tried to upload this one for the past hour or so but the power kept going out @.@  (big storms tonight)

Regardless, here it is!

 I tried to utilize what I learned with Vilppu again.  I think I might see a bit of the flow in a few of these.  I am pleased.  I also used http://www.quickposes.com/ for these.  The new models were nice.  http://artists.pixelovely.com/ still suffers from the same figures being shown over and over.  I think Quickposes might be a nice replacement.  I will use it again tomorrow.

And a Ninja dude!

This was supposed to be for that Fantasy RPG thing I was working on, but I think I got a better idea for pose and costume.  We'll see what I end up changing later.

June 07, 2013 Part 2

I did a surprising amount today, more than I had done at least.  I finally finished up the first chapter of Vilppu (the other one I did was from a different portion i suppose) but It had me feeling a bit bitter about my skills and how far behind I really am, especially after the slump i was in yesterday  (why was I in such a dull mood yesterday? I dont even remember).  At least, that's how I initially felt when doing the studies, especially in the later potions of the chapter.  I felt pretty miserable, as though I was thrown back to square one.  Here are the notes I took, I'll talk more about it after:

Click here to view the full image in higher resolution

I wasn't happy with the last few of these and it was really getting to me.  So i took a breather.  I walked away then decided to come back with a clear mind.  After I had calmed my face, I looked them over again and still wasnt satisfied.

I reviewed what Vilppu had said in his video in my head.  His entire tone towards the matter and how to understand gesture drawings.  (that's what these were by the way, understanding the gesture drawing)  There were some phrases he said over and over "These are tools not rules"  Over and over he said that.  "These are tools not rules"  He also expressed how you are free to use these tools how you want, that there is no right and wrong way.  I also remember him saying how difficult and important this step is to master.

If you can understand the gestures then you have mastered the human form... or something like that...  I shouldn't expect to master this any time soon.  I need to take it slower.  sloooowwweeer  He also explained how gestures look like they are drawn fast, but it's actually a rather slow process.

I just need to take the fundamental ideas he presented in chapter 1 and review them over and over.  PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!!!  I won't get it right, right away, and I need to give myself room to grow.  And after all that, I feel content with what I have done.  READY FOR MORE!!!  Vilppu Chapter 2 is Spherical Forms.  I must admit, I am really looking forward to these!



After the vilppu drawings, I wanted to work on something a little different.  So I started on my character in a picture I am working on.

The complete image will be all of my friends in a Fantasy RPG type setting as our favorite classes.  There are no rules so I made myself a Medic Robot.  His character design is slightly based on an alternate reality version of a little stick figure character I had named Jone El.  He had one heck of a story but alas it never really came to be.


Ratchet and Clank

 This was a request from my good friend Larz had gave me a while back.  I tried to use some of the techniques I learned from Chapter 1 Vilppu thing on this one and I think it turned out alright.  I have no idea of the proportions of these characters, but I think they turned out nice.  I'm happy with them!


Dr. EggTails

Immediately after Ratchet and clank I drew Doctor EggTails.  A combination of Eggman and Tails haha (my two favorite sonic characters).  This was another request from my friend Shaunzy.  I'm not sure if it was much of a request but i remember he jokingly said I should do that a long while back, so I did :D!

Ending thoughts.  Dont be so hard on yourself, me,  you are still learning.  Just draw draw draw draw DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW TILL IT HURTS THEN DRAW SOME MORE!!!!  Improvements will come.  Improvements have come.  Diligence.  Persistence.  I can do better.

Also, found a new website, I might have to give it a try next time I do figure drawings.
Check it out:
http://www.quickposes.com/


Till next time!!
I must keep up my training!!!

June 07, 2013

Had a pretty bitter day.
But I did a few drawings.
I thought they were turning out pretty terrible, but looking back there are a few that were not so bad.  Next time I wont do these when I'm about to pass out from tiredness.  But I want this to be a good month.  There's more things i need to change.

But regardless of the bitter day, I got some sketches done.
Good job!

Precursor to this blog.

Precursor to this blog.
I was working on an "About Me" page for this blog.  Then I remembered this.

It's a nice reminder to see where I was.

(Recorded Feb, 2012)

A few of the things I mention in this video are a bit outdated.  But it's good to see where my head was before I made this blog and to know the journey from there to here.  It's good to see that this blog has gone on for so long.  Here's to many more updates, and much more art progress!

Busy weekend so probably no updates.