Concentrated Fun

Group caricature

2011-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Not sure what these guys are in charge of, but it looks important.

Tank Girl

2011-03-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

This is some animation I did at Natterjack Animation for the Warner Bros Movie "Tank Girl" a number of years back. Not surprisingly, it's a touching tale of a girl and her tank.

Sneak peek at some Cheddar

2011-03-21T11:26:00.000-07:00

These are pre-pre-production sketches for an upcoming stop-motion feature from Perfect Circle Productions Watch for their salty antics in a theatre near you.

Powerpoint illustrations

2011-03-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

Hi bloggies

Sorry I haven't been around lately - lot's of instructing has been going on.

However, school's almost out, so time to blog again.Here's some Powerpoint slides I made this quarter. Don't ask me what points these illustrate unless you want to sit through a long dry lecture. You're better off making up your own knowledge to apply to them.

"Ping Pong Gun" commercial boards

2011-02-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

Here's some storyboards I did for "Reel Wonders Productions". They're for a live action commercial for gun that shoots ping pong balls at other feral young boys - (it's American, can you tell?)

I did this some years ago, so I assume these kids have all graduated from reform school by now.

Werner's in love

2010-12-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

Found this ruff key animation from a German movie called "Werner" that I did for Natterjack Animation. I don't have a copy of the final version, but I'm sure you caught it anyway whilst spelunking in Bavaria.

weight lifter

2010-11-29T11:41:00.000-08:00

Time to get things a little bit more manly around here. Here's an example for the 'weight lift' assignment.

walking girl

2010-11-27T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another walk example - this time in color, in summer, & inbetweened.

A rough Asterix scene

2010-11-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

These are rough keys from one of the French "Asterix" films. I don't have a copy from the final film, but I'm sure you caught anyway it during one of your yachting adventures along the Côte d'Azur.

Spinning head example

2010-11-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

Here's an example for the latest assignment down at the school, 'the Rotating Head'.

If you're wondering about the sanity of us animators doing such an assignment, I just have to point out that it isn't logical to 'draw' movies in the first place.

Ball throw

2010-11-03T12:40:00.001-07:00

Here's an example of this week's assignment for my animation students.

Doc pics

2010-07-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

These were done for a documentary series, but didn't make the cut. Now I'll never find out who won.

Groovin'

2010-07-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

Here's an illustration I did so long ago, that it was considered hip at the time...

Cat tail cycle

2010-05-13T22:24:00.000-07:00

Here's an example for the latest assignment the school scamps just finished - more cat.

bouncing penguin

2010-05-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

I'm told by very important people that I must blog... so here's another instructor example, this time for the "bouncing penguin" assignment.

scaredy cat

2010-03-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

This example scene of a "cat with a mullet" is for a reaction assignment at school. No actual cats were scared in the making, (though I'll admit that one calico was looked at quite sternly).

3 blind mice

2010-03-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a cartoon illustration I'm working on. The client has only requested one little revision.

school sketches

2010-02-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry viewers, been neglecting the blogosphere. Hope to be able to put up some stuff from projects soon. 'Til then, here's some sketches I did when I should have been teaching these guys something of vital importance.

Nike baseball commercials

2009-10-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

I did this animation for a series of Nike Japanese spots a number of years ago for Natterjack Animation Studios. It hasn't improved my game or my Japanese any.

Nick Blob in 3D

2009-10-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sorry - it's a bit blurry. This was done for International Rocketship for a 3D show for Nickelodeon, (you'll need your 3D glasses for the full effect, kids). It also came in handy for inbetweening assignments. I did the designs, story & animation in the middle. The late, great Paul Boyd did the animation for the beginning & end.

testing 1, 2, 5...

2009-10-08T18:29:00.000-07:00

Time to try the video function. I figured out how to shoot pencil tests on my lap-top by shooting with the built in web-cam and editing in After Effects, (do I sound like a geek or what), so now I can shoot line tests while on the top of Mount Rushmore, (if I so desire). This is a cycle from the Sesame Street bit that I posted designs of earlier. This one isn't at colourful, but it moves more. There's always a trade-off.

Here it is in color, but now it's blurry and there's no sound. Why can't I get it right?

Summer caricatures

2009-09-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

Summer caricaturing events are finally done, (above is a typically requested kind of pose). There were lots of them, even though I was promised a nasty recession. Now it's time to pull on the cardigan, sit by the fire & think autumny thoughts.

sketchbook stuff

2009-06-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

I've been advised that I should post something or 'face the consequences',.. so I feverishly ran for my sketchbook & found these. They're artists hard at work from the 'Golden Age of Animation', (roughly half a year ago). The artform has noticably deteriorated since then.

'carry-catcher'

2009-06-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is a caricature of the writer 'P Soop', (notice the quill, clever huh?). There, now that I've blogged I'm going back outside to play - toodle-oo.

Illustration example

2009-05-21T16:31:00.000-07:00

It's time to get more sophistimucated.

Hep Boards

2009-05-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

These boards are from a TV Movie that starred the late, great Kate Hepburn. They were done a few years back, (obviously), at Reel Wonders Animation.

girl at the beach

2009-05-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

The posts have been b&w lately, so here's one in colour.

design sketches

2009-05-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

More drawings from the same movie - this time design ideas for a victorian era exotic dancer. Back in those days, colour wasn't invented yet and everyone ate steam for breakfast.

Here's some animation done for a combination zoetrope & organ device. Every home had one of those back in my day.

More Thor

2009-05-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hi cats - sorry I didn't blug for so long. I have so much to tell you about what's been going on that I don't know where to start - so I won't.

Instead, here's a poster I did for an uncoming Scantily-navian rock tour.

still more lifedrawing...

2009-02-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

Got a call to be a substitute lifedrawing teacher yesterday & did these sketches there. (Maybe they'll have me back if I promise to do more teaching than drawing...)

Childrens' book

2009-02-10T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is a childrens' book I had the opportunity to do many years ago. Here Harland teaches the reader the joys of scribbling on the walls.

Cut-out illustration

2009-02-09T23:07:00.000-08:00

…for a real-estate brochure, extolling the wonders of 2D living. Medium: paper & scissors (without the rock).

and more lifedrawings

2009-02-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

Some Sunday school sketches.

Lifedrawing

2009-02-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've got all classy-like and posted some 'high' art. I'm even wearing my beret and smock just to type this.

Critters

2009-02-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

These were also for Sesame Street, (this time thru the CBC), with the intent of teaching the kids.... er... something.

Elephant & Mouse design

2009-02-04T07:31:00.001-08:00

This was done at "Pork & Beans" for a Sesame St. vignette teaching mice how to wash their hands. I learned alot in the process of animating it. Did you know they've got this thing called 'soap' now?

Here's a bit-o-patty-cake from it. Coloring was provided by the aptly named Inksters.

bus sketches

2009-01-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

For those of us wealthy enough, a stretch limo takes us to and from work. Here's some sketches done between the potholes.

Concept sketch for figure skating show

2009-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

This was for Mike Granek (of Granek Productions) from back when people used to be amused by such things. Now-a-days the kids are into "on-lining", "face-spacing" and playing with sharp objects.

Glitter Rock Lives On!

2009-01-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

This concept sketch was done for the mighty rock warrior, Thor. It's not every day one gets to do art for the gods.

The last supper...

2008-12-31T21:30:00.000-08:00

...of 2008. I promised a couple of characters that I'd post something over the holidays, (apparently I'm not quick enough for the 'blogosphere kids', and am to pick up my pace a little). anyways, this is my pet cat, Lazarus, (at least he was my pet from noon 'til dinner time).
As for next year - I resolve I'll keep the posts coming a tad quicker for you folks who need to drop by every 10 minutes.

Concept Sketch

2008-11-25T23:47:00.000-08:00

This is a heavy metal "Josie & the Pussycats" pitch for an animated commercial a few years back. I suppose the goal of the project was to warp the next generation.

Character Designs

2008-11-06T18:14:00.000-08:00

This was done a few years back for a "Courage the Cowardly Dog" character design test, with the task being to design 'mattress delivery rats from hell'. How cliché.

A Storyboard Example

2008-10-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry to frequent viewers of my blog for not posting lately, (& I believe there's millions of you), but deadlines have been fast and furious as of late. Here's an old storyboard pitch to fill the gap until the next bout of sweet unemployment when I can blog again.

'64 Swinger

2008-08-30T11:18:00.000-07:00

The weather's back & it's a long weekend, so time for martinis & the bossa nova.

Kids' Caricatures

2008-08-24T10:36:00.001-07:00

Now it's the caricature season of childrens' parties & company picnics.

Mock-up for Magazine Cover ("The Production Cycle")

2008-08-01T15:46:00.001-07:00

...or it'll make a handy collectors' plate.

Sports Magazine Cover Pitch...

2008-07-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

...Pardon the pun.

Pitch for Animated Video

2008-07-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

This was done several years back as a concept for a video for a punk/ska band, (they went with live-action in the end). I was trying for a retro 70's look that was in turn a retro 30's look. (In another decade or two I'll be able to pitch it again as a retro 90's look).

Children's Book Illustration Pitch

2008-07-15T22:31:00.001-07:00

I colored in this sketch I pitched for a friend's children's book about a pineapple poet. Too busy to pursue it with gusto at the time, someone else did an excellent job illustrating the book. Oddly enough, I went on to a job directing animation for a show about the adventures of a yak and a pineapple-headed kid in an aloha shirt.

T-shirt Caricaturing

2008-06-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was drawing people's caricatures on T-shirts - something I hadn't done before. Though it was a bit like drawing on 'jello-paper', (...it's not what you're thinking - people aren't wearing the shirt while you're drawing on it), everything worked out well and all had a splendid time. Here's a color version of the poster I made for the event.

Caricature Example (B & W)

2008-06-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a black & white example of a caricature that's more typical of what you'd get at an event. The plus side is there's need to bother wearing matching socks.

Caricature Example (Color)

2008-06-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

It's 'dry grad' season, for us caricature guys. This means staying up all night drawing pictures of recent grads, (like example above, except in black & white - no time to color them in at events). I spent much of college practicing for this kind of work, by studying all-night parties.

Lifedrawing examples - longer poses

2008-06-22T10:46:00.000-07:00

These aren't just drawings of naked people, they're high class art known as 'life-drawing'. I did these while teaching lifedrawing at a local gaming company.

A TV Series Pitch

2008-06-21T14:16:00.000-07:00

This set-up was made for a potential TV series, (though the show isn't about these guys, it's about some other not so perky, happy & well-adjusted kid... but more about that later).

Concept Sketch Examples

2008-06-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

I did these before a meeting for a film that failed to materialize, (I wonder why?).

Backyard Sketches

2008-06-16T21:56:00.001-07:00

These are from a sketchbook I keep of nature drawings. It's for when I feel like doing life-drawings but am too cheap to pay for a model, (though technically, the beetle was paid in beer, for that's were I found him. Made him very co-operative to my requests for poses).

Gouache Painting

2008-06-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

This is a study for a painting for the den. After severaI years, I still haven't finished the painting, (or the den).

A Cartoony Commercial Pitch

2008-06-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

This is from a pitch for a commercial for a petroleum concern. The woman looks calm as she knows prices were yet to sky-rocket.