Opportunities and Goals

Sorry about last night's update being a little late... I got caught up roughing and retouching up the Preston Blair run cycle. Overall I think it turned out pretty good, but I've got to remind myself to keep to deadlines and although perfection is key you have to keep yourself on schedule.

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Gilligan is kind of a scared-i-cat.


Gilligan doing his best greek fountain impression.


Claude and his turtle being kings of the world,


and then realizing that they aren't.


Pirate a Day


Pirate a Day - Article the Second


After a few hours of trying different looks our little hero and Theodore found one that worked perfectly!


Our little hero couldn't thank Theodore the tailor enough!

So life has thrown me quite a few twists since really following my dream to be an artist / animator. Some things have vastly improved while others have simply fallen by the wayside. I'm right now again at a crossroads in life. I was listening to the Asifa Hollywood Animation Podcast with Beth Sleven, and they were talking about which colleges were the best to go to for animation, which books were the best to read, what skills to practice and develop, and they came to the conclusion that it really doesn't mater as long as you really have the desire and motivation, along with some sort of talent of course. For example one of her fellow animators started out as a law student. Which reminded me of something Eamonn Butler said on the Animation Podcast. It was something to the effect of you never really know exactly what opportunities are going to come your way and you have to take advantage of everyone. Well here's to decisions, hard work, life, motivation, opportunities, and goals. Thanks for the inspiration!

Always Tryin' to be a Wild and Wooly Sheep

There are so many different artists I love, and tons of beautiful completely unique styles that just amaze me. On top of that you've got to decide which of the thousands of mediums you want to use. Why is my little eye attracted to so much!

Gilligan stubbed his giraffe toe for the fifth time today!


Claude's turtle's response to finding out Claude ate the last of the Reese's Pieces.


Pirate a Day

Thinking quickly and with even faster reflexes our little hero spotted the flying fork and positioned himself to exactly where he hoped the sharp object would land, and fate being what she is, of course, the pointed utensil stuck in just the right spot.

While out looking for a new shower curtain today (don't ask), I perused the DVD section for any old animated classics that might be on sale. Nothing was really that great of a deal, but I did come across Fox and the Hound which I haven't seen in ages. Between listening to the Animation Podcast and watching the Disney family album I've been absorbed into Disney history lately. Especially the after Walt passed, 9 old men films or the 1967-1985 era. I find it so fascinating to see how the studio struggled, evolved and succeeded during this period. Anyways, on the back of the Fox and the Hound DVD, there was a list of bonus features, and that's when I was reminded of one of my absolute favorite and most memorable Disney shorts, Lambert the Sheepish Lion.



This cartoon is a perfect example of what the appeal of animation is. The characters are aesthetically pleasing and lovable, the story is cute and heartfelt, and the song is catchy as hell. What a great reminder of what makes this medium really shine. Thanks for the inspiration!

Off the Beaten Path

I wish I had more time to draw lately. Hopefully the next few days will a lot me a bit more free time. I'm finding just drawing roughs to be so much more fun and exhilarating, while I still like the look of the cleanup, but that tends to drive my perfectionist side a bit batty.

Gilligan hitting the road.

Claude and his turtle flexing.


Our little hero soon awoke to find him self in an extremely heated situation.


Pirate a day


I've been trying to think recently about why I really get inspired by Milt Kahl. Of course he's a great animator and his drawings are remarkable, but something about his personality and presence really makes me like him above all of the other godfathers of animation. It came to me today while I was listening to Clay Kaytis' Animation Podcast Valt which was a lecture Milt Kahl gave that was recorded and preserved by another great animator Ron Clements. From what I've read about Mr. Kahl and the interviews I've seen by himself and others he never would admit he was any good, yet he always pointed out the flaws and things he didn't like in others work. I believe it was Richard Williams that said in an interview that Milt Kahl was honest maybe a little too honest, and that he always stuck to what he believed in and what he liked. Towards the end of the lecture he talked about The Black Cauldron, which having researched a bit about Disney history was kind of a dividing film. Milt seemed to have left Disney over some disagreements over how the Black Cauldron was being treated vs what he thought it should have been. Tim Burton another one of my art hero's was an animator at Disney at the same time and he presented a lot of story board and concept designs for Cauldron as well, which were eventually thrown out cause they were too out there. Though both of these amazing men have completely different styles, yet they both stuck to what they liked and what they believed in. I really aspire to keep those traits alive in my life and my work. Maybe even one day I'll win a Winsor McCay award like my heroes. Thanks for the Inspiration!

Heroine of the Titans

Felt a bit reluctant getting started today, but I'm glad I stuck with it. I seem to be getting the hang of Preston Blair's young heroine a bit better. Did a few more rough, fun sketches before I got started this evening. I think that helped me to have the loose feeling I get after the first few drawings. Still spent too much time knocking out the hands, and I should really practice lips more, too. I've gotta get those down pat.

Dr Gilligan, the most exotic of the Time Lords.



Retro 8 bit Claude and his turtle.



The scan seemed to muddy this image up a bit more than usual, so I'm debating redoing it. Maybe I'll just take a picture of it instead. The Original just looks solid!

I'm totally digging the Minithology concept. I just love making up new characters. Tonight I present to you, Hades and Poseidon. As I work on this project more I keep thinking of how I wish there were more episodes of Clone High!


Picked up the newest copy of ImagineFX. What a great magazine. If you haven't checked out this publication, "Do it now!" I think the issue before this one was my favorite so far. It was all about Pinups. The newest issue has a great spread on Ray Harryhausen and his sketchbook. Harryhausen worked on the original Clash of the Titans. He produced some of the most cutting edge effects of his day, and after listening to his appearance on Clay Kaytis' Animation Podcast, I learned he did most everything all by himself. He's still such an inspiration!

blog post soundtrack of the day ~ Art and Story Extreme!

A little birdie told me

Spent most of today thinking about drawing. I know, "Shock!," (is that the correct way to punctuate that?!) but even more than usual. I'm messing around with different types of pencils and leads, and working on making sure my lines really pop. I'm also learning how important a good tip is. I hate it when my lead breaks!

Today's quote of the day comes by way of The Animation Podcast and Andreas Deja which if I recall correctly he attributed to Ollie. "You shouldn't animate drawings, animate feelings." Trying to keep that in the forefront of my mind while I'm drawing.