Drawing what you think you see isn't always the best.

I'm about half way through drawing everything in Preston Blair's Cartoon Animation book, and boy have I learned a lot. Looking back on some of the drawings I've done even a month ago I can tell I really have grown quite a bit. I thought I would have been done with the book by now, but some of these animation cycles are taking a little longer than I had originally planned and I still want them to look nice too.

Gilligan just hanging around.


Claude goes fishing for turtles.


Pirate a Day


After a good 49 hour nap our little hero awoke rested, ready to face the day and what ever adventures it might bring.


Walt Stanchfield has been teaching me a lot about angles lately through his book Drawn to Life Vol 1. He talks about angles in a similar way that Preston Blair presents line of action. Just drawing what you think you see isn't always the best. As humans our rig, or rather our body, knows how to handle itself, but as artists sometimes we need to see what the meaning behind a position, movement or action actually is. So sometimes it is necessary to over exaggerate angles or the line of action to better tell a story with an image. John K also did a nice write up on a similar idea, but focused on setting up a shot rather than a pose. Definitely worth the read.

Borders finally got Imaginefx's How to Draw and Paint Anatomy in stock, and I quickly snagged up a copy, well, after an hour or so of sketching people in the coffee shop. I've only had a chance to flip through it, but it looks like they've done a great job again. Thanks for the inspiration!

Searching For Your Message

I'm loving drawing Preston Blair kids. They're just so full of life and expression! I'm trying to incorporate different individual drawings into one to make a whole scene. It helps challenge me to try different perspectives. Wish I had more time to draw today, for that matter wish I could just draw faster. Well, practice makes perfect or so I've heard.

Ever since I came across Dr. Seuss Goes to War at Borders a few weeks ago I've had his drawings on my mind. Thus today, subject to your approval, I present to you Dr. Gilligan.



Wanted to try something new, so I started a semi post apocalyptic concept, in the vein of 9 and Fallout. Didn't have time to fully flesh it out today, but I like the idea behind it.



I mentioned how much I loved King's Quest a few days ago, and how I came across John Shroades. What I didn't mention was that, just on a whim, I emailed him to tell him how much I admired his work, and today to my surprise he emailed me back! What a great guy. He did mention one thing in his email to me that has stuck with me all day. "Keep drawing and searching for the message you want to tell the world with your work." I've thought about using drawings and art to tell a story, but I will definitely have to keep drawing and searching for what the message I'm supposed to tell is. Thanks John.