Elves and Giraffes

That title makes me think of Elves riding Giraffes. Which makes me think of this unique cartoon(Dino Riders). I don't think I ever even watched the show, but I had one of the toys. It was either one of those or these farm animals that had bazookas and grenades strapped to them. Getting back on track, I spent a bit of time work on a bit more Preston Blair study. I'm struggling trying to mimic his style without changing it to fit my personal tastes, although it's nice to see I'm developing more of my own style.

I actually got a decent amount of feedback, through facebook, about people liking Gilligan the Giraffe. So here's a little more of that crazy little camelopardalis.

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone! Hope you like the new pictures!

Today's Inspiration comes from The Disney Family Album. I could watch these special's for hours on end. I just eat them up! If you don't know what they are, click the link already! No really, click. Watch. Come back. I'll wait. Okay, now that you've watched it aren't they just amazing. For those of you who didn't spend all day watching everyone, The Disney Family Album is basically a documentary on the Nine Old Men. They include interviews, cameos, videos of them just telling stories, or drawing. It's incredible. They're incredible. If you ever need inspiration watch one of them.

Well, it's another late night tonight. I've been meaning to talk about avoiding tangent's for a few days now. I guess it can wait for tomorrow. Until then, in the spirit of Dory, Just Keep Drawing!

Gilligan the Giraffe

Took me a while to get down the older almost 2d style of Preston Blair's Elves. I still think I kept the essence, but some of his hands and feet were just to be quite honest, awkwardly drawn. I also didn't like the fact that none of his elves had chins. People, even elves, need chins. As you can probably tell I went over the drawings with a 5h pencil. I just can't justify spending so much time on a drawing and not being able to see it clearly, when it's scanned in. Plus, I've had a few friends mention that too me as well. I think this will be the new standard from here on out. Even though it takes a bit longer, It's worth it.

Drew a little Giraffe for Rhys last night. She really liked it. So we named it Gilligan, and well more and more drawings ensued.



Today's Inspiration comes from your own eyes. Take some time today to look around you, and don't just look. Pause, even if only for a moment and try to see something you've never seen before. Look at the things around you that you always look at from a different perspective. It really makes life feel new and fresh.

Gnomeaphobe

Finally, I'm done drawing gnomes. Something makes me feel like I'll be drawing them again soon though. Maybe I'm just a gnomeaphobe. Hands, perspectives, and weight distribution are still a bit tricky, but I'm not having to look at references every single time.

I was finding myself not as excited to draw today, procrastinating, I guess would be the correct term. So I just went with the feeling, and let myself draw what I felt like, in my own sketchbook. I'm still not as confident using heavier led, but it's good practice and when I get it right I tend to like it better than the 2H I usually use.

As promised, here's a more in-depth look at what I was talking about yesterday.

If one learns to master Bruce McIntyre's Six Rules of Perspective you can really render great drawings. Not saying that you don't need color, lighting, and the like, but that your drawings can be seen for what they are supposed to be. Overall these are key principles that all artists especially myself should keep in mind while drawing anything. If you really want to know more about these concepts pick up, Walt Stanchfield's Drawn to Life Vol 1.

Today's inspiration comes from Tony White. I picked up his Animator's Workbook from the library today. What a great find! I haven't had too much time to delve into it yet, but by just finding out more about him through his blog I'm hooked. Check out his eccentric walk pencil tests! They're amazing!

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Had to stay up late to get any drawing done. Today was way too busy. Worked a little more on some Preston Blair gnomes. I really like drawing the essence of his characters, while putting my own spin on them.

In order to supplement for my lack of study drawings; here's a little drawing from my sketchbook,

and a little note I drew for Rhys.

Today's inspiration is brought to you by Bruce McIntyre by way of Walt Stanchfield's Drawn to Life Vol 1. He came up with the six rules of perspective: Surface, Size, Surface Plus Size, Overlap, Surface Lines, and Foreshortening. Well, I'm falling asleep at the keyboard. So, time permitting, I'll delve deeper into each of those Six Rules of Perspective tomorrow.

Gnome today, Gnome tomorrow

I'm not quite sure what that means *gnome today, gnome tomorrow* but it seemed to work in my head. Tried to squeeze in as much drawing as I could into today. I found doing caricatures through chatroulette really has helped to free me up. My drawing study seemed to go a bit faster today. I actually found myself not liking and therefore changing some of the different aspects of a few of the gestures in Preston Blair's Book. I still tried to stay true to the pose though through it all.

Did a few more caricatures on chatroulette tonight. I had a couple of strange experiences. One guy said my work was too bland. He then said it looked like my work belonged in the newspaper, so to him I say, thanks for the compliment. I'd love to be published in the newspaper! Although most people were there for other purposes, I had a few people who watched and chatted while I drew. One guy was a graffiti artist and showed me some of his work. It was quite impressive. I wish I could have gotten his name. One of the last ones I did was of an artist too. He seemed to think the idea of drawing on chatroulette was pretty cool. He gave me his website so I figured I'd mention it here http://www.justinhite.com/.

Today's inspiration is Paul Felix. He works or at least worked at Disney. His work spans through Lilo and Stitch, Brother Bear, Emperors New Groove, and more. His drawings, paintings and backgrounds are just stunning. I hear he teaches or at least taught classes too. I wish I could be in one. Check out some of his work on John Nevarez's Blog.

Good, then Fast, then Good and Fast

Another late night tonight! Albeit, I fell asleep on the couch after work, but hey. Got up early to do a bit of perspective work. Still find some of the angles quite challenging, but I'm enjoying the learning process. I like adding more detail through perspective (ie small characters in the background, characters off to the side and bent in strange positions) it's something I really haven't implemented into my drawing repertoire. I look forward to using this tool more and more.

Messed around on chatroulette again tonight, it's just such a great way to practice for me and I have fun doing it too. Not as many people were receptive tonight, but I still managed to get a few pretty decent sketches out of it.

A couple of great points of inspiration from the various readings and listening I did today. I forget if it was Kevin Cross, Joshua Kemble, or Chris Oatley who said it, but this phrase really stuck with me. Forgive me if it's a little off, but it was something to the effect of "First you get good, then you get fast, then you get good and fast." Definitely something for me to strive for, and keep in mind while I'm trying to master my drawing. (as heard on Chris Oatley's Artcast). The other quote that really stuck out to me today was again from Walt Stanchfield's Drawn to Life Vol 1 "What a horrible fate - to be just a drawing." He was talking about having meaning and feeling behind each and every gesture and drawing you make. I really wanna get to that point some day!

One last thing! I got my first comment on the blog yesterday! Well to be completely honest I got a comment yesterday (thanks anonymous) to try out chathopper in lieu of chatroulette. Which I did. I like the interface a lot better than chatroulette, but it doesn't seem to have as many people on, at least tonight. So I ended up going back. Anyways after I saw I had a comment yesterday I went back through some old posts and saw that I had a comment on an older post! Just wanted to give a shout out to my first commenter S Manor and her blog monoclecomics. Awesome stuff over there, you should really check it out. Thanks for the feedback! I'll have to do another expressions study sometime soon.

Perspective Roulette

Had a blast drawing today. Did a little drawing for my nephew. *see below* Evidently he really likes it when I draw. Which is always nice to hear. Worked on a bit of perspective. Took quite a bit to get some of the angles down, but I think I handled it okay. Gotta keep practicing though.

I discovered a great way to practice and speed up my sketching, chatroulette. NSFW! Now I know what you're gonna say, and ya you have to sift through all that, but I found out a few great things that it helps with. First of all I should explain what exactly chatroulette is and how I was using it. Chatroulette is basically a site that randomly connects you to someone else in the world with a webcam. So I thought hey why not draw the person on the other side! I quickly learned you have to hook the person fast, meaning you have to draw fast. Not only draw fast, but you have to look fast. You can't just stare at the image for hours on end you have to look quick and draw quick. Not only quick, but you have to draw an accurate (to some extent) representation of the person on the other side of the webcam that they will like. Anyways if you're ever looking for a great exercise and need some images to draw from, try it out. (I can't believe I just spent the last two hours doing that ><). Above and beyond being just a drawing exercise you get instant feed back, and if you're doing it right instant positive feedback.

Today's inspiration comes from Walt Stanchfield's Book Drawn to Life Vol 1 "The goal is to find the essence of the gesture and make all the parts of the body contribute to and enhance that gesture."