change of course

scrabface · #1 02-07-2011, 05:06 PM

I told my mum that I am thinking of aborting my studies (african studies) and using all my energy to work on my skills and closing the gaps in my knowledge of animation and illustration. she wasn't happy about that and still tries to talk me out of it. of course we both know that it's up to me as I am already adult, but she has always supported me and she points out that all my time in the university would have been a waste of time.
anyway still, I am still reflecting, but I opened this thread to show my (hopefully positive) progress for the future. although the fan corner is overseen, you guys are perfect to criticize what ever will come, because you don't know me.

Manco · #2 02-07-2011, 05:39 PM

I think if at all possible, you should try to pursue this without giving up your university course. I'm not saying you shouldn't try, but art is an amazingly competitive field and it's always worth having a backup plan.

Looking at your first drawing: it's alright, but it's kind of messy. The lineart feels very rushed, and could do with some refinement.
The face is pretty difficult to read, too - the eyes are all wobbly, and the overall feel of the face is that it's saggy and melting.
The arms are literally all over the place - I know that's what you were going for, but they're a bit over the top compared to the rest of the character.

Overall, a good start, but you'll need to put in some serious work to make it into a career option.

As a side-note, I'd recommend looking into realistic anatomy (if you haven't already done so) - pretty much all professional artists/illustrators will tell you that you need to understand realistic anatomy before moving onto stylised works.

Disgruntled Intern · #3 02-07-2011, 06:44 PM

Shades of Thurop Van-Orman.

AvengingGibbons · #4 02-08-2011, 01:13 AM

i need to ask, when do they do the yearly oddworld art contest?

Finish your studies if it's going well, and if you've already started the course and are halfway through it already. You might find that you regret leaving early if you get bored of animation once you give it your full attention. Havibg something as a hobby can be very different to having it as a job.

Take OddHunter's advice of studying the anatomy. I often find I can imagine a character pose, or action in my head but can't transfer it to my drawing, without erasing and redrawing again and again. I ubderstand the pose you've gone for with that scary sailor woman, but it's not the best. There are probably a lot of methods and techniques for drawing people. If you want effective feedback, you'll have to explain the images too so we know exactly what you're trying to portray. Good luck on your decisions anyway

scrabface · #5 02-08-2011, 06:28 AM

@Oddhunter
Thank you for your detailed and earnest comment. about the drawing - I just fooled around in flash and took what came out. but you're absolutely right, especially about the face, I don't like it either. the arms should flow into an S form, but they don't fit together and they don't fit with the lame pose.
about the backup plan, that's exactly what my mum says. but right now it seems for me to be a plan a, not plan b.
maybe that's the best idea though
I tried to study anatomy, but not in the effort I should have done. I visited some nude courses (<-- is that right? german akt kurse) and I really enjoyed it. because I am no art student, I am not allowed to participate, so I sneaked in.
example

I also borrowed some anatomy books of a fried who studies medicine.
anyway, I got a lot of material and I visit the natural history museum quite often.
however I choose, I will start studying anatomy and all important techniques dutifully.

@Disgruntled Intern
I am a big fan of his work, but I have only watched some ep of flapjack yet.

@AvengingGibbons
thanks, the explanation is a good idea.

ziggy · #6 02-08-2011, 08:27 AM

I think you should continue your studies, in whatever it is. Don't just quit because you want to animate instead. Like everyone will tell you, you have to get a stable job first before you can just be an artist. You might be miserable for a little while, but it's just a part of life. Working ain't fun most of the time.

Oddhunter's comments on studying realistic anatomy before you exaggerate are very true. The drawing you made in flash looks like it lacks form. There's a certain way you will learn to draw that characterizes cartoonish feel and real form without being too overly detailed that you just have to practice in order to do the right way. You'll just get to the point where it will become second nature after some good practice.

STM · #7 02-08-2011, 11:20 AM

I think that if you want to be an animator or an illustrator, you need to work on this path only as a back up option, sort of like a side project, because the business is massively competitive.

If you are thinking of animating, you need to build a portfolio of art and videos showing what you can do, try to think digital photoshop and classic biro art and then apply this to your animation as well. That way you have a brimming CV you can show developers who love free lance.

Manco · #8 02-08-2011, 11:54 AM

:

@Oddhunter
Thank you for your detailed and earnest comment. about the drawing - I just fooled around in flash and took what came out. but you're absolutely right, especially about the face, I don't like it either. the arms should flow into an S form, but they don't fit together and they don't fit with the lame pose.
about the backup plan, that's exactly what my mum says. but right now it seems for me to be a plan a, not plan b.
maybe that's the best idea though
I tried to study anatomy, but not in the effort I should have done. I visited some nude courses (<-- is that right? german akt kurse) and I really enjoyed it. because I am no art student, I am not allowed to participate, so I sneaked in.
example

I also borrowed some anatomy books of a fried who studies medicine.
anyway, I got a lot of material and I visit the natural history museum quite often.
however I choose, I will start studying anatomy and all important techniques dutifully.

This is all absolutely fantastic to hear; stick to these guns and I look forward to seeing your future updates in this thread.

scrabface · #9 02-08-2011, 01:16 PM

:

This is all absolutely fantastic to hear; stick to these guns and I look forward to seeing your future updates in this thread.

nice^^

btw I would like to see some of your art, but there is nothing in your DA gallery.

Manco · #10 02-08-2011, 01:30 PM

My personal art is pretty terrible; I have all this great advice but I never follow it myself.

Also I have very little drive to draw, and haven't for a while.

scrabface · #11 02-09-2011, 04:43 PM

:

My personal art is pretty terrible; I have all this great advice but I never follow it myself.

Also I have very little drive to draw, and haven't for a while.

nevertheless I'd like to see something.

I was in the nhm today, among others I drew an elephant

Splat · #12 02-09-2011, 06:35 PM

This should clearly be in NOA&L, for it is not Oddworld-themed.

Nice elephant.

MeechMunchie · #13 02-10-2011, 12:50 AM

Nice elephant indeed.

scrabface · #14 02-12-2011, 09:41 AM

thanks both of you, and sorry I put it into the wrong place

I am working on a small animation; it's about this bug flying through a big city. this is only a test, everything's cheesy atm, the bug's not animated yet, there are no streets in the second shot etc. but I did this to get a feeling about where that might go. right now I am painting the background to make it highly detailed and animating the bug in flash and tvpaint.

I am using this half done illustration I did last year.

MeechMunchie · #15 02-12-2011, 09:47 AM

I like the music, painting style and conept. I also like beetles. JUST FINISH IT ALREADY

STM · #16 02-12-2011, 12:15 PM

This is cute. I am glad I have seen this. You have huge talent!

scrabface · #17 02-13-2011, 12:10 PM

wow thanks for the nice posts. I am on it.

ziggy · #18 02-14-2011, 07:01 AM

I like the ladybug animation too, what you've done so far. I like the elephant drawing too. Keep it up sir.

Disgruntled Intern · #19 02-14-2011, 06:30 PM

You have quite a bit of talent. Nurture it, but don't be afraid to experiment. Experiment like crazy. And while posting stuff here is a nice ego boost, I'd suggest either making some real world art-minded friends, or signing up for some sort of art class, because peer-crit is one of the most valuable/excruciating things you'll ever take away from school in the art department. 90% of it will be pissy little snots who are just looking to make themselves feel better about their shit art by making you feel bad about yours, but that remaining 10% is truly great stuff.

Seriously though, stay at it.

scrabface · #20 02-16-2011, 05:34 PM

thank you ziggy

@Disgruntled Intern - I will make it so. thanks for the kick in the butt.

Dynamithix · #21 02-17-2011, 12:58 PM

You're talented, scrabface.

Splat · #22 02-19-2011, 06:26 PM

Actually I really love that animation in its current form. I think the non-animated insect works really well with the music. I guess it'll be good when it's worked on, but I really like the artiness of how it is now.

scrabface · #23 02-21-2011, 06:53 AM

thank you both for the nice words.
@ Splat - I wanna at least animate the wings. the whole thing helps me to build up a scenario and it is a good training in composition. but I have to learn how to animate, so there's no way around but to actually animate.

so I spoke with some friends, my mother and my sister and I finally decided to do the jump. I will officially pause my studies for one year and work on my techniques. so I am going to visit the figure drawing class, the natural and art history museums, study the classic animators like preston blair and following tips of john k. I am also gonna start painting with acrylic and oil, water colours and pastel. I will apply for the entrance exams of the Gobelins next year, so I have to fresh up my french too. I made a deal, if I won't get in, I will return to my studies and finish them.

Disgruntled Intern · #24 02-21-2011, 04:09 PM

If you're going to spend time studying animation, I'd suggest Peter Chung. He's pretty different and the way he plays with movement and the human form is pretty fun.

scrabface · #25 02-24-2011, 07:23 PM

Peter Chung's work is amazing. He really has an eye for perspective and tons of incredible ideas. I love Aeon Flux and cannot describe how sad I was after I saw the feature film with Charlize Theron.

I recently stumbled over my old VHS Silly Symphonies cassettes and watched Fiddlesticks. The timing of the gags and the humour are great. and I love the character design of Flip the Frog. the shoulders are right next to his big eyes, that's hilarious!

Disgruntled Intern · #26 02-25-2011, 08:17 PM

Nice. Another good one to check out is Katy the Caterpillar, and really anything Ralph Bakshi had a hand in. I'm a total animation nerd, and I could bore you to death all day.

scrabface · #27 02-27-2011, 02:19 PM

why do the ravens have an australian accent? katy's soooo sweet lol.

and no you can't bore me to death with animation stuff.

Disgruntled Intern · #28 02-27-2011, 06:12 PM

Found this today, was pretty stoked to see someone is still studying traditional animation.

scrabface · #29 03-01-2011, 12:07 PM

sorry for the double post...

scrabface · #30 03-10-2011, 06:53 PM

alright

I've put up a new blog where I am going to daily upload sketches and artwork. the goal is to become an animator and finally getting into an animation school (Gobelins or Animation Workshop...)

It would be glad if you drop in from time to time

http://theanimatorproject.blogspot.com/