Roverandom - continuous updates

jeez 3 posts in one day haha
I've been lagging behind on posting some stuff I've been doing for visual development class taught by Dominic Domingo. I was really nervous about taking this class- especially hearing about the workload. But...it's been six weeks and I can only say good things about it. I feel like I learned things that should have been taught the moment I entered Art Center. Story driven design is still something I feel I struggle with because I'm stuck with the reasoning of "because it looks cool and fits the image" in my head. Major lesson of the day: Do your research especially when you're making some kind of cultural reference!!

Down below, I've painted props from Roverandom. From top right to bottom left, Man-in-the-Moon's telescope, Artaxerxe's pen wand, Man-in-the-Moon's dragon warding potion spell bottle, Little Boy Number Two's bedside table, and Man-in-the-moon's phoenix firework rocket. I thought we had to do it in this realistic style but if I were to do it again, I would make it more flat for 2d style animation. Working from grayscale is something new for me--so I'm still trying to figure out how to make the colors a little brighter with more impact--all of these seem to fall under the same value when you squint your eyes.

Also, I have to say, I really enjoy all my classmates. This might seem a bit rude but in all my years at art center, I don't think I've ever come across so many friendly people in the same classroom. I only wish I could have encountered this kind of environment earlier on at school. I spent a long time doubting myself and my abilities-even now. For me, the unintended first step of every project is to freak out and tell myself that I can't do it. It's like easing your way into a jacuzzi haha. I never really thought any of my work was worth glancing at because I cared too much about how much better someone else's execution was. I was too busy building a monster that didn't need to exist in the first place haha. I really appreciate how vocal everyone is and how humble they are about their work. I like that our instructor shows us ways to appreciate something new or hidden in everyone's piece~ it's refreshing and I hope to carry that with me down the road!

I will put up moar props and scans soon!

my ode to kimbra

There aren't enough words in the English language to express how much I love this talented woman. Kimbra is such a delight to listen to and is probably the only other thing I play on a loop in my car besides the soundtrack for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Her performance of "Settle Down" for Spotify was what won me over. I know that I can die happy if she just see her in concert and witness her majestic, weird, hand move dancing in person. I've decided to do my midterm final on her song settle down-- particularly on the verse that talks about Angela Vickers who I suppose is some scantily clad woman about to encroach on Kimbra's man. Hahah I was really drawn to this verse because it speaks about jealousy which is something I have definitely identified with in the past. Whether it was a friend or boyfriend or whatever, jealousy just mauls you in the face when your hormones are going crazy as a teenager.

so anyhow~here's my storyboard for it-- I will have to change up the beginning because the words go too fast for any of it to be clearly legible.

I was really inspired by graphics from the 1950s and neon signs from that era as well. Hmm now that I look at it, it definitely needs some kind of build up to the color stage of the animation-I do like the ending (even if I used a lot of grays that are too cool and warm to match each other.) and it resonates more with the direction i want to take it so hopefully I can give the graphics a little more of a push this week. When I went to CTN last year-- Lorelay Bove suggested that tagging colors to certain characters can really help you with your color scheme- so I tagged the main character with green to represent envy, blue for the boyfriend/husband guy to represent someone who is innocent, impressionable, and red/pink for the Tramp because that is a color we usually identify as evil, romantic, and sexy. I'll post my animatic up once I re-board the first few parts of it!

Horris' Horrific Hex

Hey guys! I have been banging out lots of work since term started and so far, things are going well.

So this is for a class called Story in a Picture by Richard Keyes and we're supposed to make a three part story having to do with a random image he gives each of us in class. Kind of like the triptych I made a while back. So the image I got was this--

which is obviously a horse in an apartment. Honestly some of the pictures that people got looked like they were taken from 9gag. I never put much thought to what stories could be behind those kinds of pictures but I think this is a great exercise that every artist should try out. For me, it was impossible to think up something that was serious or heart wrenching with this image.

so this is the story of Horris, who, by society, would be considered a geek/nerd/outcast/ etc. She is completely obsessed with the most popularest, dreamiest, hunkiest, and handsomest guy in school, Brad Dimpleton. However, Horris takes obsession to the next level. She has gone to great lengths to collect mementos of Brad like locks of his hair, toenails, used tissues, empty waterbottles, and even his jacket. Months of collecting and Horris has all the ingredients required to concoct a love potion. Horris' second obsession is witchcraft and attempts to create her first spell as a 'certified' witch ( obtained from www.instituteofwitches.com). She consumes the potion and something goes wrong. As she stands in front of the mirror, her nose protrudes further and further before her and she stares herself in the mirror. Bit by bit, Horris slowly transforms into a horse and is forced to live a life in the spotlight that she never asked for.

 

 above are just a few color comps. I tried to work in a different way than I usually-it wasn't really effective until I got to the second batch of color roughs. I'm really hoping to find a better way of doing these this term.

here's a wip of what I have so far-- I'm working slightly different than I usually do but I'm kind of liking the results~ more later! :)

finito!
----
here's panel numero dos!

sorry--no progress shots for this one-- I just had lots to do this week >_< but I'm hoping to revise this one soon!

So I compiled the three images and made an animatic out of it with a little after effects magic! Here's just a rough animation--I'll fix it up later on. This assignment was tons of fun! :)

Horris' Horrendous Hex from Snow Cinder on Vimeo.