Aug 26, 2012
Some pics...
Here's some pictures I made. They are from an old webcomic series I used to make. I'm working on some redesigns of the characters and maybe updating the comic itself. We'll see, I'm just messing around.
This one I made traditionaly. With paper, a sharpie and color markers. It is how I color things without the computer. Computers can do lots of things, but not everything.
That one I inked on paper and scaned and painted in the computer. More like I normally do.
Aspiring Artists Beware...
Aspiring artists beware, danger lurks in many forms. And most of it lies vieled in the form empty promises for work or payment "at a later date, maybe when this goes big!" Do not be fooled into these scams! You see them all the time, many of them on the popular Craig's List, or Job List forums, or even on this Blogger. Most of the time you will see postings commonly worded like this:
Real-live examples:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you illustrate a graphic novel:
"I have a graphic novel that needs an illustrator. It's a steampunk,
alternative history, gothic horror story that involves zombies, demons,
and so on. I'm looking for someone who can illustrate the thing, with my
help. The payoff is, you get 45% of whatever there is to get 45% of.
That means if we sell 20 copies, you get 45% of that. If we sell 250,000
copies, you get 45% of that .... which would be about $5 a copy, which
would means if we sold 100,000 copies, you'd make half a mil. But we
have to sell 100,000 copies first. So here's the deal: read the story's
synopsis and maybe the four or five chapters I've written in novel form
and see if it's something you could get behind. If not, no big deal.
Thanks for reading this ad. Reply to ****@gmail."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its, um? racy, and maybe a bit vulgar and will be sexual. I prefer the Hand drawn Pencil Sketch style.
It plays off off a joke that A lot of the rest of the world uses to put neighboring countries down. We don't so much use this Joke in America, at least not on the west coast)
Hit me up! Lets make some people laugh!
please respond with examples of work!
Thanks
And the list goes on, in any city, in every town. While many of these posts may be genuine in heart, they will not put food on your plate or pay your bills. Often hopeful, young graduates or desperate starting artists will inquire about this work, contact the poster/ company and maybe get lucky and interview. They often will give you a looooong winded story about how this project of theirs will "GO BIG!" How they know all these famous Hollywood Producers and Directors, or famous famous comicbook legends from Marvel or DC personaly. They like to name drop, and make it sound like they know people and can hook you up in the industry. Trust me, I have heard it all, and even been thru a few. And you know what ... you end up doing a lot of work for free and it doesn't get you anywhere. Sure you have some stuff to add to your portfolio, which can be valueble, but you want to be a success and you want money. And you don't want empty promises!
Things to really be wary of - lots of workload with no pay. Especially, and I cannot emphasis this enough: DO NOT GET WRAPPED UP INTO PROJECTS WHERE THEY WANT YOU TO PAY THEM!! Especially where animation is concerned. If the project was successfully sold, and a pilot got an approval, they should have had some kind of budget given to them to produce something, or a series of first season episodes. At the very least, there should be enough of a plan to sell the pilot, without making YOU fund with with you life's meager savings. Do NOT give them money, it should have been sold, or found a way to sell itself, it's a scam. The law of the art world should be: they pay YOU for work done on the project, not the other way around. Chant that mantra in your brain, stick to it, and see the value in what you do. Nothing is for free.
It is perfectly okay for you to expect to be paid as an artist. Often these people will try to devalue you and make you feel like you aren't worth time or money. But don't believe them, they need to understand that work doesn't come for free.
Also, be wary of "Perma-tern" work. This pertains the the Intership job postings. This is a disguised way of leeching free work out of students, or newly graduated ilumni with hopes of "Work in the future". Traditionally an Internship is a good way to learn hands on experience and build a portfolio before they start their journey into the outer world. Giving them a head-start with contacts and work done. Now, while a genuine Internship is a great thing, I advise you to ask your college career councilors on which places are offering Internships and if they can offer you an interview. Postings in Craig's List are sketchy, and often people phishing for free work. Also - no Internship should be permanent. If you've been there for over a year and they like what you do and you're still an "Intern" ... there is a red flag. If they love you so much they should offer you a paying position by now.
So what can you look for? These non-paid gigs and scams are a majority of what liters the boards. They seem to pollute every corner of the newspaper. You want to look for gigs and jobs that offer some form of compinsation. Even if it is a one-shot project like:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is this acceptable? It may not be the best gig ever, and it is the lowest end example I can show, but I show it for a reason. Because at least you are promised SOMETHING. They put up front that they will pay you $100 for work done, even if their project sells or not. A hundred bucks is better than $0 . Now, the decision is completely up to you. And if you think it is worth your time or effort to take on this job. Maybe you will look into it and it is still unreasonable, it takes too long, or they are really, really picky, whatever. The ball is still in your court as far as payment goes and wether or not you want to accept or deny it. Either way - if they like it enough you will get paid something no matter what.
Always look for gigs and job contracts with payment terms up front. If they can't explain how they intend to pay you for work done in up front face to face, or in a few emails, then I would begin to doubt their credibility. And certainly DO NOT pay them to do their project for them. This is not a charity drive here! If you want to be charitable with your money give it to an Animal Rescue Shelter or a Salvation Army Fund. Not some person with lofty promises, tons of workload with no pay and taking handouts for personal gain.
Your work has value. Believe it, and you should be getting what you think you deserve for it.
But landing that dream job or high-pay contract is soooo hard! I'm living on PB & J sandwiches and I can barely afford anything! You say. The solution.... Get a job! It probably won't be an art job. It may not even relate to how trained in Art College. but it will pay the bills and allow you to feed yourself. In the meantime you can still persue your art career with gusto. But at least you won't have to worry so much where or when your next meal will come from.
Real-live examples:
COMIC BOOK ARTIST NEEDED:
"i am seeking an artist who would be willing to draw out a comic book an associate and myself have written.There will be no pay unless the comic book gets picked up by Icon, Image, or Vertigo. all of which are interested in the story. please send samples of your work. thank"------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you illustrate a graphic novel:
"I have a graphic novel that needs an illustrator. It's a steampunk,
alternative history, gothic horror story that involves zombies, demons,
and so on. I'm looking for someone who can illustrate the thing, with my
help. The payoff is, you get 45% of whatever there is to get 45% of.
That means if we sell 20 copies, you get 45% of that. If we sell 250,000
copies, you get 45% of that .... which would be about $5 a copy, which
would means if we sold 100,000 copies, you'd make half a mil. But we
have to sell 100,000 copies first. So here's the deal: read the story's
synopsis and maybe the four or five chapters I've written in novel form
and see if it's something you could get behind. If not, no big deal.
Thanks for reading this ad. Reply to ****@gmail."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I need a Cartoonist Hi!:
I have an Idea for a Cartoon that WILL get world wide coverage! lolIts, um? racy, and maybe a bit vulgar and will be sexual. I prefer the Hand drawn Pencil Sketch style.
It plays off off a joke that A lot of the rest of the world uses to put neighboring countries down. We don't so much use this Joke in America, at least not on the west coast)
Hit me up! Lets make some people laugh!
please respond with examples of work!
Thanks
- Location:****
- Compensation: no pay
Animation/Production Interns Needed
Small production company looking for animation students/available artists that are interested in gaining hands-on experience and building their portfolio. We have an extended 2d animated project that is set for online broadcast in early 2013 and we could use help with production work along with asset creation depending on availbility and level of interest. This is a non-paid opportunity, unfortunately, but we can set up school credit if necessary and food will always be provided. We're hoping to create a team that is interested in making a cool project and wants to be part of a collaborative effort. For more in-depth details of the project please email some samples of your work, your website or any information about your skill sets. Some Photoshop/After Effects experience is a plus but we can train if necessary as a high level of interest is more important to us. Thanks!- Location:*****
- Compensation: no pay
And the list goes on, in any city, in every town. While many of these posts may be genuine in heart, they will not put food on your plate or pay your bills. Often hopeful, young graduates or desperate starting artists will inquire about this work, contact the poster/ company and maybe get lucky and interview. They often will give you a looooong winded story about how this project of theirs will "GO BIG!" How they know all these famous Hollywood Producers and Directors, or famous famous comicbook legends from Marvel or DC personaly. They like to name drop, and make it sound like they know people and can hook you up in the industry. Trust me, I have heard it all, and even been thru a few. And you know what ... you end up doing a lot of work for free and it doesn't get you anywhere. Sure you have some stuff to add to your portfolio, which can be valueble, but you want to be a success and you want money. And you don't want empty promises!
Things to really be wary of - lots of workload with no pay. Especially, and I cannot emphasis this enough: DO NOT GET WRAPPED UP INTO PROJECTS WHERE THEY WANT YOU TO PAY THEM!! Especially where animation is concerned. If the project was successfully sold, and a pilot got an approval, they should have had some kind of budget given to them to produce something, or a series of first season episodes. At the very least, there should be enough of a plan to sell the pilot, without making YOU fund with with you life's meager savings. Do NOT give them money, it should have been sold, or found a way to sell itself, it's a scam. The law of the art world should be: they pay YOU for work done on the project, not the other way around. Chant that mantra in your brain, stick to it, and see the value in what you do. Nothing is for free.
It is perfectly okay for you to expect to be paid as an artist. Often these people will try to devalue you and make you feel like you aren't worth time or money. But don't believe them, they need to understand that work doesn't come for free.
Also, be wary of "Perma-tern" work. This pertains the the Intership job postings. This is a disguised way of leeching free work out of students, or newly graduated ilumni with hopes of "Work in the future". Traditionally an Internship is a good way to learn hands on experience and build a portfolio before they start their journey into the outer world. Giving them a head-start with contacts and work done. Now, while a genuine Internship is a great thing, I advise you to ask your college career councilors on which places are offering Internships and if they can offer you an interview. Postings in Craig's List are sketchy, and often people phishing for free work. Also - no Internship should be permanent. If you've been there for over a year and they like what you do and you're still an "Intern" ... there is a red flag. If they love you so much they should offer you a paying position by now.
So what can you look for? These non-paid gigs and scams are a majority of what liters the boards. They seem to pollute every corner of the newspaper. You want to look for gigs and jobs that offer some form of compinsation. Even if it is a one-shot project like:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cartoon Style Character Development Needed for Indie Animated Short:
Cartoon or bold line animator to sketch out 5-10 characters for me, with detailed finished product that is almost ready to translate to digital animation, starting next Friday. Anyone out there with talent that could do it for $100? The final work would be mine, but I would give you a quote to use for your portfolio - depending on how the final product looked.- Location:****
- Compensation: $100
Why is this acceptable? It may not be the best gig ever, and it is the lowest end example I can show, but I show it for a reason. Because at least you are promised SOMETHING. They put up front that they will pay you $100 for work done, even if their project sells or not. A hundred bucks is better than $0 . Now, the decision is completely up to you. And if you think it is worth your time or effort to take on this job. Maybe you will look into it and it is still unreasonable, it takes too long, or they are really, really picky, whatever. The ball is still in your court as far as payment goes and wether or not you want to accept or deny it. Either way - if they like it enough you will get paid something no matter what.
Always look for gigs and job contracts with payment terms up front. If they can't explain how they intend to pay you for work done in up front face to face, or in a few emails, then I would begin to doubt their credibility. And certainly DO NOT pay them to do their project for them. This is not a charity drive here! If you want to be charitable with your money give it to an Animal Rescue Shelter or a Salvation Army Fund. Not some person with lofty promises, tons of workload with no pay and taking handouts for personal gain.
Your work has value. Believe it, and you should be getting what you think you deserve for it.
But landing that dream job or high-pay contract is soooo hard! I'm living on PB & J sandwiches and I can barely afford anything! You say. The solution.... Get a job! It probably won't be an art job. It may not even relate to how trained in Art College. but it will pay the bills and allow you to feed yourself. In the meantime you can still persue your art career with gusto. But at least you won't have to worry so much where or when your next meal will come from.
My secret passion, Biology!
I have a fascination with biology and how things work. Maybe that is what drove my interest in animation. One of my most favorite classes in High School (besides art class) was Biology class. Where most students went "Eeeeeewww! Gross" I was endlessly fascinated with the body and it's inner workings. I still watch a lot of nature programs today. Where most folks watch the thousands of boring Crime Dramas and "Spoiled Yappy Housewives of Some California Rich Place I Don't Give a Shit About", I sit and watch a nature video about Lions or Hyenas or whales. Oh, of course I still like my Project Runway, but even that still has some tiny bit of educational value to it. I love biology and I even went to that traveling exhibit "Bodies" that was around once. That was cool!
I found this show that is apparently on in the UK and aired on PBS. I watched it on YouTube cause I didn't even know it was on till I stumbled on it. I guess it might be sort of graphic for most Americans to stomach, with our notoriously weak viewing stomachs and all. But it is very educational and I found it awesome! It is a show that documents dissections of various large animals - all the way up to a couple of huge whales! Now before all the animal people start screaming, these animals all died BEFORE they started their dissections and they where given permission to film. Often veterinary scientists are allowed to preform autopsy not only to determine cause of death in the deceased animal, but also for educational value so we can better understand the animals. Especially when a dead whale washes up on a beach, or a rare species of shark is caught in a net or washes up. These kinds of things go on all the time. Yes it is sad that the individual animal died, but it is better to learn from it so perhaps we can aide their species in the future.
It is fascinating to learn about the biology of these animals, and how it also relates to our own bodies. Most mammals are not that far off from us. It is also great to learn about the evolutionary chain, whether your a Creationist or a Darwin fan either way. I'm a Darwin fan btw ... but enough of that. I will say, it is really a cool show I didn't even know was on. And I learned some neat stuff. Like Hippos are actually related to Whales. So I picked out some of my favorite vids. I do have to give a disclaimer tho for the folks who don't like to see dead things or dissection. It can be considered "Gross" to those type of people, so consider yourself forewarned, if you don't like that sort of thing, it would be best not to view it. But please! Do NOT go bleating & crying to the YouTube authorities and try to get these pulled down.We need more knowledge in this world, not more ignorance.
SPERM WHALE
LION & TIGER
GREAT WHITE SHARK
RACEHORCE
CASSOWARY BIRD
Why is this important to art and animation? Well I will tell you, it is critical for an artist to have some sense of anatomy and basic biology in order to be an effective artist. One that does not have realistic concepts of anatomy and biology will never be as successful as one that does. Now in the world of animation cartoonists twist and contort anatomy in every impossible way, so why does a cartoonist need to know biology and anatomy? Because in order to be able to twist and contort the real into the unreal, you must first have an understanding of the real. Animators need to know what a very basic skeleton consists of, and where the joints should be. You should be able to visualize what the musculature of your creature (cartoon or not) should be. What is's physics are and how basic physics apply into it's world. All that boring stuff you needed to learn in high school (and/or college), you should have stayed awake for because it is important whether you know it or not.
These days you don't have to spend hours upon hours in classes or digging thru books like we did in the old days. Turn on your TV (if you have one) and watch a nature show, or watch clips on Youtube. Better yet, go to your local zoo! If you can find time to go during the off-hours and during weekdays they usually aren't so crowded with visitors and kids. Study the creatures, make lots of sketches, realistic ones, as real as you can make them. I had to do similar exercises in Art College. And you know what, I learned a lot from those lessons - so yeh, art college was not a waste.
So my art lesson is; pick your most favorite animal. And it has to be one that is not extinct (no dinosaurs). Learn everything you can about it. Learn about it's insides, it's bones it's muscles. it's guts. Learn about how it relates to the natural world, is it a predator or is it prey? (If it's a human we are classified as predators btw....) How does it effect the food chain?
Disney and Warner Bros both favor artists how know their biology and anatomy well. While they are in the business of making the unreal out of the real world, they like to see someone who understands the real world. So, study your biology and anatomy and you will become a much better artist overall.
I found this show that is apparently on in the UK and aired on PBS. I watched it on YouTube cause I didn't even know it was on till I stumbled on it. I guess it might be sort of graphic for most Americans to stomach, with our notoriously weak viewing stomachs and all. But it is very educational and I found it awesome! It is a show that documents dissections of various large animals - all the way up to a couple of huge whales! Now before all the animal people start screaming, these animals all died BEFORE they started their dissections and they where given permission to film. Often veterinary scientists are allowed to preform autopsy not only to determine cause of death in the deceased animal, but also for educational value so we can better understand the animals. Especially when a dead whale washes up on a beach, or a rare species of shark is caught in a net or washes up. These kinds of things go on all the time. Yes it is sad that the individual animal died, but it is better to learn from it so perhaps we can aide their species in the future.
It is fascinating to learn about the biology of these animals, and how it also relates to our own bodies. Most mammals are not that far off from us. It is also great to learn about the evolutionary chain, whether your a Creationist or a Darwin fan either way. I'm a Darwin fan btw ... but enough of that. I will say, it is really a cool show I didn't even know was on. And I learned some neat stuff. Like Hippos are actually related to Whales. So I picked out some of my favorite vids. I do have to give a disclaimer tho for the folks who don't like to see dead things or dissection. It can be considered "Gross" to those type of people, so consider yourself forewarned, if you don't like that sort of thing, it would be best not to view it. But please! Do NOT go bleating & crying to the YouTube authorities and try to get these pulled down.We need more knowledge in this world, not more ignorance.
SPERM WHALE
LION & TIGER
GREAT WHITE SHARK
RACEHORCE
CASSOWARY BIRD
Why is this important to art and animation? Well I will tell you, it is critical for an artist to have some sense of anatomy and basic biology in order to be an effective artist. One that does not have realistic concepts of anatomy and biology will never be as successful as one that does. Now in the world of animation cartoonists twist and contort anatomy in every impossible way, so why does a cartoonist need to know biology and anatomy? Because in order to be able to twist and contort the real into the unreal, you must first have an understanding of the real. Animators need to know what a very basic skeleton consists of, and where the joints should be. You should be able to visualize what the musculature of your creature (cartoon or not) should be. What is's physics are and how basic physics apply into it's world. All that boring stuff you needed to learn in high school (and/or college), you should have stayed awake for because it is important whether you know it or not.
These days you don't have to spend hours upon hours in classes or digging thru books like we did in the old days. Turn on your TV (if you have one) and watch a nature show, or watch clips on Youtube. Better yet, go to your local zoo! If you can find time to go during the off-hours and during weekdays they usually aren't so crowded with visitors and kids. Study the creatures, make lots of sketches, realistic ones, as real as you can make them. I had to do similar exercises in Art College. And you know what, I learned a lot from those lessons - so yeh, art college was not a waste.
So my art lesson is; pick your most favorite animal. And it has to be one that is not extinct (no dinosaurs). Learn everything you can about it. Learn about it's insides, it's bones it's muscles. it's guts. Learn about how it relates to the natural world, is it a predator or is it prey? (If it's a human we are classified as predators btw....) How does it effect the food chain?
Disney and Warner Bros both favor artists how know their biology and anatomy well. While they are in the business of making the unreal out of the real world, they like to see someone who understands the real world. So, study your biology and anatomy and you will become a much better artist overall.
Jul 31, 2012
I am in the works of purchasing a condominium. It is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath unit with 1/2 laminate & 1/2 carpeted floors. It is in front of this big lake and has a full waterfront view. It is a pretty nice place for a great price. I don't want to rent for the rest of my life and I have come to the point where I can afford to purchace a dwelling. Since the market is killer right now, and I have the funds it is time to buy. I have my career at Boeing to thank for this. May it be a long lived career, like 20 something years or something like that. Yes, I was trained as an artist, mainly in cartoons and animation. But I gained a full time career in Aerospace and that is working out real sweet and I won't trade it for anything.
Here is some new stuff I drew lately. Some side projects I am working on here and there. These are Faceplates I drew up for this game thing I've been building in a little thing called RPG MakerVXAce. It is Matrix themed. More indepth coverage can be found at my gallery on DeviantArt
Here is some new stuff I drew lately. Some side projects I am working on here and there. These are Faceplates I drew up for this game thing I've been building in a little thing called RPG MakerVXAce. It is Matrix themed. More indepth coverage can be found at my gallery on DeviantArt
I build airplanes but I still work on artwork too. Building airplanes is just much more profitable :D
Feb 21, 2012
DSM Character Redesigns
I got to thinking about my Deep Space Mayhem thing. And how horrible the design of Keerah is. I cannot stand it, so as I played in SWTOR, I started to blossom ideas. Finally! Some inspiration! I guess I just needed some sci-fi to get the imagination going. So I re-analized how I wanted her to look. Mainly, the hair ... I had to fix the hair. So now she will have a new hair style and probably her hair might be silvery white - which might add to the background of her character, I am not sure yet. When I get to colorizing this we shall see. Her outfit has some slight changes, no more tank top, it has some mid-riff armor. Some glitzy armbands and her pants wont have those silly Barbarella holes in them. Barberella is a funny movie but not on my character .... :p (yes I have the Barberella DVD).
I have also decided to give Lance a makeover. He won't change quite as much. But his infamous black coat is going to have a more "techy" look to it. Adding some greys and some lines with blocks here and there should break up the solid blackness of it and give it a more futuristic feel.
These are just the sketches. I'll probably be coloring them soon. Sketching for me is kind of like sculpting. I add some, erase some, bend some areas here and there. It just comes naturally.
Sketched with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil - I cannot stand normal pencils because the feel of a dulled pencil drives me up the frikken' wall!
I have also decided to give Lance a makeover. He won't change quite as much. But his infamous black coat is going to have a more "techy" look to it. Adding some greys and some lines with blocks here and there should break up the solid blackness of it and give it a more futuristic feel.
These are just the sketches. I'll probably be coloring them soon. Sketching for me is kind of like sculpting. I add some, erase some, bend some areas here and there. It just comes naturally.
Sketched with a 0.7mm mechanical pencil - I cannot stand normal pencils because the feel of a dulled pencil drives me up the frikken' wall!
Feb 18, 2012
President Visit's Boeing and some Artwork
The President of the USA visited Boeing yesterday! WhooHoo! It was very awesome! Building up to the visit the factory was all a buzz. I usually park in the lot that is right at the head of the main runway for Flight Line. I got to see 6 blackhawk helicopters land all in succession in front of me. WOW, that was a sight to see.
Since I work 2nd shift, I didn't get to see the festivities, but I did watch the company vids and stuff. Obama's visit was exciting and such an honor. I am so glad to be working for a company that hosts such events for world dignitaries and stuff. It is so exciting and just something proud to be a part of. Boeing makes airplanes for customers all over the world and sometimes embasadors and dignitaries come into the factory to tour and see their purchace or sometimes just to see the wonder that is an airline factory. Everyday I like coming into work and being able to walk under a 747-8, or peer inside the wheelwell of a 787. It is something you cannot describe.
Oh ... yeh, the art thing - I was trained as an artist: Animator, Cartoon illustrator, Graphic Desgin. But I really enjoy being with the airplanes. It pays well - is union, more stable and is a marvel all the time. I still create my artwork, I just no longer feel the pressure of HAVE TO - to survive. It is a very liberating feeling to accept a new profession and learn new things. Here's some art I have done recently:
Kel'Thuzad - "Your soul is Mine Now" a WIP sketch
"Wings" Designs I made for Cafe'Press shirts.
Since I work 2nd shift, I didn't get to see the festivities, but I did watch the company vids and stuff. Obama's visit was exciting and such an honor. I am so glad to be working for a company that hosts such events for world dignitaries and stuff. It is so exciting and just something proud to be a part of. Boeing makes airplanes for customers all over the world and sometimes embasadors and dignitaries come into the factory to tour and see their purchace or sometimes just to see the wonder that is an airline factory. Everyday I like coming into work and being able to walk under a 747-8, or peer inside the wheelwell of a 787. It is something you cannot describe.
Oh ... yeh, the art thing - I was trained as an artist: Animator, Cartoon illustrator, Graphic Desgin. But I really enjoy being with the airplanes. It pays well - is union, more stable and is a marvel all the time. I still create my artwork, I just no longer feel the pressure of HAVE TO - to survive. It is a very liberating feeling to accept a new profession and learn new things. Here's some art I have done recently:
Kel'Thuzad - "Your soul is Mine Now" a WIP sketch
"Wings" Designs I made for Cafe'Press shirts.I got the shop on a 5 year deal from my Cintiq that I purchased. So I figured I might as well do something with it? My Cintiq WX was last year's tax return - and I absolutely love it!
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