Down the Rabbit Hole...

I'm going to Japan tomorrow!!!! AHHHHHH!!! Excitement just isn't the word :P

Anyway, I'm posting something before I leave! Can't go a week without some horrible self-exhibition >.<

I finished my DIS application... yay!

(thanks Francois for convincing me to do it, and Kenneth for the drawing tips...)

'Toadstool Havens' - psd, about 2 hours

  

               'Chess-hire Cat

Someone record Shameless for me, yeah?
Also, make sure you recycle this week! The thought of a 12 hour planes
carbon footprint makes me shudder!

x

P.S. Why can't I get this song out of my head??!!!!

W.I.P - Office/Drawing Room

So... The story.

A Victorian doctor's office. He is probably far too intelligent for his own good, and spends all hours of the day working here, so naturally there is a lounger, drawing room area etc. I'm imagining some strange props and medical drawings on the walls also.

Obviously, these are totally unfinished. If somebody is reading this (yes, YOU),any constructive comments or observations are greatly appreciated. Concept can be found here:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZIFUSRseQPji38KJiMWskGg5BlSsh8IMAbtd1BgTSzDnrjdBwaIXimJJO2q05WwZWsgTEnBvl4Ai2k0zr-nJN9cboglIWc-TY4XZwF43gatR6hYZKLaI6uo2lZrvWz1fKYt_1ui5v5Y/s1600/final_002.jpg

The pillar on the right might look  little low res... But I'm not lettng it anywhere near the camera so that's O.K!

I'm quite happy with the lighting so far. My concept looks a little brighter, not sure if that's good or bad. My work flow is also a bit off... Usually I believe everything is built, then textured, then lit etc, but I've blocked the scene out and am now working on it all, one bit at a time. Good or bad? Who knows.
I find it helps me give individual objects a higher quality, but I have no idea what it will do to my schedule!

If you've read this far, then I have a favour to ask you.
The Ugandan goverment it trying to push through an 'anti-gay law'. This law would make homosexuality punishable by a prison sentence, and in some cases, death. That's right. Thousands of innocent people could die. Sickening prospect, no?
As well as being in flagrant breach of basic human rights, if this law is pushed through, the country could lose millions in foreign aid. Everyone loses.
Please, sign this petition and condemn the move. Only international pressure will change their mind.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/uganda_rights/
Every little helps ;)

Watch out kids, this one has lots of words! (Oh no!)

So... My major project is coming along nicely...

If you think her hand is impressive, take a look at her rack!

As you can see, I'm onto texturing. I'm quite happy at the moment, though I feel very behind! I'm also at that horrible 'self-doubting' stage of any project, where you start to wonder if the whole thing was even a good idea (everyone else gets those...right?) I wanted her finished this weekend but there is so much left to do... 

As always some constructive criticism (or friendly support) would be awesome!

I realise how boring my work is, and if you're still reading, then thanks! But today I actually did something interesting: I had a face to face interview with Merlin Crossingham, the new Creative Director of Wallace and Gromit! After only a few hours of rushedly learning interview techniques yesterday I threw myself into it! Of course, he was really easy to talk to and the whole thing went very well... I'm very very grateful to have had the opportunity!

I wish I could post some proper quotes and make an article of it, but I need to keep it under wraps for my dissertation. Needless to say though, it was totally enlightening, and I now feel very motivated! It's always great when you can talk to someone you aspire to, especially when everything they say solidifies your beliefs.

P.S, I had a 1st for my Lion-O project! I was truly astounded, and very grateful (and I didn't even have to use the Youtube video complete with soundtrack!) :D

PRINCESS AND THE FROG FRIDAY. BE THERE!

Time is the Thief

Gaga study

Pencil, A4

Procrastination verb: the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time.

Choo Choo!

I like making characters :D

Because I picked feature art, I was able to make proper hair! Awesome huh? Needs a bit of work but I must admit, maya had me impressed! THE most important thing to me about making characters is keeping their 'charm'. I don't know what it is exactly, but it's just a little something they all have in my drawings, but it's hard to keep it in the CG model... Anyway, it's all in the face and eyes, which is where I like to spend most of my time. She's in the 'dead' stage at the moment, her eyes are greyed and her skin isn't coloured yet so it's hard to tell what's gonna happen, but I have a feeling it will all come together!
I wanted her to have a stylised look (something like 'Bolt' or 'Cloudy'). In fact, I managed to get ahold of the source code for Disney's proprietary texturing software... But it's unuseable!!!! Hurry up programmers!

Some Z brush caps for the geeks to scrutinise. I've been sculpting for 1 day, so don't be too harsh, but advice would be welcome :)

(before you point out the breasts... She's wearing a corset duh!)

So yeah, it's 9:30PM, and I refuse to do more work today...

Scared of Spiders?

'Arachnophobia'

.psd

Kaboom

'Hans'

Digital with wacom

Not one of my usual subject matters but hey, it's nice to draw something different once in a while :)

On a different note; it you're reading this, you may be aware of the recent earthquakes in Haiti and the tragedy befalling the people there. They are amongst the poorest people in the world, and many of them have lost everything they have... Which wasn't a lot to begin with. If you can afford to help, please do.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/

(I am a poor student... If I can afford to donate something I'm sure you all can too :)

Remember kids! There are no winners in war, only losers.

Major Relief!

Good news; my major Pre-production is due in tomorrow... And I'm finished! Hurrah! Bad news... I made this for the ImagineFX cover competition... A day late :( I wonder if I can hand it in for the next one? I suppose  the extra time would allow me to improve it, at least. You know what they say... 'When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!'

'Save me'

.psd

Now... Back to watching my peers stress out for tomorrow. Mwuhahahahahaha!!!

She is Sasha Fierce

... Apparently.

Birthday Present for a friend

Pencils, A3