Back in the Game

Getting to animate again was definitely a refresher for me this weekend. Having dug through the neuro memory network, it took several hours for me to remember some of the neat things anyone could do with Animate Pro.
Below is the model sheet I had constructed for my main character. The project unveiling should be due sometime in February with final touches being made in March. The goal I have set for myself is to meet ambitious conceptions within a timely manner. I have embarked on this project which I had initially started last January with a couple of rough sketches and written material. All seemed to form several different stories, but luckily I had some great advice from talented mentors. With everything set into place I started all the builds within last September, and this is as far as I have gone. It's only a matter of time now before I meet full circle.

The process itself may seem complicated and too technical. This aside, let's just say, "I know what I want and I know what to do."

Color Swatches, NOLA

The sweet sights of the French Quarter, there's nothing else quite like it anywhere in the U.S., given its historic architecture being situated in such a warm humid area. Walking around this place, my eyes were overwhelmed by the feel of French colonialism. I would like to return some day to do some plein air sketches of the area.

NOLA

As I lay my schedule for the upcoming week forward I sit and contemplate about my past trip to New Orleans. From the time I had landed on the airstrip at Houston to travelling to the inner city of New Orleans, I have been blessed with an experience that I'll never forget. It is astounding to me knowing that I myself have traveled across the Midwest onto the South within the early years of my 20s. I would have absolutely no problem in doing it again. Aside from that I had acquired an idea, "Think positive and deal with the handful of cards you're given." That was what I came for, to embrace that idea and relate to the cultural experience I had endured within my stay. Some of the things that would stay with me were the attitudes of the local folks. It was pretty assuring to be able to start a conversation out of the air and to discover a couple of things about the human condition. It makes you realize how much of a bubble we live in compared to the world around us.

I would never trade anything for the experience I had here. I would love to come back and spend as much time here crafting on my own life and profession. They say there are some places out here in the world that have the power to transform a person, and I believe I have found it. I know now what I want to do.

3d Modelling

There's nothing like firing up the old Mental Ray.

Soo what is it that I'm up to...

For a great amount of time it has been running through my head as to how I would wound up structuring myself.    For while as well I have put many plans on hold, due to the many priorities I had to fulfill. Finally with those aside I have taken it upon myself come up to finally establish the body of work I have longing to complete. In order for me to get there I must, number one, have a very keen sense of drawing in volumetric form. This includes but is not limited to cars, planes, castles, interiors, spaceships, more interiors, tanks, etc. etc. Having to get to this point requires the (yes*) unsexy cube/elipses exercises done in deliberative repetition for hours long. In short, I NEED to think and draw in 3 dimensions. The X, The Y, and The Z. Basically having a wiring meshing plugin installed to my forebrain. It's just one of those things on my to do list. Once I have a mastery within that it's on to the next step.

Mind Melting in 3 Dimensions

As far back as I can remember, I was always enthusiastic about conveying volumetric forms within a 2d flat surface. I found myself committing countless hours into tightening my perspective as well as experimenting with different views. However, much of these ideas were done through simple line work. On top of that, the technical mistakes I made outnumbered much my successful takes. Nevertheless I still kept forward drawing from different inspirations.

Mecha design had been the peak of my design interest since watching steam punk anime as a teenager. I had fallen in love with the vehicle and character designs from shows such as Outlaw Star and Gundam series and movies like Appleseed. This had lead to my transitioning from just simply drawing dinosaurs to drawing more cityscapes and vehicles. The character Briarios, from Appleseed, was this all around tough action hero confined to a a metallic shell due to his severe injuries. The feature I found distinguishable about him than most other animes were his audio attachments, which were in the form of rabbit ears. I have been longing to try out 3d modeling programs so when I was given the chance there was no holding back. After the long hours of the week this is had been conceived.

Work Under Way

So yes, it has been a while since I have posted any progress revolving my works and growth. I have taken the time wrap up loose ends while keeping up a good learning curve. Interestingly these past weeks I have dug through my video archives and came across a drawing foundation tutorial. After only spending a few hours I had reviewed the key necessary steps to achieving good line quality and accuracy. During this time however, I had innately drawn parallels between 3 dimensional form and simple mathematical arithmetic. My methods were devised under this sequence Multiplication, Addition, Division, Subtraction. As I drew for a few days onward I had begun varying the steps to find different solutions towards the design process. Each of these construction painstakingly had taken it's time. Nevertheless, I still had to channel my patience in relearning some of these forgotten concepts.

With the time that I have made for myself, as well as my New Year's resolution I have clear confidence that I will eventually master these forms. Of course, I just got leave room for the sketch work.