1.B.2- Some Sketches of Insects

Lately, I have been sketching out some of the insects I will add to my project. I have to say is always good to draw, but to create new designs of insects/creatures is pure fun! ... my drawings are all based on real-life insects but with a slight twist, to impose even more disgust and fear.

So far I have explored and drawn 3 of the insects featuring in my project, however a few more sketches are in order to progress to the exploration of the environment.

For now, here they are:

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1.B.2- First Sketches of Spiders

I decided to start by exploring the world of spiders, by creating some drawings. My aim was to not design an existent spider, but to compose some and create a "Super" Spider, which would be the ferocious model for my spiders in my animation.
Firstly, i decided to draw some, and with the one, i was happy with take it into photoshop, and practice a bit in digital painting. I have to say that it was good to get back to digital painting after so long time away from a pen tablet.




Although, I didnt get anything concrete for my animation, it was a good practice using the pen tablet.



More sketches on the way!!

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1.B.2.- Research: Extreme Close-Ups of Insects

While doing my research, I found many pictures, which are helpful for my project, however the ones which stroke me the most were the extreme close-ups of insects. Everybody knows that insects by themselves, have a not so appealing appearance to some humans, but when put into extreme close-ups, this antipathy takes a step further. These pictures demonstrate many resemblance between the insect and what we find Alien, meaning that many pioneering Sci-fi films used insect imagery to create the Alien appearance we are so familiar with.
They also detail some characteristics of different insects producing rather abstract photos and yet so scary.

(Click the thumbnails to enlarge the images)

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1.B.2.- Research: Insect Environment - Self-taken photos

After a long time away from the blog, is time to return and continue the summer project, although the deadline is a little closer, i still have time to produce some work. While away and when I had opportunity, I decided to explore a little more my idea. In Czech Republic, visiting my girlfriend's parents, I had the opportunity to experience a bit of rural live, by doing so, I used my camera to capture environments, insects or any possible situations in the their world.
The lesson learnt with this experiment is that a lot of things can happen underneath our noses without us noticing... a new world exists.

(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos).

Insects Environment

Establishing Shots

Close-Ups

These pictures from the environments helped me understand, the space upon insects live but also understand, many forms to create imposing and creepy atmosphere.

Insect Situations

As mentioned before, I also focus on different phenomenons happening to insects, and I do believe the results helped me a lot to determine the environments for my project.

Finally, I found some pictures I had in my camera, and I found them really helpful because I love the crusty and "dirty" way the texture of the soil looks, maybe a good opportunity to revise them when creating the textures of the insects.

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...And I'm Finally Back

The Louvre - Paris, France

Yesterday, I arrived from my 1 month adventure around Europe, and I can say it was fascinating, so many things, so many places and so many funny stories to tell. From the "Sin City" of Amsterdam, the organized Berlin, the astonishing canals in old Venezia, the warm waters from the French Riviera to the interesting museums in Madrid, and finally the Romantic city of Paris. I have adored them all.
It is an experience really hard to put into paper, better living it. Although my trip was mainly to visit sites, I can say it also had educational purposes, by visiting famous museums, such as Van Gogh's Museum in Amsterdam, Henri Matisse's museum in Nice, Salvador Dali's in Figueras, Museo National Reina Sofia in Madrid and the Louvre in Paris, it gave me inspiration by watching masterpieces.
Also, not only visited the sites where monuments were but also explored them inside.
After all, It was an exceptional trip, full of surprises and accidents but that in the end worth every second.

Brandenburg Gate - Berlin, Germany

Newchwanstein Castle- Fussen, Germany

Grand Canal - Venezia, Italy

Gondolas - Venezia, Italy

Coliseo - Roma, Italy

Fontana di Trevi - Roma, Italy

French Riviera Beach - Nice, France

Moorish Castle - Sintra, Portugal

Eiffel Tower - Paris, France

If you want to check out some more pictures from the trip check Ivana's Flickr (work in progress)

Now time to get back to work, and continue the project.

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