Presentations and Pub Talk

Yesterday, I suppose it went really well with CGAA presentation, I tried to keep my presentation as short as possible, friendly, but also a eye-opener for new students, to realise hard work will take you mostly everywhere. Although, I didnt have much of CG to show, with the work I showed, I emphasized on the pre-production, a crucial part of your pipeline, I just hoped I wasnt really boring.
Finally, I want to wish good luck for all of them this year, and to keep the blogs updated so I can stalk or spy on unit works, hahah...

After the presentation, I met some old faces, it as a really good time, as we catch up with stories over the summer. funny talks were the menu for the afternoon, and it was great.
There is where the power of socialising comes to place, where you can actually relax before the projects start next week.

Also a quick reminder, I am volunteering for the Canterbury Anifest, this year. If you by any chance want to apply do it by today as it finishes. Besides you chose the days you want to work, 25th, 2nd, 8th or 9th, you will have access to backstage, ether giving hospitality to a guest, or setting things up, or being by the doors.
As it is a volunteering work, is not paid, but they do offer the opportunity to see 2 events, all the food expenses, and also put your CV as experience, which is great in my opinion.
The website for the Canterbury Anifest can be found on the group blog.

Now time to get back to my summer project and try to put at a stage I would like.

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1.B.2. Concept Art: Spider Attack

Lately, despite being quite busy at the moment, I still have a little time to update my blog. So taking from where I left, I have drawn some quick environmental sketches, and also taken them into photoshop, to create some more refined concept designs, to establish the environment or any actions that can possible happen.
Here's is my latest piece showing the ferocious attack of the spider overwhelming its prey.


Meanwhile, I have taken on Imagine FXs challenge of the 365 Sketches (meaning a sketch a day for a year), im aiming to do a lot of anatomy and life drawing studies, which help me to improve a lot my skills in character design.

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1.B.2.- Research: Environment

To complete my environment research, I decided to investigate different scenarios where the insect is mostly common among humans, yes insects are known for being the pre-historic creature, who survived all the hazards along the million of years. So they are more capable that anyone to live and adapt in all circumstances.
Although, insects can be seen almost everywhere, from the comfort of our home, or in our cities to the vast forests or plantations, my aim lays in connect the insect world to the human world, "our world". Thus, proximity is something within species is a must.

For this purpose, I found some pictures where these two worlds meet.


Also, I found an amazing film/documentary called Hellstrom Chronicles, 1971 by Walon Green, where is explained the survival of insects since the pre-historic times, as well it features one of the most amazing transitions in documentary film, and what I was looking, where the worlds, that looked distance are actually closer than we think.

(You need to forward until 4;30, to find that transition)

In the same documentary, you can find an amazing depicted fight scene between 2 types of ants, where the strong species annihilates the weaker for reward of having food, it sounds normal but its incredible how such small insects have such strength to even fight without their body parts.

(this can be seen at 2:20)

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1.B.2- Some Sketches of Insects II

Lately, I have been drawing a lot to regain the experience lost while being away for 1 month with little of sketching. Continuing the sketches of insects I explored some other creatures, Ants and Flies, by firstly creating different heads and then different bodies, I attempted to experiment with them. I do believe that sketching a little everyday is improving my technical skills, and that pleases me.



Relating to the project, I have decided to take this project to a 3d mis-en-scene stage, due to the proximity of the beginning of the term. it will allow me to explore in depth concept art, modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering. Though if i took it a little further it would be do not harm, but animating characters, environments and cameras is out of my reach at moment.
Happily, i will spend time in the Maya world modeling organic characters, and environments, also maybe trying a bit of rigging.

Im planning to explore the environment tomorrow, so some more sketches coming up.

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Book: Imaginative Realism- How to Paint What Doesn't Exist, James Gurney

This a book is a guide for fantasy, concept and sci-fi artists, in how to paint surreal characters, a my new book acquisition. The book is divided by different sections, firstly a historic explanation how classic artists used fantasy characters in their work, followed with a example of different characters with useful tips, of buildings and vehicles, and also landscapes, mentioning perspective, eye-line to create depth. Also in the last section, it explores the way how to paint with traditional media, which can be carried to digital art.


For who doesnt know, James Gurney, the author of this book, is a renowned fantasy artist who already received 3 gold medals from the Spectrum Annual of Contemporary Fantastic Art, and also the author of the Dinotopia, a collection of books exploring the fantasy world of dinosaurs, books illustrated with well-crafted and beautiful paintings done by the same. Also, James Gurney is in the blog-sphere with one of the most informative blogs, with tips about panting, interesting information and funny articles , being 1 of the top ten Art blogs worldwide.


You can find his blog:

http://GurneyJourney.blogspot.com

I suggest everybody to follow him, as you will find useful information along the way.

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Threatre: Les Miserables

Yesterday, I took the day to go to the theatre, with the tickets to see Les Miserables offered as my leaving present from my job. After spending all day in London, the National Gallery was the main place I visited, to observe works of Da Vinci, Turner, Constable or Velasquez, which I'm never tired of. Truly inspiring!
Later, I made my way to the performance at the West End, Queen's Theatre. when I arrived I faced a completely different theatre from the Fortune's Theatre, Queen's theatre is much chicer and populated than the other. Luckily, no dressing code was asked :).

Les Miserables is a show based on the novel by Vitor Hugo with the same name. The Story evolves Jean Val-jean a convict, who broke his peril and escaped the authorities. Although he was considered a prisoner, a slave, he wanted to become a honest man. 10 years passed, and Jean Val-jean overcame the torments and became a honest man, however ghost from the past never left him, mainly Javert the inspector, who was in charge of the case, and val-jean's torment.
Val-jean, becoming the mayor of a town in France, was also and fair and respectable man, who owned a factory, taking poverty from the streets. After mistakely fired Fantine, a poor worker who had the burden to send money to the evil caretakers of her "bastard" daughter Cosette, the mayor redeems himself by helping Fantine, in her last moments, and to take care of her daughter. Meanwhile, Javert realises the lies and mysteries hidden in this strange mayor, and plans a trial to judge a supposed Jean val-Jean, a false one. Being the real one a fair man denounces himself. Javert satisfied attempts to catch him with no success.
Val-jean, as promised, goes to find Cosette and accept her as a daughter, and they escape to Paris.
Another 10 years have passed and once again Jean Val-jean is torment by his past, when again Javert goes after him discovering his new identity. At the same time, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a revolutionary student. Val-jean as his last duty tries to bring them both together, apart from all the misadventures along the way.



Based on the masterpiece by the great Romantic Victor Hugo, it is difficult to relate the story based on such grandeur. however, the musical running for 25th years, is one of the most acclaimed in London.
In opposition with the "Woman in Black" at the Fortune's Theatre, this musical is dressed with amazing and expensive sets, all mechanical, all fabulous, a beautiful well-crafted design. The acting in my opinion was amazing, Simon Bowman, playing as Jean Val-Jean, and Norm Lewis, as Javert were a great duo, showing the actual tension of the 2 characters. All the other characters, were extraordinary, producing an authentic experience in the show.


Being musical, live music was being played under the stage by a orchestra, I have to admit that the songs were all fabulous, and fitted perfectly, and never became tiring . All these factors adding to light effects and special effect, such as smoke, created one of the most atmospheric mis-en-scenes I have seen. For instance, in the 1st scene, the prisoners, embraced by an atmospheric smoke and light, or when the students' barricade falls and the leader Enjolras, played by Killian Donnelly falls with it,an astonishing mis-en-scene, compared to the Liberty Leading the People,1830 by Eugene Delacroix, beautifully presented. Finally, the show was presented with tragedy, drama, comedy, action, all in perfect proportions to appeal the public


Although, it was a different experience from the previous, I loved everything, and didnt realise that 3 hours went so fast. I have to say the only let down was the 5.50£, I played for a glass of red wine, but it was worth it. :)

I advise everybody to go to the theatre, especially to shows like this one or the Woman in Black.

Finally, many adaptions have been made to the big screen, the one I have watched recently was the 1998, with Liam Nesson and Geoffrey Rush. If you feel like watching, I warn you is different from the musical.

The trailer:

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1.B.2- Caterpillar Digital Painting

After yesterday taking a break from the project by going to the theatre ( review coming up), I restarted today the project, so nothing better to digital paint one of my previous sketches just to give a more finished look.
By grabbing more often my pen tablet, I'm finding more confident drawing with it... always a good sign.

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