Never Too Late for Resolutions

Even if it is the end of March!
I made a list on Friday of where I want to be and how to get there by improving specific artistic skills.  Even though I know I have a long way to go until I could be considered for employment I sometimes lose that drive that makes me try new things and better myself.  I go along my merry way doodling and sketching without a thought in my head....
Then last night I did this:

Week 1 - Lighting

I had had the colours and tones in my mind for the past couple of days, so I told myself, 'just do it!'.  So I opened a small sized file and set myself about an hour (or else I'd get carried away).  It's nowhere near perfect - I hate the hair and want to add bits of varied colour - but I surprised myself.  Not only with how much I'd managed to do in a short amount of time, but that I actually applied lighting and perspective.  It has become common for me to draw things straight on, looking very flat and without any dynamic.  It's my simple cartoon brain at work!

I looked at the image when I'd done, and it all clicked - my action plan and what I accomplished in an hour.  I can focus on each personal objective for short bursts at a time.
My plan is to make one image once a week, which is unrelated to designated work, that concentrates on one to all of the following; perspective, anatomy (human, animal), lighting, colour, realism, stylization, character/personality.

You're probably thinking this is what I should have been doing all this time anyway, and to a degree I do, but it varies from automatically considering each aspect to really considering.  This resolution is about really considering, and will not only help my skills but also my time keeping.

Onwards to employability!

J. x

A Quicker Update!

Even though it's 6 months away, I'm planning my next year's project.

My thoughts are, pick a well known story, design its characters, but in three styles for three different media: for an animation, a video game, and for a motion picture. They'll be specifically designed for children, teens, and adults.  I'm not sure which way round the last two go yet...  This way I can finally focus my styles for each industry I'd love to be a part of, as the approach is quite different for each, and I can show an understanding of audience and marketing.  Basically - GIVE ME A JOB!

I'm toying with the idea of Antony and Cleopatra, since I'm reading about the Roman Empire, and I recently watched the entire BBC 'Rome' series (why did it get cancelled? WHHHY?!).  Plus it's a fantastic and passionate story.  The fact it's a part of history is even better.

 Quick thoughts on Cleopatra

In my typically ignorant student fashion, Red Nose Day came before I knew it.  My mum was lovely enough to have posted me my red nose, that she bought me, to my student house, as I left it at home in Manchester!

I also got one of the Vivienne Westwood Comic Relief t-shirts.  Well, this is a vest...  Reading the label, I was surprised to find that only £7 of the £15 went to Comic Relief, so I decided I'd rather spend my would-have-been £30 on two t-shirts in a local charity shop.  There I found the vest!  How bizarre!  It was the only one, and just the morning after Comic Relief.  It was £2.50, so ethically, I don't know how I feel about buying it as I didn't give to Comic Relief, but I did give over £20 to Shelter instead.  Which is better than £20 in any high street store. Personally, the vest is a collector's piece and I wouldn't give it away so easily!

It's not every day you can wear Vivienne Westwood!

Comic Relief always makes me feel very proud of the nation's people, and also pretty bitter towards the celebrities telling us to give our money without hearing if they've given any of their thousands towards it.  It felt crazy how much was raised this year considering we're meant to be up economic shit creek.

And here are some latest sketch book bits, just because....

I was watching Poirot at the time....

Life Drawing class, outside in lovely sunshine.
Solely ProMarkers to exaggerate colours.
2B pencil to quickly sketch in model as he passed.

Quick dynamic sketch of our lovely life model, Wilf!

Okay, back to Photoshop, yet again!

Today I'm doing texture work for a 3D model of a train station building.

J. x

FREE FOOD!

I have tasted freedom...  And it tastes good!
Have you heard about Graze.com?  It's a fantastic site dedicated to delivering healthy snack food to your door.  I just signed up after my mum gave me a voucher code.
The code gets you one free food box, and the next one half price!
Upon arrival they sent me a code too, to share with anyone that fancies the same deal.  Want it?  Here you go!

DJ3C28B
or click here

Good Morning!:  My free delivery

It's a great service!  It's free delivery, and you only pay by the box - nothing in advance - and can choose to stop whenever you want!  You can request deliveries for any day of the week bar Sunday, and for however many times per week (I currently have it once fortnightly).  A bonus is the recyclable packages are designed to fit through a letter box, so there's no traipsing to the Post Office after a long day.  Instead you can tuck in and enjoy, completely guiltless.  It's perfect for when you're sitting at a computer 9 - 5, sometimes not having a break.

If you sign up, let me know what you think!

Focaccia, freshly baked the night before

Anyway, back to Photoshop I go...

J. x

A Quick Update!

As of last night my work alongside others at university is on display on our course website's home page.  My work shown is all my drawn stuff, as a variation from the 3D work that was already up.  Plus my 3D work pales in comparison!  I'm all for texturing and drawing, but 3D modelling, not so much.  I enjoy it, but my heart's not in it.  Hope you enjoy looking at everyone's work, I think there's some impressive stuff.  We have industry people that check the site leading up to our end of year exhibition, so it's nice to have something on show.

In other news, online statements I made about International Women's Day and sexual equality are being put in to the new edition of the University of Cumbria's newspaper, The Informer.  You can go to the online edition here.  The guys doing BA Journalism devote a lot of time and effort in getting news stories, and don't get the credit they deserve.  I'm sure you'll find some good stuff there.  I'm slightly nervous but I've not said anything outlandish or insulting to anyone, so I should have nothing to fear!

'Holiday Song' - a sneaky preview!

I'm also waiting to hear when the third issue of Bagatelle, a creative anthology of writing and sequential art, is going to be printed and up for sale!  I was responsible for illustrating a graphic novel script, written by Creative Writing and Journalism Joint Honours student, Jess Copley, called 'Holiday Song'.  It's a very beautiful story and I was so honoured to have been asked to do it.
It's very exciting and humbling knowing you're responsible for someone else's vision, placing it along side other talented people, and then having it printed and sold around the UK!
I finished it mid-January, and all the other contributors' work is in.  We're just awaiting a final cover design, and voilà!

J. x

Grab Your Wrenches!

No man hating here.  All about equality!
I was discussing how women can feel discouraged or influenced into 'female' jobs and aren't given the fair opportunity to consider what's seen as a 'male' job as a career choice.  I mentioned how, when I was in high school, I learnt that there was an increase in women becoming plumbers as the pay is so good.  My boyfriend responded to this bit of information with "It's a me!  Maria!".
He made me laugh so much I had to rush off and draw it!

So girls, go collect as many gold coins as you want!  Whether it's by plumbing, serving up mushrooms, grooming Yoshis, or saving hopeless hostages from a reptile for the 3000th time.
It's your life, do what you want with it, and don't let no man - or woman for that matter - put you down!

J. x

Super Doodles!

Sometimes you have a little bit of creativity going on inside itching away that you need to get out, whether it has a 'higher purpose' or not.  These are this weekend's doodles and designs from one of my sketchbooks.  I've been keeping character animation pre-production especially in mind.

And moustaches. 

I have a couple more from another sketchbook too - for some other time :)

J. x

Colour Play

I did these 3 weeks ago over a weekend.

I don't know what inspired me to blend my watercolours, but I knew I wanted to experiment creating a tie-dye look, so I went about creating block shapes to fill in.

It was lots of fun and something I really don't normally do.

I will keep it in mind and incorporate it in future design projects, particularly for costumes and décor.

J. x

A Happy Birthday!

The Zelda themed card I made for him.

Little brother's 14 today - how time flies!

I'm travelling home to spend some time with the family, which is always important, no matter the occassion.

J. x