Sketch-A-Day: Raining

Sitting beside your Beloved on a rainy day: Priceless.

Andrew Stanton: The clues to a great story

Storytelling has always been here, and good stories stays in the heart. But how do we do so? What are the clues, the ways to good stories and what is stories and how to tell them?

Andrew Stanton, filmmaker of heartwarming animated stories like Wall-E and Toy Story, tells us his history with story with a story. And I want to, in every step i take as a artist, to be able to tell stories, no matter how long or short it is, how dramatic or mundane it is, a promise to give all a good time. 

A well told promise. 

Sketch-A-Day: Right now

Sketch-a-Day: Random jumping girl

i don't know what i'm doing,

no matter what style,

 will never stop creating

and searching myself my art.

Someone's Gaze (だれかのまなざし)

Someone's Gaze (だれかのまなざし) 

Directed by Makoto Shinkai

Eng sub can be turned on in the Caption tab.

But wow. Since his first one man film 'Voices of a Distant Star' which i had watched with much awe for his quality and his heart in the story, he has went and did many beautifully crafted films as director with a team til now. He also is involved in games and also illustrations. One of the films i have enjoyed the most, is  "Neko no Shuukai", a one minute short for NHK Ani-Kuri 15 program. 

Below is the makings and Makoto Shinkai, enjoy :) and Japanese animation will not have been sustained without the creators, the teams, the marketers and of course, the audiences who wants stories on their screen in a different form from live action drama/movie.

"Neko no Shuukai"

"Neko no Shuukai" - The Making

Sketch-A-Day: A Sunday

The fact that they accepted me for who i am, I want to treasure them.

Gobelins 2013: THEY HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!

I have always look forward to Gobelins' short films and Annecy's promos since the day i have heard of them. They are the few animation groups/schools in the world that can make me this excited for Animation, Styles, Stories and Ideas besides Japanese Animation. Especially when the American and Singapore animation industry as a whole is dominated by 3D. 

Still, Gobelins shows us possibilities of the joy and beauty of animation be it 2D or 3D through their amazing students. If possible in my life, I will like to go to Annecy and see the festival with my own eyes. 

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2013 Gobelins graduates's blogs (by short films loaded on Gobelin's channel thus far)

Placed here for my own eye and for yours. :) 

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MYOSIS by

 Emmanuel Asquier-Brassart http://emmanuel-asquier-brassart.com/

Ricky Cometa http://www.rickycometa.com/

Guillaume Dousse http://gdousse.blogspot.fr/

Adrien Gromelle http://briqueavrac.blogspot.fr/

Thibaud Petitpas http://thibaudsmallstep.blogspot.fr/

Un Conte by

Guillaume Arantes https://vimeo.com/guillaumearantes

Floating In My Mind by

Hélène Leroux http://loulouln.blogspot.com

Spotted by

Yoann Bomal http://captainyo.blogspot.fr/
Estelle Chaloupy http://lesorangesbleues.blogspot.fr/
Cyrille Chauvin http://cyrillec.blogspot.fr/
Sarah Colmet-Daage http://portfolio-colmetdaage.blogspot...
Karina Gazizova http://www.karinagaz.blogspot.fr
Jeanne Sylvette Giraud http://jeannesylvettegiraud.blogspot.fr/

The Longest Road by

Manddy Wyckens  http://french-soup.blogspot.fr/

Makings of : http://thelongestroad-film.blogspot.fr/

Annie by

Léa Justum http://leajustum.blogspot.fr/
Chloé Nicolay http://stenopee.blogspot.com 
Laura Pannetier http://lora-pannetier.blogspot.fr/
Taylor Price http://t-price.tumblr.com/
Xavier Saillol http://cheveuxdefeu.blogspot.fr/

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Will be updated if there is more short films posted in the week.

To the Gobelins students who made this year's  films and annecy promos, BRILLANT works and inspiring :D Those who are graduating this year, congrats!

An old Incident and an Update!

When all else fails, pray in the name of Christ Jesus and believe \O/ 

It did happen *laugh* and til now, the wacom is alive and working :) 

This incident and comic happened around May i believe and I'm glad the wacom of 6 years is still going strong despite the storm it went through. *relief* 

Also, MY Desktop IS FINALLY UP AND RUNNING!!!!!

Crying internally in happiness and rejoicing :D 

I hope with me graduating and a whole new work space i have made for myself (digital and analog spaces), I hope to post interesting, fun concepts, illustrations and original comics here in time to come :) From inspirations from people around me, on the Internet and the world.

Cheers!

A thought Provoking Article

The 10 Reasons Why No One Knows What They’re Doing in Their 20s

By Andrew Ferebee

Start Reading >

http://www.knowledgeformen.com/10-reasons-why-no-one-knows-what-theyre-doing-in-their-20s/#

Walking

Fast Sketches

Spize Halal - Drawn on receipt

Mel's Diner - Universal Studio Singapore

A Magical Proposal - Process

I do.

This is done at a request from my boss whom I have been working for a long time as a part time caricaturist since my Polytechnic years. I was one of his first few caricaturists and during the span of my time working for him, he has supported and taken care of me while I worked for him. Through this job i grow and see more as an artist, able to be in contact with various people of all kinds to caricature on.

Finally, he has found his beloved who he can spend his lifetime with and he gave me free reins to do his wedding picture. It is truly an honor. They posted their wedding photos on Facebook and I thought the ones where the couple dressed up as the Magician and the girl who captured his heart are the essence of who they are and are filled with much fun and tenderness that I worked around that idea. 

I know i am suppose to do a caricature, with big heads and all, but this time, for the boss, i want to do something like a still/illustration, as though from an animation. Something different for him.

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WORK-IN-PROGRESS

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I did a couple of scenarios and compositions based on my thoughts of the couple and the pictures they took. And I picked the composition where they are free falling from the sky, with a medium closeup on their expressions to each other, to show their trust and love, and the 'magic' they had of each other. 

To the final, I tried to balance the entire composition out, using the ribbons to focus on the couple, and try to ensure the details and colors do not overwhelm each other. The colors and technique is inspired by Pascal and Uetsugi, but somehow, i believe i gave them a lot of form (from the shadows and light) *laugh* 

It is a happy blunder i guess. 

That's it! *laugh* 

In the issue of printing, well, adjustments are made in saturation and levels 

to get a brighter outlook for framing. 

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At the end, CONGRATULATION to the couple and 

may their marriage be filled with much Excitement, Passion and Magic \O/

The Wedding night and dinner is awesome, with special magic performance

by the couple. 

Truly, it is a magical night.  

Japanese Baseball and Comic

Mihashi! Tajima! CHHEEEE----SSE

One thing I always love about Japanese comics and animation is that their stories and characters always tug your heart. One of my favorites is Ookiku Furikabutte, a comic about high school baseball that has a pretty amusing main character in my opinion. *laugh in remembrance of one episode* It has 2 seasons of anime and thus far over 20 plus volumes. But the love for the characters and the respect to the work in its anime adaptation is felt. I hope you give it a read if you have not :)

If one is to compare Japanese animation, American animation and European animations, who each has their own beauty with their beautiful styles and visual storytelling, I don't wish to judge. But, I always ponder as an artist myself, what can I do/improve to tell a good story visually and emotionally. 

Hannibal: Season 2 is on.

Feed your Fear.

Congratulations to Hannibal NBC crew for thumbs up of a Season 2. 

What can i say. Definitely predicting more blood, gore and food porn. 

Last Semester Ended...

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Academic Year 2012 ,Semester 2 

DD3008 CITIES,BODIES,MEMORIES B 
DT2012 DIGITAL PAINTING         A- 
DA2001 PAINTING                 A+ 
ANI495 ANIMATION FINAL PROJECT A+ 
AAA183 LIFE DRAWING                 A 
DV2002 ILLUSTRATION FOR DESIGNERS A+ 
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This is my final results, which is surprising well, especially for DD3008, which is an art history, involving critical writing, journals and an essay which is difficult for me. But I am grateful to my lecturer Lucy Davis for giving me this grade with much leniency. TT Thank you Lucy! And it is the first for me, to see mostly As in a semester. I am feeling... overwhelmed and glad i picked the right modules to explore and also to enjoy while getting such grades. Especially when i in the midst of my Final Year Project to the end.

Well, i guess this means I 'unofficially' graduated from my school. And unofficially unemployed. *laugh* Of course, in the animation and game industry, its not about the grades, but more of your works and skills. Still, this calls for a CELEBRATION \O/ \O/  TT

The lecturers that have supported me and guided me through these 4 years i can never be grateful enough. And I hope i can give back like how they did in the future to come after experiencing the working world. 

It is a small step, but shall become a big step in life.

STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS James T Kirk

"My crew... is my family, Kirk. Is there anything you would not do... for your family?" 

And I say, Jim, you did what you can, in a way you can do. 
*hug Jim* You are growing to be the captain you are meant to be. 

Sketch-a-day: Giant

Whose blood was shed and whose hands was covered in it?

Sketch-a-day: Zombie+Unicorn

'The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine' - Romeo

I should play around with the styles and all as i go along. 

But i am getting the hang of this sketch-a-day thing. Oooo! 

Sketch-a-day: Puppet

A growing love.

Sketch a day - Autumn rain

FYP Thesis: The Watch Promo

My graduation show is in two days, everything is going so fast, many things undone. 
Yet, never feel so alive... definitely the Adrenaline *laugh* 

This comic is a difficult challenge and there are still 8 more pages to go, but I tried, I struggled, I learned and it made me fall in love with colors, concept, compositions, story boarding and comic more. I'm glad during the final critique when i showed the entire comic, the panel enjoyed it despite its unfinished form.

Now that i have tried doing a color comic, I will like to do a Black+White comic with good compositions and layouts in the future, after learning much from Hans Bacher and Hannes. And maybe back to color again. Just go wild *laugh*

Here is a little of the preproduction and the process that i posted here: 
http://find-e-world.blogspot.sg/2013/03/the-watch-comic-process.html
http://find-e-world.blogspot.sg/2013/03/the-watch-preproduction.html


The comic will be done at the end of May and will inform here how it will be displayed. Til the next update and Happy May :)

Ready to Jump into Darkness?

I know I'm ready. For good or for worse.

Sketch a day - cupcake

A group of us from ADM (School of Art, Design and Media) started a thing called SKETCH A DAY, where each day, there will be themes and we will draw around that theme. Sketch, illustration, animation etc. Thus, this is the start of S.A.D at my end. 
Hope to use this to explore more styles and compositions :)

Are you Ready?

You take the left flank, I take the Right.

Leave no one un-drenched.

A fast request made from my brother for his two friends heading back to USA before going back to my project. The picture given is of them playing water snookers, so i take the liberty to try and compose a scene where they are in the midst of the water battle as a tag team. *grin* The color scheme is greatly inspired by Pascal's and to capture the fun and liveliness of the event.

Bon Voyage and hope they like it.

Painting and A moment of thought.

In my last semester, I was pondering if i should take either Oil painting or Watercolor painting in the midst of my FYP. Both are heavy in workload, and expensive in materials. But definitely, the experience behind them gained will give me a new outlook on what I can do as an individual. 

But, due to my SUPER curiosity to Oil Painting and knowing I might not have the chance to literally touch Oil paintings in years to come (especially if i'll be working for a while to clear my school debts), I took that module up and went through it with a curious heart. We did 9 paintings, 3 portraits, 3 still life and 3 abstracts and thankfully they are in class done. TT I had difficulties just understanding color and mixing them, but glad I managed to learn some color techniques traditionally and the beauty of colors. Thanks Joan Kelly for teaching us about oil painting within the semester!

At least i had better views of abstract art after the entire module

As a person doing oil painting for the first time, I learn a lot about myself. I reconfirmed that I am rather Impulsive and Hectic, which is also what Hans Bacher and Hannes pointed out in the way i do my drawings, and to just Pause, Slow and Organize your heart, and Analyse what and why I am doing these works. 

And mainly not draw or create for the sake of creating, but to create Life *laugh* Indeed, these advice by my teachers are now constant reminders in my heart every time i pick up a brush/wacom/pen. Slowly, i am beginning to see myself doing better works/sketches, looking at works at a different eye and appreciating works that i never thought i can appreciate, Yes Modern Art you *laugh* 

Being exposed to various illustrators and works through lectures by Hans Bacher and Kelly too made me excited about the various possibilities of styles and art form but that is only the surface. Still, after everything is over, i hope to sink down into these worlds and learn from them more one day. *note to self* 

This new update is turning to a journal approach *laugh* Will post more on works than or words in the updates to come. So much so that an image says a thousand words that i wish to convey ;) 

Have a good remaining April!

Digital Painting: Taking Photos into something New.

Taken Digital Painting at my last semester, and today's the final lesson. TT Thank you Lord for pulling me through this and learn alot about techniques to improve/compose using photos and Photoshop from Andrew Lam, a digital artist. 

Here are my 3 main assignments and before/after images. Had lots of fun while it last.

Assignment 1 - Peace Within
*using a white background object*

I found my peace. Even if the world around me is decaying.

Assignment 2 - Soup Relaxation 
*Taking a photo and build concept around it*

Soup and soakin' = Awesomeness

Assignment 3 - Gods Seen 
*Go crazy with a concept* 
*Story - A world where you can send your wishes to the God above to be heard through mailing. The mails are then collected and sent to the mystical floating castle where the God lives by hot air balloons at certain times of the year. Every once a while, you will get to see the castle before disappearing into clouds once more, carried by a mystical whale-like creature.* It is a cool idea for a story backdrop :P

Til the next update and Happy April! :)

Sketch-A-Day: See you Soon

 
This piece comes out, inspired by Pascal Campion, a man who does so many delightful pieces of illustrations, since i cannot concentrate on my project at the moment. 
Keeping it loose and focus on getting the pose, shapes, composition and the expressions. Will do some more from time to time to keep my brain working. 

Pascal Campion's blog: http://pascalcampion.blogspot.sg/ <- Check him out if you haven't 

The Watch: Comic progress

The Watch is an on-going thesis project, a comic of a NEET called Xian, who finally steps out of his room to work as a Night Guard. But the Building he guards has something more installed for him. 

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Currently in the midst of doing the pages and there are challenges faced in every single page. OTL But, it is an enlightening experience. One thing I always have to remind myself, not to let colors overwhelm the storytelling and its readability.

 To keep myself motivated, i listen to Pascal Campion's interview in Vimeo *laugh*. His philosophy of life and art is one that resonates within me. Here is his interview: http://vimeo.com/13387502  

Well, i will not be posting anything more of this project til after the final submission, but til then, I will post sketches and assignments done in the year whenever possible. :)

Til the next update, Happy March!

The Watch: Comic Process

The Watch is an on-going thesis project, a comic of a NEET called Xian, who finally steps out of his room to work as a Night Guard. But the Building he guards has something more installed for him. 

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These are some of the process/page layouts made for the comic.

I did around 4 drafts to reach to the draft approved by my mentor, Hannes before heading over to color roughs, since i be doing in color (which is something I have not had the courage to tackle until now.) Under Hans Bacher in his Illustration for Designer and through this project, I have come to appreciate and enjoy Color. 

Nowadays, I am taking notice of the colors that i am facing in my own life and hope to put them in my future works to come :)

Some of the version to confirmed drafts

The process of the comic

 The color script of the entire comic- A guide

Examples: Some of the Color Rough and Page layout

Style exploration

Inspired by various artists in colors and illustrations. Particularly Pascal Campion, Lou Romano and Tadahiro Uesugi's philosophies and techniques. 

Thought about black and white/inking, but decided that the mood is best felt with colors.

Singing Drowning and the Disappearing city~

More Animation posting!

Well, been looking at my past works and these two i find are still funny to look at time to time. I hope to animate and post here in my free time after i graduate, slowly from little exercises to stories :)

Hogan singing Drowning

Disappearing City - my personal view of urbanization.