Pirates

Exploring characters
  pirate captain.

a young aeronaut pirate

 

What Alone Time?

 One thing we don’t always think about is how many hours of alone time it often takes to create a piece of art. At least when not out on a group painting spree. Mostly, time goes by unnoticed and we exclaim in dismay that we rarely have enough of it.  Most days, however, I find myself sitting alone wishing aloud that there were a coffee shop close to my small place of residence, or a window so I could look out and observe other people going about their daily lives, or even a person who I could run into in the kitchen. There is not. The truth is, I don’t actually know how long I spend alone, but what I have discovered is that after some nondescript amount of time I tend to loose a certain sense of normal social behaviors.  Some even that may make some onlookers stair in concern. Apparently, after sitting in the artificial light of my room in front of my computer not only makes me pasty white (my room has no window), but encourages a growing unawareness of social norms. Speech becomes harder and topics of conversation become scant. I find I hope to run into someone who has a lot to say, which as one might guess around other artists doing exactly the same thing, is difficult. 

Anyway, this is not about to change, but if you run into me in a hallway just remember if I simply gurgle and a few bubbles float out of the corner of my mouth, it's not personal. 

A poster I painted for the 3D animation Grounded by Thomas de Maleingreau and many others. I am very happy to have been a part of the creation process.

This Journey for Talent

The narrative of the talented is one that seems almost universally agreed upon. It justifies all the unknowns we face when observing the work of the masters- in any craft really. It is a lame and obvious conclusion to draw I know, but there you are. I mean, no one will argue that there isn’t something somewhere amidst all the complexities that make up humans and human nature that allow specific individuals to undertake and accomplish unbelievable tasks. For me, however, talent seems to have been dished out sparingly. Like, somewhere in the original stew that was to become Sarah, even with all the careful weighing and measuring of ingredients somehow, the spices that express as talent in human form were forgotten.

So, as one blessed with the smallest pinch of talent I find breakthroughs to be few and incredibly rewarding. I have come to think of talent as an elusive and fickle colleague who seems to always be away on holiday.

As my class in character design reaches midterms, under the careful supervision of Chris Carmon, I have come to one such instance, a small but fundamental breakthrough none-the-less. I began to comprehend the importance of utilizing archetypes in design, especially those that encourage and enhance silhouette. This has greatly expanded my visual vernacular on the whole and allows for new and more creative ideas to seep out.

It may be sad that I have not understood this sooner, but without having any undergraduate courses in art I can safely say this concept did not come naturally to me and it's absence has caused me over two years self induced hair loss.

So many of the amazing people around me have so much talent that their expertise and innate sensibility is practically leaking out of their ears, but for me this knowledge has only come through a long and tenuous journey. Now, don’t get me wrong, I may have another 10,000 hours of treacherous mountain range ahead before I sense another breakthrough, but this small glimpse of sun has given me hope. Somewhere, between taking the leap, facing the boundless expanse of the white page, scribbling and a myriad of ctrl Z-ing, I have found a place where I can sense a character with a story all its own and the joy of finding them soothes the struggle for a moment. 

This is another character that I have explored on this expedition.

Guns to Flowers

I have been working really hard on developing my design sense for characters. I have new appreciation for great designers. It seems to me that although it may be obvious to most that Vis Dev is in fact idea generation, it is not simple. Generating concepts and ideas all the time is in the beginning, at least, incredibly difficult. Over time I am finding it comes more smoothly, and that is encouraging. I find as it has become easier the joy of creating has bloomed anew.

Here is a cowboy design with thumbnail explorations. He has given up his guns for love.