Week 2 of December

Well!  December is finally here.

We have extended the deadline for the final sketches AND a finalized drawing, but snowflakeinca and I are still unsure when we can meet up to determine this.  For the others who are part of the project, please discuss with your partners an appropriate time to meet up for your final critique and collaboration.

Also, I have a request  :).  It would be really great if you guys can post up some of your sketches and ideas, so that we can share the love and creative energy we’ve got going on around here.  I’ve had an amazing time working with you all, and I really hope that we can continue this well into the future.

I understand that hell week is here, so if things are on a complete halt, it’s perfectly fine.  School is a top priority after all.  However, don’t drop the project straight away!  Keep it as a stress reliever.

I’ll update you guys when we decide on a final date.

Until then,

From a sleepy hare,

Heliodus

Some Drawing Ideas

Oh Hello everybody!

Before completely diving into studying for/finishing finals, I wanted to post SOMETHING on here.  So here goes!

This is the evolution of the Swamp Kingdom setting.  I know it got kinda frilly and pretty towards the end, but that was a bit of a tangent practicing atmosphere in Photoshop.  The next drawings will revert back to the darker, moodier swamp with tree houses and everything, I hope.

This is a larger version of the recent sketch.

Hope you enjoy it!

omg fail ok im gunna try to fix that…

so 30 mins later i did it! weeee

ahhhh pictures! well kinda lol

ok so i tried so many different ways to have these pictures on here and this was the only one successful haha

End of November Round-up

And the end of the month is upon us!

By now, many of you have gotten the gist of my weekly updates, haha.  But, just in case you’re not tired of them yet, here we go!

Tomorrow is the end of the month – which technically means that your rough sketches should be DONE!  However, due to the changes in our schedule, the deadline has been extended into December – so, if you haven’t made your finals yet, rest easy!  For now .  I’ll make another post to determine our end date for this particular project.

There has been some talk about developing the current project further as well – since it has garnered so much energy and steam from other people.  I personally am all for it, but I think that the original intention of this project should still follow through.  So – most likely, I’ll set up a permanent tab for the Lost boys/Wetland Wonders, and then put up tabs for the following projects per month.  We’ll see where this goes!

And I keep on saying that I need to post my sketches, and I have every intention to…but with my classes charging towards the end of the semester, finding time for even THAT has been fairly difficult.  But I’ll definitely do it, I promise.

Until next time!

Heliodus

P.S. I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving Holiday.  I personally ate until I burst, and I’m still recovering from it

CTN Animation Expo

So in all honesty… if you can go next year, even if it’s for one day, GO.

This was probably one of the coolest events i have ever been too. I went with my parentals, who by the way are first to admit they have no artistic talent, and they were very impressed. Basically what happened is that the CTN Animation expo was pounded into my head by my Character Design Teacher Aubry Mintz, who i’ll be first to thank for it Unfortunately, i only went for Sunday and for about 4 hours. Next year, because i was so impressed, am going to shell out the bucks for the 3 day pass and even possibly stay at the hotel that is hosting it. Seriously that is how great this experience was. The exposition was a combination of things: art show, demos, seminars, panels, films, animated films, screen writing, job pitching, character design, book sale, top art/animation software/tools, and pure contact with all artists. It lasted from Friday to Sunday with names from all over the industry, coming and helping students, indie film markers and just people who like art. Everyone, which is what my parents noticed first, were extremely nice and were willing to answer any question. You could tell also everyone in that expo loved what they did and wanted to encourage others to do so. Even if you’re not an art geek like me you would enjoy this event. Anyone who likes films and is fascinated on how they are made or even just have an appreciation of someones art would find it very fun.

http://www.ctnanimationexpo.com/

Week III Update

Salutations!

It has certainly been an eventful month!

First of all, I’d like to welcome Meister to our blog [applause!].  He is a friend of Murphys Law, and has graciously agreed to bestow  us his talents of writing to our humble blog.  We can always use more people over here, and we certainly love writers! (Heck, we all dabble in it a bit – we’re bloggers!).  It’s great to have a new addition to the cx3 Project!

Secondly, I’d like to make a special exception for this week’s meeting date.  Because CSULB will be shutting down starting Wednesday for the Thanksgiving Holiday, our week has been cut down in size to two measly days.  If you are still able to meet with your partners despite these limitations, then by all means, please do so – but otherwise, just consider this week as a vacation.

Thirdly, there is something quite major that I wanted to discuss, and could quite possibly change the format of the original proposal.

When I launched this project, I knew that there would be hurdles and limitations that each participant will encounter, namely being the lack of TIME.  I understand that most of you are pressed for time, especially now that the end of the semester is drawing near.  And with the end of the month hurdling our way at alarming speeds, it may seem impossible and hopeless to try and get together 10 sketches and concept art to hand to each other within the appropriate deadline.  And, to start a new theme next month also seems rather pointless, since it will only be three weeks until the end of the semester (and with hell week coming closer, there’s NO WAY that you’d want to have another thing to deal with).  I know these feelings all too well.

So!  With that in mind, I decided that the 3rd and 4th month of each semester will be considered as one month.  I feel that this is a good solution – instead of having to deal with the crazy amount of projects that tend to cumulate at the end of the semester AND the cx3 project – you’ll get 7 weeks to deal with one theme – and all that extra time to get your projects out of the way.

And, because of the extra time granted, I think it would be a good idea to have a “final piece” to showcase the concept work that you and your partner have been dishing out.

So, to summarize the change:

-There will be THREE themes per semester rather than four.

- The first two months will adhere to the one theme per month rule.

- The 3rd and 4th month will combined, allowing you guys extra leeway to get your school work outta the way, and still have time for this project.
The requirement for the 3/4 month is that each partner has one finalized piece (black and white or full color, it’s up to you) to hand to your partner in addition to the 10 concept sketches.

Does that sound fair?  Or do you guys have another suggestion?  Let me know!

- Heliodus

I’ll make one too

for chips and giggles.

Mouse

Nickname: Split, Mouse (obviously), Squeak

Name: Zeek (subject to change)

Gender: tba.  Leaning towards male

Age: 5  ( or 3yrs younger than others)

Costume/Look: Smaller than average child.  Caucasian.  Skinny (Big coat on him), shy, timid, adventure at heart.  Very blond hair, more closely resembling white due to poor exposure to the sun/outdoors.  Wears his mother’s old fake fur coat that she threw out a while ago and he salvaged because it was back when his mother bought fake items due to cost, and later due to loving the coat (nice soft/big/white/furry/warm) and using it to join in the fun. Shoes aren’t seen due to the size of the coat, neither usually are his hands.  He throws the hood of the coat over his head most of the time and it covers his whole head, thus leading to him running into things. (debating ears – yes/no – how)

As time progresses the coat gets dirtier and dirtier, he tans out a bit but his hair remains the same to express the image of  youthful innocence in his mind.   Goes from a white mouse to a brown one with spots of white (for parts that the coat that isnt dirty)

Background (About): Mouse is not a main character.  His/her overall role in the story is subject to change and open to suggestion.  Mouse will be a younger character than all the others.  He/she is an only child who stays inside a lot, parents are away a lot.  He/she plays alone in (for the sake of description I’m going with male) his room with simple toys.  He is very shy but has adventure in his heart.  Secretly wants to join the other kids of the neighborhood who always have the best adventures from what he can see.  Most of the time he will actually join them whether they know or not.  (They probably notice him a lot more than he thinks, although he is very good at being quiet and chasing after them, he does occasionally get excited and run into something trying to catch up. ) Father is in business, mother is as well/ caught up in moderately high class living. Or mother is dead and coat links her to him and it is simply an old coat of hers.

Story: He shows up now and then, too shy to fully join but too excited to stay inside and watch from afar.  As time progresses they coat gets dirtier and dirtier, he tans out a bit but his hair remains the same to express the image of  youthful innocence in his mind.  The darker the coat gets depicts him having changes while playing with the other kids.  Growing up/losing innocence / of how he finally is able to socialize a lot more and enjoy life as a child instead of being penned up all day doing nothing(simplified for an add-on character).  Goes from a white mouse to a brown one with spots of white (for parts that the coat that isnt dirty).  The nickname split contains a dual meaning in which he runs during the beginning of the story line whenever confronted, and because he will become someone else in the end, a transformation, split from his normal self and yet still contain the goodness from his old self.

Nicknames: Split - always runs away when confronted, call him this until they figure out what he’s trying to be (animal).   Squeak - he is dressed as a small white mouse, he is very quiet and shy but inside he is overwhelmed with excitement whenever he thinks of the other kids and their adventures.  1) When they finally catch him sneaking around following them they ask for his name and he says Zeek very timidly, they hear squeak.  2) They have known that he follows them around but he always runs away when confronted, he finally gets stuck on something/ ran into something while following along and they help him out.  Ask his name he says Zeek very timidly, they hear squeak.  3) he squeaks whenever they call out to him, attempt to confront him, then he runs away.  Coming back later at a further distance.  Mouse- obviously.

So rather obvious….

Hit us with stupid sticks but hey we’re artists and our minds dont work like normal people. Pretty much we decided to combine Wetland Wonders and Lost boys. Since now wetland wonders is mostly just a setting focus, Heliodus and i we’re like “hey, how about wetland wonders can be one of the kid’s imaginary adventures for the lost boys concept?” and presto amazing idea. Stemming from this combination of the two themes that we thought each “week” a kid of the “neighborhood club” [club name under construction] gets a turn at their imagination land that they all participate in. We thought the wetland Wonders was more the twin raccoons ideas for they love getting muddy and dirty but that’s where were going

Other updates with the Characters!!

Fox: [unofficial leader] Name: Blanca Race: Latina Background: has 5 siblings, all boys but her, 3 older brothers and 2 younger brothers. Brothers treat her like another boy, wrestle, tease play, she feels she has to prove herself amongst them because she’s a “girl” which leads to her unofficial leadership role. Personality traits: cunning, outgoing, tom boy, laid back, liked by everyone, athletic and confident with herself. She cares for everyone and tries to be as team oriented but she tends to get caught up with her ideas and not really pay attention how it might affect another one of the kids; but “wolf” brings her to see how certain ideas might not fly with others. Look: Short but strong and spunky. Thick Dark Brown hair, long with two loose pigtail braids, brown eyes. Wearing: One of Older brothers old red sweatshirts, it’s large on her and goes to her knees. She has black leggings and has high top converse. On her head she has a large bandanna tied  on the top of her head to look as though she has fox ears. Uses a large safety pin to attach her fox tail to the back of the jacket.

Wolf: [second in command] Name: Blake Race: African-American Background: Has a younger sister, from this grow’s his caring and loyal sensibility aswell as a protector. More TBA Personality traits: loyal, friendly, always wants to help, always a team player, admits when wrong, cares for everyone or at least tries his best, help’s Blanca to keep her in check  and others when getting to caught up in one of their many ideas. Look: Dreads/bead curls for hair to just under his chin, skinny, and average height, more TBA Wearing: Backwards cap with a “wolf” logo some sports team. Headphones but [wolf look ideas TBA]

Owl: [the planner] Name: Oliver Race: Irish Background: Only child, wants to be a pilot when he grows up, loves ghost stories and old horror [aka vampires, ghosts, werewolves]. more TBA Personality Traits: Smart and knows what he’s talking about but if not listened to he becomes a bit of a hot head, thinks he’s the best, loves the occult [aka old Irish pagan folk tales] ,very superstitious and the other kids find him comedic/weird from his traditions/personality flaws. Look: Tiny in stature, flaming red hair, and dimples/freckles. more TBA Wearing: Pilot goggles, owl like cape/feathers. more TBA

Bear: [the cute lovable guy] Name: Howard Race: Inuit Background: Tends to listen/believe Oliver. more TBA Personality Traits: Loving, caring, scardy cat. more TBA Look: Large in stature aswell as weight, short black hair, little legs and longer arms. more TBA Wearing: Fur coat, tends to put up the hood when “hiding/scared” more TBA

those are the characters we have concocted at the moment. If any ideas please add to look/personality/wearing. Remember each kids outfit symbolizes the animal of their traits [ie. fox = cunning, wolf = loyal, and so on].

well there yeah go

My Little Fox :D

Ive come to the conclusion that my fox lost “girl” will be a small 10-year-old Hispanic girl. She made her fox costume out of one of her fathers old fishing over jackets with the large hood, which is HUGE on her, and uses a giant safety pen to pin her lovely fox tail on it. Not to mention her mother helped sew her ears on the hood of the jacket . The sweatshirt ends around her knees and she is wearing black stockings and some shexy chucks

im still searching for a name for her so if anyone has some ideas please comment.

her personality is somewhat tom boyish, cunning, (aka unofficial 2nd in command) laid back, liked by everyone, athletic and confident with herself. She cares for everyone and tries to be as team oriented as the “wolf” but she tends to get caught up with her ideas and not really pay attention how it might affect another one of the kids; but “wolf” brings her to see how certain ideas might not fly with others.