tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85572638203090925302024-03-12T22:52:33.803-07:00Artistic Gurus BlogArtist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-16334691300213682622016-08-31T15:04:00.001-07:002016-08-31T15:23:36.251-07:00Zbrush - SGT Slaughter<div style="border-image: none;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-image: none; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Over the past year, I’ve gone back and forth when deciding
to use traditional clay modeling or jump all into a product like Zbrush or
Mudbox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve tried all of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have really enjoyed the speed at which I’ve
been able to create digitally and the precision of my results. I hope to create
an action figure model that can be printed and later painted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ultimate goal is to print an action figure
that can be constructed into a fully articulated figure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SGT Slaughter was one of my favorite
characters on GI Joe as a kid and remains so today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a WWF wrestler who’s character was
adopted by the cartoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He voiced the
cartoon character and had an action figure made out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so excited to be able to make him in 3D.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAitjeydOGebsYYlLBTu5bzEmsRSMXEC42x2KG91_rP4QWChGswRuGlIf16MCSjN0eIoS-KQiXUolJMVMqD5ZiOtyOgeUFj83bX2p9Lo2VF9fbhK8ptqd1bjc3mPh-a6PcmQT_PHq1e29F/s1600/C5610343-D419-46BC-9450-75D1D24E605A-703-00000036E9792CB6_zpsdf3f4fc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAitjeydOGebsYYlLBTu5bzEmsRSMXEC42x2KG91_rP4QWChGswRuGlIf16MCSjN0eIoS-KQiXUolJMVMqD5ZiOtyOgeUFj83bX2p9Lo2VF9fbhK8ptqd1bjc3mPh-a6PcmQT_PHq1e29F/s200/C5610343-D419-46BC-9450-75D1D24E605A-703-00000036E9792CB6_zpsdf3f4fc4.jpg" width="144" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rojZMdEseCATlPR8P95ltiVEVyKLr5ZYvA_2YlGau-k0RJdfwII_1H9LYa-98UVy1nC0IIu2jTOzOiZ6ERnYmm6zZ959ll9aP0iDwIiDI7unT7yvjtQDK6vNnyla7pR0cN9cCLv2npPD/s1600/5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rojZMdEseCATlPR8P95ltiVEVyKLr5ZYvA_2YlGau-k0RJdfwII_1H9LYa-98UVy1nC0IIu2jTOzOiZ6ERnYmm6zZ959ll9aP0iDwIiDI7unT7yvjtQDK6vNnyla7pR0cN9cCLv2npPD/s200/5.PNG" width="113" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU1dUX1Nja9a6L8-MQKiEJCciEsOnkCxiMygJ_IQAL4OfgRyAh5qBNJ2HMxcwNXnB4bbM2etnsoY04gnWLMMCWVus1q0SompkU5LqPq46eII8BzZFJybFRGM4rHY2W4BZ_uXsgoWX1itn/s1600/3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU1dUX1Nja9a6L8-MQKiEJCciEsOnkCxiMygJ_IQAL4OfgRyAh5qBNJ2HMxcwNXnB4bbM2etnsoY04gnWLMMCWVus1q0SompkU5LqPq46eII8BzZFJybFRGM4rHY2W4BZ_uXsgoWX1itn/s200/3.PNG" width="148" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
</span><br />
<h2 class="separator" style="border-image: none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://artisticgurus.wixsite.com/frankfreeman" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">See all images here.</span></a></h2>
Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-58939818678801510632015-07-10T10:07:00.001-07:002015-07-10T10:10:26.706-07:00Cobra H.I.S.S. Tank <span style="font-family: Calibri;">This was a fun an addictive model to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started making it with the idea of just
making one side of it so that it would work as a background to another
drawing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I kept adding more
detail and decided to complete the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was made purely in Sketchup.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbZ7WXi9X2_Z7h9n5pTb1_SRGIwwBOPb_TcedZdnY7K16UkIX745jQYPfkmuX4E1DFORNm-BYIuVnd9Z0LTJQM1E-YeT1BUVQWjZpTu1IkBd6YHq1yuWVyHLi_1dHQUit_FplSS0L_WXE/s1600/Cobra+HISS+Tank.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbZ7WXi9X2_Z7h9n5pTb1_SRGIwwBOPb_TcedZdnY7K16UkIX745jQYPfkmuX4E1DFORNm-BYIuVnd9Z0LTJQM1E-YeT1BUVQWjZpTu1IkBd6YHq1yuWVyHLi_1dHQUit_FplSS0L_WXE/s400/Cobra+HISS+Tank.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-48036636266160993422014-12-21T21:50:00.001-08:002014-12-21T21:50:25.342-08:00Learning to Texture in 3ds Max<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Malgun Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Over
the past few weeks, I spent quite a bit of time getting to know UV’ing and
Texturing in Max. I’ve done so in other programs like Lightwave and Sketchup
but have never enjoyed the results so much.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GX_5-byDN5DlC7hMkWG6sQ3CZX0QNOJ2WvLJrlNMdBew1JktXFdIEKKwYZMLvfi9wQ4uYbDRVZpxA36zoOntyq4IRay2YmAAnjs-L-yOrWu0swnTIE2Ht85mXTcftOMoF4o2dBtUI5Kb/s1600/CastleRenders.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GX_5-byDN5DlC7hMkWG6sQ3CZX0QNOJ2WvLJrlNMdBew1JktXFdIEKKwYZMLvfi9wQ4uYbDRVZpxA36zoOntyq4IRay2YmAAnjs-L-yOrWu0swnTIE2Ht85mXTcftOMoF4o2dBtUI5Kb/s1600/CastleRenders.png" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot wait to apply this new ability to future projects…<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeF3TK1xyW61HLecoN5Ot75r7Xmk6k0AUKRqYcKSQZDjv8e9ifqrJZOZdbtasdjl11k6oQz6dWvvGKa4gSLkt3pzfhbqs0o6gedCp7H-ilzoMKH9uXgpgTj7NEKZRM14wWX_h-fmKA89y/s1600/Sword.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeF3TK1xyW61HLecoN5Ot75r7Xmk6k0AUKRqYcKSQZDjv8e9ifqrJZOZdbtasdjl11k6oQz6dWvvGKa4gSLkt3pzfhbqs0o6gedCp7H-ilzoMKH9uXgpgTj7NEKZRM14wWX_h-fmKA89y/s1600/Sword.png" height="245" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of control that I can have
over my 3D objects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the way from
coloring their image maps in Photoshop to actually placing them on the model in
3D space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky is the limit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
FrankArtist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-42815731625093204082014-07-15T17:44:00.001-07:002014-07-15T17:46:45.023-07:00Digital Art: Finding the Holy Grail in Tablet Illustration<div style="border: currentColor;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Never have I been so obsessed with any technology like I’ve been with the idea of being able to draw anywhere I go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A while back (<a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/2010/11/should-artists-adopt-ipad.html"><span style="color: blue;">click here for previous post</span></a>), I wrote an article that asked the question “Should Artists Adopt the iPad?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I’ve come a long way since that post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, much has changed and I’ve learned so much that I’d like to share here.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3liaZAFgNkj8thSFdSMocm5Ojb-sx2mpjQbfIfLtUzaNE-jFf1eiA89sbwt8h1MxR9NnJvAsYtwQQVYgdYBDMxPBTlaYYmFZVqCivBJW-d3wM4tYhJ4EMEgC3O_Wg4eAlHo8yl29tBn0t/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3liaZAFgNkj8thSFdSMocm5Ojb-sx2mpjQbfIfLtUzaNE-jFf1eiA89sbwt8h1MxR9NnJvAsYtwQQVYgdYBDMxPBTlaYYmFZVqCivBJW-d3wM4tYhJ4EMEgC3O_Wg4eAlHo8yl29tBn0t/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V5fAT6_0LQFzXhepg1ZP9E4ec8iIF_aqDZF1bwEib2ma8D6NBwnXscduWLZiPCA6-AfptS9jiF9rQeSNbQmZvZ4FSbwthKyWbwcOl9sq4K97ox1_MYo4kQ8AtbapNXsEO6ohfEuNI9zb/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-V5fAT6_0LQFzXhepg1ZP9E4ec8iIF_aqDZF1bwEib2ma8D6NBwnXscduWLZiPCA6-AfptS9jiF9rQeSNbQmZvZ4FSbwthKyWbwcOl9sq4K97ox1_MYo4kQ8AtbapNXsEO6ohfEuNI9zb/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of my professional associates said that it is important
to determine if a tablet is a consumption device or a content creation device.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To clarify, one must ask if the tablet was
intended for the consumption of entertainment or was it also made for creating
content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I still think that iPads
are fantastic devices and have even found ways to draw on them with pressure
sensitivity using a “Jot Pro” pen, they do not easily support my most used
drawing and animation applications.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve had the pleasure of testing several devices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were good and some were not so
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a lot about <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Active</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Passive</b> display/pen technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a previous Wacom Bamboo user, I wanted something that would utilize
the various levels of pen pressure sensitivity that I use and that would allow
me to draw directly on the tablet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have been able to test and use the first two generations of the Microsoft
Surface Pro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first Surface did not
immediately support Win tab drivers (I believe that is what they are
called).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, for quite a while, I was
unable to draw on it in Photoshop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, I hung on with the promise that they are developing drivers and
they did!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NEV2nAWTiN_IPXRZ4u1R6MQwg7WM6nYFWv1nuP5eK8YTvGjK6OHUglKw10Lu1vv1U1Ua0C1d9vQIyw9-63Duk8sM5UPnuZwkNrDmrFU_TyDtjgdT3k2R_T1uZoytGLxomILc5wcQp9M2/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NEV2nAWTiN_IPXRZ4u1R6MQwg7WM6nYFWv1nuP5eK8YTvGjK6OHUglKw10Lu1vv1U1Ua0C1d9vQIyw9-63Duk8sM5UPnuZwkNrDmrFU_TyDtjgdT3k2R_T1uZoytGLxomILc5wcQp9M2/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Using the Surface Pro was so liberating for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could now go to places like Starbucks and
digitally draw while sipping a fun drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found the first Surface Pro very capable of doing what I needed
without bogging down very often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a
year ago, I was able to upgrade to the Surface Pro 2!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not much changed here accept for more
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had no problems with it at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m in the office, I’ll always
choose the Cintiq HD. But on the go, the Surface Pro 2 is my choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am looking forward to upgrading to the
Surface Pro 3 with its bigger screen but until then, I’ll continue to happily
draw on the Surface Pro 2!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Happy Drawing! ~Frank~</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-2327919542345838242012-07-20T09:51:00.002-07:002012-07-20T09:53:34.121-07:00In these videos, I use a combination of Photoshop CS 5.5 and Google Sketchup 8 to create a 2D cutout character to be placed on my 3D set. I combined a few online tutorials to figure this out and thought I'd share my process in action! Please note that I use a combination of my mouse and a Wacom Bamboo drawing tablet but you can simply use a mouse. Oh and I know, I kept saying "Pound" # key instead of Space Bar to get the selection tool. Sorry XD! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this little tut and please visit me on facebook and you can find out more information about my animated production there as well.<br />
<br />
Part 1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/shWc_I4OSG8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/shWc_I4OSG8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/shWc_I4OSG8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Part 2<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3GXgbKv9T-c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-69291995100178284082012-07-20T08:36:00.003-07:002012-07-20T09:53:08.061-07:00Colored Line ArtCheck out this video from CtrlPaint.com about varying your line art's color. This is a must see if you are like me and tend to use a lot of black lines. Enjoy<em>!</em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMoL-ACEfnfDpERc2cql23O-U09ve5Z5HHds4fgiP3yZmouQUebCfT_nfTbNn4ANcQ4qF_A07fF-BXN2QlEDlU1CH-7-APR5EikokYUWJemwT0g9z5FkvfyKhK2xfT5jRcH4kc6t3-D0q/s1600/CtrlPaint.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMoL-ACEfnfDpERc2cql23O-U09ve5Z5HHds4fgiP3yZmouQUebCfT_nfTbNn4ANcQ4qF_A07fF-BXN2QlEDlU1CH-7-APR5EikokYUWJemwT0g9z5FkvfyKhK2xfT5jRcH4kc6t3-D0q/s400/CtrlPaint.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.ctrlpaint.com/colored-lineart/">http://www.ctrlpaint.com/colored-lineart/</a>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-39418351544123434312012-07-19T23:28:00.000-07:002012-07-19T23:28:59.548-07:00Covered in Shadows<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hardship of a life lived in the shadows of China is
unimaginable to me. I live a life of
complete comfort and liberty. I have the
right to freely move about wherever I please and make a life for myself how I
see fit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdj4C2AQiA5O-ny7zPx6VYJ0q0EyyC8ctno9FS3KKik6OcAVgIRn6MN2Wl9pHNy9f4ZFgWAF4AYYPJ5jEXU0ENiG8EEj0Zc-bR0xgetDmIbn_YLXc_4gjZlPsVAKKrFfDS_TCMfP2tQtM/s1600/In+the+Shadows.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdj4C2AQiA5O-ny7zPx6VYJ0q0EyyC8ctno9FS3KKik6OcAVgIRn6MN2Wl9pHNy9f4ZFgWAF4AYYPJ5jEXU0ENiG8EEj0Zc-bR0xgetDmIbn_YLXc_4gjZlPsVAKKrFfDS_TCMfP2tQtM/s400/In+the+Shadows.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I think of this, I’m struck with compassion for those
who suffer all around the world. I
reflect on how bad it must be for those who flee their homeland. Why must the world suffer such
injustice? What will it take for all of
us to refocus our attention to what really matters?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The good people of North Korea are a proud and incredibly resilient
people. They continue to endure extreme hardships
that would challenge the will of any man.
So, they escape hell on earth with the hopes and dreams of a better life
only to jump into another frying pan.
Now, they are lost in a world that they do not understand nor belong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RBoZfso2D_0xZdEgNPvRW3tDadf9F7hrn8OtY-9deCngydpvFvjaC3QypCg4g4ROXW65Fw1npJyeMJ8LMB5ScG_571CTPyWlPvMiCjTmYQCa4xQTYGv4DRO7P_WtUP_F3pyEVg7n80aD/s1600/Gulag+Shot+6-19-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RBoZfso2D_0xZdEgNPvRW3tDadf9F7hrn8OtY-9deCngydpvFvjaC3QypCg4g4ROXW65Fw1npJyeMJ8LMB5ScG_571CTPyWlPvMiCjTmYQCa4xQTYGv4DRO7P_WtUP_F3pyEVg7n80aD/s400/Gulag+Shot+6-19-2012.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tears of the Sun: Jin’s Story” (title name change in
progress :D) is a project that I’ve
begun to spread awareness to the problems facing the people of North
Korea. We will use animation to tell a not
to uncommon story of a North Korean family caught up in a world wind of change
as they are torn from a life of privilege in P’yonyang and subjected to
unspeakable crimes, acts of violence and persecution. Harsh conditions of life force the family to
make tough decisions that will undoubtedly alter the course of their lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I work on this project, I’m continually reminded of the
responsibility that I and every one of us have to help humanity and spread
liberty for mankind. It could come in
the form of giving to a respectable non-profit like LiNK, doing a creative
project like me, or by simply speaking to friends about the crisis. All acts such as these are worthy
causes. We must stay vigilant and
actively continue to protect life and liberty in all parts of the world. So, get involved and be active<i>!!! </i> XD<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With great humility and compassion,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank, CO</div>
</div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-76321821466722852452012-07-15T21:49:00.000-07:002012-07-15T21:49:07.716-07:00Sketchup Modeling - Shanty Town Set DesignHere are the latest editions to "Shanty Town - China"... I'm using Google Sketchup Pro 7&8. I hope to finally decide on some shots this week and start pulling them into Photoshop to do some final brush-work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4EY4Ou0UQqQ2P0o0DIzyrtwWR8b7kzSMJKvMEL3qsrRsIaJv3nKXuTB7o2aR-3SOzfHsd4ocV6VYlLBxS_gGq6Rly2CZkVZGBabWfXDH6TQypi0lZzSO_TrgtD2xZ5hPyowwy_Abjvwc/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+a+7-14-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL4EY4Ou0UQqQ2P0o0DIzyrtwWR8b7kzSMJKvMEL3qsrRsIaJv3nKXuTB7o2aR-3SOzfHsd4ocV6VYlLBxS_gGq6Rly2CZkVZGBabWfXDH6TQypi0lZzSO_TrgtD2xZ5hPyowwy_Abjvwc/s200/Shanty+Town+Shot+a+7-14-2012.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G24ALR_OEOz8mabyI08sF-RmZ_LFAfUBqO8yMAkG5IzuhvjxWvL3HgG-z_P_ChvmpzRrF4dKveN1emCJ4VkURW7tsVgzOcO-KKvu6oD-SuW1lRx6Rc8mnfPf9VdMi_mDuhaR1iRp3ZmQ/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+b+7-14-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G24ALR_OEOz8mabyI08sF-RmZ_LFAfUBqO8yMAkG5IzuhvjxWvL3HgG-z_P_ChvmpzRrF4dKveN1emCJ4VkURW7tsVgzOcO-KKvu6oD-SuW1lRx6Rc8mnfPf9VdMi_mDuhaR1iRp3ZmQ/s200/Shanty+Town+Shot+b+7-14-2012.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY6CBH2KXp_MXvIdcJmCneTY5EzUQRGyPb6d5HPUCzf8WX599sVEQnTOIZ-5-3Od3PqhGdw7YR_zmqVedJ0DPWs9CFqyNMFmRiffGBMY1PemuPVPZspsTux9dqE3Ik8vWQgpE1TzM83kH/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+c+7-14-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY6CBH2KXp_MXvIdcJmCneTY5EzUQRGyPb6d5HPUCzf8WX599sVEQnTOIZ-5-3Od3PqhGdw7YR_zmqVedJ0DPWs9CFqyNMFmRiffGBMY1PemuPVPZspsTux9dqE3Ik8vWQgpE1TzM83kH/s200/Shanty+Town+Shot+c+7-14-2012.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS_JQGvCWCbPzEpUSdT2VKllc8aS7rEHku53frWW7Z_VhEpJsP0lGnhPldpCHLWkH9g30jlX2iSj7uL_cjFK5zgERlv2-EOeajXDHK02b7xFgVN9YV685iy6dEG9QEzLw9V6iXVRZR7A7/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+d+7-14-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS_JQGvCWCbPzEpUSdT2VKllc8aS7rEHku53frWW7Z_VhEpJsP0lGnhPldpCHLWkH9g30jlX2iSj7uL_cjFK5zgERlv2-EOeajXDHK02b7xFgVN9YV685iy6dEG9QEzLw9V6iXVRZR7A7/s200/Shanty+Town+Shot+d+7-14-2012.png" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V0kAVqJIYW0Ix4Yt8dEItYm8jLd1hOiLTJfjgVRSaSb0CqBaHckTuRV-k1BmlEZH4QCJSialXzx3OTlFiakHlmVdSQGRnZYIerZ-aAlZvwOvn77rJxsBPMZbs2R0gHL845zm41IfFfTZ/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+7-15-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V0kAVqJIYW0Ix4Yt8dEItYm8jLd1hOiLTJfjgVRSaSb0CqBaHckTuRV-k1BmlEZH4QCJSialXzx3OTlFiakHlmVdSQGRnZYIerZ-aAlZvwOvn77rJxsBPMZbs2R0gHL845zm41IfFfTZ/s200/Shanty+Town+Shot+7-15-2012.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-51567932167999286502012-07-08T20:44:00.000-07:002012-07-08T20:46:30.468-07:00<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Shanty Town...?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Here is the beginning of a shot for a rundown town in China. This set will be huge! I used Google Sketchup for the modeling in 3D.</span>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY4EkAzrql6dOn_0wrH_x_5Whp7auCozXRcQI_ZwGrjX4HvFBWoCYR4HiJLYh4D7NJ8Mh6rK-KqvCTksp4HwNeZoeSdkf1gXqoRPq8zzXQSDc-XT4drwF9YaIx2lyRvNMAEZUZ7sUbdbW/s1600/Shanty+Town+Shot+7-8-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY4EkAzrql6dOn_0wrH_x_5Whp7auCozXRcQI_ZwGrjX4HvFBWoCYR4HiJLYh4D7NJ8Mh6rK-KqvCTksp4HwNeZoeSdkf1gXqoRPq8zzXQSDc-XT4drwF9YaIx2lyRvNMAEZUZ7sUbdbW/s400/Shanty+Town+Shot+7-8-2012.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-39934131235988797972012-07-06T10:35:00.002-07:002012-07-06T10:36:43.282-07:00Project update…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7hS5_y1Mu81hiWwKVY8mW0wv4qmWKTDhGQyTQq4HmTWGGcVxxznW-IRm7jO3v6tO-u7jP1gmh3Q0RvrPemEBxVbGrznQayafJXt3fGXj1L2t6UzEL74ULD1g26jIO496bW0LRKUBA_Ir/s1600/Jin+Character+Sheet2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7hS5_y1Mu81hiWwKVY8mW0wv4qmWKTDhGQyTQq4HmTWGGcVxxznW-IRm7jO3v6tO-u7jP1gmh3Q0RvrPemEBxVbGrznQayafJXt3fGXj1L2t6UzEL74ULD1g26jIO496bW0LRKUBA_Ir/s400/Jin+Character+Sheet2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This project has been a labor of love and passion starting
in 2006 when I first witnessed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E4LOl1TIAc" target="_blank">"Children of the Secret State"</a>. That documentary really opened my eyes to the
tremendous challenges facing ordinary people in North Korea. So many things have happened in my life since
then but I’ve always held this issue close to my heart. Early on, I wanted to find a way to help and
to raise awareness. It became obvious
that I should use my most natural talent which was art and the telling of stories
with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up to this point, I hadn’t done any animation. My only experience was in drawing
comics. I was set on a new journey of
artistic discovery going from 2D to 3D and finally back to a combination of the
two. I’ve spent a considerable amount of
time trying to find the easiest way to tackle this mountain of work. First, I thought that 3D rendered as 2D cel
shading was the way to go. I figured
that I can build everything in Lightwave 3D and simply render the objects in
different positions and poses when needed and still get the same “hand-drawn”
effect. While this did work, I could not
control the placement of lines like I wanted and grew dissatisfied with the results. So, back to the drawing board so to speak and
I began looking into 2D apps like Anime Studio and Toon Boom Studio. Finally I settled on Toon Boom Animate Pro
and have not looked back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, I joined teams with a good friend of mine Ian
Pearson to help refine/redo the script and generally help out with many of the
other aspects of the project. What a
great addition he has become. Over the
course of the past several months, his interest and concern for North Korea has
grown. We’ve taken the original
concept/idea/intent of the story and switch it all around with hopes that it’ll
be more gripping and a better story overall.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1GnX9AJtBJLf-zV5LhK5oeLdeUoxAjxwdgzt3eF3a3Qu1Bw5uAfW3Sz2H0AovBqx5izU7_ghFtgnw38m1FYIWY0DKjKAwRfv-djl-zwGf__AQJmgB0TJGgJ5qVx2i7DU6UdKeqG3axG8/s1600/Gulag+Shot+6-19-2012.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1GnX9AJtBJLf-zV5LhK5oeLdeUoxAjxwdgzt3eF3a3Qu1Bw5uAfW3Sz2H0AovBqx5izU7_ghFtgnw38m1FYIWY0DKjKAwRfv-djl-zwGf__AQJmgB0TJGgJ5qVx2i7DU6UdKeqG3axG8/s400/Gulag+Shot+6-19-2012.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, I’m closer to making some decisions on the
background designs. There will be a lot
of back drop images to paint as this story will start in North Korea and then go
through China, Laos, possibly Thailand and then South Korea. While exploring the architecture and design of
these Asian countries will be fun and interesting, it also presents a large
challenge. So far, I’m using Google
Sketchup and then pulling the layers into Photoshop for final painting (images
to follow soon!). We are a very small
team with an even smaller budget. We’ll
need to streamline our processes as much as humanly possible. We wish to support and respect the honor of
the people North Korea in all that we do.
It is of utmost importance to us that they are understood from a
humanitarian point of view. Everything
we do will enlist this spirit!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for supporting this project and the North Korean
people!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Best Regards, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frank Freeman.</div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-8153402818161590462012-06-02T21:40:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:40:08.646-07:00More Photoshop Custom Brushes with Toon Boom Animate<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Another one with Jin in it. Jin was originally created in Toon Boom Animate and everything else was done in Photoshop as well as some additional character shading.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN4E9p7rXAXYK7FhTutQ3dPEL_Moh1hTwYo4_OQji94JAb_Sv_VAJyd3zDKz9eM2cPeze2dYcyGCBzLqhbnIcorbcwmra31IW7KT3CIq5JJ7EbeynCT7_wDRSBMRJJ2wppcNB5uYF91vI/s1600/Jin&Background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN4E9p7rXAXYK7FhTutQ3dPEL_Moh1hTwYo4_OQji94JAb_Sv_VAJyd3zDKz9eM2cPeze2dYcyGCBzLqhbnIcorbcwmra31IW7KT3CIq5JJ7EbeynCT7_wDRSBMRJJ2wppcNB5uYF91vI/s320/Jin&Background.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-69430721364875546872012-06-02T14:01:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:41:41.645-07:00Photoshop Custom Brushes<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Playing around with Photoshop CS 5.5 today and free
brushes. Thinking up some interesting
possibilities for backgrounds in my project.
Can’t wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnL8modWXJ73FGTkwLEoq7Yvwx9ekfNWtCh_YGiPhwcU2AZUx2XNtXwwpsI2BWKGfNlL9wWYjStHAfAEvMqgheaODbFNzJF8Z9LUMLLJfTZKmwLPOblHy5AMClzDX1Vkp79odOsto2gJm/s1600/Landscape+Scene.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnL8modWXJ73FGTkwLEoq7Yvwx9ekfNWtCh_YGiPhwcU2AZUx2XNtXwwpsI2BWKGfNlL9wWYjStHAfAEvMqgheaODbFNzJF8Z9LUMLLJfTZKmwLPOblHy5AMClzDX1Vkp79odOsto2gJm/s320/Landscape+Scene.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-49550612640959443392012-05-11T12:39:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:41:47.652-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Very cool documentary about voice-over acting.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/xivQ6_gu3W8/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xivQ6_gu3W8&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xivQ6_gu3W8&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-26760916587264285732012-05-03T06:53:00.003-07:002012-06-02T21:41:50.826-07:00P'yongyang in Google Sketchup<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Created this image of Pyongyang, North Korea using Google
Sketchup. As we work on our animated
project (more details to come about this soon), it has become rather important
to pre-visualize our shots as we plan our scenes. I need 2D images but Sketchup helps me to
decide on the perfect shot by flying the camera around a 3D image.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvv-gX6uX-HNHqjjo0eQ-Gi9pEBnlEysyiuN1Zr3jv4QtyTuPN3YT0dTcJHV7KI4_pfT_p8mnxSOUOy_37-Tss_NdZf2G6W9Cl2o83A9mKa2WzAhzFbFSKPA4zFjVLoDolnwSHbrIHxqq/s1600/Pyongyang.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvv-gX6uX-HNHqjjo0eQ-Gi9pEBnlEysyiuN1Zr3jv4QtyTuPN3YT0dTcJHV7KI4_pfT_p8mnxSOUOy_37-Tss_NdZf2G6W9Cl2o83A9mKa2WzAhzFbFSKPA4zFjVLoDolnwSHbrIHxqq/s400/Pyongyang.png" title="Pyongyang in Google Sketchup" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-53181708074620989742012-01-30T14:17:00.000-08:002012-06-02T21:41:54.110-07:00Designing Jin - Toon Boom Animate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqvwc1Ce0zf4gDICLiRm_5axEnwB2bdaaQspOl1cqDrltxblMYmpOTj-1U-tGXOC0lKC248qgO-HtD7KbH_edF_kA4IcMFSjSKdAp-EjwhRzKJv7IoWRklKr3p6sLrgR5lbqncqtFgNtH/s1600/JinToonBoomExpressions.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqvwc1Ce0zf4gDICLiRm_5axEnwB2bdaaQspOl1cqDrltxblMYmpOTj-1U-tGXOC0lKC248qgO-HtD7KbH_edF_kA4IcMFSjSKdAp-EjwhRzKJv7IoWRklKr3p6sLrgR5lbqncqtFgNtH/s320/JinToonBoomExpressions.jpg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been working in Toon Boom Animate and have done a complete drawing of Jin. It was quite time-consuming but rewarding. Next, I'll be working on the other views for a full turn-around. As you can see, she is much more simplified over other designs. I tried to duplicate my original style but the joint bends and cloth folds are difficult to do when animating. I'm sure some pro can do it or team of ninjas but not me (so far). Enjoy!Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-65910466005375813082011-07-05T09:03:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:41:58.038-07:00Art: A Path To Something Amazing<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read a quote by Timothy Albee the other day that really struck me in a positive way. He writes the creative really well. Here is a quote from what I read in one of his books:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrahzTOwfdiOS_osbgJ2MnAD1V2blt3QQwsvupeSUzPHKE3RWAjFAcotOUzx1VVC52kjvLRQjpLFrmXYqYMonle9PeHQT9hz73OGMPJMShYBYJV0aFqNxmIMZI8-SRG5GIqpRYnP3PKUN/s1600/Timothy_Albee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrahzTOwfdiOS_osbgJ2MnAD1V2blt3QQwsvupeSUzPHKE3RWAjFAcotOUzx1VVC52kjvLRQjpLFrmXYqYMonle9PeHQT9hz73OGMPJMShYBYJV0aFqNxmIMZI8-SRG5GIqpRYnP3PKUN/s200/Timothy_Albee.jpg" width="131" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Art teaches one to think for one’s self. It is the actual practice of being confident that one is capable of finding one’s own answers. It is the essence of adaptability. It is the life focus of knowing through experience that the unknown is but a path to something far more amazing than any human can imagine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ll dissect this quote as it relates to my understanding and to me. While thinking of one’s self can bring on a host of other issues, as an artist, you spend a lot of time reflecting on yourself and your skills. Being creative requires you to take an idea and develop it to something tangible. I must have confidence that I can perform and solve problems and overcome challenges as they arise. Any piece of work presents a set of challenges that must continually be thought through and resolved like how the character would look from this or that angle and what angle best depicts the desired result I’m looking for. I have no one to go to get a definitive answer. I must come up with the answer on my own. While I can ask others, they can only offer their opinion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over time, I’ve tried to overcome my desire for control and to achieve perfection. I’ve always had a hard time getting my head around abstract art. I’ve always considered it a waste of time. Now, I see it as someone truly having the ability to freely create with no barriers. I’m still a little reserved in this area but I’ve seen some amazing work done in character creation where the artist doesn’t really know what they are making and just let the forms take shape based on a very limited amount of information. Their results were truly amazing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, I tend to like to predict a direct <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">path</i> to my end result (my control issue in full force). Before going digital in my drawing, I was not the type to ball-up and throw away a drawing I didn’t like. I felt that everything (every render) had a purpose along the line of creating something good. Now with Photoshop and my Wacom tablet, I can create different attempts all in different layers and view the progression from one organized location. I can even pull favorable elements from each layer to use in the final render. Boy have we come a long way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy drawing!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frank Freeman is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or </span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-57635443919489932082011-06-28T20:53:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:42:02.336-07:00Preparing to Fly Solo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpPUKcYFK7-X5RneTzMeRGj3gLNrBgmUX4W8TpscbrwDybnxFZIa6PMN5zRZlIehyphenhyphen_DjnfvxTA2fDFeo5vqcw9AlQq0MbQG3DrXSVDyjgkmMlcGyp9ZL9mBQU3Rp30PVRydhVWBAdUCxo/s1600/FlySolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpPUKcYFK7-X5RneTzMeRGj3gLNrBgmUX4W8TpscbrwDybnxFZIa6PMN5zRZlIehyphenhyphen_DjnfvxTA2fDFeo5vqcw9AlQq0MbQG3DrXSVDyjgkmMlcGyp9ZL9mBQU3Rp30PVRydhVWBAdUCxo/s320/FlySolo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just saw this article in my copy of Computer Graphics World. It's online and I thought I'd share it. Students and staff at the Dave School created a fan project in Lightwave 3D version 10. It goes into the version's new features and how they utilized it. Good read. Enjoy!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2011/Volume-34-Issue-4-May-2011-/Preparing-to-Fly-Solo.aspx" target="_blank" title="Preparing to Fly Solo">Click Here</a> (or the image) to view the article.</div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-13442105559406614072011-06-28T20:50:00.000-07:002012-06-02T21:42:07.021-07:00Painting with Light and ShadowsUse this tutorial to help you to creatively add depth to two-dimensional, flat images.<br />
Use these steps to light up your artwork…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0ifj2LkIK9nculCxZPspdDW9ruugtjU-JR9e9YgcOrUM5SUg_gr6GLwI2KjbSHPJShv7n4NvXlm_4jyfFPFQd18sc023Lk-QRAK7302h0ITNHdzp4FFCznAZct-LMqi6varPoiwqHl2z/s1600/SnowGirl3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0ifj2LkIK9nculCxZPspdDW9ruugtjU-JR9e9YgcOrUM5SUg_gr6GLwI2KjbSHPJShv7n4NvXlm_4jyfFPFQd18sc023Lk-QRAK7302h0ITNHdzp4FFCznAZct-LMqi6varPoiwqHl2z/s320/SnowGirl3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
1) Try these steps on an image you are currently working on or any stock image you may have.<br />
2) Press and hold down the ALT key + click the “Fill or Adjustment Layer” button <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKcWJE9fl6VmbckJPOVZBbV-mgoVap3XVZG_iwhoDK8YZ5ayahx9FGUtGQMfGAm3UaToBqQOReMvU7CfGXDcuQxVQFfAU1fiACHicfAXJXD6Xq7WviDtvLFZF3LNtCwmcxS1ArC_eQOfI/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKcWJE9fl6VmbckJPOVZBbV-mgoVap3XVZG_iwhoDK8YZ5ayahx9FGUtGQMfGAm3UaToBqQOReMvU7CfGXDcuQxVQFfAU1fiACHicfAXJXD6Xq7WviDtvLFZF3LNtCwmcxS1ArC_eQOfI/s320/1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
3) In the “New Layer” window, name the layer and change the Mode to “Screen”. Press OK.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbwhA8ANudWAd01kECvn8lqqfW0rfjsDNFK6oBN5LC3Hihi0-pbLuehiCY2MGQK1t4HgQ3QidnzFqIcjTE2gYR_iX6nr1IfgY_GhyphenhyphenuFgO5WKgNHGjgsgzQGMtEdtwmNxAiMeDSAewsyqr/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbwhA8ANudWAd01kECvn8lqqfW0rfjsDNFK6oBN5LC3Hihi0-pbLuehiCY2MGQK1t4HgQ3QidnzFqIcjTE2gYR_iX6nr1IfgY_GhyphenhyphenuFgO5WKgNHGjgsgzQGMtEdtwmNxAiMeDSAewsyqr/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
4) Notice now that the image has now lightened up and the Adjustments tab is showing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi4KQmiW9GJT14o7jzo-ytpmQtxuQDWIo2xypYaVEabewHXRs2hCeoa3sC7BvW6CvMn4i-T17szB-K3UFcRZ9EPha_wn4fXYai5LIA1k-UtuGPhpA2V_8RHxWtuhyjA15RCns0XqqzT5m/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsi4KQmiW9GJT14o7jzo-ytpmQtxuQDWIo2xypYaVEabewHXRs2hCeoa3sC7BvW6CvMn4i-T17szB-K3UFcRZ9EPha_wn4fXYai5LIA1k-UtuGPhpA2V_8RHxWtuhyjA15RCns0XqqzT5m/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
5) Next, fill the Layer Mask with black by selecting your Fill tool along with changing your color to black. Now, fill the entire image. Now notice two things that the image has become darker in tone and the Fill Layer has turned from white to black.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gtKDE3Qp0ZudDUksxBvPz0woTSnyEsYxzv3HjKx2HgNUWLtRk3jmed06NsYfPA4QdcuQ5JQFUIUYWIR-lP8mVJDJAvrAUoXVINmcnNeqb7YkS6yDvhiU6GmEloHmxX6z51C7-0TatwtG/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gtKDE3Qp0ZudDUksxBvPz0woTSnyEsYxzv3HjKx2HgNUWLtRk3jmed06NsYfPA4QdcuQ5JQFUIUYWIR-lP8mVJDJAvrAUoXVINmcnNeqb7YkS6yDvhiU6GmEloHmxX6z51C7-0TatwtG/s320/4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
6) Now, we are going to duplicate the same steps again with some minor changes. Again press and hold down the ALT key + click the “Fill or Adjustment Layer” button. In the “New Layer” window, name the layer and change the Mode to “Multiply”. Press OK. You’ll now notice that the image has been darkened<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NYLYSHcfDW3pweSKfxbfRvvg6aAFAhB37slQagpfvw3_yaYe-z2EEKwwtSGJ2QAVNL6T9rm6fGSYz0mqGkqZXithN-JXjlbyg7MUHrBBybSHA7R5_FxCDWPtTX7DlQGvbhUfXtOE5xXo/s1600/5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NYLYSHcfDW3pweSKfxbfRvvg6aAFAhB37slQagpfvw3_yaYe-z2EEKwwtSGJ2QAVNL6T9rm6fGSYz0mqGkqZXithN-JXjlbyg7MUHrBBybSHA7R5_FxCDWPtTX7DlQGvbhUfXtOE5xXo/s320/5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
7) Now, fill the screen again with black using the “Darken” layer. Notice now that the image has lightened up and that both the Lighten and Darken Adjustment Layers appear black. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos8TMhSd_GhMtCo3eIH69BlAkp5oka65g4YDwEDK65owrXYycVe09hK5JRTsn9UpkIoL6kDDjxGf3znrMkABhxEXTLK2WSYEshc-XbqI1FSbzAilnp2GM2YPs1fGGp-yD-3AlszGFPH4e/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos8TMhSd_GhMtCo3eIH69BlAkp5oka65g4YDwEDK65owrXYycVe09hK5JRTsn9UpkIoL6kDDjxGf3znrMkABhxEXTLK2WSYEshc-XbqI1FSbzAilnp2GM2YPs1fGGp-yD-3AlszGFPH4e/s320/6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
8) Press “D” on the keyboard and the foreground color will change to white. We’ll now paint on the image with the color white.<br />
9) Next, we’ll need to select a very soft brush with low opacity. After selecting the Brush tool or by pressing “b”. Now, right-click on your image to modify your brush settings. Change the “Master Diameter” to the desired level and then move the “Hardness” level all the way to the left or 0%. In addition, lower the opacity to 50% or lower.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexALbVuOG6TpwljFKgf9K6X_kOJJIOacv6FLhU2p9OVrn_PISogqE6DleBN4lQtrBq-KpGbxUU5kujSxyO3pouc9S8dHkXtBC48BJFBbt4q9roWPbrULD3E0k1y_zp-d7tQoOheh4p_co/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexALbVuOG6TpwljFKgf9K6X_kOJJIOacv6FLhU2p9OVrn_PISogqE6DleBN4lQtrBq-KpGbxUU5kujSxyO3pouc9S8dHkXtBC48BJFBbt4q9roWPbrULD3E0k1y_zp-d7tQoOheh4p_co/s320/7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS6whThDr_dwTl1-zaJmNmKKlBLm3FoCe6XbrbqJKwopjcacAJancZZwpPdqzdzkx2cEvBXjGpvMUwZNioPedDWAbKV6QjvZrldAbgG1_voGjvjvnFnRcVn2zgMHzPOJJAp0zdC4he2jU/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="55" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS6whThDr_dwTl1-zaJmNmKKlBLm3FoCe6XbrbqJKwopjcacAJancZZwpPdqzdzkx2cEvBXjGpvMUwZNioPedDWAbKV6QjvZrldAbgG1_voGjvjvnFnRcVn2zgMHzPOJJAp0zdC4he2jU/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
10) Now, start painting on the Lighten layer. To increase the amount of light, either brush over the image multiple times or increase the opacity. <br />
11) To add shadows, select the Darken layer and paint with the brush. <br />
12) This image has had some light and shadows added to enhance colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYB1dUP-uEjsFybwyP6G-Bo7n9Lrkf4LNQYivbcqVWuYhrEvap2tr2Cs6w7pRFhhLjInWmaKqgMJ98BaTvR4GP7wJ88cdD1yBtiCveVQU1F_fuaZNFi_3R83M3We6MdVukrcKjb8QfDnO/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYB1dUP-uEjsFybwyP6G-Bo7n9Lrkf4LNQYivbcqVWuYhrEvap2tr2Cs6w7pRFhhLjInWmaKqgMJ98BaTvR4GP7wJ88cdD1yBtiCveVQU1F_fuaZNFi_3R83M3We6MdVukrcKjb8QfDnO/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
13) Here is what the “Lighten” Adjustment Layer looks like. To see this on your image, simply hold down the ALT key and click your black Adjustment Layer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbA4UN0WYexhSHoFN_-JcM1sX8P35Q4_9kG7LUwMklxEai1NQWxNWKbWp2RCA1_FBP2beAmJk2BKljuYdYSy5HyzukdFGoOGiF6NUFKCGewhyphenhyphen2p0uTJ27jgohz6ehAVTd3Oi-u6LM-QbV/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbA4UN0WYexhSHoFN_-JcM1sX8P35Q4_9kG7LUwMklxEai1NQWxNWKbWp2RCA1_FBP2beAmJk2BKljuYdYSy5HyzukdFGoOGiF6NUFKCGewhyphenhyphen2p0uTJ27jgohz6ehAVTd3Oi-u6LM-QbV/s320/10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
14) Finally, here is what the “Darken” Adjustment Layer looks like. This gives you an idea of what shadows were added.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfpj55QEiJDQWZRAN1mGEw6yVcKeCRNG6rNOAq0qd9P45mEyzV-m66eAmtjUAAszChSkLAMwyG2mDbX4hWZfQmZMhn4Io5BWCOdakfmD_50JlhlqeWJrkTT6Ce7qXI9alyJXTpudjQNEv/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfpj55QEiJDQWZRAN1mGEw6yVcKeCRNG6rNOAq0qd9P45mEyzV-m66eAmtjUAAszChSkLAMwyG2mDbX4hWZfQmZMhn4Io5BWCOdakfmD_50JlhlqeWJrkTT6Ce7qXI9alyJXTpudjQNEv/s320/11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Using this technique to paint with colors is much like using the dodge and burn tools. I like this method as a way of having more control of what I do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qlCToquHdAgecl9AZPLvb9S0CSsFZgTGvsQEhj7X8WOGqCNq9RF8Jc3HdfBXiUOFyOLMm4SwCrUxdWK12ZR3ZsgVBcN4XycJagImOQjSzvjcy_2D5TG009viPbAv2PJrZzBWE3YOOWup/s1600/SnowGirl2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qlCToquHdAgecl9AZPLvb9S0CSsFZgTGvsQEhj7X8WOGqCNq9RF8Jc3HdfBXiUOFyOLMm4SwCrUxdWK12ZR3ZsgVBcN4XycJagImOQjSzvjcy_2D5TG009viPbAv2PJrZzBWE3YOOWup/s400/SnowGirl2.png" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"></span><br />
Have fun and happy painting!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><strong>Frank Freeman </strong>is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> or </span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-20256349046962807892011-06-28T20:43:00.000-07:002011-06-28T20:43:52.894-07:00Drawing Anime Characters - How to Master This Drawing Style<span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://artisticgurus.squarespace.com/storage/AnimeGirl.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1299616256353" style="width: 300px;" /></span>Many books and tutorials jump the learner right into drawing the anime style. However, it is important for anyone learning to draw to start with basic concept. Even though anime is a cartoon style of art, there are some elements that are rooted in reality. Comic book artists tend to exaggerate just about everything. But they must first learn how to draw it correctly before making it pop or making their characters look larger than life. What makes this style so fun is that it shows life and energy in how the images are displayed. A lot of what you see is almost as if it came from a photo or magazine that was turned into anime with some added exaggeration.<span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span><br />
<br />
<strong>Learning the basics – Anatomy</strong><br />
It goes without saying that we must all learn to walk before we can run. It’s common to see comic book newbies and amateur’s work posted on sites that have issues of anatomy and proportion. If we look closely, the artist set out to do something great but all the positives of their work get distracted by the mechanics of the piece. <br />
<br />
Anatomy is an area that all artists must continue to hone and improve upon. Good anatomy makes a drawing more believable and acceptable to the eye. Great anatomy allows the artist to expand and do things that push the limits or even bend the limits. American comic book artists do this all the time. Starting with the concepts of true anatomy allows them to move beyond that framework a little in order to make a character more exciting, dramatic and larger than life.<br />
<br />
<strong>What to do first?</strong><br />
Watch lots of movies and read lots of Manga. While it is hard at times to consider, sometimes it can be valuable to mimic a popular artist’s style to learn how to draw in this style. Years ago, Travis Charest (the famous American comic book artist of Wildcats fame) was just starting out and was sort of a knock-off of Jim Lee doing fill-in work. He created many popular works using this method before developing his own unique style which has now become very well known. There are countless other examples of this in that industry. Sometimes it takes having to do this in order to find our own look.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://artisticgurus.squarespace.com/storage/yZChWGr3km0p9hxvxf64eAbXo1_500.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1299616427176" style="width: 300px;" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" src="http://artisticgurus.squarespace.com/storage/travis-charest-james-robinsons-complete-wildcats.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1299616344928" style="width: 300px;" /> <span class="full-image-inline ssNonEditable"></span></span></div><br />
<strong>Study Famous Works</strong><br />
There are a lot of books out there that show the production art of an anime. Many of these artists have websites as well. It’s a good idea to study professional work and how they get things done. Obviously, they are able to get large amounts of work done while adhering to deadlines. This means that they probably have methods that are tried and tested. I’m a big fan of this “insider information”. I look at this info as precious nuggets of information that if I choose, I can put in my toolbox for later use. Why re-create the wheel?<br />
<br />
<strong>Examples from life</strong><br />
The real world is the best place to reference great work. Go out-doors (if you can) or go somewhere public like a mall and “people-watch”. Take in the world and its beauty and bring it to life in your work.<br />
<em>Happy Drawing!</em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><strong>Frank Freeman</strong> is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> or </span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-46999678883051527512011-06-28T20:37:00.000-07:002011-06-29T11:37:37.212-07:00How to be a millionaire by age 25 - Some good advice to think about<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJhGu-TzSI9oI4euK1TTqPWEzHllaUst5glRFQlUmVsawi0PpOzm7PybBdHxSUev8V9XBKCtuROul_CWH0q6gHgFEaaD3Hr3VEQGtR_dEhgCSoCAj0n6cCo-IbYoDRet3-acDWOFB9MXO/s1600/facebook%2527s+Mark+Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJhGu-TzSI9oI4euK1TTqPWEzHllaUst5glRFQlUmVsawi0PpOzm7PybBdHxSUev8V9XBKCtuROul_CWH0q6gHgFEaaD3Hr3VEQGtR_dEhgCSoCAj0n6cCo-IbYoDRet3-acDWOFB9MXO/s1600/facebook%2527s+Mark+Z.jpg" /></a></div>People who have done it tell what it takes -- and how to overcome the perceived obstacles that might be holding you back. - People who have done it tell what it takes -- and how to overcome the perceived obstacles that might be holding you back.<br />
<div class="uiAttachmentDesc mts"></div><div class="uiAttachmentDesc mts"><a href="http://money.msn.com/how-to-invest/how-to-be-a-millionaire-by-age-25-kiplinger.aspx">http://money.msn.com/how-to-invest/how-to-be-a-millionaire-by-age-25-kiplinger.aspx</a></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-67873091277296356362011-06-28T20:34:00.000-07:002011-06-29T11:39:11.116-07:00Contents of a Digital Artist’s Toolbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4aTiaovQ4V4nTOpHKn_rxuwYa1W8_Rj1UvbO0-P7MbcgV8uNq9CpARFv7u2rIHbiRYhn4ptE-FO-3G7ZdkhHqgIDI99IMM2KUqgiA4R4Y2G3MTFul5MQf6WsXbw46WyKhwsRoXVwMusI/s1600/artist2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4aTiaovQ4V4nTOpHKn_rxuwYa1W8_Rj1UvbO0-P7MbcgV8uNq9CpARFv7u2rIHbiRYhn4ptE-FO-3G7ZdkhHqgIDI99IMM2KUqgiA4R4Y2G3MTFul5MQf6WsXbw46WyKhwsRoXVwMusI/s320/artist2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Today’s artists are expected to be very dynamic in the way they work and the way they create. They are expected to feel perfectly at home with the latest digital tools and software while still being capable of picking up a pen and markers to do a quick sketch. For some of us, this can be a tall order.<br />
<br />
The most public shift from traditional artistic methods to digital methods was when Disney Animation Studios went digital. Back in 2006, Disney laid off 650 employees to cut back and focus on computer-generated films. This was a major shift from their traditional 2D hand-drawn movies. Some say that this shift drastically changed the animation industry and put an end to America’s traditional animation industry.<br />
<br />
The new reality has demanded change in the industry and has required schools to educate its students in the latest digital tools, software, and techniques. There has been a lot f talk lately regarding “production-ready’ artists. The current expectation on new professional artists is that they be more capable of hitting the ground running. They must be able to jump right in and perform well at a high level.<br />
<br />
Obviously, there are a lot of software packages and equipment that one must know to be a successful digital artist. If you are new to this all, it could be quite overwhelming. I can imagine someone new would be wondering where to jump in and get started.<br />
<br />
I would recommend starting with your strengths and interests. It can be beneficial to gain confidence early on. Especially when navigating the complexity and the seemingly endless options available. Starting with what you know (to any degree or level) and building on that is a good way to get started. In addition, you should start with the basics. No matter what field you choose to pursue, it is always smart to have a solid foundation based on Perspective, Anatomy, Lighting, and the Elements of Color (to name a few). A beginner needs to learn the discipline to say to themselves that they will master these concepts before moving on to their dream subject or project. Just about any seasoned artist can figure out immediately if another artist has mastered the basics.<br />
<br />
Let us look at a fictitious example. Let us imagine a newly graduated digital artist who has big dreams of becoming an animator for Pixar. He has a shiny degree and lots of hours manipulating 3D models on expensive equipment. His hours reflect his interest so much that he neglects mastering anatomy and the ability to render basic shapes on paper. When he gets his first job, most likely, he will not be given the “animator keys”. He’ll be relegated to other tasks where he is needed with hopes of gaining the overall experience needed to move up. Given this scenario, one can see that depending on the task, he may suffer because he cannot perform the basic task of storyboarding or creating some rough drawings of shapes and ideas. Any one of us at any time can be asked to quickly put an idea down on paper and even though it was a quick render, it should possess the most basic properties of shape and perspective.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvQb4OqgbCi-X0ghjSZ23UEIxQ8AzDyXmY-KTBA6wgAmYA9PiYqz5ZLVRKRR0LTPhjdSM15GbzyyDOnCCWcg0kp9uMi-pTQ76dXihBmuscJrJ4AnWsnt50hEwYVuBYbuKbHAbJfy5OrSs/s1600/toolbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirvQb4OqgbCi-X0ghjSZ23UEIxQ8AzDyXmY-KTBA6wgAmYA9PiYqz5ZLVRKRR0LTPhjdSM15GbzyyDOnCCWcg0kp9uMi-pTQ76dXihBmuscJrJ4AnWsnt50hEwYVuBYbuKbHAbJfy5OrSs/s1600/toolbox.jpg" /></a></div>Any digital artist’s toolbox should include traditional art skills and digital art skills. They should have a well-rounded toolset. For the most part, Photoshop or Painter are staples for any artist. Whereas Maya, ZBrush, 3D Studio Max, and Lightwave are just a few of the popular 3D applications and it can be difficult to master more than one. However, having one of them in your toolbox will enable you to learn and apply what you already know to a new program. Developing a broad base of digital skills within your self and continually trying to apply those skills to your daily work will make for a successful digital artist.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Frank Freeman</strong> is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. <a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</a> or <a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</a>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-85677601901016701222011-06-28T20:22:00.000-07:002011-06-29T11:43:13.960-07:00NewTek's LightWave 10 Makes Its Debut(Computer Gaphics World, Dec. 2010)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU7gz9-L8XIvz-UDIGG4JUHjon-eb7FNU9LwsHZK93xLEHBULod-nEAcZTlXEhA4Y-NpzbYuCmfBYg_r3f-I1GTxalPtmXZeBhxaOdE_j6ZKylCUzZMy6q5lWcsoRs4cHAoS1ctGoOLYf/s1600/Lightwave10.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHU7gz9-L8XIvz-UDIGG4JUHjon-eb7FNU9LwsHZK93xLEHBULod-nEAcZTlXEhA4Y-NpzbYuCmfBYg_r3f-I1GTxalPtmXZeBhxaOdE_j6ZKylCUzZMy6q5lWcsoRs4cHAoS1ctGoOLYf/s320/Lightwave10.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Following a sneak peek at SIGGRAPH, NewTek is now ready to roll out LightWave 10, the latest version of its digital content creation software that, among other capabilities, enables interactive viewpoint rendering and real-tim stereoscopic previewing, supporting the company's billing at a "production-ready version of LightWave." See more <a class="offsite-link-inline" href="http://www.cgw.com/Publications/CGW/2011/Volume-33-Issue-11-December-2010-/Spotlight.aspx" target="_blank">here</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><strong>Frank Freeman</strong> is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> or </span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a></span></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-6376512955507317472011-06-28T20:16:00.000-07:002011-06-29T11:46:41.406-07:00Making Indie Anime Pinup<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span>So, I really wanted to get something accomplished today and get rid of some of this nervous energy. Here is a drawing that I created for my book. Sort of a sneak preview! What book??? The working title is “<em>Making Indie Anime</em>”. I’m about 50+ pages into it and am filling in all the gaps now. I hope to have the major edits begin in a month or two. It’s been a lot of work but the journey has been rewarding. Enjoy the picture! <span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2V4mJjEx4LEyKdV5eDrA_AcCtblSDTOVI9GIXcF3ymwpXahwX_6xEsdm6xrMxTo8P0mlTnp-3pbOw1N4hjYYBrdapCt4jxYjJ9rk-xH-SFe8pPkBV-vw109OAm_JEoAnW-5aEbFOhEi_/s1600/MIA_Book+with+Shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2V4mJjEx4LEyKdV5eDrA_AcCtblSDTOVI9GIXcF3ymwpXahwX_6xEsdm6xrMxTo8P0mlTnp-3pbOw1N4hjYYBrdapCt4jxYjJ9rk-xH-SFe8pPkBV-vw109OAm_JEoAnW-5aEbFOhEi_/s320/MIA_Book+with+Shadow.png" width="204" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Kw2DGyO8inO19cij80cppwH27oW6CvRUr9bLIfkZQPiC8uw5aM6Wsmz9TBC2iUeedRCxmcxO2EfXsND7meRbP_nV3DgVpfj8G55QtLwCcmzSkGC2mQetbKGPCe6dwlxvy5qxtmMHdd8/s1600/Tears+Pinup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Kw2DGyO8inO19cij80cppwH27oW6CvRUr9bLIfkZQPiC8uw5aM6Wsmz9TBC2iUeedRCxmcxO2EfXsND7meRbP_nV3DgVpfj8G55QtLwCcmzSkGC2mQetbKGPCe6dwlxvy5qxtmMHdd8/s640/Tears+Pinup.png" width="531" /></a></div><br />
<span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Frank Freeman is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> or </span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a></span></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-40208178695360537832011-06-28T15:30:00.000-07:002011-06-29T12:03:12.228-07:00The use of CGI in today’s Anime<strong>What is CGI?</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMmAQ7JKQAeYniAqnJ5cw7iOQcEPeJTMOnIL5urG6Gg7o6Qr6eByTw6DwjqExcSRhu-sCqqj77s6aVzL8qGrJztgAVOQ0JRxKjRKMqIXFdlRzV5PhGvI_Z1Ck56o8var6wW2tfqr-pMWU/s1600/Final+Fantasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMmAQ7JKQAeYniAqnJ5cw7iOQcEPeJTMOnIL5urG6Gg7o6Qr6eByTw6DwjqExcSRhu-sCqqj77s6aVzL8qGrJztgAVOQ0JRxKjRKMqIXFdlRzV5PhGvI_Z1Ck56o8var6wW2tfqr-pMWU/s320/Final+Fantasy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"></span>This can be quite a large undertaking to explain but I’ll do so in relation to Anime. The complete definition utilizes a number of methods that are not commonly used in Anime but are rather incorporated from time to time. Computer-generated imagery or CGI has gown in popularity and use as personal computers and graphics processors or GPUs have advanced. The forefathers of animation setup some pretty timeless standards that we still teach today. Many of these standards have been incorporated into modern software applications. The same principles of motion and composition are used in popular CG movies like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. For the most part in regards to Anime, CGI has completely modernized and revolutionized creatives and animators around the world. Much if not all that was done by hand in the past can now be done digitally on the computer. Studios were able to reduce their number of employees and streamline their workflow in faster and more efficient ways. Computers are now the “materials and supplies”. While many of us still prefer the old school way of doing things, we cannot deny the changes that are taking place. As the Borg said in Star Trek the Next Generation, “Resistance is futile”.<br />
<br />
<strong>Traditional use of computer graphics in animation</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EnW5WFtgj7LFQTiv3RN7XoPE-9cQ2-x3snKhV8bvlO20gUUhVGTNmAF8-mDATurnA98euV7LT5WwvGnesM-ueU1-3OI5o6iXQ-aVPqkpxGKRxUyCj7zvROabLZKTSN89C8CpdyD3KffR/s1600/moving_castle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EnW5WFtgj7LFQTiv3RN7XoPE-9cQ2-x3snKhV8bvlO20gUUhVGTNmAF8-mDATurnA98euV7LT5WwvGnesM-ueU1-3OI5o6iXQ-aVPqkpxGKRxUyCj7zvROabLZKTSN89C8CpdyD3KffR/s320/moving_castle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span>In the past, CGI was used to create complicated charts, graphics, and show intros. In those days, computers were far more complicated and fewer artists were brave enough to use them. I’ve heard some say that you needed a PhD to program them. I think this sentiment was not far from the truth.</div>My very first computer was an old Tandy. I was so excited because it had a color output by connecting to your TV. I couldn’t wait to make some cool (I would have called it “rad”) looking images. To my dismay, I opened the manual and saw the programming behind their example images. I remained optimistic and gave it a shot. I started off by plugging in the lines of code and then did a simple execute of the code. After several hours and crashes due to typing errors or missed dashes and slashes, I was able to get my image to display. What a chore that was. This experience completely turned me off and I went back to playing Organ Trail on it.<br />
Studios had people specially trained to do specific tasks such as Scenario, Storyboarding, Cel Painting, Backgrounds, Post Production, etc. Today, many of these common tasks are done in software applications and are easily shared throughout the entire studio and with teams that are not geographically centralized.<br />
<br />
<strong>Popular uses of CGI in Anime</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXyMYYSTXEWGVKADksPL-krzozIrO5kgnZfNNQpXb-8bhAu60HY-YcWoPo5klUVJ2sB_XBOwIUNuWkxKwxxolMHIofjuXynQZLk8-V4I7vV35-nPic9NG5QfewE9yEkJTr3wYbS90e8ld/s1600/Tron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXyMYYSTXEWGVKADksPL-krzozIrO5kgnZfNNQpXb-8bhAu60HY-YcWoPo5klUVJ2sB_XBOwIUNuWkxKwxxolMHIofjuXynQZLk8-V4I7vV35-nPic9NG5QfewE9yEkJTr3wYbS90e8ld/s320/Tron.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Many studios utilize a combination of traditional animation and CG. However, more and more are moving almost entirely to digital. Some studios have strong roots in traditional hand drawn animation cels but choose to use CG for backgrounds and complicated scenes. A subset of CG is 3D CG which uses three <span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"></span>dimensional space to animate. For instance when doing action sequences and for situations when a giant robot is transforming, it can be easier to do this in 3D. If there is a need to re-use the motion and maybe apply another camera angle, it can simply be pulled up in the program and manipulated as needed. There is no longer a need to redraw the complicated sequences again and again. Much of the old Anime like Voltron would re-use the same old stale sequences with different backgrounds. As a viewer, I would pick up on this after the first few episodes and grow tired of it. Now, consider the sheer hours and manpower it took to make just the one sequence and the fact that because of this they were willing to re-use and recycle old work. So replacing this portion of the process with CG must have been an amazing benefit to them.<br />
<br />
<strong>Has CGI Changed Anime?</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv4hCkU4z72VhElIZm1tk9Sb8xJGkrUoEd1Uh86dpJMGWGO4bj1nW3tf5tpe091epvUQLD_uler7-g9eoz6riuxOwQyjZfm2wYsLXP0ib2vmjVnJ9pAtoE7xY9XE4L-peiAb5PcqWdjY3/s1600/steamboy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv4hCkU4z72VhElIZm1tk9Sb8xJGkrUoEd1Uh86dpJMGWGO4bj1nW3tf5tpe091epvUQLD_uler7-g9eoz6riuxOwQyjZfm2wYsLXP0ib2vmjVnJ9pAtoE7xY9XE4L-peiAb5PcqWdjY3/s320/steamboy2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As a fan of Anime since the early 80’s, I’ve seen quite a bit of change in the quality of art, styles and frequency of work. So has CGI changed Anime and if so, has it been for the better? CGI has drastically changed the way anime is made and how it is defined but in Japan with the support of fans, there has been a somewhat strict adherence to the rules of Anime. Most studios are not quick to adopt a new technology or perceived change in the industry. I think that while I do notice changes that I may or may not like (some really stand out), for the most part, I feel that I’m still watching Anime and still enjoying the <em>spirit</em> of how it was made in the past. The categorization of Anime is expanding with each new video <span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"></span>put out. Many now question if certain films like Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within should even be considered Anime since it was done completely in 3D for an American market. However, we must keep in mind that it was created primarily in Japan by one of the major players in Japanese animation. I can’t say I have an answer to this issue. Now the question of weather it is for the better or not. Well, I love Anime so anything to keep the industry alive and vibrant while attempting to remain true to its original incarnation is acceptable to me.<br />
<br />
<strong>Where is it going from here?</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfK2yzhhDwb51CbTxmE1bh82FD6p2kZu5d3Cd9ekW0oJPBenyjysN94GqKNUQDbXbrEWo6rdO38sY5aSw9GSLx-6xhfhm35YVWJxG02HpnvlEgMcJqI2Pgaz1jr5sq-b596h1nPFGUu42/s1600/Tales+from+Earth+Sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfK2yzhhDwb51CbTxmE1bh82FD6p2kZu5d3Cd9ekW0oJPBenyjysN94GqKNUQDbXbrEWo6rdO38sY5aSw9GSLx-6xhfhm35YVWJxG02HpnvlEgMcJqI2Pgaz1jr5sq-b596h1nPFGUu42/s320/Tales+from+Earth+Sea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span>The push of economies to streamline processes, reduce overhead, cut costs, and to utilize technology create and interesting dilemma for the Anime industry. The Japanese animation style has become very popular and has influenced many cultures. Its style has integrated into modern video games and American cartoons. While western countries still see cartoons as children’s domain, upcoming generations are accepting different forms and mediums of storytelling and entertainment. They don’t necessarily require them to have talking animals. Markets are accepting more mature content in the form of cartoons. CGI is needed to more quickly deliver product to content-hungry customers.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong>Frank Freeman</strong> is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. <a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/" target="_new"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a> or <a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/" target="_new"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8557263820309092530.post-70060156478288417842011-06-28T15:25:00.000-07:002011-06-29T12:11:58.795-07:00How I learned Photoshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ4CofwTBUThJ95EvlNdW1w_2kwdf623vAthmf1lcL_lE3FosNvJu4KxedU98PRN6IsXheeqOqAYO366ayqEOEmmlbHoa7MPefoIxWyJZ-ftl7r8DeWvua_bGiX2gPFLNrHh4Fmw5cnZQ/s1600/TearsOfTheSunHouseByLake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZ4CofwTBUThJ95EvlNdW1w_2kwdf623vAthmf1lcL_lE3FosNvJu4KxedU98PRN6IsXheeqOqAYO366ayqEOEmmlbHoa7MPefoIxWyJZ-ftl7r8DeWvua_bGiX2gPFLNrHh4Fmw5cnZQ/s400/TearsOfTheSunHouseByLake2.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>I was so happy and content in my world of 2D black and white. It was enough to have to learn line weights and perspective. I was quite satisfied with my work. I think at some point, for most of us, something tends to come along and shake things up in a big way. For some it may be that person you <span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"></span>know that did something so outrageously cool or that book that came out and displayed some amazing art. For me, it was seeing comic books like Battle Chasers, Wild Cats and Danger Girl. Whatever it is, these moments require change and growth. In this article, I dive into my thinking and methods which continue to inspire and motivate me in my ongoing journey to learn digital painting with Photoshop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHqgd27EZO0vZfYv2_B-B2S_A0RRFkrwbD1gNi0AkECOedge3CfC1tsv3wXr0b9q3exZs1GjGhHe6rWuv3O2keEbrYQSXH0_wXFi8q3kEu1NDJs-sJ-kYykhppqqBHLdU6rXXZmShbEzL/s1600/hand-held+scanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHqgd27EZO0vZfYv2_B-B2S_A0RRFkrwbD1gNi0AkECOedge3CfC1tsv3wXr0b9q3exZs1GjGhHe6rWuv3O2keEbrYQSXH0_wXFi8q3kEu1NDJs-sJ-kYykhppqqBHLdU6rXXZmShbEzL/s1600/hand-held+scanner.jpg" /></a></div><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span>I’m dating myself here but I can remember this time as if it were yesterday. My grandmother bought me a nice new 386 computer that ran Window 3.1. I was so excited at the possibilities. One of the first things I bought was a grayscale palm-held scanner. What a relic. You basically had to place it over the picture and drag it down the page. If you didn’t do it right, the image would be scrunched on one side because you didn’t drag it straight. But once you got through that headache and the image was in the computer, it was time to color. Back then, I remember putting the picture in Microsoft Paint (I know now that this was horrible but it was all I had). I spent hours coloring pixels. I had a lot of fun but those images were simply atrocious. There is no other way to put it. So this may have scared me away from coloring my images in the beginning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUOtMT0uwF_3FIn6hpsR4HYKDPP8myC3tpCRUvUIhtTBqPQOWQW8lI7jeCdc08ZWv8AjNQ7aoKKPhYznmrU7F3r59C8imKE1WnGpod2h-QZLMuE9FvUn_UWXnfzh7RiJet1xiqr6CGu8a/s1600/PSCS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUOtMT0uwF_3FIn6hpsR4HYKDPP8myC3tpCRUvUIhtTBqPQOWQW8lI7jeCdc08ZWv8AjNQ7aoKKPhYznmrU7F3r59C8imKE1WnGpod2h-QZLMuE9FvUn_UWXnfzh7RiJet1xiqr6CGu8a/s200/PSCS5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
So, what was my moment and how has color changed me? Well a few years ago, I and a friend of mine wanted to publish our own comic book. This project amounted to a lot of work and no published product. However, I did learn so much from the process. My friend was the writer and was going to do all the art work so I needed to learn how to color. I had no idea at the time how much I had to learn. There were so many fine comic book colorists doing some fine work that I looked to as examples. I guess I always took their work for granted.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNcMEFUFY66edvgkhSR3iridpt8iY4dac8FR5ZKQFoqXs9UsNz0NAUejJv6Y6R4kAmZbB1ItkiVp1Ew-pDYb43zeYD9GOKwcKlfgrmfChielTc9PEWFnjd7ZuzS2bSCGzPEB8Dt56C_es/s1600/PhotoshopExample.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNcMEFUFY66edvgkhSR3iridpt8iY4dac8FR5ZKQFoqXs9UsNz0NAUejJv6Y6R4kAmZbB1ItkiVp1Ew-pDYb43zeYD9GOKwcKlfgrmfChielTc9PEWFnjd7ZuzS2bSCGzPEB8Dt56C_es/s400/PhotoshopExample.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><span class="full-image-float-right ssNonEditable"></span>It helps to learn Photoshop when working on a project or when you need a specific solution. The early days of my Photoshop experiences were times when I wanted to color a comic book page or give a cool image to a friend. Usually in these events, you don’t really have a full grasp of what the program can do but you know what you’d like to do with it and you learn if it is actually possible to do it or if you need to do something else. In this process, we tend to gain some unexpected nuggets that we can save and use later. Today, with sites like YouTube and professional tutorials, we are able to learn much faster and more conveniently get the information we need. I think one of the biggest keys to learning Photoshop is deciding to learn it no matter what. No matter how overwhelming the toolset is.<br />
<br />
With any new application that I’m interested in learning, I like to get the big picture as to what it can do and then break it down into pieces. If I was a newbie to Photoshop today and I wanted to learn it, I would go online or look at some of the latest digital art books by the pros. Seeing what they can do is very motivating and gives you an idea of what can be done. Next, I’d look at all the menus to get an idea of my options. Menus are usually broken down into sections.<br />
<br />
Finally, we can all learn from someone else. Especially a pro or those who posses skills that are much more advanced than our own. I can always come away with something that I didn’t know. Access to this information today is very available.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #525252;"><strong>Frank Freeman</strong></span><span style="color: #525252;"> is a freelance artist, trainer and CEO of Artistic Gurus, Inc. a training company that focuses on how-to videos in the 2D, 3D, Traditional Arts, Comics, Anime and Manga fields. </span></span><a href="http://www.artisticgurus.com/" target="_new"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">http://www.artisticgurus.com/</span></a><span style="color: #525252;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> or </span></span><a href="http://www.rentartvideos.com/" target="_new"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">http://www.rentartvideos.com/</span></a><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> </span>Artist Gurushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14974828241389550582noreply@blogger.com0