Here Goes Nothing

I do not intend on attempting this.

I don't know anything about animation, but I do know that I like it and I'm excited to learn about it. Movies, shorts, title sequences, whatever it is I'm always amazed at how animated pieces are put together. I enjoy watching animated movies and then going back and learning from the 'behind-the-scenes' videos or 'the making of' videos. I have no previous experience with this stuff except for maybe the drawing classes I took when I was 10 (does that count?). I started using photoshop over winter break to learn about masking, layering, and some other basic techniques, but After Effects is on a whole other level.

But that's okay. I went to Cinemapolis with some friends a few nights ago and saw Anomalisa--now that looked like it was very, very difficult to make. In other words, I'm thankful that a lot of stuff we're going to be doing will be on a computer with a least a few presets, and that we're not creating sculptures that have to be manipulated to create every single frame of a film.

I know that I need to work on my drawing skills this semester. Before I create good 3D animation, I have to be proficient in 2D animation, which means I have to get better at drawing. I plan on getting my colored pencils this weekend and then starting from there. Arturo showed my Fiction Field 2 class last semester a video where this comic book artist talks about drawing as a skill, not a talent: something that anyone, with enough practice, can get good at. Of course I can't find the video now, but maybe he'll show us in class next week. I'm not exactly sure what to look for as I collect source material for my name animation, but I presume I'll figure that out shortly. 

Projection Mapping

Projection Mapping is a technology that has been around for a few decades but is quickly picking up popularity now. It is a popular feature used by modern-day artists and musicians. The "trippy" effect that these projections can create are perfect for modern-day DJ's and are used regularly at there concerts.

The style used in the concerts is often abstract blank white shapes that have different protectors pointed at different areas and then a light show is designed around that. 

The Projection Mapping is also used for different forms of a sculpture like art. 

 

Flying Lotus is an artist that uses these projectors and software, only he uses it a little differently.  He is a DJ and he sets up a series of scrims (somewhat transparent curtains) around him in order to create a 3D appearance of his concert show. 

One software for projection mapping is  MadMapper. This software is a simple any easy to learn program that allows its user to explore the quickly growing interest related to projection mapping. 

These programs are growing very fast and are attracting a lot of attention. If it is a field you are interested in, find out more: Click Here

 

PCF Studios

PCF Studios:
This is a local, Up-state New York, artist's company. His name is Philippe Faraut, and his focus is on Sculpture.










He lives in Honeoye New York, and teaches a small class on sculpting. I find his work both interesting and inspiring. He does many different kinds of sculptures like stone, bronze and clay. The style of his work is very realistic which I find intriguing. It is not easy to master the art of reality and in my opinion it is the hardest form of art to take on. This goes for all areas of art, film, sculpture, painting, drawing, etc.

Each and every one of his pieces I find telling a story. Within every one of them I find myself forming an internal analysis for who they might be and where they might have come from. They are all very expressive and are good examples for characters one must create in stories. 

(Einstein recreation)

As seen above he also does some work with recreating people from pictures. 

(Philippe working)

His wife takes all the photos for his web page and I think there is something very beautiful about the lighting in these photos that everyone can take something away from. The lighting helps to show the contours of each piece of work and is very contrasted with light and dark areas. 

Finally Philippe Faraut has also done forensic work with facial recreation from only bones. 

This is just another talent of his. Through examining the human skull he can determine the muscular composition and then the rest falls into place. 

Philippe Faraut is an artist that inspires. His works are beautiful and there is a lesson to be learned in every one of his sculptures. 

Check out his Website:   http://www.pcfstudios.com 

Pixar - Behind the Scenes

After this week's classes, looking at 3D animation has a whole new appreciation and understanding.  Even though this week, we jumped right into Maya and 3D sculpture, it is important to take a step back and look at the creative aspect of things.

In this video below, we can see that it is very important to have a sculpture idea before jumping into editing software.  Coming up with a detailed plan will help immensely before jumping into programs like Maya.  It also seems like a lot of fun, watch the link below to understand what I'm talking about.

http://www.pixar.com/behind_the_scenes/Sculpting#/node/3834

Another important part of animation is color schemes.  Color schemes can be generated from anything, such as a sweater pattern or a pattern on a blanket.  Experimenting with color expands options and also seems really fun.

http://www.pixar.com/behind_the_scenes/Sulley-#/node/3832

Making Of, a Bruce Lee 3D Portrait

My first post is a sped-up digital sculpting of martial arts icon, Bruce Lee. In this video, the artist works purely from reference images and recreates his likeness in ZBrush, Maya, and Photoshop to produce a masterful and photo-realistic piece of digital art. I find myself in awe at the amount of sheer skill, time, and wisdom that is put in to create something of this caliber. Pure inspiration. Though, it might be just a little bit before I produce any work like this.