Mondayitis and last weeks evaluation

Roll up, its the start of another week. I feel a bit tired and poorly today, but I just need to man up and get on with it.

Anyhow, last week I had planned to get all my research done and start drawing up roughs for my model sheets. I think for the most part, I followed my weekly plan through. For the first time I can remember, I'm not going to be stressing around on Thursday night trying to get all the paper work done. That's a good feeling, having all week to draw and make everything look spick and span. I mean, a whole week of drawing, it can't possibly go wrong, can it? Well, anyway, I think last week was a good 'un. Friday was a productive day too, it was all about the Skillsets website, writing up what we want to do when we grow up. I thought it would be boring, but I actually enjoyed it, and learnt something too! I got it done too, which is an added bonus because I think the worst thing that could happen would be too go back at the end of the year having to do all the Friday work.

So...heres my plan for this week, its mostly going to be doing my model sheets but I'll try to be more specific where I can.

Monday: I'll be doing more work on the model sheets, I'm going for the two characters, but I don't want the standard to slip so tip top drawing is on the cards today (along with lots of screenshots)

Tuesday: More of the above I think.

Wednesday: I'll be tightening everything up in Illustrator, getting everything print ready and what not.

Thursday: I think I'll be spending the day putting my sketchbooks and research file together and making everything lovely.

Friday: Hand in day. hopefully there will be no running around like an idiot and come 1pm, I'll be done!

We shall see if this all falls into place, I cant see why it shouldn't... I've kind of left the best til last, and despite my Monday Misery I think this week is going to be another belter.

And finally, I went to the the Illusionist last week so I shall be giving a fairly long review for no body who reads this blog

Constructive Crit

I thought this might be of interest. A few of you might have seen the Film Noir thing I did. Well, I sent it over to a cartoonist friend of mine who always gives me honest, brutal, but most of all helpful feedback. Honestly there's nothing better than someone disecting your work, especially when it comes from someone who knows what there talking about.

Plan of the week, 20th September

Monday morning, bright and early. The first years are getting there brains melted by information overload and I'm sitting in the pod thinking about what I'm going to get done this week.

I've managed to get a fair amount of research done this weekend. I looked at a some tip top character designs and oddly enough, actually learnt a fair bit too, about what I should change to make my designs stronger. I've still got a little touching up to do, typing up my backstory and what not. I've obviously given myself a bit of a do because I have two protagonists, so that equals two backstories to type up, two model sheets etc. But, I don't mind that, the enthusiasm that was pulsing through my veins hasn't evaporated over the weekend so I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Anyway, here's the breakdown of the week.

Monday: I want to finish up all my research. Like I said I've got the majority of it done, which is a bit of a rarity for me. But I think if I can spend today making it tickety boo I'll be happy.

Also, I have got the approval on the linework for my jigsaws and colouring books, so tonight I'll be bashing on trying to get the colours all put together. Shouldn't take to long hopefully as its only flat colour...but I think the quicker I can get them done, the quicker I can get paid!

Tuesday: With my research (hopefully) out of the way, its time to start working in my sketch pad. I'll be gathering up reference material for the robbers, Ice cream logos etc. all that jazz. I know I already have some initial designs, but I'll be starting from fresh and I'm going to exhaust all avenues.

Wednesday: Hopefully I'll be fleshing out my idea's, drawing out some more designs and what not. I think one of the things I'll really have to go at is drawing the bike for the robber, and the ice cream cart for the Icer. So I'll be spending time making sure they are of the same quality as the characters.

Thursday: I'll be spending the time developing my concepts again. Also, The Illusionist is on a the Tyneside Cinema for the last time, so I think I'll be going to see that.

Friday: Hopefully, my designs will be pretty much sorted, and I can spend the day, and the weekend drawing up my final concepts for colouring next week.

Yeah, so that's that really. I think that seems like a fairly reasonable amount of work. I'll be updating here to show where I am with the designs throughout the week...so keep an eye out

A New Dawn

Well its the beginning of the end. The final year has arrived, and with it a fresh start and a chance to prove what I can do to myself, my peers, and the industry.

Without sounding like a pretentious idiot, I really feel like this year is going to be a good one. I've had productive summer, doing freelance work, meeting people in industry, reversing into cars (allegedly) and generally just doing alot of drawing. All of this seems to have put me in good stead for this year, and I feel optimistic and ready to have a good go and what comes my way, and grasp any opportunity that I can.

I had ameeting with Paul Windle Design during the summer break and they seemed to be keen to take me for work experience during this year, I'll grab that with both hands, it would be fantastic to see how they work, and I'll probably learn how many bad habits I've picked up too.

I'm also busy with the freelance work I mentioned earlier, its basically some illustrations for some jigsaws and colouring books for a theatre company in South Shields. I'm awaiting on the approval for the linework at the moment, so I'll be bashing on with that once it comes through.

I thought I'd start of my first post with some of the work I did over the summer, so here goes:

This was a little piece I did just for fun, I rarely draw women, and this is something I'd like to remedy this year. I had rendering this one out... especially the face.

This was a wee piece I did for my portfolio

I did this for an potential iPhone app that hasn't took over off, or even left the hanger really. It was originally for 250 characters for a kind of top trumps game. In one way I really wanted this to come off as it would have been well paid, however on the other hand its about half a years work

Again, this was done for fun and my portfolio. I think the fire works alright on this.

Something abit different from me, I gave myself about an half and a half and just painted a quick scene.

And finally, here are a couple of initial designs for this years AD207 project. I'm I'll chop and change them in the coming weeks.

Thats about it for now. I've got a few animations that have really grabbed my attention that I'll be posting up soon.

Also, if anyone would like to follow my personal blog, the address is:

www.leestilldraws.blogspot.com