So.
I had pretty much given up on this. Apparently, I CAN still do it though. So, I'm doing it. Pulling this together. I'm printing what pieces I have and having them bound. I got my paper work and presentation rescheduled.
Let's do this.
And be done.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Weekly Review of DOOM.
How much time did you spend on your project?
10 on coloring.
What did you do for hands-on?
Digital Coloring. Water color texturing.
What Research did you do?
None.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yeah, she is suggesting it would be better and more time conscious to print the book out at Kinko's or something and put it together myself rather than Order it from Lulu. Possibly a good idea.
Were you in class this week?
No. Supposed to write a short thingy though.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Going through the muck. Muck it out.
What are your plans for next week?
Almost done. Complete images and format them.
10 on coloring.
What did you do for hands-on?
Digital Coloring. Water color texturing.
What Research did you do?
None.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yeah, she is suggesting it would be better and more time conscious to print the book out at Kinko's or something and put it together myself rather than Order it from Lulu. Possibly a good idea.
Were you in class this week?
No. Supposed to write a short thingy though.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Going through the muck. Muck it out.
What are your plans for next week?
Almost done. Complete images and format them.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Water Color Texturing
There is this wonder thing called water colors. They make coloring REALLY easy. And I'm not using them to color my pieces. Do you know why? because Digital Coloring is much easier. But that does not stop me from doing water color texturing.
Basically, I am bored with the non-textured backgrounds of Digital art, and so I have spent a couple days making interesting patterns with water colors, scanned them in, and use them in various places in ze finished images.
Here are some examples.
Admittedly, mine aren't nearly as wispy and un-solid-like.
Using for various backgrounds. Super.
Basically, I am bored with the non-textured backgrounds of Digital art, and so I have spent a couple days making interesting patterns with water colors, scanned them in, and use them in various places in ze finished images.
Here are some examples.
Using for various backgrounds. Super.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Another Weekly Review
How much time did you spend on your project?
9-ish hours.
What did you do for hands-on?
Inking. Rinse and repeat.
What Research did you do?
Nada. But I have nine out of 10 research journals, the next one will be the interview Journal entry.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. Stuff. Discussing short cuts for finishing.
Were you in class this week?
Yes. We signed up for our slots.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Just working through the mess of stuff. Doin' it.
What are your plans for next week?
I have the interview scheldueld for next week. that'll go well. :D And more inking.
9-ish hours.
What did you do for hands-on?
Inking. Rinse and repeat.
What Research did you do?
Nada. But I have nine out of 10 research journals, the next one will be the interview Journal entry.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. Stuff. Discussing short cuts for finishing.
Were you in class this week?
Yes. We signed up for our slots.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Just working through the mess of stuff. Doin' it.
What are your plans for next week?
I have the interview scheldueld for next week. that'll go well. :D And more inking.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Weekly Review...Yeah.
How much time did you spend on your project?
9 Hours coloring pages. NINE HOURS OF ONLY COLORING. And another hour on Journal entires.
What did you do for hands-on?
Coloring. Lots of coloring.
What Research did you do?
Research on relevance of technology effecting children's books (as well as regular literature) in the future.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. Just to get on top of the work and just keep popping it out.
Were you in class this week?
No.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Nooooooo idea.
What are your plans for next week?
Arranging a meeting with the Family Reading Partner ship, they are supposed to reply sometime this weekend. More inking. Research.
9 Hours coloring pages. NINE HOURS OF ONLY COLORING. And another hour on Journal entires.
What did you do for hands-on?
Coloring. Lots of coloring.
What Research did you do?
Research on relevance of technology effecting children's books (as well as regular literature) in the future.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Yes. Just to get on top of the work and just keep popping it out.
Were you in class this week?
No.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Nooooooo idea.
What are your plans for next week?
Arranging a meeting with the Family Reading Partner ship, they are supposed to reply sometime this weekend. More inking. Research.
Done with the Special Twelve
So, twelve pieces done.
I'll add the picture once I have access to them. I forgot to add them to my Flash drive....but they're there!
But alas, I still must go and be a machine and just keep popping them out. Sketches are ready to start inking once I get the paper ready today. Need to cut it to the right size. The nib tip for my inking pen is getting crusty as well....should probably replace it. Or learn how to clean it properly. The repeated layering of the ink onto it is making it impossible to use the ink properly and efficiently. The coloring process is down and made easy, I might go back and adjust things before the final product though...
I'll add the picture once I have access to them. I forgot to add them to my Flash drive....but they're there!
But alas, I still must go and be a machine and just keep popping them out. Sketches are ready to start inking once I get the paper ready today. Need to cut it to the right size. The nib tip for my inking pen is getting crusty as well....should probably replace it. Or learn how to clean it properly. The repeated layering of the ink onto it is making it impossible to use the ink properly and efficiently. The coloring process is down and made easy, I might go back and adjust things before the final product though...
Monday, May 2, 2011
Always Deny the Apocolypse
"Always deny the apocalypse, John. You’ll usually be right, and when you’re wrong, no one will be left to say, 'I told you so.’”
A brilliant quote in an article I read on the evolution of technology and how it will effect reading in the future of our society.
It is called:
The Future of Reading: Don't Worry. It might be better than you think. By John Green
and is a very intelligent ramble that comes from many directions at once and addresses them equally and satisfactorily. He compares the future of books to Youtube, which I found strange at first until he used examples, such as "Charlie Bit Me", to scare the hell out of me. Basically he predicted that it is likely that there will be billions of books with very few readers and very few books with billions of readers.
If one has explored the world of Youtube in depth they will discover that this analogy is very accurate. But in no way do these numbers equal the quality of which these videos or books are! I know for a fact that there are a number of videos out there that are worth viewing and they don't have the recognition. This is true for a number of websites as to how they operate. It is hard to find good/interesting things unless you dig, and often the ones with the most recognition will always pop up first, leaving other works that are either equally deserving--or more--of recognition in their big black shadows.
And it's scary. To think that we will be reduced to reading books of equal quality as this:
This is cute. Really. But I do not look forward to reading books that are of...THIS...'quality.
John Green then went on to address the importance of a story in relative to how Video Games and Blockbuster movies.
He makes an excellent point when saying when you read the the written word, a story, you are in a way making it your own. Either with how you imagine the characters or in the way you relate to it. It makes me wonder about children's picture books.
Am I cheap for wanting to express something without words? Do I take away that something which makes a connection between the story and the reader that make reading worth while? In one section Green compare the The Very Hungry Caterpillar with a book about a really cute dog. The title described exactly that, and I couldn't help but grimace at the idea that that book might be real. My Puppy Is Adorable and These Illustrations Prove It. UGH.
But does that lower the quality of my book? Yeah, the story kinda sucks, I got that...I don't really like the idea of writing an actual story....Ah well. But was it bad I focused on the illustrations? Was I focusing too much on myself rather than if the reader could understand the story?
I guess I should just accept people are going to interpret my book in different ways since there is no clear cut definition. I hope that is good enough.
God...I look back on these journals and I'm like "what do these have to do with my project again?" And then I read and I'm like "Oooooooh~" So all this did have a point. :D
A brilliant quote in an article I read on the evolution of technology and how it will effect reading in the future of our society.
It is called:
The Future of Reading: Don't Worry. It might be better than you think. By John Green
and is a very intelligent ramble that comes from many directions at once and addresses them equally and satisfactorily. He compares the future of books to Youtube, which I found strange at first until he used examples, such as "Charlie Bit Me", to scare the hell out of me. Basically he predicted that it is likely that there will be billions of books with very few readers and very few books with billions of readers.
If one has explored the world of Youtube in depth they will discover that this analogy is very accurate. But in no way do these numbers equal the quality of which these videos or books are! I know for a fact that there are a number of videos out there that are worth viewing and they don't have the recognition. This is true for a number of websites as to how they operate. It is hard to find good/interesting things unless you dig, and often the ones with the most recognition will always pop up first, leaving other works that are either equally deserving--or more--of recognition in their big black shadows.
And it's scary. To think that we will be reduced to reading books of equal quality as this:
This is cute. Really. But I do not look forward to reading books that are of...THIS...'quality.
John Green then went on to address the importance of a story in relative to how Video Games and Blockbuster movies.
He makes an excellent point when saying when you read the the written word, a story, you are in a way making it your own. Either with how you imagine the characters or in the way you relate to it. It makes me wonder about children's picture books.
Am I cheap for wanting to express something without words? Do I take away that something which makes a connection between the story and the reader that make reading worth while? In one section Green compare the The Very Hungry Caterpillar with a book about a really cute dog. The title described exactly that, and I couldn't help but grimace at the idea that that book might be real. My Puppy Is Adorable and These Illustrations Prove It. UGH.
But does that lower the quality of my book? Yeah, the story kinda sucks, I got that...I don't really like the idea of writing an actual story....Ah well. But was it bad I focused on the illustrations? Was I focusing too much on myself rather than if the reader could understand the story?
I guess I should just accept people are going to interpret my book in different ways since there is no clear cut definition. I hope that is good enough.
God...I look back on these journals and I'm like "what do these have to do with my project again?" And then I read and I'm like "Oooooooh~" So all this did have a point. :D
The Tools
So. I guess I haven't really explained the wonderful tools I use in my trade.
There aren't that many truthfully, but I decided to explain them anyway.
First in the Pen and Ink:
I use a special ink called India Ink. Often used by artist and such. It is fast drying and doesn't bleed with water. I work on water color paper for texture and so that the ink doesn't seep through. I can use various sizes of different pen tips to get different types of lines, but mostly I stick with one. Issues I have with this tool is when it screws up, it makes a BIT BLACK MARK. Not fun. But that's what photoshop is for.
Then I use a scanner:
Simple as can be. Stick a piece of paper on it and it transfers it into a digital file. I put this at a very high resolution so that I am capable of adding lots of detail to the work.
After that, I use Photoshop to add color an clean up the picture, removing mistakes and finishing the piece:
I wish I had CS4...that would be so sweeeeeeeet. I have an older version, but it works just as well. It takes time and with a Tablet (above) coloring is much easier as it allows the size of the mark I am making to change with pressure as if it were an actual pen or pencil.
It allows pics like this:
to be awesome sauce. BOOM BABY.
There aren't that many truthfully, but I decided to explain them anyway.
I use a special ink called India Ink. Often used by artist and such. It is fast drying and doesn't bleed with water. I work on water color paper for texture and so that the ink doesn't seep through. I can use various sizes of different pen tips to get different types of lines, but mostly I stick with one. Issues I have with this tool is when it screws up, it makes a BIT BLACK MARK. Not fun. But that's what photoshop is for.
Then I use a scanner:
It allows pics like this:
Saturday, April 23, 2011
I'm happy as a SQUIRREL...When I'm with Proffessor Quirrel!!
Quote from A Very Potter Musical. Brilliant.
And though it may seem random....it is very relevant. For indeed, it has something to do with squirrels. :D
If you are aware, some where in my story is a character that is a giant squirrel. Here's a glimpse.
Yes. The girl is riding the thing.
But that isn't the point. The area in which my computer is placed shares space (and a ceiling) with a family of squirrels. The skitter and scatter and stuff. But anyway. I was in the midst of working on my pictures on the computer when I heard one make lots of noise that noticeably was not coming from the ceiling any longer.
In stead in was in the wall.
My thoughts were along the lines of "Damn, it's going to die and then smell horrible." Then I realized that it was actually near an access area from our first floor....
Anyway. The point is, I figured out how to get the squirrel. I CAUGHT it. UH HUH.
Here's da proof.
It was great and soft. And adoooorable. Baby squirrels are cute. And annoying...anyway. They distracted me from my work. :/
And though it may seem random....it is very relevant. For indeed, it has something to do with squirrels. :D
If you are aware, some where in my story is a character that is a giant squirrel. Here's a glimpse.
But that isn't the point. The area in which my computer is placed shares space (and a ceiling) with a family of squirrels. The skitter and scatter and stuff. But anyway. I was in the midst of working on my pictures on the computer when I heard one make lots of noise that noticeably was not coming from the ceiling any longer.
In stead in was in the wall.
My thoughts were along the lines of "Damn, it's going to die and then smell horrible." Then I realized that it was actually near an access area from our first floor....
Anyway. The point is, I figured out how to get the squirrel. I CAUGHT it. UH HUH.
Here's da proof.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Formatting A Children's Book Research
In searching for ways to put my book together I have found few options. Often it takes putting everything into a PDF file but no specifications on how.
http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/picture-book-construction-know-your-layout/
This article I read addresses some of those issues, but it goes more into how to make it visually appealing.
The article talks about balancing illustrations and the words, but also mentions examples of books with solely illustrations to tell the story.
This other article dictates why it is so hard to find things on formatting children's picture books. http://stason.org/TULARC/writing/misc-writing/1-6-How-do-I-format-a-picture-book-What-about-illustrations.html The reason being, that most people who submit children's books for publishing send in the text first and then get assigned an illustrator once the story is signed off.
This is frustrating.
What I will have to do is either mess around in page maker or make the physical book by hand. I'm feeling that this may be the better option now...
http://taralazar.wordpress.com/2009/02/22/picture-book-construction-know-your-layout/
This article I read addresses some of those issues, but it goes more into how to make it visually appealing.
The article talks about balancing illustrations and the words, but also mentions examples of books with solely illustrations to tell the story.
This other article dictates why it is so hard to find things on formatting children's picture books. http://stason.org/TULARC/writing/misc-writing/1-6-How-do-I-format-a-picture-book-What-about-illustrations.html The reason being, that most people who submit children's books for publishing send in the text first and then get assigned an illustrator once the story is signed off.
This is frustrating.
What I will have to do is either mess around in page maker or make the physical book by hand. I'm feeling that this may be the better option now...
Monday, April 11, 2011
Out of the Rut
Today, I must use some prompts to do a journal entry. The prompt I choose is...."7 things I want to accomplish in the next week" because planning is always fabulous. :)
- Finish 60% of needed sketches
- Start inking said sketches
- Call someone from the Family Reading Partnership about an interview
- Look up ways to format a children's book into pdf files for Lulu.com
- Blog every day
- Scan and start coloring pieces.
- Talk to someone about talking to children
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Weekly Review 6
How much time did you spend on your project?
7 Hours on sketching and inking, 2 On Journaling
What did you do for hands-on?
Sketched and Inked 2 pages (so far) and have two more sketches ready to be traced onto final paper.
What Research did you do?
Didn't do anything specific, just looking for reference on google. Learned how to draw a squirrel and a kangaroo. Aaaaaand I had a great idea for research that would help me with my project. Look up formatting a book.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Not yet.
Were you in class this week?
Yes I was. Show and tell and all that snazzy stuff.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Did journals...Came to class...Did hours...Bare minimum this week, journal and research wise but kicking butt with hands on.
What are your plans for next week?
Complete the 12 sketches I want for may. All twelve. I only have 5 to go. Then I can ink and start coloring.
7 Hours on sketching and inking, 2 On Journaling
What did you do for hands-on?
Sketched and Inked 2 pages (so far) and have two more sketches ready to be traced onto final paper.
What Research did you do?
Didn't do anything specific, just looking for reference on google. Learned how to draw a squirrel and a kangaroo. Aaaaaand I had a great idea for research that would help me with my project. Look up formatting a book.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Not yet.
Were you in class this week?
Yes I was. Show and tell and all that snazzy stuff.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Did journals...Came to class...Did hours...Bare minimum this week, journal and research wise but kicking butt with hands on.
What are your plans for next week?
Complete the 12 sketches I want for may. All twelve. I only have 5 to go. Then I can ink and start coloring.
Aaaand POOF
Ever wake up in the morning and have a great idea? And then you do something and you completely forget what it was? But you do remember that it was a great idea? Well, that happened to me this morning.
I woke up, hair askew and excited with this going through my head "Ohmigod that is the best research idea EVER! This is such a great plan!! I can't wait to do it!!" And then I turn off my alarm and....it's gone.
No recollection whatsoever.
I read this thing that said that within a few minutes of waking up you forget most of your dream. And then withing 10 minutes you forget all of it. That is if you did start pondering on what the heck it was about the second you wake up. Like yesterday, I had a dream. I remember waking up and being like "That was freaky." and I knew if I didn't concentrate on it, I would forget it. But now I can't remember it anyway. Just that it is likely it was a scary dream and something weird happened in it.
Why do good ideas have to come to you when you dream? You will only forget them and then you feel awful for the rest of the day. Dang it.
Just some trivia, the idea for my story came to me as I was falling asleep. I decided to get up and write it down instead of forgetting it....I'm not sure if the same thing applies to that situation but...anyway.
And good news! In the process of writing this, I have rememberd enough about the dream to be able to tell that there was something about publishing involved....OH MY GOD. I just remembered it all. Thank GOD.
The idea is to look up how to format a book so that it looks professionally done. Cause that is one of the deals with Lulu.com. You have to format everything yourself and then upload it in a PDF file...that....was awesome.
I am officially dubbing this the best Blog Post EVER.
So I'll be looking that up later today. :)
I woke up, hair askew and excited with this going through my head "Ohmigod that is the best research idea EVER! This is such a great plan!! I can't wait to do it!!" And then I turn off my alarm and....it's gone.
No recollection whatsoever.
I read this thing that said that within a few minutes of waking up you forget most of your dream. And then withing 10 minutes you forget all of it. That is if you did start pondering on what the heck it was about the second you wake up. Like yesterday, I had a dream. I remember waking up and being like "That was freaky." and I knew if I didn't concentrate on it, I would forget it. But now I can't remember it anyway. Just that it is likely it was a scary dream and something weird happened in it.
Why do good ideas have to come to you when you dream? You will only forget them and then you feel awful for the rest of the day. Dang it.
Just some trivia, the idea for my story came to me as I was falling asleep. I decided to get up and write it down instead of forgetting it....I'm not sure if the same thing applies to that situation but...anyway.
And good news! In the process of writing this, I have rememberd enough about the dream to be able to tell that there was something about publishing involved....OH MY GOD. I just remembered it all. Thank GOD.
The idea is to look up how to format a book so that it looks professionally done. Cause that is one of the deals with Lulu.com. You have to format everything yourself and then upload it in a PDF file...that....was awesome.
I am officially dubbing this the best Blog Post EVER.
So I'll be looking that up later today. :)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sketching Progress
Did two sketches tonight. It's looking more more likely I'll finish the 12 pieces by May. Which is good.
In general, today was good. Inked two pieces (admittedly one had very little detail in the pen-work and most of it's coolness will come with the colors) and sketched 2 pieces. The ink was very mean to me. I have some clean up to do in photoshop before I can start coloring one of the pieces. Hopefully I will completely transfer them to the final paper so I can work on them over the weekend tomorrow. I have a field trip this Friday to a Print Workshop, which should be fun and interesting but probably won't help with my project. I guess I can use it as "research". Different prospective mediums to use for illustrating a book and all that.
In other news, I have finally looked at pictures of squirrels and learned how to draw them properly. I googled them 7th period and did 5 quick sketches. Which is really the only way to learn. According to Miss Gergley, this counts as Research. Which is awesome. I shall do a journal soon dedicated solely to how I use google to get a general idea of what I want to draw. :D
Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw....Blasted little buggers are in my ceilings. GO AWAY.
But the purpose of this is to learn how to draw them, which I have (Hurrah!) and now I have to learn to draw kangaroos and then draw a cross between the two which is adorable and terrifying at the same time. Of course I may just go with a giant squirrel. Hmmmm...Things to ponder.
In general, today was good. Inked two pieces (admittedly one had very little detail in the pen-work and most of it's coolness will come with the colors) and sketched 2 pieces. The ink was very mean to me. I have some clean up to do in photoshop before I can start coloring one of the pieces. Hopefully I will completely transfer them to the final paper so I can work on them over the weekend tomorrow. I have a field trip this Friday to a Print Workshop, which should be fun and interesting but probably won't help with my project. I guess I can use it as "research". Different prospective mediums to use for illustrating a book and all that.
In other news, I have finally looked at pictures of squirrels and learned how to draw them properly. I googled them 7th period and did 5 quick sketches. Which is really the only way to learn. According to Miss Gergley, this counts as Research. Which is awesome. I shall do a journal soon dedicated solely to how I use google to get a general idea of what I want to draw. :D
But the purpose of this is to learn how to draw them, which I have (Hurrah!) and now I have to learn to draw kangaroos and then draw a cross between the two which is adorable and terrifying at the same time. Of course I may just go with a giant squirrel. Hmmmm...Things to ponder.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Communication
But I have the most trouble initiating the connection. Whether if it's by email, phone or in person. I find it so hard to actually go up to somebody and say "Hello." Usually it is someone else who imitates it.
That is a little bit of a problem for me...I need to contact people. I'm not even joking....it's so baaaaaad.
I am in desperate need of interviewing people. I know who I want to interview. It's just...I can't pick up the phone and force myself to actually try and dial the seven little numbers.
It gets worse every time someone doesn't pick up and I have to leave a message. My messages are always....odd.
But anyway. I need to get over this. Four weeks ago.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Weekly Review 5
How much time did you spend on your project?
I spent 5 hours on hands-on and 3 on journals and another 2 on research.
What did you do for hands-on?
Finished a page (inked) and finished a sketch (will be inked by the end of today).
What Research did you do?
I was lent a book by Marley (The Fantasy Artist's Figure Drawing Bible) read through that.
Looked through the website Write Fuzzy to investigate their publishing. Not for me.
Looked through Imagisnism Studio's art collection. Inspirational illustrations that are along a similar style I'm trying to grasp (but without the immense detail).
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
I did, it was brief. Just reminded me to go meet with some people she suggested. As well as making sure I had an idea of how I was going to go through with things (schedule.)
Were you in class this week?
Indeed. Shared a bit for show and tell and brought in some research for Jackie. Though borrow the book, she looked through it and was apparently helpful
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Actually doing my journal entries this week instead of slacking. I did do the work the previous week, I just didn't write about it. I did some some back up journals, and made up for them.
What are your plans for next week?
Get most of the sketches done if not all. Ink what I can.Talk to some people from the Family Reading Partnership to get an interview. Could actually do that this week....hmmmmmm. Figure out color schemes too. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand
Be happy. Indeed.
I spent 5 hours on hands-on and 3 on journals and another 2 on research.
What did you do for hands-on?
Finished a page (inked) and finished a sketch (will be inked by the end of today).
What Research did you do?
I was lent a book by Marley (The Fantasy Artist's Figure Drawing Bible) read through that.
Looked through the website Write Fuzzy to investigate their publishing. Not for me.
Looked through Imagisnism Studio's art collection. Inspirational illustrations that are along a similar style I'm trying to grasp (but without the immense detail).
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
I did, it was brief. Just reminded me to go meet with some people she suggested. As well as making sure I had an idea of how I was going to go through with things (schedule.)
Were you in class this week?
Indeed. Shared a bit for show and tell and brought in some research for Jackie. Though borrow the book, she looked through it and was apparently helpful
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
Actually doing my journal entries this week instead of slacking. I did do the work the previous week, I just didn't write about it. I did some some back up journals, and made up for them.
What are your plans for next week?
Get most of the sketches done if not all. Ink what I can.Talk to some people from the Family Reading Partnership to get an interview. Could actually do that this week....hmmmmmm. Figure out color schemes too. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Imaginism Studios
The way that I see it, this studio...is awesome. I've been following their blogs and stuff through a website for a few years now, and it's incredible just how amazing they are. The main guy I think his name is Bobby Chu. The studio is Toronto Canada. I feel like all these amazing artist are in Canada.
But to the point. Imaginism Studios...they are just too cool. I mean...look at his stuff!!
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| This is titled "Beam Me Up Scotty" What's not to love? |
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| Winnie the Pooh Winnie the Pooh...Cuddly Fuzzy...What are the words? |
Sooooooooooooo detailed...Just looking at the art is so motivational. I don't know what to do with myself...I've seen over live-streaming videos works in progress come to life with incredible detail that seems effortless...it's scary!
Bobby Chu does these online classes where he gives a topic out over his feed and people have to draw it in a hour or two. Limited time frame is the point. And then he chooses which one he likes and he'll give them a the piece he was working on at that time as well. Sometimes it will be guest artists who are well known for the their styles in movies and such. They've had Chris Sanders who was worked on Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, and others I can't remember. (But that last one blew me away.) Oh and the guy who directed/designed for Ice Age. Meh. But anyway, there is a huge following...it's great..:P
Here's the Blog! http://imaginismstudios.blogspot.com/
Well...Good night. :)
One Day One Sketch
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| Page 16 Sketch |
My tribal warriors look AWESOME. WHAT.
I really am in love with the staff. But to get to the point. This, was completed in one day of work. It doesn't seem like a lot. But it is to me. I'll need to trace this on to my good paper and then ink it, but it is progress. If I can do one of these each day for the next week, I'll have 9 pages in detail sketch. Then inked (because I won't want to stop) and then sorta colored. Still waiting on that...
Detail stinks, but I must learn to love it. Learn to love it....learn to love it. Guh.
It's a little sad because I'm not doing crew anymore....but the message is right. :D
Mentor Meeting 3/29/11
Hmmmmmmm....not much to talk about. We went through the steps. Asked me how I was doing. I shared my worries. I got suggestions on that tree-man I drew.
I asked her about my worries about have the pieces sync. We I see all the pages together, I don't want the colors to be so drastically different that they don't look good together. I'll be waiting until I can look at all the pages together to decide on set color pallets.
Mrs. Spence suggested printing thumbnails of the pages together (when they are done) and just messing with water colors to see what works. We'll see what happens.
I asked her about my worries about have the pieces sync. We I see all the pages together, I don't want the colors to be so drastically different that they don't look good together. I'll be waiting until I can look at all the pages together to decide on set color pallets.
Mrs. Spence suggested printing thumbnails of the pages together (when they are done) and just messing with water colors to see what works. We'll see what happens.
Write Fuzzy Research (Not Fuzzy Publishing)
This is really important. This is just an image from one of the pages on Write Fuzzy's Website.
I'm kinda scared of this.
So let me explain. Write Fuzzy is independent publishing company that focuses in children's books (poetry and picture books) that they choose through a process that is sorta like, "Wow. This is awesome. Who wrote this? Whoa, I'll never forget it. Let's publish it for them." :D With much smiles and giggles.
This was suggested for me to check out by friend of mine, which I thank her dearly for. But this doesn't seem to be the way for me. I don't think they have a slot opening for submissions for children's books anytime soon (there is for poetry from what I understand). So it still looks like it's Lulu for me.
Also it seems most of the children's books are written by this Derrick Brown and illustrated by some else...meh.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
In Other Fabulous News...
Finished with inking that second page. Which isn't really the second page because I'm not doing these in chronological order at the moment....Perhaps later.
BUT. Here it is.
I think it looks pretty snazzy.
As I was looking at it though, I thought to my self, "Hmmmm...I should add some building in the background over the treeline."
And if that isn't a great idea, I don't know what is. But we'll see if that actually ever happens.
In other fabulous news (heh, my title) I was flipping through the book Marley has lent me and it brings to attention my need for a color pallet. Hurrah. I have one page that actually has color. But will those colors work for other pages is the question? I will find out in a month. Need to have 12 pages complete No matter what. :/
Looks super cheery right? I love it. For serious. My brother doesn't like the dragon's colors though....hmmmmmmm. I'll probably ignore him.
But as I was saying, the book Marley lent me brings to attention the importance of a color pallets and the importance of how I want to color the piece. I probably will finish this with simple shading, but I have to keep value in mind as well (contrasting colors, lights dark, the works). It also has some neat tips on character design.
Now I need to get moving.
I think it looks pretty snazzy.
As I was looking at it though, I thought to my self, "Hmmmm...I should add some building in the background over the treeline."
And if that isn't a great idea, I don't know what is. But we'll see if that actually ever happens.
In other fabulous news (heh, my title) I was flipping through the book Marley has lent me and it brings to attention my need for a color pallet. Hurrah. I have one page that actually has color. But will those colors work for other pages is the question? I will find out in a month. Need to have 12 pages complete No matter what. :/
But as I was saying, the book Marley lent me brings to attention the importance of a color pallets and the importance of how I want to color the piece. I probably will finish this with simple shading, but I have to keep value in mind as well (contrasting colors, lights dark, the works). It also has some neat tips on character design.
Now I need to get moving.
Sooooo Behind It isn't Even Funny. Ha.
So. I have been lost on the road of life. It....is not a pretty road to be on, but it is twisty and turny with many forks in which people tend to end up in ditches if they follow. But it is probably....OK for me to come out now. Stop slacking. Stop being lame in general. GET INKING DONE. I have to have twelve pages (AT LEAST) done by May. I got a month. ONE MONTH. GOTTA GET-A-MOVING.
Frustration.
One word to describe my current and continuous state of mind. I feel....the need for rant. But since I have already provided a little tiny one (that is all about my faults and failures with little detail) I will instead provide a list.
Frustration.
One word to describe my current and continuous state of mind. I feel....the need for rant. But since I have already provided a little tiny one (that is all about my faults and failures with little detail) I will instead provide a list.
- 3 Sketches this week
- Finish Inking 2 (at home)
- Photograph/Scan works in progress
- Look through Book given to me by Marley (lovely girl there)
- Go to that Fuzzy Publishing website (you know, I think it is actually called something else, but for the life of me I can't remember) and do some research on the type of publishing they provide. (It's not self publishing)
- Get Colors on One more Page.
- Meet up with In Shik Lee (Perhaps she'll be nice and firm and tell me to move my butt)
- Finish Research for Rain Warrior Design (and upload)
- Research squirrels.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Weekly Review 4
How much time did you spend on your project?
So far I've done only about 6 hours (hands on) and when I regain access to the internet this weekend I will be able to upload all my journal entries that I have planned, which should take a few more hours. Plus, the week is not over yet.
What did you do for hands-on?
Completed the first page (inking) and started coloring it. Started sketching the second page, will complete inking today, and coloring tonight.
What Research did you do?
Again, lack of internet access has handicapped me. Though I was given a publishing company to check out by a fellow WISE student who looking to publish her poetry there. It is worth a look. Yet to finish blog on Barry Deustch.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Mrs. Spence has been unable to meet Tuesday or Wednesday this week. I am meeting with her today.
Were you in class this week?
No, I missed class. But we were given those sheets to do a journal entry on. Have them, read them, and again Internet access maims me.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
I think it was extremely weak. I did mostly hands on, and being unable to put up journals makes my thoughts muddled and makes me unsure of what I want to do. It made me realize, the blogging helps me THINK. It's great. And it motivates me. I never want to go without blogging again.
What are your plans for next week?
Going to up the ante(sp?). I need to spew these pieces faster. I have 37 pages to do. I think....yeah. Need to start using the weekends. Dammit.
So far I've done only about 6 hours (hands on) and when I regain access to the internet this weekend I will be able to upload all my journal entries that I have planned, which should take a few more hours. Plus, the week is not over yet.
What did you do for hands-on?
Completed the first page (inking) and started coloring it. Started sketching the second page, will complete inking today, and coloring tonight.
What Research did you do?
Again, lack of internet access has handicapped me. Though I was given a publishing company to check out by a fellow WISE student who looking to publish her poetry there. It is worth a look. Yet to finish blog on Barry Deustch.
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
Mrs. Spence has been unable to meet Tuesday or Wednesday this week. I am meeting with her today.
Were you in class this week?
No, I missed class. But we were given those sheets to do a journal entry on. Have them, read them, and again Internet access maims me.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
I think it was extremely weak. I did mostly hands on, and being unable to put up journals makes my thoughts muddled and makes me unsure of what I want to do. It made me realize, the blogging helps me THINK. It's great. And it motivates me. I never want to go without blogging again.
What are your plans for next week?
Going to up the ante(sp?). I need to spew these pieces faster. I have 37 pages to do. I think....yeah. Need to start using the weekends. Dammit.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Drawings Are coming Along
So to show people I actually indeed am doing things, HERE are some pretty pictures.
The Coloring for this last one is pretty much done (need to do some shading) but I think I will leave it incomplete until all the inking is done so that I can make sure the color schemes are compatible on each page. :) The Dragon was fun.
 |
| Sketch of a Page (I forget which one) |
 |
| Inked Page |
Monday, March 14, 2011
He Ran Away
Barry Deustch...Ran away. But that doesn't mean I didn't get some useful information!
Basically I went to his presentation (which was fabulously amusing) and then he was like "I see there are cartoonist in the audience, so feel free to come speak to me." And I was so going to go over, but then a friend asked me a question about AP Art. When I was done...he had his backpack on and sped out of the class room and I was like:
Yeah....Well anyway, I discovered that Mr. Deutsch and I had a lot in common. Such a procrastination. Best thing EVER.
Not really, but it's nice to know that I'm not alone.
His methods of completing pages using his Wacom Tablet (See Here) was cool but nothing I hadn't seen before. I really enjoyed his humore though! :) Anywho, he apparently also has issues with completing work. I'm not sure if this is a trait of artists or just lazy people...probably the later. Which is bad. ah well.
Now back to doing work for this project.
Basically I went to his presentation (which was fabulously amusing) and then he was like "I see there are cartoonist in the audience, so feel free to come speak to me." And I was so going to go over, but then a friend asked me a question about AP Art. When I was done...he had his backpack on and sped out of the class room and I was like: Yeah....Well anyway, I discovered that Mr. Deutsch and I had a lot in common. Such a procrastination. Best thing EVER.
Not really, but it's nice to know that I'm not alone.
His methods of completing pages using his Wacom Tablet (See Here) was cool but nothing I hadn't seen before. I really enjoyed his humore though! :) Anywho, he apparently also has issues with completing work. I'm not sure if this is a trait of artists or just lazy people...probably the later. Which is bad. ah well.
Now back to doing work for this project.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Weekly Review 3
How much time did you spend on your project?
I have spent about 5 hours on various researches and blogging and more than 3 hours working hands on. More than 8 hours! Whoa.
What did you do for hands-on?
I have started to do the sketches for each page which will be then traced and then inked. They'll be awesome
What Research did you do?
I researched a variety of different Self Publishing companies, comparing them. Lulu.com and Dog Ear Publishing seem promising
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
I did meet with Mrs. Spence. We talked about the speed in which I am working, figuring out deadlines and such. She suggested getting in contact with the Family Reading Partnership and gave advice on various visual aspects of my plan.
Were you in class this week?
Sure was. Late as always. MLK book given, got the community contacts sheet. Homework too.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
I think I was a lot better this week about actually doing my work timely. I made a goal sheet on Tuesday and I have accomplished most of the goals.
I have decided the size I am working with, I have begun to design the pages with more detail, chosen medium, going to talk to Barry Deustch on Friday, have yet to contact Ann Mazer, had my Mentor Meeting, and I have done research. Awesome.
What are your plans for next week?
To continue researching further into publishing options, to continue to design the pages and get started on inking some so I can work at home for the digital coloring. Once I have that, who knows how many hours I'll have. Set up interview or meet with Ann Mazer.
I have spent about 5 hours on various researches and blogging and more than 3 hours working hands on. More than 8 hours! Whoa.
What did you do for hands-on?
I have started to do the sketches for each page which will be then traced and then inked. They'll be awesome
What Research did you do?
I researched a variety of different Self Publishing companies, comparing them. Lulu.com and Dog Ear Publishing seem promising
Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?
I did meet with Mrs. Spence. We talked about the speed in which I am working, figuring out deadlines and such. She suggested getting in contact with the Family Reading Partnership and gave advice on various visual aspects of my plan.
Were you in class this week?
Sure was. Late as always. MLK book given, got the community contacts sheet. Homework too.
What do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was?
I think I was a lot better this week about actually doing my work timely. I made a goal sheet on Tuesday and I have accomplished most of the goals.
I have decided the size I am working with, I have begun to design the pages with more detail, chosen medium, going to talk to Barry Deustch on Friday, have yet to contact Ann Mazer, had my Mentor Meeting, and I have done research. Awesome.
What are your plans for next week?
To continue researching further into publishing options, to continue to design the pages and get started on inking some so I can work at home for the digital coloring. Once I have that, who knows how many hours I'll have. Set up interview or meet with Ann Mazer.
Book Printing Research
So, I've been looking at alternatives to Lulu.com.
Don't get me wrong, I think Lulu is really cool, but 60 dollars for a book? My book? A little frustrating.
It's not even that it is the publishing costs. For self publishing, there are no costs. It is the printing that cost 60 dollars. My book is going to be on high quality paper, hard cover (jacket?), in color, and in a large format. I don't really have a choice with some of these...but I didn't realize that the books were so expensive!
So I looked at some other publishing websites.
http://dogearpublishing.net/default.aspx Dog Ear Publishing seems to be a good alternative. At lulu, I sort of have to get Hardcover if I want full color and stuff. But here, the website professes to have paper back full color, which seems to be a bit more affordable. They don't have an easy calculator like Lulu, so the price is a little fuzzy...but I'd like to think it could be cheaper.
http://diggypod.com/index.html Diggy Pod Printing also seems promising. They have a calculator as well, but they don't seem to provide as many services as Lulu or the Dog Ear Publishing. I used the calculator, and being as cheap as possible, I am able to get my book to cost about $14. Awesome right? Well...wrong! In order for me to get any copy, I have to order a minimum of 24. HELL. NO. That's like over $300. Hahahah...ha.
And the largest book format they have is 8.5 x 11. Yeah...not so much.
But back to Dog Ear, the more promising one: it has a section in which it compares to other self publishing sites. http://dogearpublishing.net/whydogearcomparison_lulu.aspx The one for Lulu is informative and helpful. It says for designers, who only want to print a few copies, it is ideal.
This sounds like a promising recommendation. I have no delusions that anyone will actually buy my book. I had originally intended to possibly do about 10 copies that I could give to friends, but for $60 a book, that is not going to happen.
I admit I am cheap, but whatever.
Anyway, the writer of this comparison goes on to compare profits and such (and since I am not actually selling the book this has no relevance to me).
So, It seems to me like Lulu is still the best option as far as Self Publishing goes. Dog Ear Publishing seems to not be free publishing and more geared towards profit for the author than a single nice copy of a work.
Still have yet to compare to big Publishing Companies. Hmm... I don't even know the names of any. Next Research section decided.
Don't get me wrong, I think Lulu is really cool, but 60 dollars for a book? My book? A little frustrating.
It's not even that it is the publishing costs. For self publishing, there are no costs. It is the printing that cost 60 dollars. My book is going to be on high quality paper, hard cover (jacket?), in color, and in a large format. I don't really have a choice with some of these...but I didn't realize that the books were so expensive!
So I looked at some other publishing websites.
http://dogearpublishing.net/default.aspx Dog Ear Publishing seems to be a good alternative. At lulu, I sort of have to get Hardcover if I want full color and stuff. But here, the website professes to have paper back full color, which seems to be a bit more affordable. They don't have an easy calculator like Lulu, so the price is a little fuzzy...but I'd like to think it could be cheaper.
http://diggypod.com/index.html Diggy Pod Printing also seems promising. They have a calculator as well, but they don't seem to provide as many services as Lulu or the Dog Ear Publishing. I used the calculator, and being as cheap as possible, I am able to get my book to cost about $14. Awesome right? Well...wrong! In order for me to get any copy, I have to order a minimum of 24. HELL. NO. That's like over $300. Hahahah...ha.
And the largest book format they have is 8.5 x 11. Yeah...not so much.
But back to Dog Ear, the more promising one: it has a section in which it compares to other self publishing sites. http://dogearpublishing.net/whydogearcomparison_lulu.aspx The one for Lulu is informative and helpful. It says for designers, who only want to print a few copies, it is ideal.
This sounds like a promising recommendation. I have no delusions that anyone will actually buy my book. I had originally intended to possibly do about 10 copies that I could give to friends, but for $60 a book, that is not going to happen.
I admit I am cheap, but whatever.
Anyway, the writer of this comparison goes on to compare profits and such (and since I am not actually selling the book this has no relevance to me).
So, It seems to me like Lulu is still the best option as far as Self Publishing goes. Dog Ear Publishing seems to not be free publishing and more geared towards profit for the author than a single nice copy of a work.
Still have yet to compare to big Publishing Companies. Hmm... I don't even know the names of any. Next Research section decided.
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