Study Task 2 - Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Why you chose to study on this course?

• given the opportunity to use professional equipment and software I wouldn't normally have access to
• expand my practice (by exploring new techniques I wouldn't have considered)
• meet others who share a passion for animation and exchange valuable criticism to further my own development
• through university, attend competitions/festivals which builds connections to larger companies
• gain plenty of experience which helps to build a strong portfolio so I can find a job

What do you want to learn during your time on the course?

• 3D CGI animation (combining animation with live action)
• 2D digital animation (developing my cartoonistic style)
• how to use software such as Photoshop and more advanced industry level programmes
• build a professional portfolio and experience of what it's like to work with a team of animators to a strict deadline
• transferable job skills (such as interview techniques and time management)

What skills do you think are your strengths?

• painting/ rendering detailed characters with correct colouring and precise marks
• effectively sketch characters from my head and accurately portray my inner vision
• motivated and disciplined when it comes to getting work finished
• from observation, I believe my proportions are accurate and correct
• blogging consistently

What things that you want to improve?

• puppetry and stop motion animation (as I need to gain experience in this area)
• taking more of a back seat when working in a team (as I can be quite controlling if I'm not challenged)
• my Photoshop abilities
• manage my time more effectively to avoid unnecessary panic or stress
• writing more concisely and to the point instead of rambling

What ways you will evaluate your progress?

• posting weekly blog updates reflecting on my work
• group critique sessions to get my peers' feedback
• critically analysing my own work through regular evaluations
• booking one to one sessions with my tutors
• challenging my ideas by suggesting alternative interpretations

Weekly Recap (28/10/18)

Tasks Completed:

• created two animations using Pencil2D to practice timing
• attended a Photoshop workshop where I tidied up and coloured a piece by Ben Simpson
• wrote up a second draft of my 'Who Am I' blog post

Intentions:

• write the final draft for 'Who Am I'
• work on the next principle set in upcoming classes (bouncing a ball)
• attend the second Photoshop workshop to learn to animate in the software

Study Task 3 - Timing

Timing

I began by sketching the different stages of a blink which I animated over four images.



Link to Blinking Video (mp4 - 24fps)

I then had to animate the actions connecting two frames from my storyboard. In the future, I will take relevant notes as I originally misread this which required me to start again, costing time.

Link to Timing Practice

I practiced first by selecting twelve key frames from "Pig Goat Banana Cricket" and using Dragonframe, I tried to make the timing as smooth as possible.

I made each of my twelve images twelve frames long so I could later remove or add frames to make the timing less rhythmic and monotonous.

Link to First Animation (Each Image for 12 Frames)



Link to Animation (Correct Timing)

I deleted certain frames to make the animation flow. I refined the scene by adding eyelids to certain frames to make the characters blink.



Link to Refined Animation

As I had time in class to experiment a little more with my animation, I added some sound effects to the clip. I feel the movements are slightly twitchy and if I wanted to refine the clip further, I would add frames to make them smoother.

Link to Clip with Sound

Weekly Recap (21/10/18)

Tasks Completed:

• rendered turn-around sheet and dynamic model sheet
• painted a six frame storyboard
• first draft of "What Am I?" blog post

Intentions:

• read Animation: The Global History by Maureen Furniss
• finish my "What Am I?" blog post
• continue to build the world and story around my character

Study Task 2 - Characterisation and Design

Appeal

I began this task by sketching various features and pairing them together until I found a combination that I felt captured the archetype I had chosen.

However, upon reflection while considering how I would animate this character, I felt this design would be quite complicated due to the outfit I had designed for him.

I therefore decided to start again however with a new archetype so that I didn't feel obliged to try and make a copy of the same character.

Link to Character Development Document

I used acrylic paint to render the design after refining it until I was happy with the outcome, as previous prototypes I had sketched reminded me of other cartoon characters and I wanted my design to be more personal.

Link to Character Turn Around

I then sketched my character walking and running. Due to his tall, thin design, I had a lot to consider while illustrating these dynamic poses as I feel his walk is something that will define many of his traits due to it being such an eye-catching, important part of his design.

I then referred to my Character Development Sheet, and sketched him tripping, and also falling as I feel this captures his clumsiness and ability to get himself into trouble. I also painted several different expressions.

Link to Dynamic Pose Sheet

I added a silhouette model to my dynamic pose sheet after this was suggested to me, of my character stood at a 3/4 angle which I edited through Photoshop.

Link to *Updated* Dynamic Pose Sheet


Staging

I made a mask of my design so that I could direct a friend whilst taking photographs to use as a reference when sketching my six frame storyboard.

Once again, I used acrylic paint to colour my original sketches however I soon realised how time consuming this technique was. I didn't want to leave any parts unfinished however, so I persisted nonetheless in order to get the frames finished allowing me enough time to then touch up any mistakes using Photoshop.

Link to Six Frame Storyboard

Weekly Recap (14/10/18)

Tasks Completed:

• 1st principle of drawing explored through completing twenty observational drawings
• began 2nd principle through designing multiple characters and eventually refining one
• began to render turnaround sheet for said character
• explored various expressions/ emotions
• wrote up character development sheet (appeal)

Intentions:

• complete turnaround sheet and begin work towards a second reference sheet (dynamic poses)
• create a mask of my design
• create a short storyboard (staging)

Study Task 1 - Solid Drawing

Drawing and Development

I sketched ten line of action wire drawings from observation. I believe my proportions are accurate however I need to develop my artistic style.

I chose five to "flesh out".

I then moved onto a different model, repeated the previous steps, and refined the pieces by adding shadows/ highlights using various techniques.

I used acrylics for my first spot colour piece.

I quickly discovered how little time I had when using paint so for my next piece, I used markers.

Finally, I had half an hour to produce a full colour study. I began the piece by painting the left figure, yet I felt the character lacked weight. I spent roughly another thirty minutes painting a second figure to provide balance to the composition.

Link to 20 Drawings (PDF)

Welcome to my Blog!

This is my Leeds Art University blog that I will use to show my progress through the Animation course.