Hi Son how was your trip home?

Drawing for hire

This is an example of drawing for commission. The client asked for a drawing of a character from a popular movie. He sent me web links of movie clips to use as reference. First I draw from the movie to get familiar with the character, just rough sketches copied right from the scenes using the magic of freeze frame.

Caricature

After sketching the character more or less realistic, I cartoony up the face and try different angles. The first panel shows a slight exaggeration and panel two is a little more cartoony.

Pose

After doing some sketching from the movie I try a few different poses and work out anatomy.

Final drawings

In the final drawings some more tweaks were made like turning the head slightly in panel 2, adding flowing hair to panel 1. The colors are right from the movie except for skin which as cartoonied up.

Backgrounds

The finished drawing (panel 6 below) by John Dorman.

Background Drawing

How to impress executives and gussy up a storyboard panel. In panel 1 just the simple line drawing of whatever scene is needed. Panel 2 pencil shading is laid over line drawing. Softer leads are better for this and remember to start each stroke outside the picture area so the shading will look smoother. Panel 3 tissue is used to smear the shading using mostly circular motions to keep it smooth. Panel 4: Use an eraser - electric or regular - to create light areas. Electric is good for the more detailed parts. Panel 5: Start adding darker areas and textures. Dark shading is done last to avoid turning your masterpiece into an unholy mess.

Drawing Backgrounds -construction

Tracing over a drawing by Escher. Construction becomes more evident if a tracing is done over a photo or drawing and trying to find the lines that most describe the basic objects.

Drawing Backgrounds

To drawing convincing background scenery, perspective and construction are critical. Even with stylized and flat 2d design construction gives the scene a solid look and is evident in many old classic cartoons from Disney to Looney Tunes. Look for this quality next time you are watching a favorite cartoon.
These examples above are from a basic geometry textbook and has the technical terms for all the points and names for planes, etc. I enjoy learning about them but in storyboarding it is good to use shortcuts only after learning the fundamentals from a book or school.

New old stuff

Idea for a t-shirt or poster 1994 or 95.

Freehead CD

Freehead's first album. A few CDs are still available for sale at the low, low price of $10 plus $2 shipping. Don't hesitate, get yours today! The new album, "Head First" will be available in spring of 2008!

G.I. Babies

1988-89, Presentation art.

Background Design

Various bg samples from Ren & Stimpy, Chestaclese, and video game designs.

Beany & Cecil Art

1988, some fine examples by John K. including layouts, napkin sketches, and character models.