Johncbeggs sketch's

[johncbeggs]

I just want to show you guys and gals some examples of my characters, I ussualy draw human characters but now you get to see me bringing life into animals too! hopefully. classical/traditional animation is my dream and I feel pulled toward it that's all I can say to explain it.

My first ever shot at drawing a dog! based on my dog that I gave away at a young age ,doesn't look like him but hes got the same charm and feel I think ! hard to explain :) I think my old dogs name suits him "Buddy" what you think!

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/buddy2.png

Okay this ones funny I just was wanting to create an old western type villain and came up with this tough canine boxer, this stance was my choice and I like it even if his legs look a bit flat.( based on someone I know)

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/halfboxer.jpg

[jeremyhopkins]

I like the way you have a sense of caricature already in your work. When you're sketching, I know its hard to keep the whole character on the page sometime but its good to know the whole pose even if its a medium shot. Sometimes I find its helpful to draw a simple ground plane first to know where the weight will be located. Keep it up!

[johncbeggs]

Thankyou for the advice jeremyhopkins :)
and yeah I draw my characters way to big its maybe because when im drawing nothing is planned it just sort of flows out (you know what I meen) wich leads to more paper space getting used up.

I definatly need more practice, If I want to succeed in this industry.

:cool:

[dmgctrl]

Don Bluth do you have any tips on drawing hands I can draw them okay I guess but Is their a better way to go about them.

If you want me to post more I will be glad too

Don is a pretty busy guy and doesnt get the chance to read every post. His priority is always going to have to lie in the members area, so I really suggest you sign up, if only for a month, and attend some of the seminars if you want to get a reply. That way you will get real time responses. Don has the highest post cont of anyone on this board, most of which are made in the weekly seminars.

All of that said, he may well find time to get to your question!

And of course, please post more!

[JayTea]

V srry yvxr guvf thl'f snpr vf tbvat va gjb qvssrerag qverpgvbaf.
uggc://jjj.qbaoyhgunavzngvba.pbz/sbehz/cvpgher.cuc?nyohzvq=1&cvpghervq=7
V onfrq zl erq-yvarf ba gur ybjre unys sbe gur yrsg naq gur gbc sbe gur evtug.
Znal punenpgre qrfvtaref jbex hc pbzcyrgr fxryrgbaf sbe gurve perngvbaf. Gel qenjvat gur fxhyy, genpvat bire gur bevtvany vzntr.

[admin]

dmgctrl, I dont have much cash at all but I will try to bug my older sister since she has a card to pay for the site. :D

If I pay for one month do i get cut off at the end of this month , If I can sign up today I will just to help out Don Bluth.

John,
Please keep in mind that the membership fees to Don's Club is a recurring payment. That is, whatever card you use to join the club will be billed again as soon as your membership expires. If you want to cancel your account at the end of the month before the card is billed again, then you must utilize the "Cancel My Account" feature on your login homepage to Don's Club. Alternatively, you can contact admin@donbluthanimation.com to cancel your account for you.
Thanks

[johncbeggs]

Just thought Id add these two up, I drew both of them last night.
hopefully more will be up soon :D

[johncbeggs]

:) my rhinos almost ready to be put up! less than an hour and itll be up :)

[Don Bluth]

I just want to show you guys and gals some examples of my characters, I ussualy draw human characters but now you get to see me bringing life into animals too! hopefully. classical/traditional animation is my dream and I feel pulled toward it that's all I can say to explain it.

My first ever shot at drawing a dog! based on my dog that I gave away at a young age ,doesn't look like him but hes got the same charm and feel I think ! hard to explain :) I think my old dogs name suits him "Buddy" what you think!

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/buddy2.png

Okay this ones funny I just was wanting to create an old western type villain and came up with this tough canine boxer, this stance was my choice and I like it even if his legs look a bit flat.( based on someone I know)

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/halfboxer.jpg

The dogs look terrific. You going for personality, and that's good. By the way, I can see some progress in your work. Your drawings look free and unlabored. I hope you find time to join us in the Cyber garage project. I know you would get a thrill from bringing characters to life on paper.

[johncbeggs]

The dogs look terrific. You going for personality, and that's good. By the way, I can see some progress in your work. Your drawings look free and unlabored. I hope you find time to join us in the Cyber garage project. I know you would get a thrill from bringing characters to life on paper.

Thank you Don for the kind words they mean a lot to me.

It would be an honor to join all of you in the cyber garage,I defiantly would get a thrill bringing some characters to life :)

I have been drawing a lot lately thanks to you :) for keeping the motivation up.

[WillW]

I too like the dog : D, it has a nice cuddly look.

[johncbeggs]

hippo I sketched up last night :D
I dont even know what expression hes giving, it was late and I was passing out;)

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/hippoJCB.png

[lavallelee]

very nice hippo, hes great!

[BrioCyrain]

Very good artwork, though some of the fur and clothing seems wierd.

[johncbeggs]

Just a little 5 min sketch, :laughing:

on his arms are actually scales :laughing:

[BrioCyrain]

Just a little 5 min sketch, :laughing:

on his arms are actually scales :laughing:

Very round scales. LOL

[BlazingCoral]

Nice artwork! I definitely like your style. I like the hippo and the first dog, though with the first one, his back legs seem a bit odd. That's just me, though; I don't usually draw dogs so I'm not an expert with them or anything.

[BrioCyrain]

That was rude:laughing:

At least your characters look cartoony, mine just look like...drawings..LOL

[johncbeggs]

Nice artwork! I definitely like your style. I like the hippo and the first dog, though with the first one, his back legs seem a bit odd. That's just me, though; I don't usually draw dogs so I'm not an expert with them or anything.

:) that was my first dog drawing ever and I mean first :D I drew him while looking at a real husky in a different position, this is the stance I seen him in my head :D

[BlazingCoral]

:) that was my first dog drawing ever and I mean first :D I drew him while looking at a real husky in a different position, this is the stance I seen him in my head :D

Oh, it's not the stance. The structure of his back legs just seems a little off... I think the heel bones poke out a bit too much, or something, I think... and the part where his feet touch the ground. I Googled some pictures of huskies, and this one (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Siberian-husky.jpg) shows the back feet pretty well.

Don't get me wrong, I think the pic looks awesome! That was just the part that seemed a little off to me. Other than that, the character looks great!

[johncbeggs]

Oh, it's not the stance. The structure of his back legs just seems a little off... I think the heel bones poke out a bit too much, or something, I think... and the part where his feet touch the ground. I Googled some pictures of huskies, and this one (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Siberian-husky.jpg) shows the back feet pretty well.

Don't get me wrong, I think the pic looks awesome! That was just the part that seemed a little off to me. Other than that, the character looks great!

heheh to bad I have no idea were the sketch is :)

[BlazingCoral]

Ah well, you don't have to fix it. XD But now you know for future reference, I suppose.

[johncbeggs]

Ah well, you don't have to fix it. XD But now you know for future reference, I suppose.

will do :D

[Regan]

Great troll John! You should design a nice bridge for him to live under. ;)

[johncbeggs]

Great troll John! You should design a nice bridge for him to live under. ;)

Great Idea but then he might eat an unlucky traveler :laughing:
or atleast steal their shoe's , hes a vegetarian :)

[Regan]

Great Idea but then he might eat an unlucky traveler :laughing:
or atleast steal their shoe's , hes a vegetarian :)

Ahhh...I didn't consider that! Well, he can go live with Shrek. I have a feeling they would get along real good.

[johncbeggs]

Ahhh...I didn't consider that! Well, he can go live with Shrek. I have a feeling they would get along real good.

:laughing: He Dont play well with other trolls :laughing: :laughing:

[fanimation]

Hi John,
I like the hippo and the troll! very nice drawings. Can't wait to see your Owl design. Keep up the good work!:)

John J

[IzzyS]

:laughing: He Dont play well with other trolls :laughing: :laughing:
that's alright, Shrek's an ogre

[johncbeggs]

Hi John,
I like the hippo and the troll! very nice drawings. Can't wait to see your Owl design. Keep up the good work!:)

John J

Thankyou John J, I'm adding little bits to my owl everyday , I hope everyone likes it!

Its just really hard to add something to it without making it distracting I guess I just want all the shapes to work together first before I submit :D!

[lavallelee]

lol, i checked your page 3 and this page no drawings

basically just talking, where are the sketches!! :laughing:

[BrioCyrain]

Yeah I know apparently Brio thinks this is a chat section rather than helpful comments :D

Sorry if I messed it up, I was just commenting on the pictures, I didn't know I interfered with your thread. LOL

[BrioCyrain]

What is your problem? What do you mean my comments are ignorant? I just stated my opinion and that is it. If you don't like my opinion you should say it in a more kind manner, but insulting me after I apologized makes you seem like you either took my comments the wrong way or something.

[jeremyhopkins]

, but insulting me after I apologized makes you seem like you either took my comments the wrong way or something.

Guys you have a misunderstanding here. BrioCyrain since you are new to the site and new to posting critiques there are a few things you should know. One, is its ok to give advice but try to say more than it looks funny. People relate better to criticism if you balance it with positives and things that person might work on to improve. John is naturally talented at putting emotion and character into his work but there are some technical things like simplifying the details that will help make his work more clear.

John if your goal is to be an animator, it's about taking all advice and filtering what works for you and your project. Some directors are famous for ripping animators work to shreds and it's good to start developing a thick skin asap. While I understand you have the right to stand up for yourself, maybe take a moment and decide if this person is saying anything useful. Maybe ask some friends too what they think.. try to understand where that person is coming from in their development as well. As always I'm very impressed by your work and don't worry, you're following the right path! Keep it up!

[johncbeggs]

Guys you have a misunderstanding here. BrioCyrain since you are new to the site and new to posting critiques there are a few things you should know. One, is its ok to give advice but try to say more than it looks funny. People relate better to criticism if you balance it with positives and things that person might work on to improve. John is naturally talented at putting emotion and character into his work but there are some technical things like simplifying the details that will help make his work more clear.

John if your goal is to be an animator, it's about taking all advice and filtering what works for you and your project. Some directors are famous for ripping animators work to shreds and it's good to start developing a thick skin asap. While I understand you have the right to stand up for yourself, maybe take a moment and decide if this person is saying anything useful. Maybe ask some friends too what they think.. try to understand where that person is coming from in their development as well. As always I'm very impressed by your work and don't worry, you're following the right path! Keep it up!

Thankyou Jeremy i needed that :) Ill keep that all in mind
I didnt really insult I meant ignorant as not knowledgeable !

[jeremyhopkins]

No worries John, nobody is at fault. It's a good thing to learn early on because arguments on a production can cost someone a job and get them blacklisted if the production department feels they have a bad attitude. Yikes!

[BrioCyrain]

Sorry, I guess I was confused also.

[johncbeggs]

well heres another sketch , this character is from a story about rats ;)

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/jcboldrat.png

his hands and arms bug me alot :laughing:

[BrioCyrain]

Hmm, though he seems an "elder" rat, his body and head are massive compared to his arms and hands, most people think old people have skinny arms but it seems this rat needs some more meat in his arms and hands since the size in my opinion doesnt relate well to the size of his body and head.

[johncbeggs]

your right :D but his cloths were supposed to be baggy aswell.
just a quick sketch im not too worried about it :laughing:

[Moneyguns]

You should move that stone a little more to the left of his hand. It looks like it's about to fall off.

[johncbeggs]

You should move that stone a little more to the left of his hand. It looks like it's about to fall off.

I probably should, but I was in class scribbling with my pencil that had a used up eraser :laughing::laughing:

thanks for the advice tho :)

finnaly got my owl finnished hope I wasnt to late if its due date was the 15th!

[BrioCyrain]

Looks good, I love the eyes and how there seems to be a sort of lizard wrinkle around them. I think the mouth could use some work though, but I love the dinosuar look nonetheless!

[johncbeggs]

Looks good, I love the eyes and how there seems to be a sort of lizard wrinkle around them. I think the mouth could use some work though, but I love the dinosuar look nonetheless!

thankyou Ill try to fix his mouth up abit :D

[BrioCyrain]

The mouth looks a lot better, it seems like he is making a grin kind of smile, which to me was better than the last one since I wasn't sure what kind of emotion he was trying to display.

[Moneyguns]

Vary nice.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou moneyguns for the reply

[dentitov]

johncbeggs

I think the left eye should have less size than right. And there is the hands? :)

[johncbeggs]

johncbeggs

I think the left eye should have less size than right. And there is the hands? :)

thankyou for the reply ill work on it :)
I need some advice on the hands too:laughing:

[cartuneman]

Hi John I was sitting here working and stopped to look at your dino critter ...Hope you don't mind but this is what I see. Thought I'd give ya a couple suggestions ... and look he has hands hehe just kidding hope this helps!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/cartuneman/JCBmig2copy.jpg
:D

[johncbeggs]

Hi John I was sitting here working and stopped to look at your dino critter ...Hope you don't mind but this is what I see. Thought I'd give ya a couple suggestions ... and look he has hands hehe just kidding hope this helps!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c126/cartuneman/JCBmig2copy.jpg
:D

thats awesome thanks Ill fix him up by tomorrow
and post him, you just made me notice something extremely important:D

you have really heped me on this one! I am planning to color him in photoshop(be my first attempt using the prog) using beavotron's video as a big helper.

I want to learn to color like that :)

[cartuneman]

great I'll be looking forward to seeing him. Have fun in photoshop..haha I use it a lot. The owls I've colored are done in photoshop fun program to use. also if you like to paint try out art rage. there is a free download somewhere ....wish I new where to find it. visit my blog and somewhere on the side info, their location should be there. Glad I could be of assistance. I'll have to check out beavotron's video

[johncbeggs]

great I'll be looking forward to seeing him. Have fun in photoshop..haha I use it a lot. The owls I've colored are done in photoshop fun program to use. also if you like to paint try out art rage. there is a free download somewhere ....wish I new where to find it. visit my blog and somewhere on the side info, their location should be there. Glad I could be of assistance. I'll have to check out beavotron's video

I have a day off tommorow so Ill be sure to fix MIG up and ill have to check out out artrage sometime.

I was bored once and wanted to make webpage buttons :laughing: I can make some crazy ones!

- I like your coloring it is very bright and clear :D

[WillW]

I sware I was thinking the same thing with the lizards hands lol, Brilliant design!

[johncbeggs]

His name is MIG, I think it suites him
Well heres a half finnished sketch done a couple mins ago, Now this ones for the crits :) so hit me with some and ill fix this little monster lizard up!
(Original)
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/JCBmig.png


(cartuneman and BrioCyrain's crit's added)-helped with hands and better MIG's stance :D and brio's advice helped with his smirk!
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/JCBmig2.png

-final concept of MIG- now to paint in photoshop
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/MIGfinal.png
I drew this while watching "Loosen up" way too many times :)

while looking at this iguana
http://students.umf.maine.edu/~berniesm/iguana.jpg

thankyou briocyrain and cartuneman you guys really helped me on this!
-I cant fix him up anymore as you can see hes getting alot more ruff!

[Moneyguns]

-I cant fix him up anymore as you can see hes getting alot more ruff!

I hate it when that happens!

[johncbeggs]

me too :laughing:

[BrioCyrain]

Wow, massive, and I mean Massive improvement. I see your dilemma but I love how much you were able to do with that limited space, It's almost like a whole different picture(in a good way)

[johncbeggs]

Wow, massive, and I mean Massive improvement. I see your dilemma but I love how much you were able to do with that limited space, It's almost like a whole different picture(in a good way)

thankyou brio for the nice comment:D

[cartuneman]

hehe great improvements! I'll wait to see the colored version but it's looking tons better!

[johncbeggs]

thanks for the great comment :D I need to ink it, flash mx works best for that I just need to download the trial again :laughing:

[Hana]

I'm loving that lizard you drew :D I can't wait to see him coloured!

[johncbeggs]

Yeah hes only inked halfway and it took about an hour :laughing:
im still workin on it tho:D

[johncbeggs]

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/johncb

check it out, I just signed up for ustream :) im online right now and its aimed at my animation desk!

[BlazingCoral]

The link doesn't work for me. D:

[Mithmeoi]

I'm there too. :) I'm checking yours out right now.

[johncbeggs]

I'm there too. :) I'm checking yours out right now.

sorry about the message it was yesterday :laughing:, But I will go on again at 8pm tonight in about 3 hours if anyone would like to help me animate and make sure Im doing it right :D

[johncbeggs]

A character I drew a couple days ago, sorry for the quality im on vacation and I have my cousins cell to take pics :laughing:

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/fatman.png

[Mithmeoi]

hahaha! I love that expression you gave him. looks like a dirty old man. O< Great sketch. :D

[johncbeggs]

ahah picture was deleted by me,probably not allowed on the site :)

Im back on track now, will post some new sketches soon :)

[WillW]

oh my god, that last drawing is awesome : D I love his expression.

[johncbeggs]

Hahaha thanks man, I was goin for the creepy old dirty man look :laughing:

[johncbeggs]

A grumpy king shooing away the inhabitants of his castle :laughing:

Yeah just drew this last night for fun, kind of an interesting alien

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/grumpyking.png

I realize now once you scan a really sketchy area :P (his hand) it just doesnt look right! :)

[Mithmeoi]

haha that's pretty cool! Nice work on his design. :D

[lavallelee]

his hand looks fine to me :)

[Moneyguns]

Love the disign. That's really imaginative.:)

[johncbeggs]

hey thanks guys :D

yeah I tried to reach out abit on this guys design :laughing:
Ill also try to post more often, draw more!

[arif]

its so nice John......nice to see that you are active again:p.....do more drawings and keep posting....:)

Arif

[johncbeggs]

The Evilest Grinn

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/EvilestGrin.png

I should really start to draw more :laughing: Kinda busy job searching right now!

[joedorsey]

Love the grin!

[johncbeggs]

haha thanks

[johncbeggs]

Run for your lives everyone its its its, well I dont know what it is :laughing:

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/monster-1.png

yeas theirs major flaws but it was only a 5 min sketch and was fun
Im thinking of doing a werewolf next,Might post it tonight.

[arif]

ooooooo...oooo.oooooooo...this is scary stuff:eek:....hhaahahahhaha...its looks like zombie.......cool...

arif :D

[johncbeggs]

Looks like my membership ran out :laughing: , I might miss a few sessions now :( ill try to find someone who has a card to sign me up a month - good luck guys abd gals :D


Happy Halloween!
http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/CGPhalloween.png

[OwenWelsh]

Looks like my membership ran out :laughing: , I might miss a few sessions now :( ill try to find someone who has a card to sign me up a month - good luck guys abd gals :D


Happy Halloween!


Nice drawing! LOL. Hope you come back to the club soon.

Happy Halloween!

[johncbeggs]

thanks Owen, trust me I really want too!

[arif]

Come Back John....i thought,i am the only one who hasn't international credit card to sign up here...but, i managed somehow...in fact, many more artists from Bangladesh who has the same problem....i have encouraged them to join here...but, they cudnot..so, i am planning to do something for them....

by the way, the owl looks wonderful!!.....great...

come Back quickly..

Regards,
Arif:)

[lavallelee]

happy halloween! nice vampire owl!

[WillW]

I like the halloween owl : D

[johncbeggs]

thanks Will , just a quick sketch but I thought would suit the CGP halloween :laughing:!

have a happy halloween!

[johncbeggs]

just a sketch I did a while ago - Ive been practicing alot lately :laughing:

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/car.png

[arif]

hai John..
great looking of your character...do some more poses of him......cool...

Regards,
Arif;)

[johncbeggs]

A new sketch :D

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=2&pictureid=824

[WillW]

awesome attitude in this character, great work!

[johncbeggs]

thank-you Will , I was going for an arrogant cop feeling with him :laughing:!

also tried to control all my straights vs curves I think it worked out :)

[johncbeggs]

To start off my One character Per day Ill post what Ive done "today" :laughing:

AJ the ferret
<a href="http://s632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/?action=view&current=ferrett.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu41/johncbeggs/ferrett.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=191&pictureid=891

Yes I have been working on anatomy, but I am finding it hard to make his hands grab or hold onto his pants in a stressful yet shocked manner! If anyone has any advice like always I would truly appreciate it?

Some of you asked me to start posting again which is really awesome, well lets hope I can Post One character Every Day

have a great day everyone!

PS - "I only prefer to draw overweight characters , Im still able to draw skinny ones also lol"

[arif]

Hi John...

Great to see that you are posing again and i hope you will be posting very often from now....

Regarding your hand..i would suggest that pose yourself in this pose and see on the mirror for how does it like....there is nothing like to self study....it helps me a lot.................

i like your character so much...but, i would suggest that not go for new character for each day.....Draw him from different perspective and draw him again and again..try to give him different attitude and see that what pose you would like....just draw him again and again..and break him down

Regards,
Arif.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou arif for the advice, But Im for now trying to find my character for the contest!

When and if I get a design I really like Ill dive right in and draw that character from every angle necessary , to get a well-rounded Idea about him!

I drew this guy from looking at a picture of a ferret - hopefully hes somewhat ferret-ish ans most of you know I never draw animal like things :laughing:

[arif]

hahhahahaha...then..it is ok..................:laughing::laughing::laughing:

[lavallelee]

i like the character, but honestly his GUT doesn't fit

he's a pretty skinny guy :D

[johncbeggs]

maybe its a Beer Gut :laughing:

thankyou for the reply lavallelee :)

[johncbeggs]

Heres another character for today I feel bad for not posting the last 2 days after stating I would :laughing:! but as my dad would say " its quality not quantity".

This is officer GiB, he used to be one of the best, most fit extraordinary officers on the force , but after his infection in his leg took over it had to be amputated. He spent a little too much time getting acquainted with his new pal Mr.pills ! and as time passed he gained a few pounds, and his only foe in this story is himself and his battle with addictions!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=191&pictureid=898

PS. I know what some of you may be thinking , yes I did play a little Tomba not to long ago and No I never watched Porco Rosso! but I tried to capture a pigs attributes such as his feet shaped hands , his ears,noes, small legs and feet!

anyway thanks for taking the time to check out my new character and any reply's are appreciated :)

[Seth]

Interesting character. I like his his face, you got a good emotion there. The teeny-tiny hat is a nice touch. And his story sounds good. Nice work!

[johncbeggs]

thankyou Seth :D - Im trying to understand the straights vs curves Dons been teaching us!

[lavallelee]

awesome addict pig cop, what a mix :laughing:

[johncbeggs]

thankyou lavallelee for the reply, yeah who would have thought a pig could have gotten addicted to something besides food :laughing:

[arif]

haahhahahaha.....John..............i like him.very good...do more drawings on him....seems like he would be very interesting........

[johncbeggs]

thankyou arif for a reply ,I will try to sketch him some more :laughing: I feel like Im improving with every drawing :)

[johncbeggs]

error posting

[jeremyhopkins]

That's much improved! I like how you gave him a story too. Are you going to submit your character for the contest? You can use the stickied thread above for WIP posts too.

Only tiny suggestion I have for him is to try some different expressions. If he's had such a rough life he might not be so happy.. but who knows, maybe he's masking pain with laughter.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou Jeremy , and the story is very complex! as you can see he is masking his pain but he relives his past daily through day dreaming caused by his drug addictions!

- the stories supposed to be a mind trip of emotions of coping wiht deppresion! :D

and To answer your question Jeremy, this will probably not be my character for the contest! but only one of the complex stories Ive been working on.

its hard to explain complex :laughing: but trust me its pretty twisted!

anyway thanks for the reply Jeremy, I appreciate it!

[Rich-E]

right on john i'm following yer werk...

[johncbeggs]

Im following your works too richtoonz :D thankyou

[Rich-E]

Im following your works too richtoonz :D thankyou


i'm honored...

[johncbeggs]

Hello everyone Ive worked on another sketch today! hope you guys like it! I tried to incorporate Don bluths suggestions on making my drawings more interesting and alive, as well as jeremys suggestions that I try to fallow through with a pose but making sure it falls into it naturally.

His name is professor Coniferous, for even through the toughest of conditions he survived!

( At his lowest he purchased a crystal ball for that last chance to speak to his wife,He peered into crystal ball with great interest and seen a small homeless childs reflection from behind him, it was then on he accepted the fact that she was gone...)

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=191&pictureid=909

For the magic in this story is not made up, it is about survival and how one man can make a difference on countless amount of lives - and all he had to do was look past his own!

P.S. thankyou to whoever comments I enjoy reading them!any suggestions on where left leg should go? :)

[lavallelee]

i like this character alot, and i feel life inside this picture

good job

[Rich-E]

hey john good work. amazing amount of growth in such a short time. keep drawing drawing drawing. i think your story line is inspiring.

rich

[Richard Willimot]

Great Job on this one John,I think the hands are awesome. Why not try the pose out yourself and see where the other leg feels most natural?

[johncbeggs]

lavallelee - thankyou for the kind words, I really tried to capture some kind of feeling in this one and stretch past my basic character designs.


richtoonz - thankyou Richtoonz, I have been reading "Walt Stanchfield Gesture Drawing for Animation"! its an inspiring book if you get the chance to read it!. The storyline is very rough at this point but I want to make people feel after watching it that they could go out and help someone. - which is the moral I guess :D.

pengy300 - thankyou pengy300, Ive been trying hard on everything lately almost like a lightbulb went off , Ive been studying my own hands before I even begin to sketch them on paper. :laughing:!

- Ive been studying anatomy lately, well I already kinda know it as its built into us :laughing:! All of my drawings come from my imagination I never really use other pictures as crutches while I draw!.

[Rodney]

I never really use other pictures as crutches while I draw

Drawing from reference is only a crutch if you are hobbled by it.
In every drawing no matter how good, bad or indifferent there exists a reference.

[arif]

John,..i can see some very Good quality of your art work in just recent days....i cant explain it further....just, draw on a regular basis...it will come up with more handy(already they are)...........!!!!

[johncbeggs]

Rodney - I never meant I did not study :laughing:! - studying is probably the funnest part about this art-form or any for that matter :D
-When I meant my imagination I meant seeing it through my mind first before I draw.
-I think you took my crutch statement in the wrong way, I meant I dont copy pictures that are already worked out! - a reference is alot different.

Arif - thankyou arif I really appreciate it I cant wait to see some more of your work :) .

[Rodney]

I just realized I hadn't answered your question about the left leg.
There are two positions that spring immediately to mind; the first is to have the leg fully stretch out, the second his knee fully up and foot flat on the ground. I'm off to watch a movie with the family but will try to draw over your sketch to show what I'm talking about.

[johncbeggs]

I read what you had to say Rodney but the thing about art is theirs no stopping you from getting better!

and yes their are a few obvious positions that this leg can go into but when it gets down to visually - It takes away from the hands alot

but thankyou for the draw over! :D

[Rodney]

There is an old Disney saying that we should avoid going with the first, obvious option. This is what I thought of first as an option:

http://blog.5pointpatch.com/wp-content/uploads/blog.5pointpatch.com/2010/03/Option1.png

If using this option I would prefer to have the foot rotated forward as that would allow the negative space to sweep into the focal point but then the left foot would be in the same position as the right (twinning). So if going for a forward foot position it might be good to adjust the right foot as well to add variety.

I have a few more options drawn (knee up and close to his chest is one, twisting the lower body toward the viewer so that the left leg is where the right one is now as another) but ultimately the best solution for you would be to draw the characters body underneath his cloak/cover. This will provide you with all available options.

[WillW]

hmm, how about having the leg flat on the floor but the lower leg curled in so his other leg is resting on top

Also with the top half I think him peering into this ball would translate better if he was holding it closer and leaning into it.

Just a couple of thoughts I have, perhaps a draw over will show it better then my description though.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/tyokio/suggestions.jpg

[Rodney]

I really like that cross over of the legs Will. Nice!

[johncbeggs]

Rodney - thankyou for the draw over it always helps to look at your own drawing from anothers perspective. I appreciate you taking the time to do it!

Will - I think I'm going to have to go with your idea "Will" I attempted to draw something like that but never really got the result as you did. :D ill fix it up and thank you will. - but I kinda like the fact that hes pushing away the crystal ball and peering at it with a sense of getting a better look :laughing:

I kept drawing the foot over his other leg but tucked under is a whole new perspective :D - awesome

[jeremyhopkins]

I think this is one of your stronger drawings. The eyes and nose feel solid and well constructed. Your hands are nicely drawn and your silhouette is pretty clear. Good work!

[johncbeggs]

JeremyHopkins - thankyou jeremy, and I really feel this is one of my stronger drawings aswell :D!

Ive been working quietly on a storyboard and some other sketches that I will post in a few days for Dons next seminar :D sorry I haven't been posting much lately I have alot of stuff to scan tho.

[johncbeggs]

I am trying to build onto his unique character, it is very hard to pull specific personality out of a sketch but I tried !

I have illustrated the exact same scene because I feel this is the turning point in his life as he looks through the meaningless crystal ball and see's what really matters in life, helping others!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=200&pictureid=930

I tried to surpass my last effort but this time use a little less symmetry, yes I know his arms are doing the same thing but I tried hard to get that position :laughing:!.

- this Drawing is unique because I intentionally wanted to make your eyes look at the crystal ball then follow your way up to his less detailed expression! im hoping it worked! :)

any comments or feed back is always welcome :D

[Rich-E]

hi john,

i was looking at your early drawings last night. there is a vitality there particularly in the dogs there personalities are highly entertaining. you may want to go back and look at what was working in these drawings.

[johncbeggs]

I know what you mean richtoonz, but I can still draw like that
- I call it drawing without a plan :laughing:! is where i start off with a circle and anything can happen to it.

the reason you sense my struggle with the newer drawings is because they are planed and more thought out!

but the key thing in my improvement is my drawing structure, after i get that down then i can get some character into them!

btw I still hold the same drawings today in my desk!

"to fully move an object one must forget about perfection and welcome time"

[arif]

when i saw your last few drawings....it came up my mind that there is some great quality which i seen in the one of Nine old men drawings....Don mentioned his name yesterday.......
Dont give up what ever happens in your life............you will go so far if you polish your creativity everyday....

Good luck....

Regards,
Arif

[johncbeggs]

Yes it is really amazing to have my name mentioned with milt kahl, but I want to do better!
-Thankyou for the kind words arif , ill try not to fall off course.

Richtoonz scared me now about how my first drawings I posted looked better!

[Ben Wilson]

I'm a big fan of Milt's stuff. I think Don summed it up really nicely when he mentioned large resting areas and then areas of lots of detail. I've been thinking about this a lot. It has such a great appeal in its design. Your work definitely has that vibe. Your last character post is looking really nice, in fact all of your posts are nice, but if I had to crit the last one in particular I would say the hands seem weird. I know this is probably part of a greater sequence so it may work in animation. But if this was purely as a still it would seem logical that he would drop the ball. Since both of his hands are on the top he wouldn't have a very good grip on it. It's a very unnatural way to hold something. Also if this is the focal point of the story that he is looking through the ball then the ball should be clearly visible. Perhaps you should have him cupping the ball and holding it a bit higher and gazing in absolute wonder at this thing. He can't take his eyes off of it.

[johncbeggs]

Thank you Ben, I understand about the hands! but I had the image in my head where he was covering the back of it and the part that's showing is closer to his face bit it didn't work out so good :laughing:!

I like the idea of putting his hands under the crystal, I think its a lot better Idea.My next drawing I will try to get a better position with his arms for holding it that way!

[johncbeggs]

here is another shot that is important to his story , professor Coniferous still at his job teaching, starts bargaining with God while holding a few strands of his wife's hair that he could bring her back if god himself wont!

this is when the downward spiral for him starts and this little outburst of hopelessness religious views gets him fired!

- yes I know his expression is somewhat the same as the last one but he is the same character! :laughing: - I tried to make him look more unique.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=200&pictureid=934

any and all comments are appreciated guys and gals :D

and that left hand of his was hell trying to draw , while looking at mine! but I guess it sorta works!

anyone else picture this guy with dull green hair ? lol

[Rich-E]

i love the hand john. the face has a great quality of characature. something walt s speaks of in his book. something like we make a characature of life. maybe i don't grasp it entirely. stong work and the growth is amazing.

[Seth]

Nice work, John. Professor Coniferous is an interesting character. I'd like to see more of him, more of his story. Must've been quite attached to his wife.

[johncbeggs]

Richtoonz - thank you Rich, yes I haven't drawn this much ....ever! I have been improving lots recently because of the fact that Ive been drawing a lot lately :)

Seth - Thank you Seth ill be sure to ad his story up when I finish writing it! :laughing:


I really think Ive locked onto my character with design #3, I feel this is what I was going for initially

[lavallelee]

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=200&pictureid=934



another really good drawing John, i see so much improvement in your new stuff compared to your stuff when you first joined

great job

[Richard Willimot]

He's really taking shape John. In this last pose I don't really get that emotion you are discribing though,maybe stick with this one and flush it out a bit more?

[johncbeggs]

lavallelee - thank you, I really feel I'm improving in the past few days from one single quote that's a constant reminder to me now! its in my Sig.:D

Richard Willimot - I will try to stick with this one, as I feel he is more unique than the others!.

I need to research Milt now because he has drawn quite the big nose people and I need to learn how turned his characters around without losing his features!

also if anyone is willing and able to help me with my characters front view I would greatly appreciate it! I really am starting to feel this guy has a real character and he is the first I have ever created!

[johncbeggs]

worked on giving his facial features a more definitive look :D

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=200&pictureid=948

[Poulpette]

Your character looks good.
However He gives me the impression that he's got no hair on the left side of his head. I know this is the haircut you gave him, but as you draw his lock lower on his right side, you know?
Well, I don't know if I'm clear actually.:D

[Richard Willimot]

He's just screaming out to be animated now John :) Watch the perspective on his hair it seems to be all on the right side of his head.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou everyone, but I just wanted to get the outline of his head :laughing: the hair is sort of optional at this point :D.

and don caught me on this last drawing when he said everything from the neck down wasn't good! I sorta just randomly sketched it in before I scanned it! :laughing: and the body is irrelevant to this drawing.

[madanimator]

worked on giving his facial features a more definitive look :D

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=200&pictureid=948

Wow! This looks really really good! To my mind, it's just perfect :) How long did it take you to make this drawing?

[johncbeggs]

Beatrice - thankyou, this sketch took about 20mins! but I was mostly just messing around while watching a movie! :D

[dartzy]

Great progress John!! Two thumbs up. Only thing I can see- to me- the ear seems a bit high on the face. Anybody else think that? Other than that I think hes a great character. I think the hair would be fun to animate. You might try a turnaround for him to play with how that hair works. Could be fun :)

[zanekohler]

Great Job on these drawings John. I have seen some real improvement in your work! They have a great feel to them.

[johncbeggs]

Hello again everyone! Ive been working On an extremely short animation but if it works out I boarded it to keep going!

Here is frame 1 of my animation! he is going to say:
" I Just wannnaaaaa f---------flllyyyyyyy"
after saying fly He will push his hands out into the area infront of him! and his fingers will also spread apart! this from the start is going to be a challenge :laughing:!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=211&pictureid=984

thanks everyone for being so kind on here you really are a bunch of great people! :)

[Rodney]

Very nice John!

There is a distinctive Milt Kahl styling to your drawings.
I like!

[johncbeggs]

Rodney - thankyou, Ive been getting that a lot lately :laughing: , I honestly have just been reading Walt Stanchfield's book - Gesture Drawing !

I have been really trying to stretch my skills lately and this is going to be the toughest so far!

-When Im done this short animation I want to convincingly keep him in character and design!

[Rich-E]

i like the hands john and the character is fun... i wanna fly too.

[johncbeggs]

Rich - thankyou, I have always had this passion to go flying! Ive only been in one helicopter :laughing:! but will attempt to go skydiving during the summer.

- I have a music man also haha - yes I had to find some more talent to help me out! :)
- this is his test he did specifically for the character!-

http://www.esnips.com/doc/5f432c6c-2a71-44e6-b28f-72e9bce1483d/Hollywood_score

hope you guys like it as well , He will be doing a more closer one to my character as I described to him on what to do for his second attempt! - pretty much less action and a more suspenseful build up!

[joedorsey]

I agree with the Milt Kahl assessment. Great straight against curves! Looking forward to seeing your animation. Your drawings keep getting better and better.

[johncbeggs]

JoeDorsey - thankyou for the nice comment :), Im totally pumped for animating at my new desk! its completely comfortable as you can see I actually drew this frame on my new desk :D

[johncbeggs]

I am developing A giant mini story that would take 10 -15 people through their lives and somehow they all connect through nearly unpredictable scenarios!
- When I start sifting through this and its characters I can explain it better.

(here is a character I sketched out today, his arms right now are bugging me they need to be changed :)
http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=216&pictureid=994

The Story is called "NEED"

[Sidney]

I don't see anything wrong with the arms.
Chaulk it up to design. Maybe he has a smaller arms for his body frame.
All your stuff looks fantastic. Very polished style.

As for the story, it sounds like a blast.

[johncbeggs]

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=216&pictureid=994

Sidney - Thankyou,for the kind words! I appreciate it! :D

[johncbeggs]

A sketch of a girl, this one was done from memory! just seeing if im learning anatomy the right way! :D
- I really liked how that right arm worked out!

hope you guys like her :laughing:

[Moneyguns]

I am developing A giant mini story that would take 10 -15 people through their lives and somehow they all connect through nearly unpredictable scenarios!

The Story is called "NEED"
:laughing: That's awesome. That reminds me of Lost. Do it to it john.:)

[johncbeggs]

Ive never watched lost :laughing:, but the Story will be twisted for sure :laughing:

but once I get the first short worked out it breaks apart into a web of messed up side stories, Ill base them all on what I have seen, to a point but some are going to be pushing the insane bar haha

[OwenWelsh]

John I love your "Need" drawing. Your drawings are very interesting to look at.

[johncbeggs]

Owen - thankyou, He is one of the characters Im working on! , and im happy people find my drawings interesting! :D.

I didnt Know if the girl was too much for the forums here, so I left a few parts without detail :laughing:

[jeremyhopkins]

Seeing that girl drawing reminded me a little of Mike Mattesi's work: http://www.drawingforce.com/ I thought his drawing force books might help you with caricature, force and where to place to emphasis in your drawing. It's a pretty good drawing but the arms are too short. It's cool if you wanted to make the shorter arms a caricature but it's hard to tell if that was intentional or not. Women are tough to draw and you did well!

[johncbeggs]

thankyou Jeremy Ill have to check it out! about the arms tho the right arm is the official length Im going with , her left was just a filler so I could scan it without it looking to weird :laughing:

[johncbeggs]

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=224&pictureid=1027


in-case any of you was wondering what Ive been upto! :D

im actually working on my animation and its toough :laughing:

- and about the hands I did messup badly but I trusted don when he said the eyes are what we look at! so its not as awekward when moving!

- I have his eyebrow over his left eye because its damaged

[arif]

very nice!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johncbeggs]

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=224&pictureid=1027



thankyou arif :D

[lavallelee]

lol, you quoted yourself

he looks like a skinny santa claws, great hands on him too :cool:

[johncbeggs]

lol, you quoted yourself

he looks like a skinny santa claws, great hands on him too :cool:


I was going for a hopelessness look!
and I purposely quoted myself ;)

[johncbeggs]

Hello everyone here is a drawing of a character im creating of a racoon's babie, The mom has been visiting me lately on my balcony! were just as scared of each other at the moment!:laughing:
- She stood up and growled at me and well I attempted the same and we both took off!:laughing:

anyway so I wanted to create a character thats animatable and unique!
thankyou beatrice for the inspiration :D

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=191&pictureid=1045

[arif]

where is your drawing???????:D:D:D

[johncbeggs]

:laughing: sorry arif , the pictures up now!

[madanimator]

:D You're welcome. I like your character, and I'm really sure he's animatable. Can't wait to see him animated ;)

[johncbeggs]

yes for sure, I also would like to see him animated :laughing:!

[johncbeggs]

The Showman

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=191&pictureid=1076

Hello once again everyone :D
Here is a new drawing of mine!

well I hope you guys like the crazy old man hahaha

[arif]

I like your drawings so much always John....but, seems like you post your drawings so lately.....are you so busy with others work??:laughing:

[lavallelee]

Nice job on the old man!

I agree with arif, i want to see more of your human character drawings! They are great.

[johncbeggs]

Arif - thankyou Arif , I'll really try to post more as soon as I draw em :D

lavallelee - yeas I will definitely start drawing some more!and thankyou for the reply :D

[arif]

not try...............You must!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...you have to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cool:

[johncbeggs]

:laughing: arif! I got another one to post, its a tiny sketch! Im heading back toward my original way of drawing! - I was teaching myself bad habits and my actual art and drive was slowly dropping.


emotion I tried to capture: Grief
http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=237&pictureid=1078

[wilsaturn]

You are really great with drawing faces and expressions...... something which I need to work on my drawings. and Im learning already from your drawings.... thanks 4 postin...

[lavallelee]

hey cool character! is he someone you created? if so what's his name and story :)

[johncbeggs]

Sorry I havent posted much but let me assure all of you that I still have been drawing plenty and working on stuff! I have like 3 little animations going on at once :laughing:!

but I am in the middle of learning how to draw the same character more than once and here is the official redesign of my character!
- hes not perfect just sketch but I think Im getting more proportionate with my drawings
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=237&pictureid=1121
does anyone else have trouble drawing the same character more than once ? :(

anyway I hope you enjoy the redesign of the character I posted a few pages back! :)

and thankyou for taking a look!
all comments welcome - well when I finnish my animations Ill post em up all at once I promiss!

[arif]

actually..i remain stick with one character for a while to understand it.....that is why i drew lots of `Rupkumari` to understand female figure, expression and feelings recent days....and found some fault and guideline from Don and others.....when, i feel bored i may back my others characters and i found always some new things come in my drawings....so, my suggestion would be..whatever character you made draw him lots of time and spending with him......after that..you will see him in your head.......
i might be wrote to long or out of topics..hahahahhaha......waiting for more constructive answer from expert.

Regards,
Arif:D

[madanimator]

I like the design of this boy really much. Also his clothes.. he should be easy to animate. And to mind there are lots of possibilities to draw funny face expressions. He's really cute! Yeah.. I also know the problem to draw a character more then once.. When I have one drawing of a character, which I really like, and then I try to draw this character in a different pose, it still seems not to be the character I drew before.. I think it depends on how you plan your characters inner structure and how well you know it yet. Sometimes you have to draw hundreds of sketches of a character to know him well enough to animate him.. Go ahead with full optimism, I love your drawings! :D

[johncbeggs]

Arif : thankyou , I will try to draw him alot for a animation! It will involve flying and a giant crow maybe :laughing: - but I dont know! :laughing:

Lavalle : well I dont really know his story but I do know hes greiving over the loss of his family! and hes a classic trol asyou may have noticed!

Beatrice : thankyou aswell for the reply! Yea I think being able to copy the same drawing over and over would help me out!

I actually am really not that great at copying others sketchs :laughing: that is my weakness ! Its pretty bad when I have to learn how to copy another drawing :laughing:

[lavallelee]

I think you should try to animate him, he is a great character. :)

[johncbeggs]

Lavalle - thankyou for the reply man, I have been drawing him lots with different expressions trying to get the character right and its more than frustrating at times :laughing:

[johncbeggs]

okay finnaly I post something - atleast its something! :laughing:

anyway I have been coming up with designs about a boy and a bird not just any bird the great thunderbird!

based on this picture - this picture actually is my inspiration for the two!
http://i584.photobucket.com/albums/ss286/cassandrabyne/Thunderbird.jpg

and right now Im just working on a scene! - my characters design is changing and I am going to ad cargo pant pockets on his shorts!

hes on a rooftop and comes up with an idea , as any innocent kid would :laughing: so he sees this crow flying and the idea is to jump on the tiny crow and try to fly while sitting on it! - obviously its not going to work , dare to dream :D

but as he jumps this little crow gets bigger and bigger and hes landed on one of the biggest birds in history - have no clue if it even existed tho haha!

heres what Ive done today!
http://donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=399
his hand will move up and put his glasses on eventually!


.....it is really hard to stay on character even tho I tried!

[johncbeggs]

any advice Id really apreciate it ! Im trying to plan this whole thing out first with keys and all those steps!

[wilsaturn]

I too always have problems with drawing characters on model over and over again. But what I found really helpful with this problem is to have a turn-around model sheets of your character. Drawing the character in different angle helps me understand the structure of the character more.
Btw I really like the design of your boy, i think you're gonna have so much fun animating him....:)

[johncbeggs]

WillSaturn - thankyou so much, and Ill try to work out a model sheet by tommrow that would have a full turnround :).

and thankyou for liking my characters design :D Im still designing as I go.

- but Ive thought it out and his goggles are going to be made into a hot! a pilots hot withut the goggles but with the visor! :laughing:

ill post stuff up tommrow I definately need to get to sleep!

.... that last drawings hand should have been insanely hard but to my luck i actualy drew it quite easily! - yes Im proud even tho its not perfect!

[WillW]

so he sees this crow flying and the idea is to jump on the tiny crow and try to fly while sitting on it!

lol that paints such a funny scene in my head :laughing:

pencil test is looking good so far, are you drawing roughs first and then cleaning them up? you'll find that you can work on the movement much easier if you think less about the finer details of the characters design and draw quicker,rougher drawings (perhaps even just the construction lines) for each frame.

[johncbeggs]

lol that paints such a funny scene in my head :laughing:

pencil test is looking good so far, are you drawing roughs first and then cleaning them up? you'll find that you can work on the movement much easier if you think less about the finer details of the characters design and draw quicker,rougher drawings (perhaps even just the construction lines) for each frame.

Hi will , Ive been trying this way of drawing with silhouettes sort of like an outline that way I can be as exact as I need to be but also sorta keep the character from needed to be drawn over! :)

I have no problem visualizing and drawing my character in different positions but I probably should make rougher drawings!

- that would take twice the time of making this :laughing:- so I figured why not just learn the hard way and not start any messy habits. :)

[jeremyhopkins]

Sorry John, I missed seeing your new posts. You work is getting stronger all the time and the way you're approaching animation is becoming more thoughtful and controlled. Your working with extremes and inbetweens now so good job!

I agree with Will though and think for your first pass, you can be really loose and just focus on acting and entertainment. I tried drawing your character as a 15 second sketch to give you an idea. It's not a great sketch but it's ok because I haven't invested very much time into it:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_scS0_SUMtO0/TD_mh_JPlhI/AAAAAAAABzc/s3ySOt6i7MY/1stpassv2.jpg

Once you have just your extremes done like this, shoot a pose test and show us. Then, once you get feedback from us, go back flesh out the rest of the test and then make the drawings pretty like you have now.

Another really good exercise is the flour sack test because you have to think about great poses and acting. Once you've nailed that, then go in and add the detail. Hope that makes sense. Overall its a very good improvement!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_scS0_SUMtO0/TD_mh91lIXI/AAAAAAAABzY/6vOMjusyH3s/1stpass.jpg

[arif]

firstly John...my question is ``is the bird real or it is Dummy``......the bird is toooooooo big!!........where did you find it....i am curious....:laughing:

secondly...i have not much knowledge to post comment about animation..so, i kept myself away to post very good comments like Jeremy did......i would say you are going right way to find the extreme and then breakdown and then plain in-between....which i didn't do yet....i know ..it is a professional way to approach animation.......all i did before..i did straight ahead method:o

The forum and gallery are warming up now in recent days by posting all artists works and progress............GREATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[johncbeggs]

Sorry John, I missed seeing your new posts. You work is getting stronger all the time and the way you're approaching animation is becoming more thoughtful and controlled. Your working with extremes and inbetweens now so good job!

I agree with Will though and think for your first pass, you can be really loose and just focus on acting and entertainment. I tried drawing your character as a 15 second sketch to give you an idea. It's not a great sketch but it's ok because I haven't invested very much time into it:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_scS0_SUMtO0/TD_mh_JPlhI/AAAAAAAABzc/s3ySOt6i7MY/1stpassv2.jpg

Once you have just your extremes done like this, shoot a pose test and show us. Then, once you get feedback from us, go back flesh out the rest of the test and then make the drawings pretty like you have now.

Another really good exercise is the flour sack test because you have to think about great poses and acting. Once you've nailed that, then go in and add the detail. Hope that makes sense. Overall its a very good improvement!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_scS0_SUMtO0/TD_mh91lIXI/AAAAAAAABzY/6vOMjusyH3s/1stpass.jpg

Jeremy thankyou very much! I will draw and do the approach you have mentioned! and to try to rough it out first! any advice is great advice to me as I have not ever seen an animator work! and it really feels like Im doing it wrong!

so I will sketch out key frames not alot of detail ones :) okay ill try to figure something out!

but when Im finnished how will I add the details ?

[johncbeggs]

Arif - :laughing: supposidly its a real bird called the thunderbird almost like the bigfoot, yeti or nessi! but I honestly dont know if it ever existed!

that picture is what inspired me to wonder what a bird of this size would act like!

[arif]

but when Im finnished how will I add the details ?

see Dons dvd ..Don`s animate....................

[johncbeggs]

Ive watched it, but I need him to animate a human to see how much details I need to keep while animating! :)

[arif]

hmm.......you could see page 16 from Drawn to life - volume 1.....topics name - Basic shapes versus Detalis.....probable , it does help...

Arif

[johncbeggs]

Thankyou Arif Ill go take a look at that one!

[arif]

ohh...you can see page 37 also.....u will find an image below ......it helps also...i think......:D

[jeremyhopkins]

Jeremy thankyou very much! I will draw and do the approach you have mentioned! and to try to rough it out first! any advice is great advice to me as I have not ever seen an animator work! and it really feels like Im doing it wrong!


It's not so much doing it wrong but having a process makes life so much easier. This basic workflow works for me:

1)Get the scene, find out what the director wants and research what I don't know.
2)Visualize and map out what I want the action to be on the X-Sheet. I haven't used a metronome but I'm going to start after seeing some of the successes of the masterclass; find the challenges of the scene and solve them here
3)First pass which focuses on expression, acting and my feelings; Try using a soft pencil 2b-6b for this stage or breaking the tip of your pencil; First pass should go fairly quick. If it is taking too long, try to think about how you can simplify your poses by rereading Walt Stanchfield's notes.
4)Check for approval
5)Second pass which focuses on solid drawing and finishing up important detail especially in the face. Anything that pertains to the acting should be finished by the animator. Assistants can help with cloth, hair or anything that isn't acting based.
6)Check for approval

It's pretty much the same process that Don has described because I was taught by some of the people that worked under Don and John. It's tough to figure out especially on your own but you can get it. You're improving all the time and if you can keep at it, I know a good process that works for you will become clear.

[johncbeggs]

thankyou jeremy, sorryforthe late reply I wasout camping for a while! :D

anyway heres a quick 10min sketch I made of one of the characters for my werewolf story!

A hunter infected by what he is hunting!

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=237&pictureid=1147

I was attempting a pose but I know the infected hand is flat and boring :laughing: more to come soon if anyones interested!

have a great day everyone

[Moneyguns]

John I was wondering what happened to you! Thought you where dead, again.:laughing:

Nice drawing I can see your progress.:)

[jeremyhopkins]

Good work! You've clearly shown the action and drawing is much more finished. Nice to see you relaxing a little more too and it helps speed up the drawing process. Hope you get a chance to do the online workshop because you'll be flying in no time!

[johncbeggs]

Sam -thankyou for the reply man, but its gonna take alot more than a hike up a glacier to kill me im afraid :laughing:

went camping with some family and friends! 6 hour hike straight up the mountain was the best part!

Jeremy - thankyou jeremy, I realized this after but I thought it would look way better if his arm was infront of his face abit more but not covering it- just slightly abit more 3Dimensional!


here is another quick sketch
- I think he just gave gordon ramsy the stink eye :laughing:
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=237&pictureid=1148


Ill post up a few gesture drawings- ones that actually displays a feeling hopefully!

[johncbeggs]

Hello everyone! Im going to animate a short film! the hard part is the idea!
- I did a few attempts and storyboards but I didnt feel they were that great! :(

well heres one of them ideas! - my character Fish Stix - jello arms were purpously done :laughing:! I have changed his design to be less ren and stimpy like!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=237&pictureid=1183

Does anyone Like this character? Should I change the body?outfit Ideas to be more appealing?

I like this character very much and I trust you guys here so I thought I would show you him! created him about 4 years ago haha!

any advice from any of you Id be truly greatful for :D

- Ill post more ideas for short animations

[Rodney]

Hey John,
It's hard to gage the potential for success on just the one image but it looks like you are off to a good start. Without knowing more about the project, the story or its characters I'm not sure I can make a more suggestions except to say follow your instinct and tell your story. I like what I see thus far.

The title on the other hand I can pick at a little. I'm not sure what you intend to convey in the title. To me 'The Great Chick "N" Heist' reads as "The Great Chick and Heist". Perhaps that reads as something else where you live. My thought here is that unless there is a specific meaning you are going for with the abbreviation it might be better to go with 'The Great Chicken Heist' as that title is direct and to the point. If just abbreviating the word chicken I believe it might work best as "chick'n" (without the quotation marks). That would indicate a country pronunciation of the word.

I'd love to see your storyboards to get a little more insight into your story.

[akkushisu]

Hey, John. Fish Stix looks pretty good so far, but like Rodney said, I'd need a bit more info on him to give a more thoughtful critique of him. Could you possibly assemble a rough model sheet, maybe? I do like the overall look he and the chicken behind him have. :)

[johncbeggs]

Model sheet this time! :laughing:

I found out, that I really dont like the old sarcastic morning cartoon comedys with gags! - So I started working on a more serious short!

here is the model sheet of the bum/main character! whose loosing the battle not of addictions but with his sanity!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=259&pictureid=1193


thanks everyone for leaving comments! I am always happy to here from my fellow Don Bluth Club members!

[johncbeggs]

Rodney : thankyou for the advice man, I had one hell of a bad drawing day when I posted that cat! infact I feel embarresed from posting that now :laughing:!.
I am working on my storyboard at the moment Ill post up a couple pages soon enough for you to get a better understanding of the storyline for my new short!


akkushisu: hello, sorry I couldnt post you the model sheet of fish stix but I spent a long long time working on my official characters model sheet! :D

[arif]

wow....John....nice drawing model sheet.....where is the lower part!!:D:D...i always amazed the quality of your drawings friend.....:D.

[johncbeggs]

Thankyou Arif, I started off drawing the head! then I realized that theirs no way I could fit the whole body on their!:laughing:

I gotta tell you tho I spent alot of time trying to get the proportions correct! was done without the use of my backlight!
Ive learned its better to keep that light off now ,harder work! better results!

[Rodney]

had one hell of a bad drawing day when I posted that cat! infact I feel embarresed from posting that now

You shouldn't be!
Your cat and chicken are rather unique in their design and as that isn't a very easy thing to do with cats and chickensand still make them recognizable! We all think we know what cats and chickens should look like.

You've managed to make them unique and appealing too.

[akkushisu]

here is the model sheet of the bum/main character! whose loosing the battle not of addictions but with his sanity!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=259&pictureid=1193

Wonderful model sheet, John! And no, I'm not just saying that because I like model sheets so much! lol! You've shown a lot of attention to detail, especially in the bum's facial features and clothing. Thanks for sharing! :)

[WillW]

this model sheet is looking awesome! old people make the most awesome cartoon characters lol!

[johncbeggs]

Ive completed a few pages Ill post up tommorow! but I have a few questions about my storyboard template! - I got it from a site a fewdays ago and edited it with my own titles!

What does Trans and Slug mean? - anyone who could help quickly on that I would appreciate it! :laughing: make sure I fill it out right before I post one!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=259&pictureid=1195

Rodney - thanks man, i got an even better story in the works!

Seth - haha thankyou, Im working on his friend, Shes a stripper! but shes taken a liking to him as a father figure! - Im still working on her character though!

WillW- haha yeah they definately do! im designing his complete opposite a young girl new to the stripping industry!

[Rodney]

What does Trans and Slug mean?

I seem to recall someone asking this question of Don during one of his Seminars.

Trans means 'Translation' and Slug... um... I mostly forget but... it can be used for timing out the sequence on the storyboard. 'Slugging' is timing out your animation's audio track while storyboarding by adding spaces inbetween the dialogue in the sequences. If you don't allow for the appropriate spacing in the audio you may find you don't have time for animation/action between the moments of dialogue. So in slugging you might write "Snuffy is seen picking his nose for five seconds. Snuff is obviously bored to tears. Snuffy's eyes glaze over while Scruffy finishes his speech".

I believe Don's suggestion was that these need not be used because they are mostly used for limited animation shipped overseas. For these productions it's important that communication is maintained or you'll just have to deal with the sequences that are animated 'as is':

1) The Translation is for the translators. If you aren't shipping your sequences to be animated overseas you likely won't need to add this information.

2) You can time your animation on X Sheets. I don't think historically the production Xsheets are shipped overseas so the slugging instrutions on the storyboards (which are the production crews bible) are needed by the crews to make sure they allow for proper timing and spacing of the sequences.

[lavallelee]

wow john, that model sheet is great!!!

great job

[johncbeggs]

Okay Okay,I know this one isnt perfect but its my first attempt at anything real looking and I must say! It was a long long battle of 3 hours and it got messy really messy but Im working on this sketch the best I can! :laughing:

A picture of the Cutie kristin kreuk
http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=262&pictureid=1207

and heres my attempt at her portrait, I see obviouse flaws that I need to change! but its nowhere near finnished yet !
http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=262&pictureid=1206

PS. I am not even going to touch the eyes, they were amazingly hard just to get em like that! haha

I swear the scanner sucks 80% of the life out of the picture!:laughing: , I can assure you she actually looks realistic in my sketchbook what up with that?


Comments are very much appreciated as always!

[Rodney]

John,
As I recall you don't care for largish images to fill up your gallery so my thoughts regarding your latest sketch can be found in my gallery.

Drawing with a Grid (http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/showpost.php?p=18656&postcount=84)

If you've never used a grid in drawing portraits that may be something worth investigating.

[frankenart]

nice work on the model sheet.

[johncbeggs]

Rodney - I checked out your post, really informative! thankyou for your post!

I remember doing something like that in grade 8 art! and most of the even untalented were capable of created a great drawing of someone!

-- You may have got alittle confused becuase of the the way I scanned the sketch in! I had to put it sideways and cut off atleast 40% of the page above her head! so she is infact directly in the center off to the left!
- plan on drawing ALLISON MACK on the right side!

I actually met them both a few times! ;)

frankenart - thanks man, it was hard to get everything lined up thats for sure!

[Moneyguns]

Here john, I think you could use this.

Also not that I consider myself a professional in facial anatomy but I think here smile is fake. I think she is just showing her teeth, but I don't know.

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=266&pictureid=1215
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=266&pictureid=1216
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=266&pictureid=1217
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=266&pictureid=1218

[Moneyguns]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=266&pictureid=1219
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=267&pictureid=1220
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=267&pictureid=1221

[johncbeggs]

Here john, I think you could use this.

Also not that I consider myself a professional in facial anatomy but I think here smile is fake. I think she is just showing her teeth, but I don't know.


thanks man!, I also knew she wasnt smiling! I figured she was sorta smiling but with an unease feeling! - my guess is the camera was amimed at her face too long and she got bored!

- and ive mentioned this but my scanner squashed and stretched my original sketch! and the shading is very precise but looks like crap on here! :laughing:

Ive got quite a good eye for picking up whats wrong ;), and theirs alot wrong with the sketch that I know! haha

thanks again for the reply, ill read over what you posted!

[Moneyguns]

thanks man!, I also knew she wasnt smiling! I figured she was sorta smiling but with an unease feeling! - my guess is the camera was amimed at her face too long and she got bored!

- and ive mentioned this but my scanner squashed and stretched my original sketch! and the shading is very precise but looks like crap on here! :laughing:

Ive got quite a good eye for picking up whats wrong ;), and theirs alot wrong with the sketch that I know! haha

thanks again for the reply, ill read over what you posted!

Glad to help.:D

[Rodney]

and most of the even untalented were capable of created a great drawing of someone!

Isn't that interesting? I find it fascinating that almost everyone I knew at 5 or 6 loved drawing but now finding others who like to draw is like searching for animals that are long ago extinct.

I am a firm believer that short of a severe handicap or obstacle that otherwise prevents them from being able to draw everyone can do it and with enough interest and motivation likely will do it well. Most simply outgrow the habit of drawing as they discover other areas of interest.

We all seem born with the capacity to draw but not all of us nurture, sustain or maintain that equally. What we don't exercise practically will eventually atrophy and fade from muscle memory.

Of course there are always those whose drawing capability appears to far exceed that of their peers. I can't help but think that most of these successful people never took the time to realize they had limitations. They simply have a confidence in drawing that other don't possess. And as Don might say, they draw to please themselves.

Most of us are eternally lost somewhere between the vast extremes of 'ain't nothin' special' and being 'the ultimate reincarnation of Leonardo Davinci'.

[johncbeggs]

Rodney- Thats quite interesting! I started drawing at the age of 11 , and let me tell you I was crap! I never have considered myself better than anyone else at drawing because Im my own worst critic :laughing:

[Rodney]

I started drawing at the age of 11 , and let me tell you I was crap! I never have considered myself better than anyone else at drawing because Im my own worst critic

I think we all are. (not worst critic of you.... of ourselves. hehe)

Here are few thoughts on the subject of you/us being our worst critics:

Don Bluth's perspective on drawing catapults us out of the mire of our depravity. Don admonishes us to "'Draw as you Please (http://donbluthanimation.com/Drawing/_299_Draw_as_you_please.html)":
In his video on subject his first words: "It's very important that you please yourself when you draw." If we fail to focus on something pleasing in our work we are missing the underlying message he delivers.

Draw to please yourself.
Draw to please yourself.
Draw to please yourself.

We cannot successfully get there through worst-case critiquing.

Find something to like about the drawing without being overly critical. Take a few moments to enjoy that feeling. As you analyze what doesn't fit, break that down and try to understand what might make it work better. Explore the options a little.

In the video Don's considers the development of the 'Giddy Goons' by asking, "What does (a Giddy Goon) do? What does it think?" These questions help give our drawings theme (pleasing targets). As we strive to keep that focus we can then complement (add to) that theme.

Note: The words 'complement' and 'compliment' have diverged in modern times from the same original meaning. This is very relevant when considering critiques. When critiquing we are striving to add to or introduce something that is missing... to fill in/out or to make something complete.

Being our own worst critic implies a focus on the negative. It is the breaking down of things.
Always focus on the positive aspects while considering the most important, critical aspects.
Transform negatives into positives and be your own best critic.
Draw as you please.

For those that haven't seen or reviewed Don's free video tip it's highly recommended:
Draw as you Please (http://donbluthanimation.com/Drawing/_299_Draw_as_you_please.html)

[Rodney]

Rodney- Thats quite interesting! I started drawing at the age of 11 ,

You mean to tell me you didn't create cool crayon drawings when you were 6 years old???

Fess up John. Those crayon scribbles were masterpieces.

[johncbeggs]

You mean to tell me you didn't create cool crayon drawings when you were 6 years old???

Fess up John. Those crayon scribbles were masterpieces.

Dude I couldn't even trace till I was 13 :laughing:
I picked up drawing only wanting to get better!


I have a different way of viewing art though! If you like what your drawing their would be no reason to get better! you would be comfortable with what you are producing!

I infact like the negative parts about my drawings as I know I am able to fix them! :D

- Ive developed some kind of technique to draw while in a daydream state so drawings can flow out! but ussualy they have no order to them! when I perpously creat a gesture that concious state is not working!
I guess Its the Right brain Left brain scenario! I know how to control it!:laughing: if that even makes sense!

[Rodney]

I infact like the negative parts about my drawings as I know I am able to fix them!

We learn best (faster?) by making mistakes. That is for sure.
That's how we learn. :)

It's where I keep making the same mistakes over and over that concerns me. It's in those moments where I say to myself, "You know better".


Dude I couldn't even trace till I was 13

Hehe. I'm easily convinced but still remain skeptical.

You've placed me in the awkward position of suggesting that I know you better than you know yourself. To get to the bottom of this I'll have to interview your parents. If even one of your childhood doodles ever got stuck on a refridgerator or pinned on a wall... I'm going to have to suggest you plead the 5th (err... they don't have that in Canada?) or talk to your lawyer. ;)

If I had a dime for every time someone claimed they couldn't 'draw a straight line' I'd have a dollar. My answer to that dilemma: 'If you want a straight line borrow a ruler, just have fun with it.'

It's amazing what people who don't know anything about drawing can accomplish. Often I prefer their work over the overrendered images we see everywhere. Watch some kids drawing things of interest to them... there is often real power and imagination there.


I have a different way of viewing art though! If you like what your drawing their would be no reason to get better! you would be comfortable with what you are producing!

Again... I see agreement here. There is always a reason to strive to be better. As a Pro, if you aren't at least comfortable with your work... you may be in the wrong profession.

[johncbeggs]

okay I may have worded it abit wrong, I did not pick up the pencil till I was the age of 11-13

that being said, Im a good guy, and I may have misread your message so its all good :)

[Rodney]

I may have misread your message so its all good

You had me going there for awhile.
I'm glad that is the case. :)