Lavalle Lee's Drawings and Cartoons [Archive] - Page 2

Rodney

02-13-2010, 06:44 AM

I believe I see what Arif is getting at.

In your sketchwork there is a presence of form and depth to your drawing.
There is beautiful work in there.

In the refinement the darker lines turn those underlying forms into a 2D tracing where that form and depth get lost and become merely traced lines.

I'm not sure how to tell you to counter this short of suggesting that if you are going to trace the forms in such a way you might be better served trying to ink them with a brush. This would serve the same purpose while retaining the underlying form. If desired, the brush would also serve you well in giving a pleasant depth to your illustrative line.

One thing I note from Don's going back in with a darkened line is that he is just beginning to draw as he does this. The initial sketch isn't even considered drawing according to how he describes the early stage but in drawing there is a definite attempt to continue a line to its logical termination even if it disappears behind another form or line. In your tracing of your sketch this appears to be more of an attempt to just darken the line.

I'm failing at the attempt to explain the difference between what I'm perceiveing as drawing versus tracing but I hope you can read between these lines. There are some beautiful forms in your sketch work struggling to come out.

If this isn't clear enough I may be able to show you what I mean a little through selections of parts of your drawings that can be more carefully defined.

lavallelee

02-15-2010, 10:31 AM

Thanks Joe!

Rodney, You are right and thanks for the comments. When i darken I know alot of the drawing is lost. Lately I have been scanning the rough so I can see my errors. If you have examples I would be more than happy to see what you mean.

More from Hugo the movie. I drew him upside down, a real challenge :)

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_02_10_11_43_01.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_02_10_11_42_48.jpeg

Sidney

02-15-2010, 02:02 PM

I love the bat.
I'm from Panama so I'm partial to them.
'Specially fruit bats!!

This guyo looks somewhat narcoleptic.

lavallelee

02-16-2010, 01:10 PM

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_02_10_12_27_01.jpeg

another character from Hugo movie, can you tell I really like the characters :p

lavallelee

02-17-2010, 08:23 AM

this is the last of Hugo characters study atleast for now

i am moving on to more preston blair, this time bodies!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_02_10_12_27_18.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_02_10_12_27_27.jpeg

Rodney

02-17-2010, 09:50 AM

Rodney, You are right and thanks for the comments. When i darken I know alot of the drawing is lost. Lately I have been scanning the rough so I can see my errors. If you have examples I would be more than happy to see what you mean.

I haven't forgot your request. I'm just being a litte slow in making my rounds.
Its also a bit of a pain to upload images and link them over so I procrastinate a lot when posting. ;)

IMO Your last few drawings have already seen an improvement in the area of getting away from that general look of a pencil tracing (i.e. mostly outlining).

I believe you said you had one or both of the Walt Stanchfield books 'Drawn to Life'. There are several places in both books where he strives to teach some important lessons I still need to learn. In particular his lessons about keeping the shape and volume while tying down the gestures. (Note: I don't recall him using the words 'tying down' in this context, I use it for my purposes).

I'm going to fail in this but... here goes.
We can keep this dialogue going as long as you like!
As Edward Deming said, "Can we not learn?"

If you do have the book(s), consider several of the lessons where he talks overlap, tangents and 'T' and 'L' lines. Page 74 of Volume One has good examples of using nice strong angles to give a third dimensional look. (This versus using lines more as contours). Lecture 66, 'Applying the Rules of Perpective' has a good example of the 'T' Section Principle to create foreshortening through a sense of depth. He concludes his lesson with:

"But back to the problem of making a third dimensional drawing with the limiting, restrictive, two dimensional lines we are forced to use - those ever helpful elements of perspective are present in every area of every drawing we will ever make. Being conscious of them will be a great help, plus a great comfort in our quest for good draftmanship. Not that draftmanship is the ultimate goal, but it does take draftmanship to express oneself in animation. Knowing and using these principles when needed is like having a good road map when traveling in unfamiliar places."

From your drawings I can see you already know this. (Please remind me when I inevitably forget!)
I've really enjoyed seeing the progress you've made thus far.

johncbeggs

02-17-2010, 01:04 PM

great looking character designs , I havent heard of hugo is it a animated film made in another country ?

lavallelee

02-22-2010, 01:02 PM

thanks rodney for your advice, i plan on getting in those drawn to life books, i did a little then started on don's storyboard book

so many books so little time!

and ya john, it was made in denmark

I wanted to post my progress on this months challenge.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_22_02_10_2_54_38.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_22_02_10_2_55_30.jpeg

Pencil Test/Voice Test: http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=306

Here is my character and my progress for this months challenge. I did a little pencil test with him.

Vinnie "The Chik" Costello

Even though he is small he has a big personality. At a young age, Vinnie knew he had to use his brains not muscle to be a wise guy. But don't take him for a push over, if you get him fired up your in trouble.

Rodney

02-22-2010, 04:35 PM

Great Character Lavalle!
He made me smile immediately.

Perhaps best of all his design really lends itself to animation!
(Something my humanoid-type character definitely does not)

Such a great initial design it's giving me goosebumps.

joedorsey

02-22-2010, 05:45 PM

He looks like a feisty one and full of character! Good job.

madanimator

02-23-2010, 10:35 AM

I love your Vinnie so much, and the animation really fits to his design. Great job, Lavalle, please do more animations with that wonderful character!

lavallelee

02-23-2010, 10:52 AM

thanks everyone! ya i am still working on this test animation, gonna try some voice animation

but also, today i needed to warm up so im drawing some Tiny Toons

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_23_02_10_12_16_26.jpeg

lavallelee

02-23-2010, 11:30 AM

i did a fast rough sketch of buster bunny!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_23_02_10_12_16_34.jpeg

lavallelee

02-23-2010, 05:06 PM

i'm really drawing these quick

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_23_02_10_6_25_14.jpeg

arif

02-23-2010, 08:27 PM

your quick drawing looks awesome!!!..it has everything..!!!good job.... Kinjo......

Rodney

02-24-2010, 02:31 AM

i'm really drawing these quick

Okay, everybody knows that's a baited hook this fish can't resist...
Now you've got me curious.

How quickly?

lavallelee

02-24-2010, 07:28 AM

thank arif and rodney!

as for how long, i think that buster picture took 5-6 min maybe less, never really timed myself lol

here is my scene update, added more animation

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=307

joedorsey

02-24-2010, 02:02 PM

I'm feeling that "oomph!" when he hits the tree. Great job!

LordDirk

02-24-2010, 03:03 PM

I think you could take it even further by making an extreme squash frame and bringing back the limbs at varied timing.

I like a lot of your work. I would like to see some focus on form and volume though. Overall great stuff!

Rodney

02-24-2010, 10:34 PM

Lavalle,
I also like what you've got there.
I could most definitely feel the impact.

What is a little surprising to me is that when I look at the frames individually I wouldn't expect to have that experience. You've obviously got the essential elements in place.

For my own purposes I've been thinking about your shot and wondering how I would approach it. Right now you've got a nice effect similar to the limited animation from Hanna Barbera's 'Wacky Races'. Hopefully you know the one I'm talking about... the one with Penelope Pigeon and Dasterdly and Muttley. Stop that Pigeon.... [flying]
Stop that Pigeon... [flying]
Stop that Pigeon. [flying]

(Whack) [bad things happen to the villians]

Nooooooooow. [Falling... Falling... down...]

It was very limited animation but very effective! That's why its a classic.

Interestingly, Richard Williams has a lesson that directly targets a shot of this nature. I hope you'll investigate that. One of the things he emphasizes is a stretch-to-contact frame that helps the audience read the full impact.

It's on page 93 of 'The Animator's Survival Kit' if you are interested in pondering those aspects. The idea is to give the hit an even stronger impact.

(It should be noted that this hit exaggeraton requires animating on 1s at/near the point of contact. Also, Page 93 is only dealing with the stretch to contact. For follow through of the arms etc we'd have explore elsewhere.)

lavallelee

02-24-2010, 11:11 PM

thanks joe & lord dirk!

rodney, i actually know the one you are talking about

http://learninganimation.blogspot.com/2008/06/movement-withing-movement.html

i did the lesson in flash back in 2008

I spent all summer working on richard williams book in 08, went through the first 130 pages, then stopped.

I really should get back into that book, but there are so many books i am currently working on.

madanimator

02-25-2010, 03:31 AM

I really should get back into that book, but there are so many books i am currently working on.

Yes, I know that. There are so many cool books outside and I also want to read them all at the same time. But I think, one book is the BIBLE of all the animation books: The survival kit. We all should read it till we have that stuff down pat. Anyway, I love your animation test of the fox, Lavalle! You applied a lot of animation principles there and I think the viewer can feel the fox's pain :D
Keep that work up!

lavallelee

02-25-2010, 08:08 AM

Thanks Beatrice. Don said he just wanted more bg added, I am going to work on that today.

Here is a random farmer I created, and got lost on his anatomy

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_25_02_10_10_05_52.jpeg

madanimator

02-25-2010, 11:44 AM

Aaaah! I love his nose! Wow, what a nose! Poor guy, to have such a big nose.
It must be difficult for him when it's winter and really cold...:D
Draw more sketches of him! :)

lavallelee

02-25-2010, 02:16 PM

I hope to, i actually drew a whole cast to go with the farmer, lol.

Anyway here is a thumbnail i wanted to post up, i think its funny. Vinnie about to explode!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_25_02_10_4_15_40.jpeg

lavallelee

02-26-2010, 06:18 PM

Today I went to Gatorland Zoo in Orlando with Les and we did some drawings of the gators for animal study it was fun!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_26_02_10_7_26_40.jpeg

madanimator

02-27-2010, 03:22 AM

Cool! I like your body and head studies! I can imagen that it was fun... And then all the people - whatching you as if you were doing something totally unnormal - :eek: :laughing: Do you know that?

lavallelee

02-27-2010, 11:04 AM

it was fun, i noticed when you draw in public people come up to you and want to see what your drawing

anywho! more tiny toons!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_02_10_6_55_40.jpeg

This is Honey, a classic toon that they search for in an episode.

lavallelee

02-27-2010, 04:57 PM

Now for a fun character! I love his design, im going to try a few poses.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_02_10_1_03_10.jpeg

Sidney

02-27-2010, 05:50 PM

This guy ought to be fun to see with different poses.
Gotta love the red monster duder.

lavallelee

02-27-2010, 06:50 PM

Yup! Alot of fun.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_02_10_1_03_20.jpeg

madanimator

02-28-2010, 06:06 AM

Great emotions! I like this drawing very much, you choosed a good pose for showing his angry feelings :D

jeremyhopkins

02-28-2010, 02:37 PM

Very good! You're getting much stronger line of action and personality. The construction is pretty good but watch your hands. Check the preston blair book if you need a guide. You'll have to be careful with Tiny Toons since there may be some bad drawings because of the production. If there are mistakes and if you can see any, try to fix them in your drawings.

lavallelee

02-28-2010, 04:00 PM

thanks beatrice and jeremy! you are right about the production alot of things look out of place, so its a challenge to find the right way

more!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_02_10_1_03_32.jpeg

arif

02-28-2010, 09:01 PM

hahahaahah..nice...i did not see him before....

Rich-E

02-28-2010, 11:50 PM

inspiring...

lavallelee

03-01-2010, 06:37 AM

thanks you guys!

I just finished Vol 1 of Tiny Toons, not sure what is next for study. Maybe some Ub Iwerks earlier stuff.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_02_10_1_03_45.jpeg

lavallelee

03-01-2010, 06:51 PM

i felt like i had to draw GOGO before i started studying another cartoon!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_01_03_10_12_31_27.jpeg

Rich-E

03-01-2010, 07:04 PM

progress. proofs in the pudding...

lavallelee

03-02-2010, 08:06 AM

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=310

did the changes added more background, now i think it looks great! more flying room :laughing:

lavallelee

03-02-2010, 11:50 AM

Another character :D

Harry the Hairdresser
This next character is Harry the Hairdresser. At first I didn't mean to make him a hair dresser, but when i got to the 3rd picture i needed to put something in his hands so scissors and a brush, then right away the name "Harry the Hairdresser" popped in my head. So here he is!

This guy is panicky one minute crazy the next. Harry's life dream was to run away to a circus, but he had to pay his bills so he started working at his Uncle Bill's Barber Shop. His life is filled with disapointment, he always feels the need to break out. Which is the cause us his anger at a times.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_46_08.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_48_01.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_49_22.jpeg

... i need more life drawing

lavallelee

03-02-2010, 04:37 PM

more of harry looking for clown costumes for him, i want him to randomly do clown stuff while styling peoples hair, crazy acts and feats.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_6_35_44.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_6_36_06.jpeg

Rodney

03-03-2010, 03:22 AM

That's a fun take on a character! :)

I take it when he is in clown form he performs without dialogue?
That'd do wonders in saving you effort on lip sync. ;)

It looks like his eyes may be the main thing that clues us in that the boy and the clown are the same character?

madanimator

03-03-2010, 07:44 AM

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_46_08.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_48_01.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_03_10_1_49_22.jpeg

... i need more life drawing

I really like the poses and the facial espressions! It is clear what he is feeling. Also it is a good idea to draw the fingers as little sticks, when you don't feel so confortable with hands yet.
I really like this character, wanna hear some stories. They would be funny, I'm sure :p

madanimator

03-03-2010, 07:44 AM

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=310

did the changes added more background, now i think it looks great! more flying room :laughing:

I think the scene is done. Great work!

lavallelee

03-03-2010, 09:20 AM

thanks rodney! you are right about him not talking, mostly actions! still thinking about clown designs, i could do many more

thanks mad! madanimator and i were talking earlier and i told her how much i liked her character Rusty, i wanted to do fan art and she said okay!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_03_10_11_17_30.jpeg

madanimator

03-03-2010, 05:22 PM

Thanks, Lavalle! :laughing:
That really looks funny. If Rusty would know that, he would be very very proud, you can bet. I really like the facial expressions! :)

lavallelee

03-04-2010, 01:08 PM

thanks beatrice!

last night at the seminar Don requested i try different hair styles for Harry the Hairdresser

still think i have a ways to go until i get the right hairdo, i dont like any of these

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_04_03_10_10_06_51.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_04_03_10_10_06_41.jpeg

Rich-E

03-04-2010, 01:35 PM

try flamboyance my friend if it doesn't work (like the w on my keyboard) throw it out.

rich

lavallelee

03-04-2010, 06:35 PM

i feel i am getting closer

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_04_03_10_6_52_26.jpeg

Rich-E

03-04-2010, 06:45 PM

i'm drawing a character now and i'm really trying to go outside my comfort zone. it's kind of scary because i don't want to see a bad drawing. i think for me living in that comfort zone is kind of like as prison. i want to break out. i'll be posting a character soon i hope.

rich
persistance is an admirable trait...

joedorsey

03-05-2010, 03:42 AM

I like the whipped up doo! :)

As Devo sang...whip it! whip it good!

lavallelee

03-05-2010, 07:41 AM

thanks rich, and joe! i agree with you joe, that is why i kinda played off that hair with these

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_03_10_9_40_10.jpeg

lavallelee

03-05-2010, 11:30 AM

i really dont feel that im finding it, so i am putting that down (we have until the end of the month) and getting into an animation book

which book? Eric Goldberg's ofcoarse!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_03_10_11_03_48.jpeg

I am going to attempt the walk.. but having issues as you can see by my really dark lines

Terro

03-05-2010, 12:43 PM

I don't think it looks bad at all. I especially like his upper body. The only problem I see is his trailing leg may be a bit too staight. More specifically it just needs a hint of a knee, very subtle. When doing a stylized walk you can push poses and joints pass their limits, but you won't be able to tell if its working from one pose. I think a Vanilla Walk is super hard because its basic and has rules you can't break, so here just go with your gut, put in some more frames and see how it feels overall.

LordDirk

03-05-2010, 06:40 PM

Hi Lavallelee, in response to your PM the concept of "putting a character together" as you mentioned is called character construction.

I have a video on the subject that I think might be able to help you more than a simple reply would. Hope this helps.

http://vimeo.com/6888474

lavallelee

03-06-2010, 07:05 AM

thanks terro, you are right! funny i never heard of a vanilla walk before, lol

ya i saw that 5 months ago Dirk a couple times, lol ;)

so i was drawing while watching cartoons, and i came up with these guys

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_03_10_9_03_06.jpeg

LordDirk

03-06-2010, 01:55 PM

Interesting heads.

I'd like to see some drawings incorporating the construction methods I mentioned in the video, paying attention to form and volume will really help bring some of these concepts to life.

As they stand they are interesting shapes, but they feel awfully flat. Using concepts like overlap, perspective, volume, and form will pop these out and bring them into the third dimension.

Also, try playing with proportion a bit more, try making some designs that have one particular feature huge, one feature medium, and one feature small. Right now they all have large eyes, and one with a big nose. What if one had a big hairdo, or giant ears, maybe a pear shaped head, etc.?

Just some food for thought, keep up the good work.

lavallelee

03-07-2010, 02:45 PM

thanks dirk, i will try more, i am still trying to get away from that flat look

so here is the first walk cycle in eric goldbergs book

only extremes, passing positions, breakdowns

http://donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=314

In erics book, this is all he shows, then he says.

Now that you have these drawings, it is a simple matter to fill in the remaining inbetweens.

He call's it simple! I have very little experience with inbetweens...

LordDirk

03-07-2010, 03:24 PM

I think these will help greatly.

One of the big helps in getting me to the level of animation I am at today was a fellow by the name of Jason Ryan. He's a supervising animator at Dreamworks and has a site dedicated to teaching others animation through step by step tutorials. I wouldn't have had my Disney internship if it weren't for him and his site.

His site offers tutorials for cheap, everything from beginner (bouncing ball) to advanced (Subtle dialogue acting).

Let me know if these help.

jeremyhopkins

03-08-2010, 11:56 AM

He call's it simple! I have very little experience with inbetweens...

It's simple because Eric has worked out all the complicated action. The only thing left is direct inbetweens. The majority of the thinking has been taken care of for you. As work is outsourced and inbetweens are being done in different studios, I think this is the best way to animate now because you don't want to be unsure of what you'll get back.

Your challenge will be to develop your eye as an inbetweener and see volume changes, arcs, overlap and then compare your work to Eric's. Does it look similar? A great inbetweener has to match the original animator's drawings. Inbetweening isn't easy and you'll probably mess up a few times but that's part of learning. Give it a shot and see how you do. Take your time with inbetweening. Even though the thinking is done for you, take time to think and understand what he has done. Then when you speed up, you're producing quality work too.

lavallelee

03-10-2010, 06:24 AM

Thanks you guys, inbetweens are extremely hard though. I am trying to put it together with the charts and spacing. So far I just added a few frames.

As for Jason Ryan, he has great tutorials. He does go a bit fast, but I understand most of what he is saying.

madanimator

03-10-2010, 11:52 AM

Yes, inbetweens are hard to do, I agree, but when the work is done, and when you see the result, it makes you so happy - to see the fluid action, that you will forget the pain very quickly, believe me :D
So, don't give up and try it with inbetweens! ;)

lavallelee

03-11-2010, 07:45 PM

Past few days have been crazy from getting sun burnt to getting a blister on my foot from all the biking i did. A total of 26 miles. So today I was pretty sore and just trying to relax but i knew i had to draw something so i did some Looney Tunes study this is the dog from "Feed the Kitty" cartoon.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_11_03_10_9_39_32.jpeg

Rich-E

03-11-2010, 10:46 PM

i can see growth in your drawing.

lavallelee

03-13-2010, 09:14 AM

http://www.kinjokids.com/kinjo/crashcoarsewalk3.swf
http://www.kinjokids.com/kinjo/crashcoarsewalk3.swf

i added 4 inbetweens :eek:

Rich-E

03-13-2010, 09:45 AM

wow! how do you feel about it?

lavallelee

03-13-2010, 10:25 AM

Rich-E

03-13-2010, 10:30 AM

Good question Rich. I think my volumes are off. Arches are off. Just doesn't look right to me. Instead of keep going, I think i should start over when I feel i'm ready. Maybe do more lessons like Dirk suggested.

i think the movement is coming along. sometimes i can be to hard on myself. Can you try to concentrate on the progress you have made and point that out?

rich

madanimator

03-13-2010, 12:48 PM

Hey, Lavalle, I think the timing of your walk looks good, there are lot's of things going on and it's difficult to take care of all of these. But you're right on your self critic. What I would do is to compare drawing 8 to drawing 11. Look at the volume of the chest. It is right, the chest must go up (drawing 11) but you made it also bigger, you made him fat :D So it seems that he breathes very hard while going. Hope it makes sense.
Keep up the good work and NEVER give up :) You're doing great :cool:

joedorsey

03-13-2010, 02:01 PM

Hey Lavalle,

You're doing great and farther along than me. I'm having trouble with volume too. It must be a part of the learning curve. Keep going and try some more animation. I have to keep remembering that animation takes time to get good at. We're rooting for you! :)

lavallelee

03-13-2010, 03:18 PM

Rich: I can see the progress, yes.

Mad: Your so right! Good thing that is just 1 drawing. lol easy fix

Joe: This walk is a very tough one. I don't think I ever did a walk with 32 frames before.

I wanted to do some sketching to take my mind off the inbetweens. So I drew Road Runner. :D

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_13_03_10_5_14_16.jpeg

lavallelee

03-13-2010, 05:15 PM

i went crazy and colored the whole thing, lol

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_13_03_10_5_14_06.jpeg

Rodney

03-13-2010, 06:01 PM

Your drawings of these characters really takes me back.
You've targeted some real classics!

I can tell how much fun you are having just by looking at your drawings.
I recall being glued to the TV screen whenever they were on.
What fun it was to see those characters in action.

Your blog is a fun read too. :)
Keep it up Lavalle!

lavallelee

03-17-2010, 10:07 AM

thanks Rodney, happy to see you like them

and more!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_17_03_10_1_04_46.jpeg

jeremyhopkins

03-17-2010, 12:50 PM

Haha, I love Michigan j frog. Nice study!

joedorsey

03-17-2010, 01:33 PM

Love the Daffy. I've wondered if Chuck came up with that design or one of his animators. The chicken feet add that perfect touch. ;)

lavallelee

03-18-2010, 06:36 AM

thanks you guys! more looney tunes study to come

here i did some random arm study

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_17_03_10_1_04_54.jpeg

madanimator

03-18-2010, 12:40 PM

Wow, arm studies are really tough! I think you got a good structure in your arms, it is clear where the joints are, so it would be easy for you to draw different arm poses. Why don't try it? :)
For me it's easier to draw cartoon hands, when I know the structure of the real hand so as a suggestion for future hand studies - why don't use your own hand and arm as reference material? (although it's only possible to draw your left hand then. When you're right handed). That really helps! ;)

lavallelee

03-21-2010, 06:44 AM

Yeah they are tough, so I tried giving this monkey arms from that study.

How i came about drawing this monkey is, I was just dazing/staring at the wall, and then this monkeys head took form, so i felt like I had to draw him. This is not the only time i seen characters in clouds, ceilings, walls, etc.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_21_03_10_9_40_10.jpeg

madanimator

03-21-2010, 11:16 AM

I like his face expression! And you drew his arms and hands pretty well. Although the pose of the two arms are very similar. Maybe you could vary them a bit.

johncbeggs

03-21-2010, 12:22 PM

I like the monkeys hands how you can see both the thumbs!

arms are very hard, they have to be roughly the same size and shape and their attached to shoulders that aren't always symmetrical!

lavallelee

03-21-2010, 03:13 PM

Thanks beatrice & john! The only thing i saw in the wall was his head, the body I really just winged, lol

Next I decided to use Vinnie as my character for the month. I also have written a whole story for him. Just started story boarding, here are a few panels.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_21_03_10_2_09_30.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_21_03_10_2_09_41.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_21_03_10_2_09_54.jpeg

Ben Wilson

03-21-2010, 05:55 PM

Hi, nice butterfly! It feels like to me it would be a lot better if you added a little bit of movement, you know how butterflies move around sporadically. You could have it running in a loop like you have here. But adding the random shake to it could add a lot more.

Ben Wilson

03-21-2010, 06:01 PM

Im not entirely sure what is happening here in the panels. It might be worth clarifying it a little bit more so we instantly know what is happening. I like your character design for Vinnie, its a nice simple pleasing design that you could do a lot with in animation :)

Your arm studies are looking good but i would say that your index finger feels a little bit awkward. I dont think you would be able to bend the finger in that way, comfortably anyway. I find that if you use the index finger as the lead out of the 4 main fingers and have a nice sweeping line from the arm running into it, it will keep it in a nice smooth position. Think of the hand as an extension of the arm. Forget about the thumb and try to see just the main fingers. Try to get an arc of motion running through the fingers towards the index.

lavallelee

03-22-2010, 11:46 AM

jeremyhopkins

03-22-2010, 05:50 PM

You really improved with this drawing! Humans are tough but you managed to get the parts in the right place on the face. The features are anchored to the skull well and you captured a likeness. Very good and it's one of your stronger studies!

Ben Wilson

03-23-2010, 03:30 AM

This is good work. You're improving a lot! The hand is looking really good but again I would have to crit the index finger. It feels to me as tho its twisting in the wrong direction. It seems as if its twisting in a clockwise direction away from the other fingers. This can be easily fixed tho. If you erase the wrinkles of the knuckle you'll probably find that it will look better. Give it a try and see how it looks. Keep up the good work :)

arif

03-23-2010, 07:41 AM

Nice one .....Lavallellee....and i agree with Jeremy`s statement........this is your one of stronger drawing....keep it up...and do more....

and nice voice over you did on Rusty.....hahahahhha..great job....

Regards,
Arif

lavallelee

03-23-2010, 12:47 PM

thanks jeremy!

aeon, ya i wasn't too happy with the hand myself

thanks arif! happy you like my voice acting :cool:

Here are some rough storyboards for the short im working on. With Vinnie!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_23_03_10_3_45_39.jpeg

joedorsey

03-24-2010, 02:29 AM

It great you're moving forward with your story boards. Awesome!

lavallelee

03-24-2010, 09:12 AM

Thanks joe! I am up to 32 panels.

Here are a few i scanned.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_24_03_10_12_10_23.jpeg

madanimator

03-24-2010, 10:40 AM

thanks aeon for all the comments! i will post more panels soon, i didnt want to give off the story just yet :p

I just returned from the video store and saw Anastasia dvd for sale with special features such as Don drawing the characters. Picked it up and gave drawing Rasputin a try.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_22_03_10_2_43_54.jpeg

To me this is a very solid and 3dimensional-looking drawing with a great expression! It really looks nice - and scary :D
The only thing I would do is to change the left side of his mouth a bit. I don't know but it seems a little bit too round. You see the line where the chin goes into the cheeks? I think the mouth line should be kind of a parallel to this line. Good job! :)

lavallelee

03-25-2010, 09:13 AM

he was tough to do, and last night Don was impressed too!

thanks for the comment!

Next here are the baby brother chicks, that annoy Vinnie.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_25_03_10_12_02_14.jpeg

zanekohler

03-25-2010, 11:01 AM

I always love seeing storyboards posted up. Awesome job!

lavallelee

03-26-2010, 05:30 AM

thanks zane, i actually ran out of space on my pinup board, it only holds 19 and im upto 35

here is a random drawing of vinnie

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_25_03_10_12_02_04.jpeg

zanekohler

03-26-2010, 06:17 PM

Yeah I have a push pin board where I run into the same problem. One way I get around it sometimes (which is probably more work than it's worth) is scan them into the computer and scale them down into a page or two of boards. (http://www.zanekohler.com/storage/blog-photos/class_3/v3_Boards_01.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=124353 0227479) Then I print them up and pin them back up more condensed.
http://www.zanekohler.com/storage/production-blog/workstation-far.jpg
I don't think the set of boards in this photo originally filled the whole thing but it opened up a lot of space. One thing I have planned to do is buy a huge push pin board. When not in use it will be tucked away hidden behind the hutch of my desk.

Anyway sorry I rambled too long on a side topic...

Great job on the latest sketch!

lavallelee

03-27-2010, 06:49 AM

That is a good idea Zane, I should print them out smaller. I was following Don's storyboard DVD way. He put big sheets up too. I just don't have enough space for that. I have to use my floor to spread them out. lol

I worked on the title screen!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_03_10_9_46_45.jpeg

zanekohler

03-27-2010, 11:13 AM

That is a good idea Zane, I should print them out smaller. I was following Don's storyboard DVD way. He put big sheets up too. I just don't have enough space for that. I have to use my floor to spread them out. lol

Yeah who knew animation would take up so much space lol !

lavallelee

03-30-2010, 05:12 PM

right! so i have been working away on the vinnie script its 95% done! just doing final stuff to it

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_30_03_10_8_10_48.jpeg

here is a title screen i made

arif

03-30-2010, 09:03 PM

Very good.....i like that..........:laughing::laughing:

lavallelee

03-30-2010, 09:06 PM

thanks arif! here is a color version of vinnie i tried to do

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_30_03_10_9_27_15.jpeg

arif

03-30-2010, 09:14 PM

hahahahhhhha...i like it also............

madanimator

03-31-2010, 12:01 AM

That is really really cool! I'm excited to see it finished! :D

johncbeggs

03-31-2010, 12:41 AM

mann you are an animation machine , keep it up!

I like how your starting to develop a storyboard! Im going to buy a huge pinup board for my room tomorrow and start story boarding as well! :D

I cant wait to see Vinnie the chick in action,hes quite the character! :D

Richard Willimot

03-31-2010, 10:21 AM

Great title page,I like the style.

lavallelee

04-01-2010, 02:48 PM

thanks everyone! titles are hard, i am playing around with the main title now

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_01_04_10_5_46_13.jpeg

i am thinking i might try it with a different background, i kinda want to have only one that i would use on all vinnie episodes, then the episode itself have one based on the episodes theme

hope that makes sense :)

Rodney

04-01-2010, 03:35 PM

lavallelee

04-01-2010, 06:12 PM

Lavalle,
From everything I've seen of this character and setup I think you've got a real winner here. Vinnie and friends looks to be a very commercial-friendly project... with a potential for mass appeal.

Thanks Rodney, i like the name Vinnie and Friends. Has a ring to it, lol. I am happy you see what I see, I really like this character, which is why I must make this cartoon!

HELP WANTED: If anyone is interested in working on Vinnie with me, you would get credited in the credits for what you do. :) PM me if interested. :cool:

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_01_04_10_9_07_52.jpeg

Sidney

04-01-2010, 06:49 PM

I still dig Vinnie.
Though I had to share this...

Upon seeing Vinnie I thought how funny it was that he was an egg-shape character.
I imagined when he hatched he was already the same mass as the egg so I chuckled at the idea that the shell would fall away from Vinnie revealing his features hat and all.
Obviously with real world physics the other parts of the body would appear to protrude beyond the shell but Vinnie is a cartoon character which allows for this zany stage trick.

Totally tooned and very ace design, Lavalle.

lavallelee

04-02-2010, 07:41 AM

thanks Sidney, i'm happy you like it!

what if he came out of the egg, and his hat PLOPPED open, like small gag like, lol

have you seen the storyboards? I have him hide i the egg, so he does come out.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_04_10_10_37_09.jpeg

Vinnie relaxing, got lost in the arms and feet... still working on it

madanimator

04-02-2010, 09:07 AM

I like these ideas very much! It's going to be something really cool and funny!
:D

lavallelee

04-02-2010, 06:24 PM

thanks!! here are some more quick sketches

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_04_10_9_23_25.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_04_10_8_54_16.jpeg

Rodney

04-02-2010, 06:51 PM

Lavelle,
You've found a near perfect character to animate.
Its like the bouncing ball but 10 times the fun! :p

What impresses me about your last drawings is how you've managed to get such nice poses out of him. That's not just some squash and stretch I'm seeing but real character in your drawing.

Okay... forgive me for this indulgence but I'm going to try to put a name on the actions for these last three poses:

1. Tripping (This is likely something else but I'm not sure of the context)
2. Launching (This seems to be something beyond flying... perhaps he's just bounced off of a trampoline or something)
3. Climbing (He really seems to want to get up on top of that box)

Not sure... and likely wrong... but Vinnie is making this too fun.

lavallelee

04-03-2010, 10:48 AM

1 is right, 2 is right, i imagined him jumping into a bird feeder, 3 was right, but he's climbing into the back of a truck

lol

here is a police car for the cartoon, not 100% on it, feels like its missing something, i will probably try again

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_1_47_12.jpeg

Sidney

04-03-2010, 01:04 PM

Yeah, it's missing donuts flying out from behind it's dust cloud.

lavallelee

04-03-2010, 03:43 PM

still working on a better design for the cop car, i did some sketches too

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_6_35_57.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_6_36_20.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_6_36_56.jpeg

dartzy

04-03-2010, 05:00 PM

LOL! Your gonna have fun with this guy!! Can 'see' it in my head already! Cant wait..more more...:)

lavallelee

04-03-2010, 05:10 PM

LOL! Your gonna have fun with this guy!! Can 'see' it in my head already! Cant wait..more more...:)

thanks dartzy!

i did some feet study, i didn't use any reference, but im looking up reference now, because im not getting his feet down

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_6_36_39.jpeg

please mind the bad drawing of vinnie :-P

lavallelee

04-03-2010, 05:57 PM

Yeah, it's missing donuts flying out from behind it's dust cloud.

I MADE IT SO! i like this design better, i'm going to color it next

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_8_08_32.jpeg

madanimator

04-04-2010, 03:35 AM

madanimator

04-04-2010, 03:49 AM

thanks dartzy!

i did some feet study, i didn't use any reference, but im looking up reference now, because im not getting his feet down

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_04_10_6_36_39.jpeg

please mind the bad drawing of vinnie :-P

It's a very good idea to make the anatomy of a character, or parts of him, clear, so the character can be animated easily. You did a great job with his toes!
Now I would like to know were his knee is, so when I want to animate him walking, that I know where to bend his legs (also they're very short, it would be difficult to create a knee anyway). Or do you want him to hop instead of walk?
Anyway - great job! :cool:

lavallelee

04-04-2010, 05:42 PM

Im still not final on his feet, or arms. I really am lost when creating them. I hope I will get it, then I can do a model sheet.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_04_04_10_8_41_52.jpeg

colored :)

im bad at shading, not sure where to shade

Sidney

04-04-2010, 06:21 PM

hahahahaah, I don't really think this needs shading.
It's great just in flats. Maybe diagonal glares across the windows and a squad car number.
Just not car 54, lol.
I dunno, make it....45? rofl

lavallelee

04-05-2010, 12:00 PM

hmm, i might ad a number, ill try adding those glares

i did a free hand drawing in flash with my tablet

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_2_58_35.jpeg

it's not as fun as drawing on paper!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_3_23_52.jpeg

lavallelee

04-05-2010, 05:36 PM

sketches i did today

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_8_29_59.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_8_30_09.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_8_30_21.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_8_30_32.jpeg

trying to figure out a front view of the beak

joedorsey

04-05-2010, 06:04 PM

Keep going Lavelle...looks great! I like the look of happiness on him as he leans back. For the beak, check out Egghead from the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Llq33NFiU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Llq33NFiU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

lavallelee

04-05-2010, 06:18 PM

thanks for the reference joe! i should try and find a model sheet of Foghorn

here is a random pig that popped in my head

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_04_10_8_30_43.jpeg

Sidney

04-05-2010, 06:33 PM

hahahahhhahahaa, Chief Wiggum reporting for duty!
Piggity piggily piggy pig, oh which way did that PIG go.....

joedorsey

04-05-2010, 08:24 PM

i should try and find a model sheet of Foghorn

Here ya go! Go that is...

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6884/1394/1600/Foghorn%20Leghorns.jpg

lavallelee

04-06-2010, 06:19 AM

the picture don't work joe :(

joedorsey

04-06-2010, 11:54 AM

Ok...that was weird. Let's try the link.

Foghorn Leghorn Model Sheet (http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6884/1394/1600/Foghorn%20Leghorns.jpg)

lavallelee

04-07-2010, 06:28 AM

thanks joe, got it! and studying it!

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=352

here is an intro i'm working on, i'm still not happy with how the logo looks in the end, also not sure which order to put the names, but i do know i really like how it flows.

and as you can see, im still looking for a BG artist ;)

johncbeggs

04-07-2010, 01:52 PM

mannnn, you definitely have got some awesome talent! great job on the intro!!!must have been time consuming?

lavallelee

04-07-2010, 03:56 PM

thanks john! thats cool of you to say. Didn't take too long maybe 2 hrs, turning into a color background with shadows and feeling is going to be the hard part!

make way vinnie coming thru!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_07_04_10_9_22_41.jpeg

lavallelee

04-12-2010, 10:05 AM

here is a scene colored... still need better bgs

i plan to do some tutorials in photoshop etc to get better at digital painting

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_04_10_1_04_37.jpeg

jeremyhopkins

04-12-2010, 10:48 AM

Good for you! Very cool intro and your sketches have really loosened up. I see improvements all around.

madanimator

04-12-2010, 11:12 AM

Yeah, I like the mood of your scene. Very well done!

OwenWelsh

04-12-2010, 11:54 AM

Cool Lavalle, how long is your short film?

lavallelee

04-14-2010, 09:47 AM

I think about 3 min to 3 and a half minutes. I have already animated 1 scene!

This next image is not from the short, I am practicing don's way of doing ground. I plan on asking him to give examples in the next seminar on how he creates ground.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_14_04_10_12_46_43.jpeg

lavallelee

04-14-2010, 02:23 PM

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=355

here i am doing a rough animation test of vinnie jumping into the back of the truck, this bg still is not the final bg

here is the chart i made for this action

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_14_04_10_5_22_36.jpeg

i think i am starting to get it, also i really need to work on draftsmanship! perspective! anatomy! to name a few

jeremyhopkins

04-14-2010, 05:19 PM

Sorry man, you have the right idea with your charts but you're missing squash and stretch so it feels like Vinnie has no weight. If Vinnie is starting on the ground and then jumping, he'll need an antic in the first few frames to get him started. If he's hopping from off screen, you might have to start him off screen and have him bounce in. It depends what the previous shot is and how the two hook up. What I like about this shot is that you've pushed yourself to draw a 3/4 layout. You've given lots of space for Vinnie to act and you've given him a place to go.

jeremyhopkins

04-14-2010, 05:21 PM

One more thing, for your last chart, I wouldn't favor the contact pose because he's such a light character. You didn't do that in your animation so I'm assuming the last section of the chart was a mistake. Good work, keep at it!

lavallelee

04-15-2010, 06:59 AM

Thanks Jeremy! You are right, i need to get him coming in from off screen, maybe ill have it so hes really close to the screen and jumps away. Also I will work on the squash and stretch, thanks for the help! :)

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_15_04_10_9_57_05.jpeg

Here is a fbi truck that is going to be following the police cars in the 3rd scene. :cool:

lavallelee

04-16-2010, 07:30 AM

So i have reached the 1 min mark of the animatic, with 1 scene fully animated!!!!! SO much more to do, but it's great!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_16_04_10_10_29_15.jpeg

OwenWelsh

04-16-2010, 11:01 AM

Lav you are getting better with his facial expressions. This most recent drawing makes that clear. It looks like fearful surprise. Try to push the emotions further as you progress.:)

lavallelee

04-24-2010, 05:33 PM

thanks owen! i will try

i still have a long way to go on this, i have over 2 min for the animatic done, and I have been filling in some animation, lots of planning

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=362

here is vinnie jumping into a yellow paint bucket to disguise himself :cool:

arif

04-24-2010, 09:26 PM

Hi Kinjo..............

your Vinnie looks great!!!

Regards,
Arif

OwenWelsh

04-25-2010, 09:17 AM

Lav I like your little hop animation! The facial expressions are reading great. The timing is pretty good too. Very nice. The only thing I'd recommend is;

The frame before Vinnie is about to make contact with the ground stretch his legs out to make contact with the floor earlier. Then when he makes contact, squash him to the extreme! Then stretch him out long when pushes off from the floor. I think it will give the hop some extra force.

Great job!

madanimator

04-26-2010, 06:18 AM

I like your little animation very much, Lavalle! How have you done the splashing water? Did you have any reference material? It looks really cool! :cool:

lavallelee

04-26-2010, 08:01 AM

Thanks Owen! I will try that today, just got back from biking, my plan is to work all day on Vinnie when i got back!

Beatrice, I used no reference just used memory. :D

jeremyhopkins

04-27-2010, 02:25 PM

Are you going for a tv flash style cartoon? What you have right now is pretty good for flash. You might want to check your spacing as Vinnie falls down and have more drawings at the top of the arc. You might want to check Vinnie's volumes especially as he hangs in the air after the jump. Bending Vinnie's knees as during the hit would help the weight too. As he lands, you might want a reverse C arc on his back so his body follows the line of action in the arc. Good for you for getting this done!

lavallelee

05-02-2010, 06:23 AM

jeremy, ya i am making a flash animated cartoon, not fully traditional because inking from paper to computer is extremely hard! still working on that scene, i think i got it after your recommendations :)

i wanted to post something, so you guys know i'm still alive!

MAKE WAY IT'S BABY PANTS MAN!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_02_05_10_9_20_37.jpeg

BEWARE EVIL POTTYS! BABY PANTS MAN IS ON THE SPOTTY!

johncbeggs

05-02-2010, 03:59 PM

that last idea seams really interesting!

are you goin to storyboard it aswell ?

lavallelee

05-03-2010, 07:01 AM

lol, Baby Pants Man was just some random character i created, no storyboard :p

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_03_05_10_9_59_50.jpeg

here is Vinnie's butt, im trying to find the right butt for him

Sidney

05-04-2010, 05:06 AM

number two for me as it looks like the hand is flattening under his weight.

lavallelee

05-07-2010, 10:42 AM

thanks Sidney! i will use it

So I finally found some of backup files of cartoons i've made in the past. Decided to put "Adulthood" on youtube. I made this in 2006, so please understand VERY LIMITED animation, this was before I even opened up the Animators Survival Kit, which was the first book i tried learning animation from. Otherwise I was all self taught. :rolleyes:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P6T5JspRF1A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P6T5JspRF1A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6T5JspRF1A

lavallelee

05-07-2010, 02:34 PM

i did some quick cinderella mice doodles

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_07_05_10_5_34_21.jpeg

lavallelee

05-08-2010, 06:21 PM

today i sat down to draw on paper again, i have been working on vinnie in just flash

so i have been non-stop digital drawing on the computer, not pencil & paper so!

i need practice drawing and who better to draw than Donald Duck!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_05_10_9_19_46.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_05_10_9_19_24.jpeg

OwenWelsh

05-09-2010, 12:29 AM

Donald was always my favorite character from the short films. You really captured his expression well. Especially the sad one at the bottom.

jeremyhopkins

05-09-2010, 01:21 AM

Really good! You linework on Donald is in a good spot right now too. It's a good balance between loosely planned out but nicely tied down. Very good improvements! Take a second look at Donald's beak and how the mouthlines anchor to his cheeks in the front drawing. It's very close but still needs some slight adjusting.

lavallelee

05-09-2010, 05:42 AM

thanks guys!! the beak is the hardest to get for me

i really need to study more!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_05_10_9_19_34.jpeg

lavallelee

05-09-2010, 06:12 AM

i seem to ruin the images when i go over the lines dark

they turn out like this...

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_9_03_08.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_9_04_32.jpeg

donald is really hard to do, i will try to do more! am i out of practice or what!

lavallelee

05-09-2010, 01:31 PM

even more donald!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_9_03_02.jpeg

taking a siesta

C. Siemens

05-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Cool, that. Suppose you put some construction lines around the body, leading towards a vanishing point, could you turn the pose perspectively? Like move the "viewer" a little to the left or right?

dartzy

05-09-2010, 03:36 PM

I think all your Donalds are very good though the last one..the siesta I think is the best. I understand what you mean about 'losing it' when you do the tight version..I think it may be that your putting such pressure on yourself to make him look 'perfect' and the feeling is lost in the tight pencil. I think the looseness of the Siesta captures him so much better. With this one you are comfortable and your really connect with what your studying..I would do more of these and not worry about the tightening yet..it will come with time. Keep going!!

lavallelee

05-09-2010, 05:23 PM

Siemens: Sorry, but I am not sure what your asking. I build each character with basic construction then go over lines.

dartzy: thanks for the comments! you are right, i worry alot about the lines, most of them look good until i try darkening the lines, i wish i could do that as good as Don!

another bad line drawing!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_5_44_23.jpeg

C. Siemens

05-10-2010, 01:40 AM

Siemens: Sorry, but I am not sure what your asking. I build each character with basic construction then go over lines.

Yes, I can see that you do it to construct the anatomy. But think of the character as a simple shape, like a rectangular box which defines the space he takes up. If you drew such a box around the character using a vanishing point, could you first move the box in perspective and then add the character inside that box, in the same pose but from a slightly shifted view?
I was just thinking because your sketch reminded me of one Grim Natwick used in his book to demonstrate how perspective applies to character poses.

madanimator

05-10-2010, 02:40 AM

Wow, Lavalle, you were busy! Very cool sketches :)

lavallelee

05-10-2010, 05:16 AM

Siemens: i think i get what your saying now, never tried doing it that way but you got me curious so i looked up Grim Natwick, and he's got some great stuff!

Beatrice: Thanks! and welcome back!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_4_52_59.jpeg

lavallelee

05-10-2010, 08:39 AM

some more!!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_4_53_11.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_05_10_5_08_33.jpeg

lavallelee

05-10-2010, 03:14 PM

more donalds!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_9_28_14.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_9_27_48.jpeg

lavallelee

05-10-2010, 05:18 PM

even more! i am done drawing for the day a bit tired :D

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_6_21_20.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_6_21_30.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_6_21_41.jpeg

lavallelee

05-10-2010, 08:21 PM

okay 2 more!! i couldn't sleep i really felt like drawing more donald

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_9_43_09.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_10_05_10_9_42_49.jpeg

jeremyhopkins

05-11-2010, 09:33 AM

Using a pencil with a softer lead has helped loosen up your drawings. All of these drawings are improvements and your work is getting more solid all the time. If you want to get more relaxed emotional lines, try feeling the emotion you want to express in your drawing. If your character is depressed, think back to a time when you were depressed, hold on to that emotion and then draw.

lavallelee

05-12-2010, 07:49 AM

thanks jeremy, i was trying different size pencils and colors, it's tough finding what is the best to use.

a bg im working on for Vinnie, still working on it

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_05_10_10_48_51.jpeg

madanimator

05-12-2010, 11:28 AM

Nice! I like your background :)

lavallelee

05-13-2010, 06:41 AM

thanks beatrice!!!

so after the seminar i felt inspired to draw and doodle

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_13_05_10_9_40_44.jpeg

arif

05-13-2010, 07:36 AM

you did lots of Donald....couldnot find time to post anything.....just want to say ....you did very good job with all the drawings.....these drawings look so solid and three dimensional...great!!!............................ ...........:D

lavallelee

05-20-2010, 07:36 AM

thanks arif!! no more Donald's for now, i need to concentrate on vinnie!

speaking of Vinnie! a screen grab so you guys can see i am still working away everyday!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_20_05_10_10_36_18.jpeg

arif

05-20-2010, 08:06 AM

Looks great lav!!!!:d

madanimator

05-20-2010, 08:15 AM

:) Always love to see your Vinnie drawings! I'm curious to see the finished project ;)

lavallelee

05-20-2010, 01:51 PM

thanks arif and beatrice!

everyday i need to draw so today was some looney tunes

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_20_05_10_4_48_36.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_20_05_10_4_49_17.jpeg

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_20_05_10_4_50_28.jpeg

lavallelee

05-20-2010, 08:45 PM

working on a design for the baby chicks, i want them to look kinda like vinnie but not exactly if that makes sense!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_20_05_10_11_45_08.jpeg

jeremyhopkins

05-20-2010, 09:41 PM

Those WB drawings are coming along really nicely. The chicken hawk sketch is still a little stiff but huge improvement form your previous work. Keep at it, I don't want to say too much because you're coming along just fine on your own. Just keep doing what you're doing!

lavallelee

05-24-2010, 05:40 AM

thanks jeremy!

next is goofy!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_24_05_10_8_39_51.jpeg

madanimator

05-24-2010, 10:32 AM

Nice Goofy drawing!

lavallelee

05-27-2010, 07:37 AM

thanks beatrice!!

here is another henry hawk, the 40s design of him

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_27_05_10_10_37_23.jpeg

really quickly drew this

lavallelee

05-28-2010, 03:43 PM

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=369

Farmer Scene in Vinnie "the chik" Costello

Here I shot live action reference to study for a scene I am working on. Then I animated it on my animation desk, after that I scanned it, then made it digital. :)

SpiralEFX

05-28-2010, 03:48 PM

Nice Job! ... love the pencil test part.

madanimator

05-28-2010, 04:28 PM

Hehehe, very cool! :D

Rodney

05-28-2010, 05:23 PM

Very nice! :)

Shooting video reference can seem silly but it sure helps in researching and framing a shot.

Nice translation.

arif

05-28-2010, 09:57 PM

:D:D:D..very nice Lav......
you became slim too:laughing:

Regards,
Arif.

joedorsey

05-28-2010, 09:59 PM

Nice to see the progression. Keep it up!

lavallelee

06-05-2010, 11:25 AM

thanks Les, Beatrice, Rodney, Arif and Joe!

I hope to do more tests like that soon, just need a character to animate. I have good news, i am finished animating the Vinnie cartoon, now I am just waiting on the music, then Vinnie is done!

Here is a bg i made.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_05_06_10_2_19_04.jpeg

OwenWelsh

06-05-2010, 02:33 PM

Cool Lav! Can't wait to see it!

lavallelee

06-05-2010, 09:10 PM

Me too!

So now that I am done, I am going to take a break for the rest of the summer on digital animation. 100% only paper and pencil. Less than a month until the masterclass, I need to study study practice practice!

Round 1 - GOOFY!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_06_10_12_06_03.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_06_10_12_06_38.gif

A bit rusty, I can't take breaks from drawing!

Rodney

06-06-2010, 03:05 AM

lavallelee

06-06-2010, 04:50 AM

Looking forward to seeing your 'Vinnie' short!
(and meeting you at the Master class)

Forgive the question Lavalle... you've probably answered it already elsewhere and I just missed it...

What do the X's represent in your images?
I'm use to X's being a means a method for 'spotting blacks' (indicating areas to fill in with black).

Can't wait to meet you too, and the rest of you guys! It's going to be awesome!!

As for the X's, those are basically my first glance errors. If i see inconsistent volume, or if the line is just wrong I put an X. Just something I do, I spot problems. So I can learn from them.

More Goofy!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_06_10_12_07_50.gif

Example: The top right goofy, the X by his jaw. I gave too much space there that whole back jaw is wrong. The X by the collar points out my terrible attempt at a collar, lol. And so on.

Rodney

06-06-2010, 05:33 AM

Initially I was going to guess it was a potential origin point for the purpose of rotation or squash and stretch but that didn't seem to fit so figured it was a form of personal notation.

That's a pretty nifty idea.

lavallelee

06-06-2010, 06:54 AM

Thanks Rodney :)

More!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_06_10_12_07_59.gif

lavallelee

06-06-2010, 04:56 PM

the leg is really off!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_06_06_10_7_55_26.gif

arif

06-06-2010, 09:02 PM

wow!!..lavalleleel.........i think, you have captured this drawing very well....and i have first seen your full figure drawing(may be , i am wrong)...but, keep drawing like this...with full figure...........................very good!!!

Thanks,
Arif

jeremyhopkins

06-06-2010, 10:43 PM

Your Goofy heads on page 46 are looking really great! They continue to feel more solid and have a sense of form and mass. Your linework feels much better now. It's getting more expressive all the time and your confidence is starting to show in your drawing. Very good! The full sized Goofy's are a good start but you're having some problems with proportions. His head should be smaller - at least according to this model sheet: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qZmf9l-HC1A/SCyuTqN1WGI/AAAAAAAAAjA/1nQMWqJ-RHo/s400/Goofy+0501a+5_980.jpg It's difficult to say for sure because it depends on the reference you used but if you want him to look stupid-cute, having a smaller head to body ratio works better. Overall, again, really good improvements. You're challenging yourself with new poses, new characters and developing your draftsmanship.

lavallelee

06-07-2010, 07:01 PM

Thanks Arif & Jeremy! Jeremy the body is really hard for me to get, but i hope with practice I can get it, thanks. I got a Goofy dvd at the library, i'm going to freeze frame and draw what i see too.

another goofy!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_07_06_10_9_03_34.gif

Seth

06-07-2010, 07:55 PM

Nice Goofy! He's so much fun to draw.

OwenWelsh

06-07-2010, 10:11 PM

Lav these are looking super slick! Keep practicing, it will come in handy SOON!! ;)

madanimator

06-07-2010, 11:55 PM

Very nice drawing! Also love the face expression :)

lavallelee

06-08-2010, 10:56 AM

seth: your right, goofy is alot of fun to draw

owen: soon as in 27 days until the masterclass!

beatrice: thanks beatrice, it's his eyes i have the most problem with on his head :D

another goofy!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_8_28_44.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_8_28_52.gif

lavallelee

06-08-2010, 02:04 PM

i am having a goofy day!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_4_28_06.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_4_29_28.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_4_29_46.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_4_30_05.gif

lavallelee

06-08-2010, 04:20 PM

and more goofy :cool:

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_7_19_31.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_5_01_16.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_5_02_42.gif

Moneyguns

06-08-2010, 04:23 PM

Nice work on the goofy drawings.;)

lavallelee

06-08-2010, 07:35 PM

thanks moneyguns!

end of the night! last few drawings this time i watched a few goofy cartoons and froze frame drew what i saw

the bull is really bad..

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_10_19_03.gif

i thought i did okay with goofy :)

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_08_06_10_10_18_15.gif

lavallelee

06-09-2010, 10:22 AM

Good morning! First drawing of the day.

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_1_17_38.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_1_17_08.gif

lavallelee

06-09-2010, 01:45 PM

another goofy, the head is really wrong and the legs, lol

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_4_40_32.gif

lavallelee

06-09-2010, 05:18 PM

last two model sheet drawings, after these im going to draw my own goofy poses

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_6_14_09.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_6_16_42.gif

dlpwillywonka

06-09-2010, 11:20 PM

These are awesome. Always improving everytime I see ya.

johncbeggs

06-09-2010, 11:46 PM

man lavalle you are always getting better, I notice your sketching more loosely now! which is awesome to see improvement :)

lavallelee

06-10-2010, 05:54 AM

after i draw a character so many times, i do get a feel for him

and here they are my own attempt at goofy poses!

Sketch mode
http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_45_22.gif

Didn't turn out the way I planned.
http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_45_13.gif

I paused TV, with that new Karate Kid commercial, and drew goofy. lol
http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_46_56.gif

This next one kinda looks like a puppet goofy.
http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_45_55.gif

lavallelee

06-10-2010, 06:07 AM

these next ones are the best ones i did, i think

Look Goofy wants to go to the masterclass too!
http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_47_35.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_47_06.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_46_30.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_09_06_10_9_46_48.gif

madanimator

06-10-2010, 06:10 AM

You did a good job drawing Goofy! You must had a lot of fun, drawing Goofy all the time ;) Very cool! Which character will be the next?

Moneyguns

06-10-2010, 11:50 AM

Um...That's a cactus.
That's not as cuddly as it looks.:laughing:
LOVE IT!:)

Sidney

06-10-2010, 01:51 PM

I get a kick outta Goofy.
I remember the workout gags and silly things he did with the voice-over narration.
Seems to me that he must've been in one of those wandering across a desert situations and thought he saw Mickey and was SO elated that he needed to hug 'im only to find out it was a catus. I immediately pictured the extra appendages coming off the cactus resembling mickeys' ears.

jeremyhopkins

06-11-2010, 02:44 AM

Cool that you're drawing your own poses because you've studied and now you're applying knowledge to your own sketches. The newest sketches are, out of all of your Goofy work so far, the weakest drawings. Your studies are going well but there is a disconnect when you try to apply the principals from the drawings to your own work. I'm glad you've posted your work in stages because it makes it easy to go through and see where problems start. Your process looks good but there are couple things that could be improved. My suggestion is to keep a vanilla model sheet pose below the drawing you're sketching. That way you can flip back, check proportions and structure then draw again. You might need some live action reference to get the posing to feel natural. Take some pictures of yourself or find a karate pose online, analyze the action, then draw Goofy in character doing the same pose. If you can avoid trying to draw the action out of your head until you have fully analyzed and understood the principals behind the motion (weight, balance, force), then your end result will feel more natural. Hope that helps you out, good work and keep up your studies.

lavallelee

06-12-2010, 01:56 PM

beatrice: thanks, next is life drawing!

moneyguns: POKE!

sidney: nice idea, i was just thinking goofy in arizona for the class, lol

jeremy: you are right, once again.. SO im going to do some life drawing and try to figure out force, balance and weight!

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_06_10_4_53_42.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_06_10_4_53_07.gif

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_06_10_4_53_18.gif

wow i am out of practice!

johncbeggs

06-12-2010, 02:04 PM

lavalle , that last one is crazy good! I like how you archived the knee coming towards us!

hows your cartoon coming along?

lavallelee

06-12-2010, 02:20 PM

lavalle , that last one is crazy good! I like how you archived the knee coming towards us!

hows your cartoon coming along?

thanks john! it's pretty hard doing life drawing again

As for vinnie, the cartoon is done, but the music is only about 20% done. My buddy who is working on it, has been doing great though, I can't wait to release it. I am sure it will be before the master class.

another life drawing

http://4mchan.org/Forum/gallery/2_12_06_10_5_19_51.gif