The Happy Prince

[Dave]

Here is one of the character designs of Jake the Swallow from the Happy Prince as depicted in the weekly seminar on May 12th. Don is currently finishing off the model sheets and correcting the script so we can begin working on a project for Don's Club members.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/jake-swallow-72-dpi.jpg

Here's a High Resolution copy of the image in PDF format for those that want to print. Click on the thumbnail...

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/jake-swallow-72-dpi-tn.jpg (http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/jake-swallow-Hi-rez.pdf)

[OwenWelsh]

Awesome. Thanks Dave. And thank you so much for including the high-res. I will definitely print this!

[lavallelee]

very awesome! thanks for the high rez

[arif]

awesome!!!!!!!!waiting for the full model sheet...

[Rodney]

Thanks for posting this!
The more we see of these characters the better.

Now you've got me anxious to read Don's script.

[joedorsey]

Thanks for the drawings Dave!

[Dave]

Here is the visual process Don went through to arrive at the design for Jake the Swallow.


Sheet 1

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/happy_prince/sheet-1/Character-development-01.jpg

Hi-resolution image available in Don's Club Members Area.

Sheet 2

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/happy_prince/sheet-02/Character-development2.jpg

Hi-resolution image available in Don's Club Members Area.

[Dave]

Sheet 3

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/happy_prince/sheet03/Character-development-03.jpg

Hi-resolution image available in Don's Club Members Area.


Final Design

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/happy_prince/sheet04/Character-development-04.jpg

Hi-resolution image available in Don's Club Members Area.

[Rodney]

Absolutely wonderful. Thanks! :)

I see some key poses from the story represented. Among the standard ones... jewel transporting... tired... cold... cold and tired... very cold... unbearably cold...

Name 'em all I dare ya!

Time to print these up and start sketching.

[OwenWelsh]

Wow thanks for posting these Dave. I think I like him best with the hat. I think you could do a lot of fun things with it.

[joedorsey]

Here's a link to the partial script.

http://donbluthanimation.com/Uploads/happy_prince/happy_prince_script.pdf

[johncbeggs]

I missed a couple seminars :( , Do you guys Know if this is going to be another round of CGP for the forum members or only for the ones able to go to Arizona ?

sorry for my question but I really want to know! and thankyou whoever replys to me!

[arif]

Dear John,

i asked the same question in the last seminar...and what i understand from Don`s answer ....it is not like CGP....it wont be online ..it is only belongs to Master classes...

Regards,
Arif

[johncbeggs]

Dear John,

i asked the same question in the last seminar...and what i understand from Don`s answer ....it is not like CGP....it wont be online ..it is only belongs to Master classes...

Regards,
Arif

Aww well that really makes me feel sad! I guess whoever has the money should go if they are able!

[jeremyhopkins]

Aww well that really makes me feel sad! I guess whoever has the money should go if they are able!
Yes, there has to be some perks for the people who go to the workshop and it's nice that you understand. I don't think you'll be forgotten though because it sounds like there is some other things planned for web students.

[johncbeggs]

well Jeremy, I think we would all go to the workshop if we could! but for the majority of us on here its nearly impossible! - with lack of traveling experience

Im certainly not questioning Dons methods trust me, I know he has plans! :D

Im just simply asking - What should we do?

[jeremyhopkins]

I only caught bits and pieces of the last seminar but it sounds like there might be a design contest.


well Jeremy, I think we would all go to the workshop if we could! but for the majority of us on here its nearly impossible! - with lack of traveling experience

John, I'm not chastising you for your comments. I'm giving you a verbal pat on the back for being supportive and understanding. That attitude is very much appreciated. You'll most likely hear fairly soon about the contest but in the mean time, now the model sheets are posted, there's nothing stopping you from drawing Jake for your personal studies. Maybe you can post some of your studies in the Don's club weekly seminar for feedback. There you go, lots to do :)

[johncbeggs]

I was thinking about that , posting up some jake studies!

But I honestly Dont even think I will be able to make the seminar tomorrow, see the dilemma :laughing:

I dont want to post anything online for Don to critique if Im not able to show up! and waste his time!

anyway hopefully Ill be ale to make.

and I appreciate it alot Jeremy, thank you for your reply's

[macprofilms]

John

I would recomend you draw, draw, draw. Draw on a napkin in a restaurant, draw in a sketch book, draw on you McDonalds bag etc. Download as many character model sheets you can find on the net, and there are dozens and dozens of them to choose. When I went to Animation School (Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario) back in the early 80's we did not have all of this stuff. Computers were just comming into our peripherial.

I have also been watching films one fram at a time and looking for the Key pose, capturing it then redrawing them in sequence and animating the inbetweens etc. This has been very helpfull.

I to have not been able to attend the seminar and this at times is frustrating, however from now on if I am not able to view, I hope someone will relay the information back to me.

In the meantime keep drawing. Did you see the article on Robert Bateman in the Vancouver Sun on Sunday. I am constanly studying his drawings and paintings. He said "You have to make at least 2000 drawing mistakes, so get buys and start making them."

Mike

[johncbeggs]

Thankyou Mike

I am working on my drawing from time to time! but what I was getting at was the new animation program that is in Arizona, Don will be going to train a few of the fellow members here ! :D

Thank you for replying Mike

[jeremyhopkins]

I am working on my drawing from time to time! but what I was getting at was the new animation program that is in Arizona, Don will be going to train a few of the fellow members here !

Sounds like you might be in luck because Don and Dave are working hard on an online program too. If you can't make it to Arizona, you won't be left out. There will be 3 paths to improving your skills, the seminar, online classes and in person classes.

[johncbeggs]

Sounds like you might be in luck because Don and Dave are working hard on an online program too. If you can't make it to Arizona, you won't be left out. There will be 3 paths to improving your skills, the seminar, online classes and in person classes.

thankyou jeremey :D

Im looking forward to it!

[OwenWelsh]

Hi Don,

I've been studying your final Jake design. I really like the hat because of all the fun business things we could do with it, like drawing nubmer 7. I noticed while looking at the drawings that when Jake isn't wearing the hat he appears to look younger and more youthful. When he has the hat he appears older and more distinguished because its a top hat. I've been trying to imagine him flying with the hat and without. Have you decided if he will have the hat or not?

What does everyone else think about the hat? With or without?

[samuelvictorjones]

I really like the hat too. I drew Jake's model sheet a few times, and felt inspired particularly by drawing 7 to start a clip using it as a prop in various ways with that picture as a starting point. Its in very early stages but I posted it to see what Don thought - he made some really positive noises about both my model sheet and the animation, which i was really amazed but happy to hear :) http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=494 [edit] updated with progress

[anastasia1994]

Wow...it's wonderful project!! ;) Never I want to see the movie '' happy prince''???:(