Quite a few things to talk about this entry. Where to start...
A few days ago, my good friend Anna and I agreed to do a random art trade for shits and giggles. She requested a Corgi and an Oshawott from me and I asked for a pigeon and a pug from her. Here are the results of our shenanigans.
Anna, I'm so sorry.
D'aaawww! <3
Artwork by Anna Castaldo
That was jolly good fun, haven't really drawn something random in ages. Thanks Anna!
Lets see, what else... my graduation photos arrived! I have to admit, they came out really good. Not that you can tell, due to the fact that I used my camera phone to take photos of the... photos. Yeeeah, my scanner is boned.
It's a-me!
Me and my loving parents <3
Mum was also kind enough to buy me some more badge refills which also arrived today. I'll be making more Crumbs badges for freebies and for anyone interested!
And now for the reason I titled the entry what I... well, titled it as.
I found this gif on tumblr quite some time ago and it amused me. I wanted to use it as a reference so I could get some decent animation practice. I only just got round to it today due to lack of motivation and general sucking at life. I'm getting pretty good at sucking.
... *snerk*
ANYWAY YES, the .gif.
I don't know what this is from but if anyone does, please let me know. It looks like it could be from something interesting...
What came from this was this delightful abomination. I thought it would be interesting to have the sketch and the finished animation side to side. Personally, I'm amused.
The music is from Wii Fit titled Get in Shape. I've been on a Wii Fit kick for a while now.
I'm also considering the idea of using this new YouTube channel as something for my animations and work and the one I've been previously using for vlogging or pointless shit... provided people ever find me interesting enough to do such a thing. Maybe some day, eh? Aw well. I love myself and that's all that matters!
Times are ruff and everything has gone to the dogs.
It's a dog eat dog world.
You're barking up the wrong tree.
She works like a dog for this country.
Number one Watch Dog.
Things are gonna get pugly.
... I'm sorry. Puns make me groan too. But I still love 'em. Can't teach an old dog new tricks! I should really put it on 'paws' though! Doggone it!
Yeah, I wanted to do something random after finishing Tracy's birthday picture, which I'll upload here tomorrow. It started as colouring the pug and somehow ended like this. I'm wondering if I can actually make something out of this...
Either way, I'm probably gonna doodle her a lot. Her derp is simply precious, even if she is a deadly assassin or whatever.
Want to see some pictures I was gonna make into prints for final show/exhibitions but forgot to because I'm super dumb? Well aren't you lucky. I figured if I didn't put them on here, they'd never be seen. Which is a pity as I'm quite happy with them. For once.
Both of which feature Blue and Pink, whose relationship I'm going to have to explore that bit more now that the story has changed... mainly the fact that Pink is now slightly younger than Blue for example. Although that ain't the half of it.
I'll let the new character sheets explain that. When I get around to doin' them. Oh ho boy do I suck.
Just some cute idea I had. Possibly Blue talking some philosophical stuff and Pink too busy thinking of her to really let it sink in. Thank God Green wasn't there or there would be some debate on whether or not the stars were fireflies or balls of gas. They would then come to the conclusion that, star or not, Green was full gas.
This random concept that I've had with the pigeons. When they coo or attempt birdsong, to them it actually sounds like music. Various pigeons would have a certain sound, be it a musical instrument or a sound as their trademark and then getting together for jamming sessions. Would make for some interesting videos at least.
I've had the latter as my screensaver a couple of times. I could upload a bigger version on the off chance that anyone was interested.
Now, I really need to get my crap straight this Summer. Now that the exhibition is over, I don't want to fall into a rut of doing nothing until the third year starts. I haven't really gotten to that point, trying to sketch one random thing to keep my skills sharp(ish) but better safe than sorry. Besides, things are finally taking off with the big draw work experience which is fantastic! I must email the woman in charge and organise when we can all meet up.
But as for personal projects, here's a little list for myself on what I should really get cracking with.
Finish auntie Tracy's birthday pic
Start a small outline of Crumbs story arcs from start to finish, really decide what the hell is actually going to happen.
New Crumbs character sheets
Develop Muffin. You know. The pug I doodled.
Develop Ginger and Snaps' characters and draw the two more often
Random comic ideas. I have a few and it's good human drawing practice!
Actually decide what in the name of God I'm going to do next year.
I'll add more once I think of them. I always forget something. Until next time, I shall leave you with a WIP version of a piece I have complete but can't really share because it's kind of... well, spoilery. Whereas if I just show the sketch it just looks like a bunch of pigeons so who gives a crap.
I'd have done a pre-drunken one but I wasn't anywhere near a computer for the entire day. Once I was, I was too drunk and too tired to do anything useful without collapsing and/or vomiting.
So all in all, a damn good night!
I got to college about half 10 in the morning, to check that all the art I wanted to put up was still there and because I was gonna lead other people to the venue. However, turns out Paul and Dave were still there with transport so there was no need to walk ridiculously far and fuck up our joints (which I only ended up doing later but we'll get to that in a bit). We got the artwork and boards and drove to the Star and Shadow. And then proceeded to wait about an hour or so before the door opened so we could set everything up.
While everyone else got started setting up the boards and putting up their artwork, Rachel and I walked to grab some edible things and to pick up her prints before walking back. Still no knee joint paint for me. YET. The rest of the day at that point consisted of organising everything we wanted to show, grabbing food and preparing ourselves for showing our work.
Yep, same setup as before. I'm so original.
PRESENTATION!
People's business cards and/or postcards. Can you find mine?
Once we walked to meet various people that wanted to attend but didn't know the area (and it was about now that my knee began to hate me), the exhibition began. People came by, had a look at everyone's work, got some drinks and got chatting. I had a good chat from Ewan Brown from Cerebral Scars, who seemed very interested in the course, how I got into animation, what I use to create pictures and animations and so on. We spent some time chatting and exchanged business cards, which was awesome! I also caught up again with the fellows from Arcus Studios and had a good chat with them. You'll be seeing my pigeons again guys! They'll just most likely be a comic is all!
After Rachel's mum very kindly bought me a drink (which unknown to me then would be the first of many... eheh), the screenings began. Now, I was a tad miffed to find that my show reel had been cut and only my Crumbs trailer would be shown. I guess I wouldn't have minded as much if I'd been given warning. And it wasn't just me, a few people's show reels weren't included in the final screening. Hopefully they upload their stuff somewhere, I really want to see what everyone has done. But other than that, I was pleased to see all the hard work everyone put into their animations. I know for a fact that I want to see Lizard Cops on Youtube and Feathers of the Roc finished. GET TO IT, RACHELS! And I want to see the Fraiser Werp on vimeo some time this century, Marshall!
I was happy to have my very dear friend Hazel come by to the exhibition as well. It was a good laugh introducing her to my college chums. When worlds collide indeed! I think meeting Callum might have been an interesting part for her. Maybe she'll be the one to need counselling after that...
So yeah, one more screening, an empty badge box (people loved 'em! Maybe I'll make more...) and three more ciders later, the place cleared, the exhibition finished and Hazel and I grabbed a ride home. I learned quite a bit that night. Mainly Perry's sweet cider contains 3 units per bottle and I apparently talk posh when I'm drunk. This is good to know.
As for today, I've spent most of it in bed. While I wasn't to the point of being sick (yeah, I was kind of exaggerating earlier) I was extremely dehydrated and overall knackered. Although I did wake up for a couple of hours nearer 8am but then I fell asleep til about 4pm. I've also noticed that I ache, like, all over. Except my stomach, which had been hurting a few days prior because of my exercises. I'm blaming this twattery on all the walking I did. SO MUCH WALKING...
Well, I'm probably gonna fall back to sleep soon. I'm planning some productive things now that the exhibition is out of the way. I need to bulk up my show reel, damnit! So I'll leave you with this adorable thing I found on YouTube. I don't believe baby pigeons really look this cute if I remember correctly...
To anyone looking at the blog who came to the exhibition, thanks so much for coming! I hope you enjoyed yourselves <3
I do believe that I might be ready for the gallery. Just need to sort out the board on the day and I'll be done and dusted. Looking forward to this now!
If you want to leaf through this groovy book and pinch a badge and business card, get yer butts to the Star and Shadow Cinema at 7pm for This is Not an Exit. Feel free to say hi if you pop by!
NOT designed by me, I must add. I'm putting it on here to spread the word of the upcoming exhibition that I've been making these damn badges for. It's only three days away, NOT THAT I'M CRAPPING MYSELF OR ANYTHING, NO SIREE BOB.
... who's Siree Bob?
Ah, whatever.
Looks pretty nifty, no? Check out the Facebook invitation page for more information. Maybe I'll see you there! Feel free to come say hello. And take my badges. And business cards. I would love you forever.
FOOORRREEEVVEEERRRR.
... oh yeah, the FB page, right. https://www.facebook.com/events/136211163184726/
Making badges is for schmucks. Luckily for the universe, that's what I am.
See, it starts out really well. I made one badge and it came out nicely, like this
Far from perfect but not too shabby. Enough to leave this adventurous dumbass believing that it would work perfectly a second time.
Five tries later...
Oh. God. WHY.
You can see the metal on the outside, it didn't go in the middle or it just fell apart. I attempted three printouts of various sizes (four if you count the one that got cut off at the edge) and THANKFULLY the final one was big enough to not show metal around the edges but not too big to leave the pigeons faces in the middle. And now we know what the badges look like in person.
The faces were bigger than I expected but they are by no means a disappointment, especially considering my previous attempts. Now to make badges out of the remaining four I have left. I can't make any more until the thirty refills arrive, which should hopefully be before the exhibition. I paid express, I EXPECT express.
Man, only fifteen badges, Badge It? What the hell? That's nowhere near enough, you ARSES.
It's 2am, I'm buggered if I'm gonna think of a more creative title now.
So yeah, I graduated on Tuesday. I got to wear a funny hat, robes that kept slipping and nice shoes that gave me blisters. The shoes were my fault though. Totally going with something more comfy and flat next year.
After obtaining a blank piece of paper when the guy said my name wrong (it's pronounced FREEL, not FRAIL. OR FRIAL. BALLS.) and then posing for a buttload of photos and general asshattery, Ashleigh, Rachel and I went to this super spiffy Italian place. CARBENARA IS MY NEW LOVE.
So what else happened... well, my exhibition stuff is nearly ready, board secure and ready to have junk put on it, my little portfolio book arrived in the flesh this time last week, still got enough business cards to hand out, I've decided to forget the print idea and I still need to buy a badgemaker to make the badges. Once that's out the way, I can really just focus on... well, just being at the gallery, being a face to the doodlings I make I suppose.
I think once This is Not an Exit is officially out of the way that I'll feel able to focus more on other projects. I have a lot of ideas in my head that I really want to get put on paper. Not just Crumbs but various other characters and projects and I want to crack down on what I'll be working on in my third year. Despite not entirely knowing what's expected of us. I know a dissertation will be involved though... uurgh...
Uh... I have a feeling I have more to talk about but it's late and my head is all like 'nng stop making me think go sleep' and so I'll just leave you with my dad's birthday picture which he'll be seeing in a few hours. Dad's gotten into golf and our dog Frodo sometimes like to try and catch the golf balls when Dad's practicing. We often joke that he'll lose his teeth someday. Frodo, not Dad.
I wish I'd gotten around to doing this sooner, it could have been a lot better. Although that could just be me being overly critical. Meh.
Also, I saw this with Ashleigh and Rachel. EPIC. Especially with slow motion pigeons flying out at the end, GEE, WHY WOULD I LIKE THAT.
Because I'm feeling generous, I'll upload the second Crumbs comic. This one is just a one panel, one that I was considering making a free print for the exhibition, sans the border and title. What do you think?
I wonder what would happen if you gave a pigeon coffee... nothing good, I'd imagine.
Kind of a funny coincidence that I put Ellen's name on the coffee cup and that I'm uploading this on her birthday. I guess she could consider this another present? It's certainly better than the ten minute doodle I left on her Facebook page.
Well, this is the official 200th entry to this blog. Goddamn, I can remember when updating this thing was an entire module needed to pass the course. Strange to think that I would get attached. It's taken a mind of its own now! And the amount of entries is only gonna keep on growing the more stuff I draw/stuff I find to talk about. Scary thought.
Anyway, as a happy little happenstance, this monumental (to me anyway) milestone falls into the same time that I've managed to complete my portfolio book! It's now ordered and it'll be here in 10 days! I would have taken the cheaper option but as the date of arrival fell on the exact day of the exhibition which is when I NEED it for... eh, just seemed a bit too close for comfort. My own fault really, I should have gotten this done quicker.
Anyway, you'll be happy to know that due to the magic of BookShow, I am able to show the portfolio to you all online as well! Which is simply awesome in my opinion. I hope Paul Marshall doesn't mind TOO terribly much that I nicked the idea from him. He can't be too mad at me, I'm such an adorable little idea nicker!
... I'll keep myself hidden just in case.
Anyway, here it be! And if you want to see the real thing, pop into the Star and Shadow cinema on July 19th around 7pm til 12am! There will be music, drinks, art, freebies and screenings galore!
I'm surprised I didn't link this one ages ago, I thought I had. Basically a musical experience of frustration animators go through. I'm sure some of you can relate to this!
I also found this on Twitter. Pity I hadn't found it earlier, it could have been a decent reference!
As for actual work, I'm nearly finished my portfolio book. I'm planning on buying it tonight so that it'll arrive in time for This is Not an Exit. I'll see if I can buy a digital version to show on the blog as well. I also need to buy a badge maker and make them freebie badges!
Once that's over, I have a few Crumbs comic ideas I want to sketch out. Just need to keep on being motivated!
Oh, and before I forget, my graduation tickets came today. So strange to believe that this time next week, I'll have graduated with my Foundation degree... only to turn around and obtain my Honors in September. UCAS changed my offer to conditional yesterday. Boo-yah!
... at least I think it's an honors I'm getting next. Someone might need to correct me on that.
Well, I'm off to buy McDonalds like the fat fuck I am. Later, homeslices!
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