Busy Busy SO VERY BUSY

Basically.

It’s been a while since I updated this thing and quite frankly, I suck for that. Quite a lot has been happening college, comic and life wise and I really think it’s about time I actually said what was going on. It’s got the potential to be a long one though so go make a sandwich for yourself or something, I can wait.

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You back? Kay, good.

Work Experience- Talking To Kids About Animation

Alright so let’s start with the earliest thing. A couple blog entries ago, I mentioned that Stephanie had invited us to have a talk with some of the kids she teaches about the different kinds of animation that can be done. So on the 31st January, Ashleigh and I (Rachel wasn’t able to attend) made our way to Darlington to talk to the local primary school. It was quite a fun trip considering that I can be quite wary of kids sometimes. But they all seemed to behave themselves and any that got a little vocal were told to hush by the teacher. Ahh school days.

Ashleigh had made a PowerPoint for the occasion and we talked about what we knew, answering some questions (they all seem particularly interested in knowing how Halo was made... couldn’t exactly help them there!) and showing examples of our work and others. We also shared The Great Experiment with them, with Stephanie showing the artwork and characters she and the children created and the fnished result that Me, Ashleigh and Callum Boyd came up with. I'm gonna just share it again. Just because.

It was interesting visiting a school. I remember being one of those little kids listening to a visitor come in and give a talk so it was quite an experience being on the other side of that. They were sweethearts as well. One of the classes had a birthday boy and he gave Ashleigh and I a cake each, as well as the rest of the class. And a little girl wrote on her board saying “Goodbye Ash and Emma”. I then fell into a diabetic shock. Although that might be my diet talking.

We might be going back in April to help out with something. We shall see...

All Animated Meetup

A friend of mine sent me a link to this meetup, which brings animators of different disciplines together to share their work and experiences. It was free to attend but a ticket still needed to be printed and presented. Just last week, after college, I made my way down there and met other students and even some professionals. Everyone was extremely friendly and it was really interesting seeing everyone’s work. I decided to share you, dear blog, to the group, as well as my show reel. People seemed quite impressed with it and I got some very helpful advice about flash. They seemed to think I used it already, which I think is a good sign!

If anyone from that meetup is reading right now, hello there! It was nice to meet you! And if I didn’t actually speak to you, I hope to do so at the next meet up! I certainly intend on going to another in Newcastle.

Actually, you might as well watch this video (there are also other ones in the related videos bar at the side) where, if you’ve ever wondered what I look or sound like, this video will be your salvation. Or something. You can also laugh at me casually sticking a cup to my face!

Good times.

Results for Project Planning

63

Aaaawwww yeeeeeeeeah.

Like I said before, my aim is to get 60 or more in my modules and I was disappointed with my last results. My VIVA I didn't expect to do well in but for my Project Proposal essay, I was 2% off my goal! AAAGGHH! So much more satisfied this time.

Now onto the Project Development. As far as I'm aware, this module consists of a portfolio of progress. So While I'm not entirely sure what that entails, I'm just going to go with my gut instinct.

Development Portfolio

So far, I have a vague story planned out. However, I need to find out exactly how it's going to start, dialogue, what characters are going to be introduced first, when, how and so on. All that fun stuff. So there's a lot of writing rather than actual artwork being done at the moment.

And I do want to get more drawing done. I want to plan out comic pages, get more shirt designs done (I've decided to stick with the Birdbrained slogan for now- I can always do new slogans later), more character sheets for new characters and so on. But I do have some unfinished work to share, just so you know what I'm currently working on at the moment. Bear in mind, these are not final results and are subject to change here and there.

Potential front page artwork for the first arc.
Quite happy with the overall look, I don't believe I did too bad on the perspective. Need more practice on the buildings though. Feel free to give any advice or critique if you can.

Jay being sassy.
Just come character exploration, in all honesty. I considered using it as a t-shirt design but it doesn't feel 'lively' enough, if that even makes sense. I may be using an older design for Jay's shirt. Stick around.

Blue with a new look for her legs.
I'm not sure about it for the normal sized pigeons.  The look works fine for Scarlet and V/Fawkes (who will be introduced later) but less so for the others, I think. Might try it a bit more before I make up my mind for sure though.
No, she's not looking at Jay's crotch. I really didn't think this placement through.
She looks quite unimpressed/disgusted. This amuses me more than it should.

Potential gag comic idea that came out of nowhere. Green's weight is something of a recurring joke.But c'mon, he BIG. I thought it would be humorous for Tweak, who is lighter than a twig, to be catapulted through a tree branch with Green being a dick about it.
I really like the layout, the motion seems to come across nicely and, for some reason, I especially love the CRUNCH! effect. I think this comic might be one I won't have to make many changes to bar from speechbubble text and overall detail. And colour, obviously.

Yes, Crumbs has a pug now. Don't look at me like that, it was bound to happen eventually.
Just some daft character reaction/expressions/attempt to draw a pugs proportions more realistically. As the pigeon's proportions are realistic for the most part, I need to make sure the pug fits in or he'll stick out like a sore thumb. More so.

Here, the shape of the legs look much better in my opinion. It helps her look taller, which pouter pigeons generally are from what I've seen.
I really want to colour this, it's one of my favourite Scarlet pictures to date.

I follow the Pigeon Jon account on twitter and one tweet was about him crapping on a chihuahua and it going absolutely mental. I couldn't resist drawing it out. And, I'm not ashamed to admit it, I'm sniggering right now. Love it. I think it's the fact that you don't actually see the chihuahua going nuts but rather the pigeon's reactions to it that makes it funny? Or maybe I'm just a sad sack that laughs at her own jokes. Hey, someone has to!
For the most part, the finished result will stay the same but I think I need to practice drawing the chihuahua a bit more. Same as with the pug, I want it's proportions to fit in with the world so I need a bit more practice.

And finally, a new character. I was intrigued with the overall look of the Jacobin pigeon and I thought he would be a good ally for Scarlet for- *ahem* SPOILERY REASONS THAT I CAN'T SHARE AT THE MOMENT.
I can't decide whether to call him V or Fawkes. If anyone has a preference, please share.

I also have a plan for how the Crumbs website might look but I'm unsure of sharing it yet. I may share rejected designs at a later date but the finished look will only be shared once the website is live.

Well, that's all I have for you right now. And, I'll tell ya, this blog entry took me over THREE HOURS to write. No, I'm serious, three hours. The college net isn't the fastest, finding the videos was a pain and of course having to upload the pictures to photobucket rather than directly to the site is just... dhdjkhdj

I'm going to drown myself in mocha now while I attempt more story planning. Have a good day!

Crumbs: Jay Sketches and Tweak T-Shirt Design NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY!

First things first... thank the lord that essay is finally handed in. It was such a palaver to do as we need to hand in a digital copy so that they could check for plagarism and all that fun stuff. But my laptop refused to format the disc and after having to hijack Kat's pen drive and Ashleigh's mac, I was FINALLY able to get that nonsense sorted.

Ugh. Either way it's handed in now. I can now go catch up on sleep. I only slept for two hours last night. Don't ask why, I wish I knew.

Moving onto the real reason this entry is up! First, I've been experimenting with Jay's design and mannerisms a bit more. He's something of a freak of nature and I thought it would be an interesting concept to have him be able to use his wings like hands whereas the other pigeons can't. So I had fun coming up with how that would look.

I also experimented with the rough style again, which my friend Ingrid seemed to like. I do as well. Looks snazzy.

And finally, today I not only finished my first Crumbs t-shirt design but uploaded it to Redbubble to sell! This is where I will be putting up all the designs when they are done. I intend to have a shirt for each main character as well as a possible group shot. Until then, you can start with Tweak!

Available here: http://www.redbubble.com/people/emmature/works/9897161-crumbs-birdbrain-tweak

I hope you like it! And if you buy one, thank you so much from the very bottom of my happy heart :) <3

Project Planning, Work Experience, Mum's Birthday Portrait and tumblr

Eek, my updates are slipping! I should really aim for once a week, twice tops. Assuming I actually have something to share obviously.

Anyway, the Project Planning Essay (capital letters for super importance) deadline is approaching and I've done two drafts. Thankfully Cecilia, my tutorial type person, seems to be happy with the majority of my writing, only suggesting I tweak a couple of small things or expand already made points a little bit more. I'm hoping my marks have improved since the Proposal module. I'm unsure though, this isn't the easiest to write about due to it not being as... ugh, mainstream I hate using that word now, no idea why just sounds so pretentious for some reason hipsters y u ruin words for me as many other disciplines. But I choose to be optimistic about this. Lets hope that pays off.

Next, we have the potential work experience that Ashleigh, Rachel and I have been arranging. We'll be working with Stephanie again, from the Big Draw project. We were supposed to go to Darlington to talk to the kids about animation but due to the floods in November, no trains would be going there. Now we've finally made arrangements to visit the school next Thursday and give a talk so we're looking forward to that!

Finally we have some actual artwork! As it was my Mum's birthday, I once again did my traditional drawing. However, it occurred to me that I hadn't drawn us all together as a family since 2006 and that was a crap 'Simpson-esque' style that looked nothing like the Simpsons. Damn, I should have included my dog, Frodo. Anyway, here is the finished result. I'm happy with how Mum came out the most. Myself I could take or leave. but I definitely need more practice drawing my Dad.

It went down a treat and it seems to have impressed everyone who's seen it so I consider this one a success! Or I will until next year when I look back at this and hate everything about it.

Oh, I should mention I have a tumblr! I have two and have done for like two years now oops one for artwork and the other for generally dicking around. I'm gonna share the former. Here it is!

... Huh, that makes sharing links looks MUCH tidier. Can't believe I never figured that out sooner.

See you all next time!

BATMAAAAHH

One thing I want to achieve this year is draw all of my favourite internet pugs. Because pugs are fun to draw and I love them all and shut up you can't convince me otherwise.

This is also my twitter header image. Lets see how long I let it last, I can be quite indecisive with those.

If you're not aware of the picture's reference, do yourself a favour and watch this video!

I actually drew this a few months ago in relation to the video's thumbnail but I don't recall ever uploading it. Eh, since we're all here...

Never really completed it as you've probably noticed. Wanted to try a new lineart thing as well that looks OK but I'm not too certain about.

So yeah, in conclusion, batpugs are best pugs.

Showtime!

Another concept I'm considering working on alongside Crumbs. This would be much more sporadic and would mainly be me trying to work through my increasing bad feelings in a harmless, more creative way.

I should stress I'm unsure whether or not I will use my own likeness for this series or an expy. It's quite a personal project but at the same time, I'm worried it could hinder the importance or the series or maybe make it too personal. Something to look into further.

'Showtime' is about a creative who tries to hide her feelings of paranoia and sadness behind a facade of laughter and smiles (Something I think a lot of people can relate to, hence why I want to explore this idea). As well as juggling her work and life, she also has to deal with a very pushy cartoon creation that actually managed to escape her head due to being tired of waiting for her time to shine. However, Snaps has her own feelings of inadequacy to deal with and has no issues inflicting them on others, all in her attempts to be noticed and not forgotten. Will creator and creation be able to overcome their emotional barriers without killing each other?

If anyone has any opinions or ideas for this project, please share them with me. Thank you.

Belated Christmas Sharing Of Work Thingy Writeup

Huh. So uh, I already failed that 365 challenge day thing. I didn't draw anything til I started college. Oops. Ah well, as far as I can tell there's no law that says it can only start at the first day of the year. Maybe I'll pick it back up later on.

Anyway, I figured because I keep forgetting and putting it off that I should discuss the Christmas Sharing Of Work thing we did before college ended for the holidays. Basically, anyone who wanted to share work at whatever stage it was at could do so by coming in, claiming a space and sharing it with other students regardless of what form it took, such as video, artwork, photos, works in progress and so on. I printed out my concept art and character sheets beforehand in A3 to put on the wall/my portfolio to share with everyone. I also brought my badges again as free handouts, dunno if you remember these.

Seriously considering making new designs. I need to add in Jay anyway as he's now a main cast member.

Sadly the turnout wasn't all that big but people who came still enjoyed my artwork and the badges especially. Kat and Ashleigh advertised them as if the pigeons were separate clans or something like that. Team Green, for example, which Kat is now a very proud member of. Just don't let Green know that, the only thing fatter than his stomach is his ego.

Anywho, despite the small turnout, we had a great time sharing work and movies (The Bad Samaritan Must Die intrigues me), I got to try mulled wine for the first time (Emma Friel Seal of Approval!) and even indulge in some ninja star mince pies that Kat brought in.

No, really. Check it.

I want it to be Christmas again just so I can have more mulled wine and ninja pies.

Anyhow, good times were had and it was a nice round off to the year I think. People seem very intrigued by Crumbs, there were only three badges left out of forty odd, someone told me they'd be willing to invest in Crumbs if I got it made into an Angry Birds type of game (interesting idea!) and I managed to get myself a portfolio to share all the Crumbs work in.

And that's as basic a summary as I can give. It was a lot of fun and I hope to do something similar soon. I really enjoy showing my work off, not out of arrogance, merely to share what I've been up to. It's also really interesting seeing what other people have created. I hope to do it again soon.

Onto the work for this year! I have quite a bit that I need to accomplish college wise, specifically (in no particular order)

• Dissertation plan, possibly starting opening paragraphs- POINTS TO MENTION: define success for webcomics, varying opinions, characters, art style influencing quality, printed comics in the 40's, does influence contribute to success?
• Project planning essay- looking into what other practitioneers in the discipline have done and how successful they've been, how their methods can help with own work, how money can be earned, budget
• Crumbs website plan
• Crumbs story plan
• New character sheets (for new characters)
• Literary review- How To Do Webcomics
• Crumbs t-shirt designs
• New Crumbs badge designs
• More Crumbs concept art/ideas
• Crumbs comic page plans (show method)
• Crumbs comic pages
• Stina's project with Rachel

And that's just for college. And probably nowhere near all of what I have to do. I'm also considering sketching out another project idea. Perhaps a tumblr blog that would be updated less frequently and not on a schedule. I'll share this with you all soon if I decide the idea isn't stupid. I hope I don't. I have a feeling it could help me.

Anyway, check that list, better get to work!

365 Day Sketch Challenge and Crumbs Giftart

Hello everyone! Are you all enjoying your post New Year hangover? I'll be sure not to make much noise.

While enjoying the fact that I didn't alcohol poison myself like last year hurrhurr. My friends and I did make a horrifying concoction that had the taste and consistency of vomit though. A drinking game and mixing wine with Baileys was involved. Long story, not important.

BTW, never drink anything like that. No seriously, DON'T.

*ahem* Anyway!

This year, in order to keep my creativity up, I am taking part in the 365 Day Sketch Challenge. Basically it's just that- create a sketch a day. I don't know what the exact rules are but I'm basically taking the time to draw at least one thing a day- character, concept, background, anything. They can be sketches or they can be coloured and completed. Depending on how complicated the picture I'm working on is, I'll share it's progress each day.

I dunno of those are the official rules but that's what I'm going by. I'll share the week's sketches/artwork every sunday in a blog entry. So yeah, you can look forward to that!

In other news, look what Ashleigh created for me! Was absolutely surprised to see this appear in my email! SO MUCH LOVE FOR CRUMBS LATELY sjhdkjhldkjd

Artwork by Ashleigh Edmonds
(Up yours spell check, I did not spell her entire name wrong)

Apparently it's my fault she's started drawing pigeons. I'm OK with this. Yep.

LOOK AT THE CHARACTER INTERACTIONS, THEY'RE PERFECT. Blue would look on in confusion and wonder, either wondering what Cepsi is (Nice avoidance of product placement! Although I could suddenly go for a Pepsi right now so I don't think it worked...) and how Green got his head stuck in the bottle. And why that's funny. Lilac would just sigh in despair and let it happen (if it were anyone other than Green, she's probably help them out), Jay and Pink would be the dickwads they usually are to him and not help at all while Tweak would be terrified at the plastic bag coming to choke him. Hey, they're choking hazards!

Damnit Ashleigh, the colours are spot on, the shading is awesome and HOW CAN YOU DO SUCH GREAT BRICKS? The ones I do are shit and you and Rachel do them so well! I DEMAND LESSONS.

If I haven't considered a Crumbs Giftart tab for the website design, I have to now. This stuff is just too awesome to not have on the site. I'd share Ashleigh's work with you but sadly she doesn't have her blog up and running and seems reluctant to do so until her work is ready to be revealed to the general public. Fair enough. But it means you all have to wait for her amazing art and story skills. So yeah. SUCKS TO BE US.

Um, that's all I have to share with you so far. I COULD do a Rachel and share a funny video I suppose...

Ah! Here's one my friend Vic shared with me. Oh Heavy Rain, why must you be PS3 exclusive, I want to play you... if I ever have a little boy, I'm naming him Jason. it would be glorious. He would probably hate me.

Enjoy!