Charity Pet Portraits
- At February 11, 2016
- By Adam
- In illustration, Updates
0
I was going through a few old sketchbooks last night and there’s some interesting stuff worth posting or revisiting. You forget how many ideas you churn out in a decade or so of doodling.
For now though, I’ll post this from 2014 when I drew pet portraits for charity. All ink and watercolour. Surprisingly how many people sent me photos saying ‘if you can draw the one where he’s happy and smiling’ when the picture was of just a dark hairy blob! It’s funny looking in on someone’s life and how they turn their pet into family member (my Mum refers to her dog as my brother sometimes…)
My mum’s fluff ball, Harry is top left. Other favourite requests include classic dog poses and activities with the owner (top right!)
Storyboards – how cute can you go
- At January 06, 2016
- By Adam
- In Updates
- 0
I’m working on some development for children’s TV right now but found these storyboards whilst looking through old files. It was a project with a very classical mid-century Western animation feel to both the characters and approach to action. Think Disney, Bluth and everything in between! All set in a beautiful winter wonderland, so it’s in keeping with the weather right now!
It was quite challenging to draw in this style yet not just copy what is already out there. It’s not my preferred choice either, but you often get called on to emulate other styles in animating, storyboarding and illustrating. Some people are amazing at this! I can get away with it for storyboarding, but I am by no means an illustrator who copies styles day in, day out. I much prefer to work in animation and my own style of illustration.
You can see some of the variety of work I’ve produced over in my sketchbook section here, to get a flavour of those said styles!
Classically styled music video boards with overly curious animals
Dubai city living
- At November 30, 2015
- By Adam
- In Sketchbook, Travel, Updates
- 0
I’m currently visiting my friends Luke and Claire in Dubai (have a look at Luke’s ace sunglasses company, wildwoodme.com) so doing a bit of sketch journaling whilst experiencing this city living.
I’ve never been to Dubai or the UAE before, but it’s a pretty interesting place. Past the fact that there’s this futuristic city in the middle of a desert, the whole culture is full of contrasts. The most interesting being the mix of a strict Muslim social bedrock right next to the liberal expat lifestyle.
A sketchbook page from Luke’s dining table, looking out over the rooftop gardens.
This is the view from one of the many high rises that have popped up in the past 10 years. Smudges of green in a sandy coloured landscape, with tiny spots of human colour. Going camping in Oman for a few days too, looking forward to that one!
New site – the skinny
- At November 22, 2015
- By Adam
- In Updates
- 0
Finally I’m back!
I took the site down to refresh it earlier this year, but life got in the way and there’s always these growing ambitions about what your website should look like when you start digging. I had a think about what I wanted from it and decided just to get something simple up for now and customise as I need to. My ‘online presence’ has changed in the past few years, so this new site will reflect that.
- A place for my show/demo reel from my day job.
- Somewhere to share the best bits of my sketchbook.
- An online journal for tracking the making of films or progress of projects.
- Anything else I find interesting around my career and work life balance.
The main thing is I’m a bit older now, and with a bit of perspective, I’ve not got the narrower purpose my website had 10 years ago (to get me a job!) although keeping my profile ticking over doesn’t hurt.
Sketchbooks help me remember things vividly and it’s kind of like meditation too. I just have to remember to not let my own expectations get the better of me..!
If anyone reading this is looking for advice or feedback on their career in animation, just drop me a line and I’ll do my best to help. Although I don’t work for a big Hollywood studio, I’ve had some great guidance during my career so far, some of which will be useful for those starting out or changing paths.