The Drawing Club - July 25

This week's Drawing Club theme was Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday" & "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I felt much better about this weeks time. Last week was a tough one, but last night proved that with a good model, you can get some decent work. I'm still working on getting the face details to work. I'll be honest, I was aiming at a traditional Disney heroine look for the face..some worked..others not so much. Take a look! (click on image to see a larger version)














Until laterz!

Going back to school

I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED!!!! WHOO HOO!

For those of you that haven't heard, I've decided to further my character animation skills (and ultimately up my job options!!). I recently applied to the Animation Mentor program. I am scheduled to start the Fall '08 term at the end of September. This is an online course that has been gaining more and more recognition and respect in the animation industry. It's an 18 month course that consists of six 12-week sessions. And the BEST part of this program is that each quarter you have a different mentor training you. These mentors are actively working in the industry and truly WANT to further the students passion and career. So, over the next two years, I'll post updates on the classes and the good and the bad (but hopefully more good!). Keep checking back.

Until laterz!

The Drawing Club - July 17

This weeks theme was "Kung Fu Master". This was a harder week for me. Many of the poses just seemed to be the same. The model had some good poses at the beginning which I would have loved more time on. But by the longer 10-15 min ones, I was bored and frustrated. But it was still worth it. It was a challenge in design. Still working on faces...they are my BAIN!!! I usually end up with a realistic body and a cartoony face. We'll have to work on that.

Here's this weeks drawings:











Until laterz!

Thursday Night Drawing Club

Before my move to LA, I had stumbled upon a drawing class in the LA area. It was different then any I'd seen before. This one meets every thurs night, has pop and refreshments for the students and has a variety of artists from the greater LA area that attend. But the biggest difference for me was the fact that each week is a different theme. This past week was James Bond, circa Casino Royale. It's run by a guy named Bob Kato, who teaches at a local college. I was awed by some of the artists work that I saw on the site's blog. Great stuff!

So, I get an email when I arrive in LA announcing the next weeks theme. I look at my schedule and decide I'm going to attend. The day comes...I'm both excited and unsure. Normal feelings for me when I am entering into an unknown situation alone. I sit in my car for a few minutes, because of course, I'm early by 15 minutes. Another thing that I happen to do when I'm new to a situation. I then decide on streamlining my art supplies, and opt NOT to take in my entire "art store" supply and just take in some trusty pencils and erasers and pencil sharpner, as well as a cheap pad of drawing paper. I walk into the industrial type building and up some stairs. There are props and things along the stair, such as a holiday lawn snowman. I get to the top of the stairs and find a large room with a desert scene surrounded by drawing horses and chairs. In the back, a few people were sitting on couches talking. A man stands up and walks towards me, introducing himself as Bob Kato. After some small talk and directions to the refreshments, I found my chosen station and started to set up. Soon, the model arrived and more and more artists walked up the stairs. With each new face, I was feeling more and more unsure about being here. It's been months since my last life drawing session and years since the ones before that. Rusty would put it mildly. But no stopping now. When the model struck his first pose, the James Bond soundtrack was playing in the background and the film "Casino Royale" was being projected on the wall.

Three hours and two cokes later, the movie finished and I had roughly ten 5-10 minute sketches. Through the time, Bob had given suggestions to those that wanted them and even had some mini teaching times with others. He was really friendly and helped make the time really worth it. After the first couple 5 minute sketches, I felt a little more free. A little more confident. When I went into this I was searching for someone to tell me what I needed to do to create drawings that studios wanted to see. During the session, a light flipped on. I started to understand more of what my drawings were lacking and even getting a better idea of how you have geometry and form in any drawing. No matter if your goal is realistic or totally stylistic. I didn't want the time to end..I was just getting into my groove. I was feeling like I could hack it with these people. I didn't want to wait a week to come back. But this is something I have to do...wait.

Until then...take a look at some of my sketches. Like usual, click on an image to open up a larger version.








Until laterz!

Updated Portfolio

I've been working the last few weeks on a total re-haul and update of my print art portfolio. It's on my website and here's a link straight to the portfolio page.

Check it out if you like!

Until laterz!

ps. HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!

Stuff...

I'm currently working on updating my printed portfolio, which I realized was VERY outta date and was in much need of work. As some of you know, I can be a perfectionist and am always thinking I should do something more to my work. Sometimes this isn't needed and other times it is. After my trip to LA last November, I got a real kick in my pants for my printed portfolio. As I was having my stuff CONSTRUCTIVELY criticized by some Disney recruiters, I was pulling my hair out on the inside as I realized I had so many better pieces back at home that would have shown more of what talent I had. Just proves you ALWAYS need to put only your best work in. So, that's why I'm working on my portfolio and not so much on my short film..but believe me, I am ALWAYS thinking about my film and know I have a few readers who are anxiously waiting to see it finished and hitting the festival circuits!! Fear not!! I shall return to my film...I SHALL!!!

Until laterz!

Adding a little music!

I've had a super talented guy working on music for my short film for a while now. He's actually been getting on me to give him more scenes to compose to. The film has been put on the back burner more then I wanted, in lue of updating my printed portfolio, as well as job hunting. But I have to say, seeing my animation with a rough soundtrack gives me a new energy to work on my piece. Now..I'll take any thoughts or comments as long as you keep in mind it's not a finished soundtrack..but more of a starting point. so..bring on the comments!



Until laterz!

Up Coming Art Show...

Hey all!!

I've been frantically (even though I've known about this for a LONG time) trying to get my pieces together for a local traveling Cartoonist Art Show that gets installed this weekend. I've been thinking about it for a long time..and had a few ideas floating around in my head...but just didn't get to work on them. NOW, two days from the installation, I've been flooded with new ideas for pieces. All my work this round is based on my short film, "The Quest for El Capitan's Crunch" and loosely influenced by one of my favorite pop artists, Andy Warhol. I'd like to keep doing work with my Dakota Kid character, but in more on the POP ART style while I continue to work on the short, which I WILL be doing in the future!! I MUST! lol

so anyways..I thought I'd post an image to tease you with. I'm not sure if this will make this show or not, but for now I'll post it on here. I'll have pictures of the show to post next week. Until then...



laterz!!

the next Pixar hit!

In case some of you haven't seen the last trailer for Pixar's next sure to be mega-hit, WALL*E, check it out here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/walle/

A robot hasn't come to the big screen with this much appeal since Short Circuit! I'm really excited to see this one. And of course, the animation is stellar! Pixar is still king when it comes to CG character animation...at least in my humble opinion!

Until laterz!

The envelope, please....

Even without everyone's favorite Oscar party happening this year, I did still have my prediction contest. We had several returning contestants competing for the coveted braggin rights for the next year!

The winner is...

KERRI VOGEL with 16 correct predictions! And here's her award:



Anthony Vogel was close with 15 predictions. Ian & Lara Bronson followed with 10 correct picks. Ellie Saxer fought for third, but pulled in fourth with 9 correct predictions. Myself and my nephew, Justin, were 5 and 4, respectively. But we both were pushing for upsets with Sweeney Todd and Juno!! One of these years more of MY choices are gonna win and I'm gonna win this contest! ha! Maybe when I'm a voting member of the Academy!

Thanks for everyone that participated! Those that missed the deadline or just forgot..there's always next year!!

Until laterz!

It was a RAT race!!

RATATOUILLE brings on home the lil' golden trophy home to Pixar and Disney!

Even though the awards show was nothing to really talk about, and I didn't have my annual party...I did have my Oscar Prediction contest and the results will be posted soon! And the awards given as well!

The BEST day of the YEAR!!!

*and it's my birthday, TOO!!*

Celebration of Emilia!

It's my youngest niece, Emilia Jia-Xin's 1st Birthday today!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILIA!!!

Storyboards

Here's some of my storyboards for the second two scenes of the short.





More art and animation to come!
Until laterz!

Daniel-san's got nothin' on DakotaKid

Hey faithful viewers! I have not forgotten you all and come today bearing gifts! Gifts of some more NEW character gestures of some Ninja action poses. After a month away from animating on "The Quest", I decided I needed to strengthen some of the poses and add some more action to the Ninja scene. These are the start of those changes! So for now...enjoy!



More drawings and animation to come in the next weeks!

Until laterz!

WICKED!!! — A Side Note

I've been waiting a LONG time to get to see this musical...and now it's gonna happen. I'm heading out to NYC to visit some friends and we have tickets for this hit show! I'd thought about sketching out the two main characters for some time and thought this would be a good opportunity to do just that! So here it is...

Until laterz!

New Year....new changes!!

2007 has flown by and now the first day is almost gone too. I'm not one for New Year resolutions, but more for just continuing with what needs to be done. I've slacked off this last month and I'm now ready to kick this animated short into high gear. I have a TALENTED composer working on the music for my short and I've been blown away by the little bit I've heard. He's an up and coming musician and I'm really excited to see him jumping into this new challenge. Plus, it's going to make my short all the better. Keep watching for further updates on this next great short coming outta DakotaKid Animation Studio.

Until laterz!

White Christmas

Well..as 2007 comes to a close and our house gets quieter as my sister and her family return back to the Netherlands after a six months stay, I realize I've been a bad blogger and now stand here vowing to make 2008 a better blog year! :) Hopefully it will be just simply because I'll have more things to blog about. Along with more drawings and animation. Those that have been following my blog for the updates on my current short film, I have not forgotten you or my film. I will be starting back into it, full speed maybe even before the clock strikes 12 on New Years Eve! But until then, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas (past) and a kick butt New Year (to come!!). Keep checking in...

Until laterz!

Vacation and holiday..

Hey loyal readers!

I know it's been a few weeks since I've posted, but it's not all for lack of work or whatever. I first was out in LA getting the feel for the land of my future home and career. And even though the photo makes it seem like my dream job at Disney came to happen...not quit yet. But I did have some good meetings with a few people at Feature Animation. Then there was the grand Turkey Day holiday, and add in a nasty cold that kicked my butt for most of last week, we're up to this week. I've got a ton of stuff going on, but fear not I will be continuing to work on my much anticipated short! Please keep checking for future posts!

Until laterz!

A Teaser...

Welcome back loyal readers!

Well, I'm in the final stages of prepping for my trip to sunny Cali. As far as my animated short, it's not as into the story as I'd have liked it, but I realized I needed to go back to the "drawing board" and take more chances with my animation and really use every shot as a chance to get create some amazing animation...or at least good animation. SOOOO, here's the teaser for my short, "The Quest for El Capitan's Crunch".



Until laterz!