new Monster Dad

I've been putting my "monster dad" character through the wringer, and wound up scrapping the old version entirely in favor of something more expressive, more limber, and more . . . well, just plain more fun to draw!

I can imagine this guy having a world of adventures beyond my current book project. I haven't even named him yet, but he's become a fast friend.

Monster Dad

One thing I wanted to tackle this week was exploring whether my "monster dad" could act at all (I mean, drawing him once doesn't tell me much. Could I draw him again? In different poses? Could he emote at all? . . . and what kind of character was coming through?).

The first thing I discovered was that there's very little difference between a cow, a dinosaur, and my monster. But I want a design that's simple and likable. This may not be the final version, but I like it enough to stay in this basic "envelope" for now. More acting explorations ahead!

Cocoon

Illustration Friday's theme this week is "cocoon" . . . and the little monster tucked safely inside mommy's little tummy is about to birth a whole new project.

This is an early study for a children's book I'm cooking up, all about a little monster and his daddy. If you asked my son Max, he'd tell you it's autobiographical . . . and maybe it is.

After all, all the best stuff comes from taking the hidden stuff out of hiding.

Ahead

Illustration Friday's theme this week is "ahead" . . . and what a perfect theme, since Zero2Illo's 12-week challenge is all about looking ahead. I'm still trying to find my way forward, but I'm having a ton of fun doing art along the way.

This little fella knows that whatever's out there, it's ahead. Let's go find it!

Monster in the Zoo

I was sorting through old family photos — dusty, archival stuff no one's seen in years — and came across this picture of my mother and her sister at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Apparently the zoo had just captured a Grønkle (at least, I think that was the name scribbled on the back of the photo!) and the girls had rushed right down to see the thing for themselves.

Actually, I did this for Monsters in Real Places, which is a totally fun blog. The idea is to take a photo and insert a monster. Because we live in a world with monsters. Photos don't lie!

Detective

Illustration Friday's theme this week is "detective" . . . which was fine for my little monster, as he felt like quite the detective sneaking through the woods that snowy morning. Whatever that scent was swirling in the breeze, he was determined to find it, and then pounce on it, and eat it, because what else could a monster do? . . .

O, Lucky Day!

How time flies! It was January when I received my newly-minted diploma in Advanced Character Animation from Animation Mentor, and what a ride it was! I came to AM (Animation Mentor) knowing next to nothing, and now having graduated I know . . . that I love animation.

I really had no idea: no idea how many things are involved in making animation — not just concept and story and entertainment, or body kinetics and physics and timing and motion . . . animation is all these things and so much more. I had no idea 3D animators had to know how to draw (enough to plan and explore character and posing, at least that much!). No idea that animators are . . . well, actors! (that performance has to come from somewhere, right?). I really just had no idea.

And that's the beauty of Animation Mentor. They can take someone with no idea and teach them what they need to know — step-by-step, building on the basics — until they can put a film together.

It's time, then, to share my Animation Mentor film: "O, Lucky Day!"

I'll start with the animatic (which is just a rough assemblage of storyboard sketches, a good way to solve a lot of problems before animation begins):


"O, Lucky Day!" animatic from Justin Segal on Vimeo.


And now, the finished film:


"O, Lucky Day!" from Justin Segal on Vimeo.


Do the blood, sweat and tears show?
I can't wait to make the next one!

Linked

Illustration Friday's theme this week is "linked." This piece started out being about the links we all share (witness the telephone pole in the background), and wound up being about the more-important, smaller links between friends.

Really, this has been a week all about links and new friends, thanks to Jon Woodward's amazing 12-week challenge! Jon has brought so many people together to share and enjoy art, it's become a real happening. The feedback, the fun we're all having is incredible. If you're interested, it's not too late to join!

I had fun drawing these little monsters. It looks like other folks enjoy them too: here's a blog post from Rylan, an aspiring illustrator in her own right (who, I should mention, is only 4!). Rylan liked my monsters enough to try drawing them on her own:

Thanks, Rylan! I may keep drawing these monsters and explore their adventures some more . . .

Dip

Illustration Friday's theme this week is "Dip" . . . one of those words that has so many different meanings. Just when I was thinking about a disastrous dip in the road or the dip of the Loch Ness Monster's back, my son Max came along and suggested someone dipping his foot in the water instead.

I always do what Max says.

How to Train Something . . .

Just saw "How to Train Your Dragon" . . . yup.