Friday, 13 November 2015

Thought Bubble 2015


This weekend Leeds plays host to one of the largest comic art festivals in the UK. The annual event celebrates sequential art in all its forms and promotes Illustration, comics and graphic novels. Guest include comic writers and artists from across the globe and its different venues across the city are full of comic creators, independent artist and small press comic studios set up to share and sell their work visitors.

This year some of our very own students will be show casing their work. Emma is attending with her fellow artist and friend Emma Donnelly as 'Pink Honey Press', along side with Amy Dallinger work Kitty being sold as well.  So if you are attending Thought bubble this weekend drop by and visit them at table 103 in the TB Marquee and please check out more of their work and websites linked below.

Steven and Connie Prints by Emma ' Squish'

Kitty Stickers by Amy Dallinger






Thursday, 12 November 2015

Insperational Animation: November Edition: Monkey Rag - An Animated Short by Joanna Davidovich

                      
                        


Joanna Davidovich

Check out Monkey Rag, almost 4 years in the making, Joanna is a freelance animator and character designer who created this animated short between her busy work schedule. Check out her website to see more of her amazing work.

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Inktober 2015 and Drawlloween 2015

 


 
It's October again and it's time to start the  Inktober Initiative. the drawing challenge is going strong into it's seventh year, with artist all over the world taking part. You can all do it, just pick up a pen and start drawing.

.:InkTober rules:.
  1.  Make a drawing in ink (you can do a pencil under-drawing if you want).
  2.  Post it on your blog (or tumblr, instagram, twitter, facebook, flickr, Pinterest or just pin it on your wall.)
  3. Hashtag it with #inktober
  4. Repeat
 Check the Inktober website for more information and resources.
 
Also taking place over October is Drawlloween, a different Halloween theme for each day of the month.
 
 
 
 
.:Gerties Tip:.
 
Art challenges like this are a great way to starting filling up your course blog I would suggest investing in a Tumblr, Instagram or twitter to also hashtag there and bring traffic to your blog, good luck!

Thursday, 4 June 2015

Canvas Network: Free! Animators Course

Summers here and the works handed in but before you run off into the sunset you should totally check out this course running June 8th - July 14th. Canvas Network in conjunction with Professor Alejandro Garcia of San Jose State University are offering a free course Basic Physics for Animators covering topics of:

•Timing, Spacing, and Falling
•Path of Action & Arcs
•Inertia, Follow-through, and Drag
•Forces & Action
•Pressure & Lift
•Cycles & Rotation
•Squash & Stretch

By the end of the course you will create a 10 to 30 seconds animation using the concepts you have learned.

Head on over to https://www.canvas.net/browse/sjsu/courses/basic-physics-for-animators and sign up before it starts.

Thursday, 21 May 2015

Film Freeway - Festival submissions is made easy

 
 
 Film Freeway is a free, quick and easy way of submitting your work to 2285 festivals across the globe. The website is user friendly and you can mange your projects on the go from your smartphone or tablet. Head on over and start browsing their festival list now!

2015 Animation Festivals

Animation cohorts, your submission deadline is here, this is a great time to start looking for national and global animation festivals to submit your work to.
 
http://encounters-festival.org.uk/call-to-submit/
Encounter: 21st Short Film & Animation Festival
Date:15-20 September 2015, Bristol, UK
Submission Deadline: 5 June 2015 (for films completed in 2015)
Entry Fee: None
http://www.liaf.org.uk/entries/
The London International Animation Festival
Date: 23 October 2015 - 1 November 2015
Submission Deadline: 30 April
Entry Fee: £10
http://www.eastendfilmfestival.com/
East End Film Festival
Date: 1 - 12 July 2015
Submission Deadline: Late entry closure: 10th April 2015
Entry Fee: Before Late deadline: £25
 
Check out what festivals are happening through out the year at

Level 5 end Of Year Of Show

 
Submissions are in and the end of year is here for our level fives, check out photos from their art show 'Post Graphalite' below.
 

 

 
  
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, 26 March 2015

Get Schooled X Nickelodeon : $25,000 Animation Scholarship

Nickelodeon has partnered with Get Schooled  to offer the opportunity of receiving an animation schorlarship  $25,000. The scholarship is open to animator aged  17 to 24 across the globe, head over to get schooled from the link below to sign up for more information about how to apply. This is an amazing chance to break into the animation industry.

Artist Open Call: Gallery Nucleus - Hatsune Mike Dreams of Eletric Sheep


Crypton Future Media, INC is collaborating with Gallery Nucleus to present an exhibition celebrating their much loved character Hatsune Miku. Crypton are accepting online submission from fans across the globe with a chance for their creations to exhibited at Gallery Nucleus from July 2nd - July 19th this year. Deadline for entries is May 2, 2015. Head over their page below for more information and the best of luck!

Friday, 13 March 2015

Competition: The Little Painting Challenge

Calling all students! BBC Ones The Big Painting Challenge  have opened their contest The Little Painting Challenge , all you have to do is draw or paint your entry on the blank side of A6 postcard and get it sent into them before 5pm on Thursday 2nd April 2015.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/Cvsz560mZ2km6WgrQkhgGm/the-little-painting-challenge

There is no theme to the card design its up to your imagination but keep in mind it must be traditional media no digital/printed art this time. When entering if your course is A-level and above tick Over 16 experienced, for more contest information click the little painting challenge text above.
 
The prizes are whopping set of art supplies and the chance to have your work exhibited in the newly refurbished Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester from the 4th of May 2015
 
You can check out some post card designs by BBC staff  here for inspiration.
 
Speak with Nick to grab an entry card, they should also be found at you local Libraries, Museums and able to download from the website. 

Thursday, 12 March 2015

2015 Animation challeges

http://www.11secondclub.com
Open to animators across the globe The 11 Second club is a monthly competition focused on character animation. Each month a different 11 second audio file is available to download, then you use that month to animate a character (or two) performing the dialogue whilst acting out a scenario that you feel best fits the audio. During the month you can submit your progress and get feedback from your peers on the clubs forums. At the end of the month everyone will votes of the submissions they consider the best. This is an fantastic environment to practice and improve you skills. Head on over to the 11 Second Club to check out previous months submissions and for more information on how to enter!

http://www.loopdeloop.org/
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Loop de loop is a bi-monthly themed animation challenge open to animators around the world focused on Looping animations. Submissions are displayed on the blog and on the last Tuesday of the month all of the posted loops are compiled and screened to a live audience at loop in Melbourne. It is important to note that there is no set timeframe for your loop, it could be a short made of a few frames or a very long piece but remember you only have that month to submit.  for more information check out their submissions page .

http://www.animateclay.com/index.php/challenges
Animate Clay monthly challenge is fantastic for you stop motion cohorts to practice your animation skills, find your self a small set brief and build up your show reel. The previous months winner chooses the current theme and the entries have no cap on length, but keep in mind one month is not a lot of time! and you might want to make new props and puppets to fit the theme. So head to the website, join the forum and get going!

Film Watch - (Double bill!) Princess Kaguya & Isao Takahata and his Tale of Princess Kaguya

 
Released March 20th, Studio Ghibis new animated feature 'The tale of Princess Kagura' , directed by co-founder Isao Takahata, is a beautiful film based on the ancient Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Taketori Monogatari). Set in ancient japan a bamboo cutter discovers a miniature girl inside a glowing bamboo shoot who grows very quickly into a beautiful young lady.


 
This week is a special double bill because if you are able to get to Manchester this Sunday 15th the Corner House Cinema are hosting a special Double Bill Preview of 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya' along with the documentary 'Isao Takahata and his tale of Princess Kaguya' which lets you see into the creative procedure in making the film.
 
For more information and tickets, check out the link below.

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Resource: The Library - New Illustration Books


Students it's a perfect time to update your reading lists as the Twelve Quays Campus library has added a selection of new Illustration reference books.

The Encyclopedia of writing and Illustrating Children's Books - Library code 741.6
'Writing and illustrating children's books is about more than simply adding pictures to text.'
Spread across six huge chapters this book will introduced you to the procedure behind creating a children's book such as coming up with the ideas to finding your target market. You’ll learn to develop not just your story ideas but also helpful information on improving you techniques.

With the degree show quickly approaching, check out Chapter 5: Media and Techniques – Part 49: making a Dummy book’ for a fantastic idea for a way of displaying your work.

Little big books Library code 741.6
Wanting some illustrative research? look no further! This book is fantastic for visual inspiration, full to the brim with a wonderful collection of work and interesting interviews and articles from children book illustrators.

The Fundamentals of Illustration 2nd Edition - Library code 741.6
 Bloomsburys fundamental title is a broad introduction to the key elements of illustration with a step-by-step guide through creating the key design, print and the production process.
Check out Chapter three: From outcomes to outlets to view a wide selection of examples of where to take you illustrations be it editorial pieces, book publishing or fashion illustration.

Writing and Illustrating the Graphic Novel- Library code 741.5
Wanting to create you own graphic novel? This book is a great place to start, it covers all of the elements of comic production from the story telling, drawing, inking and more. It's full of examples to help you along the way as well as great tips for getting your work published.
From amazon: Topics include: how to create characters and plot lines; including drama and suspense, complete understanding of grids and layouts, panel captions, speech, lettering, panel transitions and viewing angles. It also covers all the essentials of drawing from figures, backgrounds and perspectives to inking, colouring and digital rendering


How To Be An Illustrator - Library code 741.6
A practical guide to aspiring illustrators this book walks through all areas of freelance Illustration such as creating a portfolio, preparing for meetings, self-promotion and more. packed full of great tips for staring you career.
Illustrating Children's Books - Library code 741.6
An excellent book with essential advice for aspiring Illustrators wanting to break into the children's book industry.  This book explains how to tackle different genres, looks at the different techniques and skills you will need and gives guidance on building your portfolio.

The picture book maker - Library code 741.6
This hands-on guide to writing and illustrating picture books for children is full of useful tutorials and advice. It presents an up-to-date look at the process of creating a picture book and an essential read for student looking to go into that line of work.

Understanding illustration - Library code 741.6
Understanding Illustration focuses on the broad range of illustration work of 37 artists and has in-depth look at the power of illustration and how each artist communicates their messages through their images. As well as being full of gorgeous artwork it also offers insight into how you might tackle briefs from clients. It’s a great recommendation for those looking to study contemporary artist and improve their illustrator's techniques and styles. 

2015 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market - Library code 707 BOS
 Working as a freelance Illustrator it is essential to have the latest information and this book is here to help! Pick this up for a useful reference guide for the aspiring illustrators and graphic designers who want to establish or expand their career. It has a complete up-to-date contact information for over 1000 art resources such as galleries, magazines, book publishers and more.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Film Watch - (Double bill!) Big Hero 6 & Feast

Starting the new year, with a double bill and a great excuse for you to get down to the cinema and check out Big hero 6, Disney's first animated adaptation from Marvel comics. Pay close attention to simplistic but emotive design of Baymax when thinking about designing and animating you characters.



Over the last few years Disney have become famous for creating shorts which are featured before the main film. Sit down and enjoy an emotional journey with Winston in 'Feast' before tucking into big hero 6.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

Resorce: Freelance Work Websites.

Here are some links to sites with listed freelance work in illustration and animation A great way to find a brief that fits your interests and start finding paid work. Some of the site such as Coroflot, Freelanced and Behance will let you create a portfolio for potential clients to view your work.


Coroflot
 
Behance
 
Freelanced

Fiverr
 
People per hour
 
oDecks
 
99 designs
 

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Contest: Outcast Odyssey

 
Magic Pixel Games are collaborating with Deviant Art to host a design contest for their mobile device card battler game Outcast Odyssey.
What you need to do is create an original character portrait or illustration inspired by Outcast Odyssey of a Dragon/Monster, Witch/Warlock, or Steampunk Warrior for a chance to be selected as a design for new card and win amazing prizes.
You have to be 18 years and over and have a deviant art account.
There is still 10 days left till the contest ends, head over to http://madizzlee.deviantart.com/journal/Outcast-Odyssey-Card-Master-Challenge-488466925 to find out more.