Experimenting with cut-out
 

Environment experiment

Since we have a small idea of what our world could look like, an early storyboard is a great start to visualise our animation. The environmet and the characters represented  have nothing to do with how they might evolve but are just simple sketches to justify the characters' position in the scene and their emotions.

After the feedback we got with the hand-in of our first Proposal we set off to continue with our project. Our main concern at the moment should be figuring out how our stylised environment would work with 3D characters. This will involve experimenting in photoshop and perhaps using Maya to test out with what methods this could work aesthetically.

Alan also suggested looking into A liar's Autobiography trailer which could help with what we are looking for.

Minor Project Proposal 25/09/12

Had some time today to gather art influences. Artists include Josh Brill and Eleanor Grosch. Trying to keep a dense rhythm, maybe at times dynamic and capable of eliciting a purely aesthetic emotion. Brendan and the Secret of Kells is definitely the main drive of these images however, I'll invent new ways of exploring styles and emulating them with my own.

Environmental concepts with experimenting styles. Another set will be uploaded soon.

Just to re-iterate regarding the timetable, below is an extract from the brief we'll be working from. This way we have a window of time reliable and useful to complete the project.

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Creative Task

This project represents the beginning of your final years study and your transition towards a creative career. In order to make this transition successful it is important to further refine your creative methodology and practical output (Pipeline). This will demonstrate to a potential employer that you are able to function in a professional capacity and possess a skill base applicable to your chose creative field.

Proposals

Before starting this project you are asked to write a proposal which outlines the type of project you wish to undertake. This will typically contain the following details:

The Type of Project: For example, Character Design, Animated Short, or Digital Set.

Area of Study: The subject area or research frame work you wish to explore.

Potential ideas: Starting points for development.

Outcome / Goals: What the outcome may of the project may be.

A Timetable of Study: An overview of how you may complete this project.

You will also be asked to repeat this process later

Weeks 1 - 2: Proposal: (See Above)

Weeks 3 – 5: Research, Concept Development, and Pre-Production *

* At this stage a project green, orange, or red light will be given.

Weeks 6 – 11: Development & Production *

* The interim critique will be held during this period. Your presentation should include: Your concept overview, all research work, concept art, storyboards, pre-viz animatic, preproduction, and production work to date.

* Project Proposal: At this stage you are asked to re-write and re-submit a project proposal taking into account the current status of the project.

Weeks 12 – 14: Post-production & Submission

No reading week means no week 15. I believe this will be cleared up in today's briefing as there is a reason for this.

Our environment is located in the Himalayan Mountains, according to the descriptions of the Himmapan Forest. Its look will most likely be flat, rich in patterns and colours. We've been looking into artists' work that tend to avoid shading and depth and concentrate on flat textures and pure brush-strokes like Gustav Klimt and Leonid Afremov. We also feel very inspired by the film The Secret of Kells, where the lively characters are placed in beautiful hand made environments; a refreshing change from the recent rise of CG- exclusively  based films.

1 - The secret of Kells

2 - Gustav Klimt - Birch Forest, 1903

3 - Nicholas Roerich - Tibet. Himalayas., 1933

4 - Erté, L’Océan, Costume Design for Les Mers, 1923

5 - Leonid Afremov

6 - Herb Dickinson - Ginko Forest Painting - Acrylic On Panel

7 - Herb Dickinson - Golden Tops Painting - Acrylic On Panel

8 - Franklin Carmichael - October Gold, Naturalism, 1922 

We have also been researching a movement called The Arts and Crafts Art Movement. Combined with the distinctive shapes found in Thai Murals the results could turn out more than interesting. Next step will certainly be to experiment with these visuals.

"In England, during the second half of the nineteenth century, painter, writer,               textile designer and social activist William Morris (1834-1896) became the motivational leader of a revival in arts and crafts that encompassed all the visual arts, especially architecture and interiors. The Arts and Crafts movement he led in England had ramifications that spread world wide. Morris believed in a Utopian style of socialism and his affinity with natural handcrafted wares was doggedly pursued."

Found in:  http://www.thecultureconcept.com/circle/arts-crafts-movement-william-morris-the-art-that-is-life 

 

Movie clip directed by Carine Khalife, a French artist based in Montreal.