Mitch's Compositions

The Common Room Non-Pixar Art
#161

Hello, everyone!

Yes, I still exist… incredibly. I’m surprised that this thread hasn’t taken a vacation to the dump pile yet. (snigger)

FunnyGirl - Hello there, FunnyGirl!

First and foremost, I’m terribly sorry that I neglected to reply to your message until now. I have no excuse, and whole-heartedly apologize for the inconvenience on your part. No budding animator should be denied beneficial information.

Secondly, that’s great that you’re so determined to climb up the ladder of success and get into the business! I wish you well in your career. :smiley:

It can be tough to animate without the necessary equipment, but you seem to be pretty resourceful for lacking some of the essential ingredients. Good for you for being ambitious!

As for your questions, I’ll answer them in order…

I did, indeed, scan the drawings into Photoshop and Flash. However, before doing so, I first cleaned-up the animation by hand… with a pencil. After that, I scanned all of the drawings into Photoshop, sized them down as accurately as was possible, uploaded those drawings into Flash, and then proceeded with the animation. Once the animation process was complete, I uploaded it onto deviantArt and… voila´!

Exactly eight ( 8 ) drawings were composed for the frog animation, and anywhere from six to twelve (6-12) drawings were created for the rat animation (I think).

To be honest, I completely forgot. I think it took about a week to do one of the animations, although I neglect to remember which one it was. Sorry about that. :blush:

Normally, it wouldn’t take half that long to do just a few drawings – perhaps a few hours total, at the most (I’m guessing). I was just… lazy. (eheh)

According to my mom: It depends on the animation. If the animation is very fast or very slow, then those frames are shot on ones (1s). However, if it is running at a normal pace, then the animator can get away with shooting it on twos (2s). My mom used to work at Hannah-Barbera, and she said that, when a character was standing still for an extended period of time (or just standing there, I suppose), the animation would be shot on twos (2s) in order to save “time and money”. Certain things must be taken into account, however, depending on what is happening in a given scene. If, for example, a character turns his body around at a normal pace, but his arm swings forward very quickly, then that character’s body will be shot on twos (2s) while his/her arm will be shot on ones (1s).

Once again, according to my mom… any note-worthy/decent composition or demo reel/animation in one’s portfolio increases that artist’s chance of securing a position in the business, as long as he/she demonstrates good quality in his/her work.

Again, my sincere apologies for not replying to you on time. I hope that my mom and I were able to assist you, and I hope that you fare well in the animation industry! (I’ve seen your drawings on deviantArt, and, by the looks of it, you could go places if you keep up the excellent work.) :smiley:

For those of you who are wondering, I have not remained idle. My gallery is already chock-a-block full of drawings (most of them utterly disgusting), but I’ll only post links to the best of the compositions that I’ve cooked up over the past few months. Take a peak:

Miss Bianca - link
“Scribbulars” 1 - link
“Proud of It” - link
Sid - link
Meeko - Meeko
Gesture Drawings - Feline* - link
Bear Cub - link
School Project - Objects - link
Gesture Drawings - Gymnasts** - link

As always, here is a link to my main deviantArt page, in case anyone is interested: mitch-el.deviantart.com/

*I really like these.
** Wow! Life drawings!

Enjoy. :wink:

– Mitch

#162

I wrote out my reply a few days ago but my computer froze! Here it is today:

There’s no trouble at all! In fact, your beautiful rhetoric is enough of a compliment. Do you have any idea how nice you are?

I bought a cute Artograph light box and a round peg bar. I’ve been trying to copy Richard Williams walk cycles but it’s confusing: “The 1st thing, the 2nd thing…” I think I’ll have more luck animating meaty people from Preston Blair’s book instead of stick figures.

It’s cliched, but I must say that you are so lucky to have animators for parents, with your dad apparently in some higher-up position to squeeze you into the Con and an Andrew Stanton seminar! Just how you relate to Remy’s life story, including his unsupportive upbringing, is a little confusing in that aspect!

I wish I had your resolve. Your reply in itself is a wake-up call. Ever since I went on a week-long vacation to Galveston and started homeschooling again, I’ve been skethching lame mini-caricatures in my sketchbook. Need to get on the ball, so thanks again!

~Sarah

P.S. Is it just me or does anyone else have a problem loading any Gallery page on deviantART? I can’t even edit anything!

#163

FunnyGirl - Oh dear! Don’t you hate it when computers do that? Heh. shakes head

Aw, gee. Thank you very much! It was no trouble at all. Most of you guys here on Pixar Planet are just as sweet yourselves. I don’t deserve to be around such hospitable folks. :wink:

I’m glad that you were able to get a hold of a few notable items! A light box and a peg bar are some of the main tools of 2-D animators, so it sounds as if you’re pretty much set!

Well, you’re certainly on the ball, I’ll tell ya’ that. Richard Williams and Preston Blair! Not bad. From my point of view, you’re a lot more motivated and ambitious about getting into the field of animation than I am. I love the art myself, but I’ve always been more of an illustrator or cartoonist instead of an animator. Still, it’s always good to be versed in more than one aspect of art.

I do consider it a huge blessing to have the loving and talented parents that I have, and I don’t take it for granted. Don’t worry, though! With patience and persistence, you’ll get there! So far, you seem quite talented and energetic, so you shouldn’t have a problem as long as you keep marching up the hill. :smiley:

Ha-ha! Well, it’s very personal and deeply impacted, but I’ll explain everything in the future on the Ratatouille board. :wink:

Sketching anything is better than nothing. It’s funny, 'cause sometimes you don’t realize that you’re improving until, one day, you compare one old drawing to a new one and go, “Wow. There really is a difference!” Everyone learns and progresses at their own pace, of course, but, for me, I’ve found that I continually improve without even noticing it. I still think that my stuff stinks, and that’s true in the sense that I still have a long way to go, but over the course of five years… my artwork’s gone from complete trash to… bearable. (heheh)

In any case, you’re welcome! Just keep up the good work, dude! :smiley:

– Mitch

P.S. Hmm. That’s odd. I know that deviantArt will experience “glitches” like this every now and again. I’ve had similar problems (like the one you’re having) in the past, but they’re eventually resolved within a matter of days. If the error is persistent for a long period of time, however, then I’d suggest contacting the administrators/moderators of deviantArt and alert them to the problem. (Sometimes they’ll publicly state that they’re seeking to resolve the matter in the “News” section too, I think…)

#164

I made this one clip… a stick figure with a sausage tortso and a circle head (typical R.W. animation dude) doing a double bounce walk on 12 frames. It goes by in half a second and is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen! I always thought I was more of an illustrator too, but the fact that I’ve become obsessed with animation is tugging on my heartstrings as being a potential career path. I’m not sure how to begin, but to me it seems like the most fun and fulfilling choice I could make for my future. How do you feel about it?

Spot on! I remember feeling that way when I was a kid, looking at the difference between my 1st grade art, 2nd, 3rd, etc. etc. I loved grade school art class so much that it occured to me to be an art teacher. I don’t think I’ll ever rule that out.

The humility gig is up. Although maybe the constant belief that your work is sub-standard could be motivating you to try harder… I don’t know. I try to approach everything with complete confidence, even if it does turn out crappy!

You’re so encouraging; I feel like I have to work harder to have something to live up to. That’s what I call good peer pressure.

And thanks for the deviantArt info. Now I can’t read my messages. Btw, not to distract from the thread topic, but check out The Aphex’s DA page. Can’t get enough of that DARK KNIGHT ART!

.

Why? o_0 You think you’re unworthy of hospitality? Who are you – some kind of criminal?! :shake:

You keep up the good work too, okay? :wink:

~Sarah

#165

Although this thread has remained dormant for some time, I have not been inactive in the field of art. Recently, I assisted my mom on some in-between work for Disney Studios, and I also created my own, original character…

My character is this guy:

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His name is Jester, and he’s basically a rodent version of the Joker. Lately, I’ve become addicted to The Dark Knight, but since I wouldn’t be able to do Heath Ledger justice if I drew him… I turned his character into a rat instead. :stuck_out_tongue:

Additionally, I created another blog some time ago and am finally adding some artwork to it. It features compositions completed by my sister and I, so if you’d like to check it out then feel free to access it via this link:

thequidnuncs.blogspot.com/

Ha-ha! That does sound mighty unusual. Animators are a class all to themselves, that’s for sure. (snigger)

I think that you’re on the right track! It sounds as if you’re adamant in your intention to succeed in the industry, and perseverance is the key to surviving in this (or any) field. As long as you know what you want to do, and strive to improve in that arena, then you’ve built your goal(s) upon a solid foundation.

If that’s what you want to do, then go for it! Don’t give up. :wink:

No, seriously. I hate most of my stuff. But yeah, I guess you’re right in that it’s a fairly adequate motivational tool. My dad and a friend of his told me that since I’m so critical of my artwork… I’ll be a great artist in the future, but I don’t know…

That you exercise determination and resilience is a good thing! Don’t misplace that attitude. :wink:

Aha-ha. Well, thank you! I’m glad I could be of some service! (heheh) :smiley:

Sure thing! And, dude, I followed that guy’s artwork for weeks (or, quite possibly, months) until I finally added him to my deviantArt “watch” list. His compositions are astounding, to say the very least.

Ha-ha! Nooo, I’m just too modest for my own good. (snigger)

Will do. Same to you. :wink:

– Mitch

#166

I remember seeing this guy on your deviant account…but didn’t know he was inspired by Joker hehehe ^^
Good job, especially with the face expression ^^
thinks Hmm…I’m getting inspired for something :slight_smile:

#167

Nexas - Thank you very much! :wink:

– Mitch

#168

No prob Mitch :slight_smile:

May pitch my interest to you when you reply my message ^^ Jester may yet find some more ground ^-

#169

Nexas - Heheh. Don’t worry, I’m gonna reply to it. Hold yer’ horses. :wink:

– Mitch

#170

Ok ^^
…OH! Sorry if I’m pushing or something ^^; I don’t mean to ^_^;;;

#171

Nexas - Oh no, it’s all right. Sometimes I just feel kinda pressured, since I have to monitor the boards, answer messages, and do housework every day (well, the housework is my choice, but still), among other things. Don’t worry, it’s not you. I just overwork myself. (snigger)

– Mitch

#172

Yeah and I sensed that ^^; And I don’t want to add pressure ya know ^^;

#173

Oh boy, he looks really angry. Kinda scary too if you know what I mean. Still, really nicely drawn picture Mitch.

#174

The Star Swordsman - Thanks, dude! :wink:

– Mitch

#175

You are welcome Mitch! :wink:

#176

You have some great stuff here, Mitch! The rat does indeed look angry and kind of scary! And I can definitely see the Joker in there! It’s a great pose as well and nicely rendered!

#177

Hannahmation - Heheh. Thank you very much! :wink:

– Mitch

#178

You’re welcome, Mitch! Looking forward to seeing more of your art!

#179

I’ve been busy over the past few weeks, so I thought that you guys might like to see what I’ve been up to.

Jiji (from Kiki’s Delivery Service):

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Horton and the Mayor (from Horton Hears a Who!):

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Bartok (from Anastasia):

Screen shots were referred to for all of the above images, of course.

I think I’m getting the hang of this drawing thing…

My deviantArt account: mitch-el.deviantart.com/
Me and my sister’s Blogger account: thequidnuncs.blogspot.com/

– Mitch

#180

Those characters are really nicely drawn Mitch. Niice work on them. I like your art style.