Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Landscapes Sketches

Thanks to everyone for all the feedback on the last post. I really appreciate it.

I like to think of my sketchbook as a visual journal. Looking back at my drawings I can remember everything that went on the day I drew each image.

I find sketching landscapes very therapeutic and relaxing. It is always my goal to do more. These were all drawn in different areas. I used prismacolor pencils on all of these.

An old railroad bridge in Pacheco

A view of the Pacheco Cemetery

Walnut Creek. These were done in the neighborhood near the Lindsay Wildlife Museum.

Temescal Lake Recreational Park. The Oakland Hills are in the background.

Brionies Recreational Park. There was no one on this road for the longest time. I was about to finish the sketch when a Jeep came rolling by, kicking up some dust. I decided to draw it in.

A cowboy parked his trailer right in front of me and took his horse on the trail.

San Ramon Park

I sketched this at the Martinez Marina. This is a great place to draw and paint. The city of Martinez is a beautiful place. John Muir, the famous naturalist and author, knew what he was doing when he settled down in Martinez, California.

I was really captivated by the shapes of these trees. I had to draw them.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Snow White Frames

Shown here are 20 of the Snow White frames ; I illustrated over 70 frames total. I decided to post mainly establishing shots and back views of the characters. I'll save the rest for the premier.

Thanks to the folks at Green Screen Games for giving me permission to post these.

These frames are not in any particular order. I had a lot of fun using color and value to create a certain mood for each frame.

Here's an example of my thumbnail process for the opening frame of Snow White's castle. This is the stage where I think about designing an effective composition which will lead the viewer through the image. I do as many thumbnails as it takes, till I get what I am looking for. Sometimes I'll place a little star on the lower right hand corner of the ones I am considering. Once I finally decide on a particular composition, I take that drawing and refine it. After that it is ready to be painted in Photoshop.

Before and after shots of Snow White's castle. The evil queen did a lot of redecorating, that's for sure:) I enjoyed making the castle and surrounding areas evil and decrepit.

The good king and queen longed for a child. I wanted to create a sense of hope as they looked out of the window.

Exhausted, Show White sees a cottage in the middle of the woods. Again there's a sense of hope as she leaves the darkness and walks towards the light.

Snow White and the prince are married a top of a hill overlooking the prince's castle. I used the river in the background as a directional line that leads the eye back and forth to the wedding ceremony and the castle.