THE ART OF DAVE PIMENTEL

Back at Disney's

2012-02-28T22:10:00.000-08:00

This week I'm officially back at the Walt Disney Animation Studios. I couldn't be more happy to join such amazing and talented artists who are all so happy and eager to make great films.

It's been a while since being at the studio and there are many new faces along with many old ones who I had so much pleasure to see again. The buildning has undergone many cosmetic changes within but walking through on a tour today brought out dream like memories of experiances long ago. Some say that walls have mamories - today I felt them.

I can remember moments in the corridors of every corner I walked into. I remembered old production pods of films past and offices that I spent many days in. Some corners and offices aren't even there any longer as the studio is still undergoing it's metamorphisis.

There was one particular room I went into today that was the most important room of the day for me.

The Art Studio.

The Life Drawing room that Walt Stanchfield held his class in. The very room where he walked and taught many many artists including me.

As Stephanie (our guide) walked all of us "newbies" into the room, I passed bye them quietly. No one knew what I was feeling, no one knew why I was whistfully walking into the room and taking in a deep breathe of reminiscence.

I was pleased to see all the drawing horses that he walked around and the cabinets that held all the supplies we used. The smell of the air was exactly the same as when Walt stood over our sketches with that keane eye.

I felt Walt in the room, I felt his spirit. As if he was saying with a wink, "Welcome back!"

We all walked out as I held a lump in my throat, I smiled and winked back saying "thanks Walt."

When all of you out there work with students and mentees - remember that your words and teachings can stay with people forever. The lessons that enlighten us and help us grow are those lessons that live in on as artist's use them to build careers and eventually pass them on.

Walt left such an impression on me and my life I can't thank him enough. Hopefully being back in the halls where he stood, he'll know how much gratitude I have for all he did for me and so many others.

Sue Blanchard!

2012-02-10T09:27:00.000-08:00

There's something so charming about Sue Blanchard's work. I love the commitment! Good going Sue!

Check her out! soobeeblog.blogspot.com

A New Year

2012-01-13T14:26:00.000-08:00

In my recent class I was pretty excited to see so many people wanting to draw! The class was electric and the students really pushed themselves. We had two models "Daniella Traub" and "John Tucker" and they had us speeding through ink and paper.

When drawing two models at a time you really want to build the first trajectory lines around both models simultaneously. If they're drawn seperately time may run out on the pose and then we're left with half the drawing done.

I likened it to a sculpture who may see the two character pose in a large chunk of marble. The sculpture sees into the stone and carves out the two characters simultaneously. I wouldn't think that they'd completely carve one model leaving the rest of the marble in tact.

There's a relationship happening when there are more than one model or person on the street that you're sketching. An electricity that goes between the two (Or more) subjects that we need to notice and capture in our work.That's the spark of life and interaction that we are trying to catch. Some of my favorite art has this storytelling in it and draws us in. It can be anything to illicit an emotion- a coy look, a smile back and forth or one chasing another.

Here's to a new year of lots sketching!

Iridescent Blessings!

2011-12-19T14:28:00.000-08:00

No matter what plateaus we reach as artists we are always thinking of the next one to get to. At least that's what happens to me. I am constantly racing and competing with myself to accomplish more artwork and career work!

The minutes become precious through out the day as I worry about how many I can dedicate to reaching these higher planes. Art is always subjective and it's incredibly personal but I can't help but strive to be better.

I'm convinced that is the life of an artist, or at least this artist. Although we have to be mindful of one thing...stop and smell the roses!...once in a while.

It's those little (or Big!) iridescent blessings that we need to notice! These are the things that feul our well of resources from which we pull from to create what we do. It's your friends, your siblings, your family members, or maybe even your pet that inspires life into our work.

I give one hundred percent credit to my wife for stopping me and showing me all the beautiful iridescent flowers around me. I'm lucky to have her with me otherwise I'd be missing out!

We all need to take a moment this holiday to be thankful for all the plateaus we've reached this year, smell the flowers and get ready to fill 2012 with more Love, Peace, "Art" and Happiness!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Last class of the year!

2011-11-22T15:52:00.001-08:00

Marissa Gomez was here! Last class at DW till mid January. Keep up the sketchbooks between now and then!!!

What we do is Magical

2011-11-20T16:52:00.000-08:00

The artwork that is born from our minds is an amazing gift that we get from the great beyond. I like to think that we are blessed souls who get to create something from nothing like magic.

There was a producer that my friend Jenny and I know who used to always have that sense of magic and wonder to her reactions every time she viewed our boards our any artwork on the walls.She would marvel at the amazing artwork and always had that sense of looking at the work for the first time. Her reaction was equal to a childs response to the quarter behind the ear trick.

She was a complete inspiration to me. I believe some artists like me who've been doing this for a while need to view the act and experience of art as blessed magic! This is how I want to feel about art and the experience of it. It's just simply "Magical"

EVOKE with an original sketch.

2011-11-16T17:09:00.001-08:00

Between now and December 31 all orders of my EVOKE art of book will come with an original 5x7 sketch and a limited edition numbered print (while supplies last on the print)

Click on the "shop" button above to buy!!!

While I waited...

2011-10-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

This little lady dug through her bag constantly while we waited to board our flight from NY to LA last week.

Tight brim

2011-10-20T22:42:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Jim, Megan and Dave!!!

2011-10-11T23:47:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Story Initiative is complete! The team pitched their final boards and they all did an amazing job!

Jim Hull,(center) Megan Dong(the girl) and Dave Wolter (far right) will be a force to be reckoned with as they go into production.

The guy on the far left is Aaron Cimity our production sup, we couldn't of done it without him. This was my first time tackling the DW intitiative, judging by my big smile in the far back-I had a blast!

I wish them all the best!

ART IS GOLDEN

2011-10-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

A fellow artist asked me "What keeps you inspired to do the job, what keeps you going"?

This is what I told him.

Think of production as the settlement of the earth. All the meetings, schedules, deadlines, various departments and opinions are like the layers of earth that all add up to the big globe of obligations. But there's a fine layer of gold in the midst of all that compacted pressure. It's bright shiny and full of luster! It's your ART! Your art is Golden!

It's that simple act and ability to bring life to a sketch or painting that never existed before. The lines, strokes and decisions you chose to express in your work will always be yours.

We usually have others supervising, i.e. Directors, Heads of studios, and even our loved ones but none of them can make that exact choice you have. So I finished my answer to my friend as "You are an artist and your art is GOLDEN"!

Interestingly that artists' name rhymes with golden.

Here are some of my quick gestures from Monday's class. Take care!

Angel in Heels

2011-09-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Here's some quick sketches from last monday. Rachel Bailit really helped us out with her wings. We were talking about commiting to shapes and caricature!

Skating T-Rex

2011-08-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Dancin' Hillbillies

2011-08-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

Jon Tucker and Daniella Traub are great together,

Con 2011 Drawings

2011-08-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

I had Jennifer Fabos Patton from the GalleryGirls joined me in my Booth at the Con. She's one of the best models in the Biz! Have a good day!

Gorilla love

2011-08-09T15:42:00.000-07:00

Yup! Saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes and I loved it! Plus I was inspired by Jeff!

San Diego Comic-Con 2011!

2011-07-15T00:33:00.000-07:00

I willl be selling my book EVOKE at booth #5015. Come by and check it out!

straights "AND" curves

2011-06-10T11:02:00.000-07:00

I know we ALL know it, but straights against curves is always thrown into the ears of my students constantly. I can't emphasize it enough! I believe it's one of the cornerstones of art and design. In my small example here I took one of my sketches from my class and drew over it with various lil' examples of where this applies.

To say straights against curves may only conjure up one design to the theory. But if we say straight "AND" curves it may open up our mind to more variation.

Let it be a psychological "click" in your mind! Straights "AND" Curves!

Charcoal Cowgirl

2011-04-28T22:40:00.000-07:00

Stripey socks

2011-04-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

As I've said before, the inspiration of the class inspires me to sketch a few. The first two were drawn with sharpee - the blue ones were done with a dying copic on a card stock that I found in the room.

Artist in animation V.S. Animation artist

2011-04-08T01:31:00.000-07:00

I've recently been having great discussions with my pal Ben Balistreri about striving to be a better artist in storyboarding and in animation as a whole. We talked about staying hungry to learn more and more as we go on in our careers. As we spoke it really began to strike me that we need to believe that we are artists in animation not just animation artists.

As an artist you should always want to get better. We are on a constant road of evolution with our art. I believe that true artists aren't satisfied with where they are on that road of evolution. They are always searching for inspiring visuals, books, films, paintings, drawings, or anything to help them learn and get better. It's a double edged sword for artists who feel this way because you want to feel good about your current work and yet you should be self aware as to how you want to improve it. The day we stop striving to be better artists is the day we become stagnant and stop growing.

Psychologically believing that you are an artist who works in animation will benefit your animation career. Reason being you will not just be completing a trade on a daily basis but you will see the artistic facet of your trade whether it be animating, storyboarding, modeling, character design,,,etc. Realizing that artistic facet will help defeat mediocrity.

The opposite mind set is solely being an animation artist. this is someone who will not create outside the realm of their job description and will not create any art after they have left the building of employment. I respect everyone no matter how they feel, but that way of thinking means that that artist is a tradesman. Someone who is crafting a particular skill and that skill only. These artists or tradesman if you will do not create any art at home.

The psychological effect can turn into an animation artist who does not grow or doesn't care to grow in their career because they don't see themselves as artists first. Thus the career dictates the amount of art done and the hunger to improve is suppressed. Some may be totally fine with that or some may say they don't have time to create art outside of work. I've even heard many say that they draw enough all day and the last thing they want to do when they get home is draw. Sad.

My rant here is meant to give support to all and any who believe that they are artists working in animation and not just animation artists. It's for those people who want to learn and get better on their evolutionary road of artistic development. It's for those who love animation and apply their passion for art into what they do on the job. I believe animation is Art! But that art is part of the bigger picture (literally). Your personal art not only can support your daily grind on the job but it lives on it's own outside of the silver screen.

I guess I'm saying have fun being an artist first! Let that be in your heart and mind as you create the great films to come. It can be drawing, painting, sketching, sculpture, comics...anything! Believe you are an artists and never settle for mediocrity!

Godspeed!

Appetizer

2011-04-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

An uncomfortable first date.

3 GTO's

2011-04-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

These are drawn from the cool model named Jee Teo. He's fun to draw. The time on these are about 20 seconds, 2 minutes and 5 minutes. I used a big fat Marks-O-Lot marker for them

Square Dance

2011-04-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

You can dance if you want to, you can leave your friends behind.....

Monday's sketch.

Ogre

2011-03-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

This little guy walks around searching for some nice ribs to eat...human ribs. Bwaaa haaa haaa!

Second hand onion

2011-03-23T14:48:00.000-07:00

"So I was thinkin' maybe we can go out"

There's one in every office.

Greenday

2011-03-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

Just for fun

Rain

2011-03-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

When it rains it pours. I must say my weekend was pretty wet!

Leprechaun

2011-03-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Patty's

By-daily a day early...

Bear

2011-03-16T14:10:00.000-07:00

"Let me tell you about a guy I knew named Timothy..."

Pride

2011-03-14T16:36:00.000-07:00

It always comes before the fall.

My new show idea OR odd day sketch

2011-03-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

My pal "Earthie"

Cold Feet

2011-03-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

Monday's theme late.

The boy who didn't stop growing.

Summer of 78

2011-03-04T15:34:00.000-08:00

I was seven and Sam was eight. We used to love playing with water ballons and of course the competition was fierce. We'd fill the bucket up and then split the bombs and fire away. I was pretty good considering I was blind as a bat but my inevitable down fall was that I was very gulible and believed Sam everytime when he said "theres no more water in the hose-take a look".

You can pretty much guess what happened next....Water Pressure! (the theme of today's drawing)
And yes he was eight with stubble.

Check out
Jeff's

Sour

2011-03-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

When life gave her lemons...Greta threw them at people!

Jeff and Josh's makes me laugh
Steve caught up on all of them.

500 followers!

2011-03-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

Yay! I hit 500 followers! "That's pretty cool!"

thanks for following me!

DP

Can't help myself

2011-03-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

In class yestarday Jennifer Fabos Patton stopped by to model for us. She is a true pro! We had a packed room and while trying to teach I couldn't help but get a couple of drawings out. When inspiration hits.....

check her out at Gallerygirls!

Pamper

2011-02-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

Today's themed Bi-daily drawing is Pamper. Here's a fellow who's lived his whole life servicing others on his cruise ship. It's his turn to chill and enjoy himself. Needless to say he's not interested in going back home.

Also check out
Jenny's
Jeff's
Josh's

The Box

2011-02-25T15:40:00.000-08:00

The bi-daily sketch skipped a day to get us back to MWF next week!

Have a good weekend!

check out
Toby's
Jeff's
Jenny's

A sore loser

2011-02-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

So the word(s) of the day are "Battered Cod" and I obviously took the high road. This guy will definitely have a battered cod after this.
check out
Jeff Snow
Dave Derrick
Josh lieberman

A new look

2011-02-21T17:57:00.000-08:00

I decided to go black with the background again. I really like the way posts pop. Hope everyone's well on this President's Day.

The Story Initiative at Dreamworks!!!

2011-02-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Get those portfolios ready NOW!

Good Luck to all!

(Update)
To all Applicants outside of the U.S. We have had and currently DO have trainees from abroad. It all depends on the work visas and stuff like that. I would suggest all these questions go to DW recruiting. Info is on the page. thanks!

Trespassing!

2011-02-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

So here we go again! the By-daily sketch is back on! And that means I'll be posting again! whoo-hooo!
Feel free to join in on today's word..."Trespassing"

Observation is creation

2010-12-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

This year has been the year of doctor's for me. Thankfully I'm doing good and last weekend I was at the eye doctor's office and I took my sketchbook with me(always keepin' it handy). I started sketching and the words "observation is Creation" came to mind and it made me remember that if I don't know what objects or people look like I can't really draw or create them in my work. We need to study and sketch observationally! LOOK at stuff and draw it. LOOK at people and draw them.
keeping up my sketchbook helps me create new shapes and build on my well of resources when it comes to drawing my boards. Its like homework for us, especially if you're a designer of any sort - you need to observe even more because you're creating characters and development that should be caricatured from reality. Key word "caricatured"!
The more you've observed the easier time you'll have when you have to create.
If I don't have my sketchbook with me Ill draw on the iphone. Here are some of those observed digital faces drawn with my finger.

Waking Sleeping Beauty!!!

2010-12-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Wow! If you love animation and love great documentaries, "Waking Sleeping Beauty" is for you! Don Hahn directed this great look back at the Disney studio's during the time when Jeffrey Katzenberg was working there and it's pretty informative on the studio's rise with the Lion King as it's crescendo. It tells the story in a very honest way and really leans heavily on the greatness of Howard Ashman as well. He helped them shape so many great songs that are just as incredibly popular today as when they were released! The bonus features are fun and through out the film you get insights from many great artists including Glen Keane. I had a great time watching this and I hope all of you go out and get your copy soon.

This one is a must buy!

EVOKE The Art of David Pimentel

2010-11-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

Update: Any orders in the month of December will receive a 4x6 original signed sketch of my "French girlie" similar to this one. (Without the frame of course)

My Book is now available!!!

I've been developing my art for many years and learning as much as I possibly could from many great artists who surround me and from those who've come before me. This book represents all those years of inspiration and excitement I have for gesture sketching and art!

If you follow my blog or know me at all, you'll know that my mentor was Walt Stanchfield. He was such a great teacher and great friend. His teachings have spread through out the animation world like wildfire over the years and his notes are completely invaluable to any artist. I am proud to say that I wouldn't be able to be where I am in the industry without having learned so much from him and I hope that my book can sit on the same shelf as his.

This hardback 100 page book is a compilation of many sketches, gestures and anecdotes for artists young and old. To top it off I've been blessed to have one of the great producers of our time, Mr. Don Hahn, write an awesome forward for the book.

I'll be releasing my book at the CTN expo this coming weekend but if for those of you who can't make it, you can order it by clicking on the cover image on my side bar.

Cheers!

Marissa

2010-11-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

Marissa Gomez is one of my favs!
In-between lessons with the students I did a few today..

one minute

about twenty to thirty secs

five minutes-darn scanner cut the foot off!

Monday's Class

2010-10-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I get inspired to draw instead of teach as I watch the models do there great work.
Here's a few bits of inspired pieces.

Mr. Stick man vs. the contour approach

2010-10-06T23:27:00.000-07:00

People use the stick man to guide them along in their sketches way too much. I go to class and many people draw that stick figure guy before any shape of the model is attempted. I've seen portfolios with that stick man peeking through. I’ve even seen commercials with the stick man acting and posing for the audience.

I don’t like him! When he’s used in a gesture sketch he gets in the way of rhythm and clarity. I understand why people draw him - Line of action, forms, volume. That’s been the whole excuse for his existence. I guess he was used in beginning art classes to simplify gesture to the most rudimentary state so we could grasp the idea of anatomy and form - but the problem is he’s never left our brains and a lot of artists still depend on him as a friend, but he’s not!!!

Maybe I’m being a little insensitive to Mr. stickman but maybe a contour approach is worth considering.

In the beginning of a sketch we want to start building the pose out. I like to start with the abstract shape as I build the sketch. Those lines that I put down and commit to are usually contour lines that I will use – and if not use - closely guide me to the final product.

When students watch me sketch some interrupt and say “oh you’re outlining.” But that’s not true, I’m building lines around the shapes in my head. I’m trying to have foresight in my approach. Thus not having extraneous lines that get in the way of lines and shapes that matter. I believe that we all can project the line of action in our heads as we develop the sketch and look for the gesture.

Here’s an example of what I mean. After doing this sketch below I retraced the strokes that it took to complete them. Mr. Stickman took approx, 24 strokes and Ms. Foresight-Contour girl took approx, 28 strokes. It took roughly about the same effort to draw Ms. Foresight as it did drawing Mr. Stickman.

As I finished the sketch on the right I was able to use lines that I started with and counting strokes aside, the lines became more valuable. Mr. Stickman’s lines are always going to be conflicting with his final lines. I also get more for my money by thinking about other principles as I draw, such as acting, straights against curves, squash and stretch, body twists, stability and weight.

In this example the drawing on the left shows where I started using lines that matter. The right one shows the same lines put to good use without any inner lines getting in the way. You can say that I’ve developed a new kind of stick figure using curved and straight rhythm lines that contour the shape of the model to reach my final sketch.

It’s not always easy to grasp and it takes a lot of drawing and sketching time to feel comfortable excluding internal line work. Some artists are naturals but if you’re like me it takes a lot of good practice.

On these last pieces I started with this whole approach and you can see faint lines within the final drawing where I was building shapes. There are no stickman lines at all with in the interior and that makes me very happy.

I’ve talked enough. I’ll leave you with advice that Walt Stanchfield gave me when I asked “how can I improve?” He simply said…

“Draw Draw Draw!!!”

Crocodile

2010-09-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Back to the Bi-Daily sketch! I'm actually working on a small drawing post coming up soon peeps!

Jaw dropping fun

2010-08-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

Today's theme is "Zombie Work"

"you're lucky I'm still making house calls"

Have a good weekend....

She's Crafty

2010-08-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

Thinking of today's theme-"crafty" I started listening to the beastie boys song "She's Crafty."
"the girl is crafty like Ice is cold"

Wednesday-Friday mix

2010-08-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

I missed Wednesday's drawing so I combined today's theme "T-Rex" with "First Date"

"Bring her back by sundown"

Good-bye Monday

2010-08-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

I missed Monday so here's my piece for that day...

had to go digital

Friday "Fangs"

2010-08-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Today's theme..."Fangs"
I thought I'd go with another otherworldly little guy.

see ya...

Crash Landing

2010-08-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a lil' throw back piece. original line art, digital shadeing...

Snow

2010-08-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

Todays theme is "Snow" so I drew "Jeff Snow"
Happy Birthday Jeff!

Three in one

2010-08-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

I drew three sketches representing this weeks themes.

Acrobatic{?}

Skeptic{Or he just smelled a fart}

Underpaid{Not sure who's underpaid}

Hot Air

2010-07-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

Decided to go traditional so I've got no color on this one. Done with china marker. Have a good weekend......

A Bucket full O' Nickels

2010-07-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

Today's theme..."Fruitful"

TALL

2010-07-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

Today's theme is TALL as you just read on my title. hee hee....

Otherworldly

2010-07-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

Still catching up on old bi-dailies with this little vacation trip on planet Nilknarf.

more to come...

Training Wheels

2010-07-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Somewhere in Simi Valley little Lucy decided to go down Death Mountain!

This theme is from today.

Rhino Pilot

2010-07-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is the theme from last friday. I'm going to catch up I tell ya!

I decided to draw a Rhino using a "pilot"
More soon.....

Finally back

2010-07-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

After a vacation and just plain laziness, Im Back! today's theme....."Conductor"
And I'll be catching up on all of the others I missed too....

Jazz!

2010-06-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Jenny Lerew threw out "JAZZ" as today's theme....do it!
Jeff Snow is a jazz musician so his sketch is seriously jazz!

Vampire!

2010-06-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

In honor of "TRUE BLOOD" starting up again, I chose "Vampire" as todays theme. Show your fangs! mike lester's is great! and here's Steve's.

Sticks-N-Stones

2010-06-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

the theme today is "Sticks and Stones". have a great weekend!

Born of fire!

2010-06-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Flyin' Pigs is the theme today!!! I wanna see some pigs people c'mon! Jeff Snow has got some up and Mike lester too!

Wow! we have Sandro Cleuzo on it!
and Dave Derrick workin' it!

Wierd Creature

2010-06-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Monday's sketch. Jeff and I are still going strong on this, we can't stop!

Haircut!

2010-06-04T16:21:00.001-07:00

here ya go!

Who you callin' BOY!?!

2010-06-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

Today's theme is "Cowboy" courtesy of Louie. My color inspiration courtesy of Jsnow! whoa, check out HAT's! Dave's is Awesome!

"You got anything to say about it?"

2010-05-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

Today's theme..."Lamb Chop"
here's Jeff's

Buffalo chicken

2010-05-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

Because of Ron's comment on one of my posts, today theme is Buffalo Chicken!!!
heres Jeffs,

Outraged Fish!

2010-05-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today's theme is a little late but none the less! Here ya go!

Outraged Fish

Baboon on Vacay

2010-05-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

Drawing of the day. Here are the other baboons; Dave, Jeff, Louie, Rad, Ryan and Fawn, josh

Crazy bird

2010-05-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today's theme Bird of prey!
checkout
Louie
Jeff
Jenny
Dave
Ryan
Max
Josh
Fawn

Who's gonna win???

2010-05-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

Yes I watch the show...

Good ol' paper

2010-05-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

I was given a "blaisedell" by an amazing mentor and friend named Glen. I'm sure you can figure out who it was. His last named rhymes with "spleen." Ha ha, anyhow I got the bug to post...

For those of you who don't know what the Blaisedell is read this from Jenny.

Baseball Player

2010-05-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

Here we go with the bi-daily sketch I'm doing with Jeff Snow! Baseball player is it!
sketch away! Louie Del Carmen joined in too!
check out
Dave Derrick
Jenny Lerew
Josh Lieberman
Max Lawson

Centaur-ettes

2010-05-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

I've got a new roommate at DW "Jeff Snow!" He's challenged me to post more stuff so today the theme is Centaur. So here ya go. Check him out though he's awesome! Jenny Lerew is jumping in on it too!!! Sweet! anyone else want to join in? Post a centaur today!

Additions to the group;
Josh Lieberman
Ryan Green
Max Lawson

Tapering body shapes

2010-04-22T22:58:00.000-07:00

While out on a date night my wife began sketching an arm with a hand on a napkin. As she drew the sketch was turning out cute and cartoony. She asked me to give her a lesson based on her sketch. The first thing I thought about was the shapes must taper! I started sketching the same drawing she did and began tapering the shapes of the caricatured anatomy. I also added in straights against curves but the tapering shapes were what I wanted her to grasp right off the bat. I started speaking the direction of "start with a shoulder, it's a bit round then down to the biceps, down to the elbow...etc"

The skin closet to the the joints such as the elbow, wrist, and ankle are some examples where the shapes taper in. the rest of the anatomy could very in almost any kind of shape depending on the person.

My wife was catching onto the lesson and started asking for more tips but suddenly my buffalo chicken sandwich arrived and art school ended.

Tapering shapes will help any drawing or sketch. This is deceptively simple but a good one to remember. It's enemy is symmetrical shapes and parallel lines. Lastly I thought this simple idea would help.

DW Zoo trip

2010-04-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

I went to the Zoo last week with Dave Derrick and the DW artists. It was great as we braved all the spring breakers running the zoo animals ragged. One of my favorite moments was listening to the people at the Zoo talk about the animals they were viewing, quite interesting as you'll see in the sketch below. Enjoy!

Egg heads and head shapes

2010-01-27T14:27:00.000-08:00

When working with drawing the heads and faces I've usually told people to use the egg shape method by Walt Stanchfield. It's meant to quickly sketch in the construction of the head because many times people forget the volume. It's an excellent way to lay in the head and figure out the perspective by using the nose and the eyes.

Objective aesthetics come into play as we draw in the nose/eyes placement. We all have our own way of sketching a nose or eyes but this quick sketch beginning should be loose. Plus the intersection of the two egg shapes allows for an easy ear placement.

Inevitably once you've become comfortable with the egg equation you graduate to the next level of attitude and acting that's specific to the model. Our drawings become more unique and individual as we push the acting and attitude given to us as the egg shapes morph into caricatured versions of reality.

A particular jaw shape versus a forehead shape, mixed in with a nose shape builds on all the simplistic scaffolding in the beginning of the sketch. The trajectory.

The idea with all this is to try and sketch economically direct! You want to use your construction lines as your final lines. Or at least lines that are going in the direction of final lines. Which means hopefully you won't have to many lines that are aimless.

Here are a few examples from one of my sketchbooks, hope you like'em.

Cafe smug

FIDM girl

Woman on the train

Eukenuba Judge

NINJERKTSU

2010-01-13T17:18:00.000-08:00

Check out Mike Lester's blog of hilarious works, and fun drawings!

Out at the barn

2010-01-12T10:47:00.000-08:00

Went out to the equestrain center last week with Jenny Lerew and Dave Derrrick. Drawing while having a cold wasn't easy, but I had a blast!

Midstride

Discussion

Equestrian girl

Equestrian man

Walking back

Hair tip

2010-01-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I've gotten the question asked so many times "how do you handle hair?" and I try to keep my answer as simple as I can. The hair lines need to be in the direction of the haircut or hair style, everyone's different. I see a ton of sketches that just crosshatch the hair or tone it in a one-line direction. I think that's a really quick way to flatten the volume on any head of hair. Next time you sketch someones dew try to follow the natural lines. Draw the cut or style of the person and draw your strokes in the direction of the hair. Ok, well my answer went a bit long but I get a little into it...ha!

These three lil' sketches are my very first sketches of 2010! I'm blasting through a little 3x5 moleskine. It's fun. {pics taken with my iphone so res will be a bit low}

Araceli

Diego

Gabriel

im·ply

2009-09-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

I added simple "orange"graphs to show the overlap example.

Imply

Pronunciation: \im-ˈplī\

Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): im·plied; im·ply·ing
Etymology: Middle English emplien, from Anglo-French emplier to entangle — more at employ
Date: 14th century

1 obsolete : enfold, entwine
2 : to involve or indicate by inference, association, or necessary consequence rather than by direct statement imply obligations>
3 : to contain potentially
4 : to express indirectly implied consent>

synonyms see suggest

usage see infer

One of the things that I'm always trying to get across to friends and students is to "Imply" shapes behind other shapes. Walt used to draw a circle over a circle and call it an orange in front of an orange to describe overlap. The drawn lines of the oranges behind the front one where inferred to exemplify body shapes or tree shapes or whatever it was behind what we drew. The other was the mountain example which was pretty self explanatory. I'll use the orange example for the post.

When you look at the definition of "Imply" it starts with obsolete meaning no longer in use or no longer useful. This could help, by thinking we don't need to draw what we can't see the hidden shapes within the overlap. The second definition is about inferring and not drawing too direct. To infer the shapes behind others. The third we are containing the shapes behind others and the fourth is indirect expression of the shapes. HA! it all relates when you think about overlap and how we can draw the orange behind the orange!

I had to put the examples first, blogger was acting up!

Zoo trip

2009-08-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

I went to the zoo with Dave Derrick last week and ended up drawing more people then animals.

Dave will kill me but I forgot what these are called..."Skinny stick legged deer things?"

An odd couple

A Mother and child who didn't want to ride in the stroller

The Hat lady

Trajectory of a pose

2009-07-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

The trajectory of a pose is set up in the first minute! There's something that happens as we wave the pen around the page waiting for it to contact. We are aiming! Eventually we feel comfortable putting a line down and hope that its the right one. In the onset of the drawing those lines need to have a sense of directon aiming for a target! Imagine if a there existed a magic bullet that when fired it didn't just go straight, it wiggled around and drew a line that formed our drawings. The same kind of aim a marksman may have when he fires a bullet to a target is the same kind of aim we need when we fire off a sketch, but our bullet moves around in that magical line. All too often we don't take the moment to aim and we start putting lines down that mean nothing or fight against each other on the way to that target.
Those first few structure lines are the most important because those are the ones that we are building on and they act as your scope for the rest of the drawing to follow. So all the best as you aim and fire, drawing out lines that are purposeful and hopefully.........hit a bullseye!

DRAWN TO LIFE lecture at Woodbury University

2009-06-05T14:40:00.000-07:00

Update:

photo by Jamie Keslarian Bolio

the night was a great success and nice turn out. I thank Don Hahn and ASIFA for putting it all together. All the other panelists and artists who knew Walt, shared such great stories and it was a true testament to Walt's wonderful personality and generousity.

thanks again Walt!
---------------------------------------------

On Wednesday June 10, I will be joining an amazing group of panelist for a lecture on Walt Stanchfield's "Drawn to Life" books. It starts at 7pm in the Fletcher Jones auditorium of Woodbury University in Burbank. The panelest include Andreas Deja, Dave Pruiksma, Ruben Procopio and Don hahn!

It's going to be fun talking about Walt's work and teachings followed by a "QandA" session and book signing. It's first come first serve seating and parking is free at the university.

see you there,

Drawn to Life! The Walt Stanchfield notes!!!

2009-04-16T21:17:00.000-07:00

The Walt Stanchfield notes are published and out!!!!!

Legendary producer Don Hahn has published Walt’s life long series of notes in two volumes entitled “Drawn to life”

It’s an amazing set of books that chronicle Walts teachings just as he presented them in his classes. There’s also examples of Walt’s own artwork in the books which can't be found in any other books or on the internet. If you haven’t purchased them, you must immediately!

I started at the Walt Disney studios in 1995. I was very excited to be working at the studio and couldn’t contain myself as I learned as much as I could from all the talented people working there.

One of those people who impacted me the most was Walt Stanchfield! He was teaching Gesture drawing once a month for three consecutive days. I was amazed at his approach to drawing and his sheer zest for life. It was freedom for my brain! The pressures of all the past life drawing classes had been lifted by this one man. He would walk around the class room looking over shoulders and digging into each students page with a wealth of experience and challenge. His simple quick correction doodles was an enlightenment for every student in the class.

Walt had a knack for seeing the model differently then everyone else. He understood the forces of inertia and kinesthetics behind every body part and movement. On top of that his keen sense of acting was always dominant as he would push us to caricature and act within our sketches. As we tried to understand what he was teaching we were constantly caught by his swift sharpie and every line he put down had meaning to it. Other times Walt would pat a student on the back and keep walking which meant that he liked that person's artwork and as the model would break we’d all rush to see why Walt gave that pat!

It was the greatest learning experience I’d ever had at Disney. Learning the techniques that Walt taught infused my mind’s approach to everything I did as I worked on the features. I began thinking "how would Walt do it?" trying to feel the pose as I inbetweened. I remember when I told Walt that I became an animating assistant. He patted me on the shoulder and said “Good Job! Now let’s keep drawing!” He knew that I would need him now more than ever! I couldn’t have imagined going through those days without Walt’s guidance.

One of the most amazing things to see where his sketchpads. He was constantly sketching and you never saw him without his book. Walt was so proud of himself when he would show his sketch book to us as we fevereshly sketched in his class. The pages where crinkled and stained with coffee for tones but every page was a masterpiece! Everyone was in awe at how each page had something to say and attract. The years of his experience showed through every drawing. Boats, people in coffee shops, birds, fruit, mountains, ranches, horses, and anything you can think of was effortlessly put on the page. All I could think of at the time was “I gotta keep drawing, if I’m ever going to be that good” which I still say to this day.

When Walt was teaching the class he’d correct our work with a small sketch and then with look only Walt could give, he'd ask “can I have this paper?” It was hard to part with the bad drawing because we knew that it was going to show up as a "how not to" example in “Walt’s word’s of Wisdom” his monthly studio handout.

He would always tell the artist “I'll make you famous” which always gave us a nervous laugh. Yet Walt never embarrased anyone, he taught everyone. He knew that his correction would be best served for all to see and learn. The students would pour over the handouts and try to soak in what he was writing about and then apply it to their own work. As Walt wrote about gesture sketching he also wrote about life's lessons and always sharing some truth about the world and us as human beings. I tried saving the handouts and kept loosing them in my cluttered cubicle and eventually found out that the artist development department had copies from years past to current, and I quickly copied them all.

Walt was an avid Tennis player and he’d always showed up with his trademark fisherman's hat, shorts and t-shirt ready to go to the local court and take on some of the students. Many times I’d ask those who played against him if they won and they’d shyly answer “no”. I thought it was great to see this older man in his seventies{and a cancer survivor at the time} taking on these young students and showing them a thing or two. He lived in Solvang CA and would travel to Burbank to teach, he’d stay at the Safari Inn hotel for a couple of days or even sleep in his van in the Disney parking lot. Occasionally myself and a few others would take Walt out to dinner and spend time with him. He loved it! And we’d all sit and listen to his stories of working at the studio he endearingly called “Disney’s”.

This was all up until Walt’s passing in the year 2000. Walt left such an impression on me and I believe he wouldn't mind when I borrowed his motto for my blog which is "Impression - Expression = Depression". This meant draw when you get inspired! Anything that sparked the energy in you to put it down on paper and if you didn't, you're inner artist would fall into depression. Many teachers have come and gone but Walt has stayed, In my brain, my art, in my technique, and mostly in my heart! I’ll always remember Walt and what he meant to me. These new books will only reassure that everyone can have Walt's words of wisdom right in their own hands. They are invaluable!

Thank you Walt!

Diaz VS. Marquez 2-28-09

2009-03-17T14:46:00.000-07:00

LONG LINES

2009-03-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

I've been yelling out for so long "LONG LINES" to all the students in my classes. The reason is so that the lines can complete themselves out! There's something that happens when you let the lines continue and go as long as they can. All to often I catch students stopping the line and cutting short its desired destination to the land of balance and rhythm. Let the lines be long and try to lay in their paths from top to bottom. Let them live!!!

This wonderful model is "Karole Foreman"

Soccer saturdays

2009-03-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

I've been taking my son to soccer saturdays. It's been fun to watch him run around like a crazy kid! The other thing is I've been away from the blogging for a while and I've come back now with a new banner as you can see. I'm keeping the domain the same so my friends can still link to me- but my reason for the banner change is for what I've been calling "the year of reinvention!" We all come into a new at times in our life's and today is time to make the change. Draw! Draw! Draw!

Diego chasing the ball

A mother and child watching on.

A mother chasing after her son who got onto the field wanting to play!

Diego having a "ball."

meeting sketches

2008-11-13T14:43:00.000-08:00

these where some sketches that where done in a meeting and the scanner had a hard time reading them but I thought they still had some value. gotta keep sketching no matter where you are

!

Old timer in a yellow hard hat

2008-10-02T12:03:00.000-07:00

How many years have you been working?
How many lines are on your face?
The sadness lays on your browl with deep set lines
that have lived with you for many years.
Why does your head hang low? Is it the long day or
the long life? God bless you old timer with the yellow hard
hat on.

My biggest supporter

2008-09-27T00:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we really need those people who can read us from a mile away and my wife is one of them who definitely can read me. I'm blessed to have her and couldn't imagine life any other way. Enjoy the weekend and hug those close to you!

Beanie

2008-09-25T20:39:00.000-07:00

one more

2008-09-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

the scanner cut off the feet but I still like this one.