"Results Matter." -VFS Motto
It's been a few weeks since I last had internet access on a real computer due to my relocation to Vancouver, Canada to attend Vancouver Film School (VFS). And we can't forget the subsequent issues with the moving company that has extended my lack of internet access, seemingly indefinitely. So, I can't show off my lovely pictures of the city or upload my nearly completed TotBS render, but I can talk about relocating and he city itself.
To anyone thinking of relocating to Vancouver from the US: it's expensive, but worth it!
It's amazing how much moving across country costs. Moving your stuff (in my case a small apartment equivalent of stuff) costs around $3,000. You can also expect to pay about double for rent if you want to live in a safe neighborhood downtown, or pay $100-200 for transportation if you commute. In fact, you will pay more for just about everything, even toilet paper. And never underestimate the cost of the little things: pots, pans, new trash bins, a rain coat, soap, household cleaners... the list goes on and on.
So what's the upside? People, especially store clerks and commercial employees, are unbelievably friendly. Traffic functions even when it's crowded because people let each other in. The spring weather is absolutely gorgeous! There are a million-and-one restaurants and all of them are delicious, and there is no shortage of things to do. Buses run on time, people are dependable, and you can find just about anything you need. And after living here for three months, you qualify for BC health insurance! Just root for the Canucks in public and everything will be fine.
Granted this can still be considered my first impression of the city since I have only been here for three weeks, but I don't see myself hating this city any time soon. I will have pictures of the city in bloom as soon as the opportunity arises, but until then, "GO CANUCKS!"
-Anne
Friday, May 6, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Busy or Absent Minded? You be the judge!
"I've been in captivity for three months. There are two things I want to do. One, I want an American cheeseburger, and the other... " -Iron Man
Overdue update on that commission that I finished two weeks ago! It's done!
Check it out on my DA account.
I blame the "discussions" on "a forum" that I visit for distracting me. I've actually been drawing a lot more recently thanks to joining a Daily Sketch guild on said forums. Here's yesterday's piece for the topic "portrait":
This is one of the few I was inspired to put time into and try something different with. No lines! OMG! I really like how the face turned out, although the ear still bothers me. The rest of my sketches are on my DA account in the scraps section. I may just start posting them here though.
Or I might start posting stuff for this: Illustration Friday.
What else? Oh, I finally figured out how to make Maya export OBJs and FBXs again. Apparently it will sometimes turn off that feature in the plug-ins section at random. Either that or Loki (that's my PC's name) is screwing with my head.
I'm working on a redesign of an old project of mine, Tales from the Broken Stone. I had a friend/awesome alumni who works at Dreamworks give me a little critique, and now I'm trying to make some of the corrections. One being that he couldn't tell what the helmet was supposed to be made of. Here's a shot of what I've got so far. (BTW extra critique is always welcome!)
Textured with Mudbox 2010 for once! I may need to up my actual poly count for this scene, though, since the normal mapping gets a little lost in the low poly version. Now I just need to make touch ups in Photoshop and tweak the reflectivity of everything. Then it's on to the rest of the scene.
And now I have to touch up 34 pictures of a cat for my roommate. T____T I miss Timon so much!
-Anne
Overdue update on that commission that I finished two weeks ago! It's done!
Check it out on my DA account.
I blame the "discussions" on "a forum" that I visit for distracting me. I've actually been drawing a lot more recently thanks to joining a Daily Sketch guild on said forums. Here's yesterday's piece for the topic "portrait":
This is one of the few I was inspired to put time into and try something different with. No lines! OMG! I really like how the face turned out, although the ear still bothers me. The rest of my sketches are on my DA account in the scraps section. I may just start posting them here though.
Or I might start posting stuff for this: Illustration Friday.
What else? Oh, I finally figured out how to make Maya export OBJs and FBXs again. Apparently it will sometimes turn off that feature in the plug-ins section at random. Either that or Loki (that's my PC's name) is screwing with my head.
I'm working on a redesign of an old project of mine, Tales from the Broken Stone. I had a friend/awesome alumni who works at Dreamworks give me a little critique, and now I'm trying to make some of the corrections. One being that he couldn't tell what the helmet was supposed to be made of. Here's a shot of what I've got so far. (BTW extra critique is always welcome!)
Textured with Mudbox 2010 for once! I may need to up my actual poly count for this scene, though, since the normal mapping gets a little lost in the low poly version. Now I just need to make touch ups in Photoshop and tweak the reflectivity of everything. Then it's on to the rest of the scene.
And now I have to touch up 34 pictures of a cat for my roommate. T____T I miss Timon so much!
-Anne
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Deadline Bump
"Madame e Monsieur, bonsoir. Those who forge their own destiny. Those who balk at their own destiny. Time visits all men equally and imposes on them a choice for the future. When the final letter entrusted to the young man is read, what future will that bring about for us?"
I'd say I have definitely been watching too much Count of Monte Cristo: Gankutsuou, but I just finished it and no longer have to worry about being sucked in. I would say this piece restores my faith in anime's potential. I would, but it's just a retelling of a French classic. It just goes to show you, some of the classics are pretty bad-ass!
Anyway, I have another WIP version of the penguin-zombie piece.
He wanted to be sure I attempted the plaid early on, and I wanted to get the color blocking done. The shading and detail work, along with some blending and adjustment are next.... and eventually I'll have to figure out what to do with the different white tones. T_T
That being said, I finally have a solid deadline: Valentine's Day. Good thing I don't have other plans, because this might just eat all my time. Om nom nom nom!
-Anne
I'd say I have definitely been watching too much Count of Monte Cristo: Gankutsuou, but I just finished it and no longer have to worry about being sucked in. I would say this piece restores my faith in anime's potential. I would, but it's just a retelling of a French classic. It just goes to show you, some of the classics are pretty bad-ass!
Anyway, I have another WIP version of the penguin-zombie piece.
He wanted to be sure I attempted the plaid early on, and I wanted to get the color blocking done. The shading and detail work, along with some blending and adjustment are next.... and eventually I'll have to figure out what to do with the different white tones. T_T
That being said, I finally have a solid deadline: Valentine's Day. Good thing I don't have other plans, because this might just eat all my time. Om nom nom nom!
-Anne
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Final Presentation Finally
It took us a long time to get this huge file down to a reasonable size, but thanks to Larry, we finally have the final presentation to show off. The lighting was pretty dark during our presentation, and some of the words are hard to read, but it's the content that counts, right?
Pt. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vPt. 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Pt. 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Friday, February 4, 2011
The very next day...
"On the first day, God said, 'Let there be light' and there was duck. God was slightly confused, but decided it was good."
I guess, I sorta forgot to mention yesterday that I went to Ohayocon last week, even though the title of the post suggested it. Twas a lot of fun, but next time I definitely need to have a costume worked out. And after that I barely made it back before the snow storm hit. So lucky!
Another speed paint for practice... of someone.... who I happen to have pictures of. -shifty eyes- Green hair is pretty sweet.
Updated WIP of the commission for my friend. I'm still not sure how I feel about the background or the aurora, but we'll see what he says. Penguins!
-Anne
I guess, I sorta forgot to mention yesterday that I went to Ohayocon last week, even though the title of the post suggested it. Twas a lot of fun, but next time I definitely need to have a costume worked out. And after that I barely made it back before the snow storm hit. So lucky!
Another speed paint for practice... of someone.... who I happen to have pictures of. -shifty eyes- Green hair is pretty sweet.
Updated WIP of the commission for my friend. I'm still not sure how I feel about the background or the aurora, but we'll see what he says. Penguins!
-Anne
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Of Cons and Snow Storms
Yeah, I know. Another span of no updates. I'm working on stuff, I swear, though much of it is pencil/pen and paper. And I have this nasty habit of not thinking of scanning it until after everyone in the house has gone to bed. T___T
However, I started following this blog and I've decided that I definitely don't draw enough. This guy creates amazing "speed paints" by the hour while I'm sitting around wasting my day, getting distracted by Facebook, DA, TV, etc. Well, that is, I need to find a balance that includes more drawing, while also maintaining my exercise and cooking time.
That.... is totally not me.
>.> <.< >.>
Totally.
I'll have an update on that penguin sketch thing soon--I totally promise. I finished the digital line art already, but I'm really want to have more done before I post.
However, I started following this blog and I've decided that I definitely don't draw enough. This guy creates amazing "speed paints" by the hour while I'm sitting around wasting my day, getting distracted by Facebook, DA, TV, etc. Well, that is, I need to find a balance that includes more drawing, while also maintaining my exercise and cooking time.
That.... is totally not me.
>.> <.< >.>
Totally.
I'll have an update on that penguin sketch thing soon--I totally promise. I finished the digital line art already, but I'm really want to have more done before I post.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Back to "Work"
This is why I will never work from home.
One month after saying I was going to start posting weekly I've finally returned with art to post. Sure, I could blame spending 3 weeks at home/on vacation, but that really wouldn't be true. I'm just terrible at focusing on work outside of a workspace. Thankfully I was finally able to kick my own butt and get cooking on some projects, but I never want to do this again.
First of all, this is a drawing of another person's work of art! I found this picture on DeviantArt, and was inspired to practice drawing with texture. Makeup fascinates me, especially textured makeup, and I would really like to draw some more interesting faces covered in... stuff. Maybe I should have a mini-Halloween celebration and get "dolled" up to draw some self portraits.
A friend of mine, after seeing my first comic page, decided he would like me to make a present for a friend of his. After some discussion and some doodling on my part, this first draft came to life. Oh, and this just in via text message: he likes it!
I never thought drawing on a request basis would be difficult, but did I ever underestimate the pressure level. You want to make people happy, but inspiration is a fickle jerk that comes and goes as it pleases.
Time to make some adjustments and figure out some details! Ta!
-Anne
One month after saying I was going to start posting weekly I've finally returned with art to post. Sure, I could blame spending 3 weeks at home/on vacation, but that really wouldn't be true. I'm just terrible at focusing on work outside of a workspace. Thankfully I was finally able to kick my own butt and get cooking on some projects, but I never want to do this again.
First of all, this is a drawing of another person's work of art! I found this picture on DeviantArt, and was inspired to practice drawing with texture. Makeup fascinates me, especially textured makeup, and I would really like to draw some more interesting faces covered in... stuff. Maybe I should have a mini-Halloween celebration and get "dolled" up to draw some self portraits.
A friend of mine, after seeing my first comic page, decided he would like me to make a present for a friend of his. After some discussion and some doodling on my part, this first draft came to life. Oh, and this just in via text message: he likes it!
I never thought drawing on a request basis would be difficult, but did I ever underestimate the pressure level. You want to make people happy, but inspiration is a fickle jerk that comes and goes as it pleases.
Time to make some adjustments and figure out some details! Ta!
-Anne
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