Friday, December 05, 2008

Concept Design Workshop in Dublin

Course Profile:
Computer technologies offer new tools to the designer’s palette and influence the style and aesthetics of a film.
The ConceptDesignWorkshop will look at the tendencies in progressive production design such as the Wachowsky Brother’s feature “Speed Racer”. The course will also look at the development of artificial environments during the process from pre-production to post production.

• A hands-on design workshop will explore the experimental use of mixing traditional and digital media. After getting familar with photoshop and its possibilities participants will move towards the creation of a design visual as it is used in the art department.

• Participants will produce a concept sketch illustrating a film set or design idea while making extensive use of applied tools such as 3-D and photo reference.

Participant Profile:
This two day course is aimed at Art Directors, Trainee and Assistant Art Directors, Junior and Senior Draughtspersons, Art Department Assistants and Production Designers with some knowledge of photoshop.

Application Procedure:

Please apply online at www.screentrainingireland.ie by the 16 December 2008.

The Tutors
Peter Popken is a concept artist, visual development and storyboard artist for the film industry. His work spans more than 15 films including: "Speed Racer", "V for Vendetta", "The Bourne Supremacy", "King Arthur" and most recently Disney's "Prince of Persia".
His work is featured on several web galleries and art books. Further he developed visual ideas and aesthetics for PS3 computer games. Peter holds a diploma in visual arts & communication and has been tutoring workshops at film schools.

[http://www.peterpopken.com/]
[FÀS Screen Training Ireland]

Thursday, December 04, 2008

14. International Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Digital Media

fmx/09, the international conference on the creation, production and distribution of digital entertainment takes place in Stuttgart from May 05.-08.2009. Numerous panels, workshops and presentations draw a discerning audience, two-thirds of whom are professionals while one-third is made up of students - just right for the driven atmosphere that makes FMX the primary European meeting of the digital community and thus a great networking experience.

Innovative approaches in the animation, visual effects, gaming and postproduction industries form the focus of qualified discussions in fmx/conference. Among the hot topics will be immersive design, transmedia storytelling and world-building as well as new stereoscopic features, 3D Stereo for home and mobile entertainment and new game-driven realtime technologies for previs and production.

In an open atmosphere and casual encounters, fmx/forum presents top names of the industry and their latest achievements, hard- and software innovations can be tested directly with developers, recruiters search for new talent, schools and universities feature programs and graduates. [www.fmx.de]

Monday, December 01, 2008

EXPOSÉ 7 - open for submissions

Ballistic Publishing announces EXPOSÉ 7, the seventh edition of the premier annual artbook celebrating the creative talents of digital artists worldwide. Ballistic Publishing is now calling on artists to submit digital images for consideration. Images can be created in any 3D or digital illustration application. Photoshop and digitally manipulated photography is also welcome. There is no cost or limit to enter work for inclusion in EXPOSÉ 7. [www.ballisticpublishing.com]

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Online Workshop

The Gnomon Workshop announces it's first interactive online event.
For the first time, they will rebroadcast ten lectures from previous live events including presentations by Iain McCaig, William Stout, Eric Tiemens, James Clyne, Wayne Barlowe, Kenneth Rocafort, TyRuben Ellingson, Marc Gabbana, George Hull and Brom.


Attendees to this online event will be given access to a private forum for the entire week. During the event, all ten presentations will be viewable online. Within the forum, questions can be asked of the speakers who will do their best to answer questions regarding their presentations. Each presentation ranges from 60-120 minutes, delivered in high-quality streaming video.(www.thegnomonworkshop.com)
download event PDF here

Friday, November 21, 2008

call for entries

Spectrum is open to every artist who wishes to participate and can adhere to the competition's rules: international entrants are welcome. Students, fine artists, and illustrators are all treated equally. There are no limits on the number of pieces an artist can submit and there is no pre-screening prior to judging.

Spectrum is sold in the mass market through all the major bookstores. Copies are also sent to many art directors and publishers to maximize exposure for the artists featured in the book.

Submissions for Spectrum 16 are now being accepted. Visit their website for an application and download the entry form here.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Vaguely Xmas Exhibition


An art exhibition featuring work by 26 of London’s animation stars kicks off on Monday 17th of November (Private View) and continues until the 22nd of November. 11am - 6 pm. (www.articlesandtexticles.co.uk)

Waterloo Gallery Baylis Road Waterloo London SE1 7AA - Very close to London Waterloo station.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

XXIII.CGChallenge

The US$220,000 Steampunk CGChallenge at CGSociety is getting up steam right now - and is the biggest prize pool for a CGChallenge to date!
This challenge asks you to render traditional myths and legends in the steampunk style using elements of gears, springs, brass and steam power. Re-imagine legendary characters from some of the world's most ancient stories. This challenge will be a Work in Progress Challenge to ensure everyone can learn from each other and offer feedback and critiques. Each challenger or team is required to submit Work In Progress images.

http://features.cgsociety.org/challenge/steampunk/index.php

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Hans Bacher - Visual Development


Hans Bacher works as a visual development artist for the animation industry. As a production designer he created the look for Amblimation's BALTO and Disney's MULAN. His blog gives an insight into the world of animation and is a great source of inspiration.

In 2007 he published his long awaited book DREAM WORLDS - production design for animation. It is a visual feast of never-before-seen artwork, complete with insight from the artist.

http://one1more2time3.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Freistil – European Commercial Illustration


The Black Issue

We are calling on illustrators to send us works exclusively in black and white. They can be freelance or commissioned works, illustrations in spaces and in motion, mixed media, collages and, of course, graphite drawings…
This will make FREISTIL a book that neither a website nor the usual catalogue providers can equal and that will again bring our view of illustration into focus today.

The call for entries is online. The deadline is 31 October 2008. The book will be published in spring 2009 by Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz. If you have any questions please contact at:

www.freistil-online.com

Friday, October 10, 2008

CA Workshop 2008

The ConceptArt.Org & Massive Black International Art and Design Workshop is a multi-day training event, designed by top professionals and educators in the fields of video games, toys, comic books, film, illustration, and Fine Art.
A number of volunteer instructors are there to help participants of all levels learn and improve in ways never thought possible and to apply those skills in the lucrative, booming entertainment industry and related fields. The workshop opens the doors to companies looking for quality talent with knowledge in the latest production techniques, and provides immediate opportunity for people who are ready to work in the fields of art and design.

http://www.conceptart.org/workshop/

Thursday, October 02, 2008

International competition for emerging artists

RELEASE1.0 is an international design competition launched in partnership with ICA, London; Triennale Museum, Milan; Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin; and London Design Festival. The competition is calling for designs for innovative new museum- and gallery- shop products and in return offers the winners financial remuneration and, more importantly, access into some of the most influential culture institutions worldwide.

An international jury from the worlds of design, art and culture will sort through all the entries to pick the final three winning designs (in three different price categories), which will be sold in the shops of the competition’s international museum and gallery partners.

COMPETITION DEADLINE 20TH OCTOBER
VISIT WWW.RELEASEONEDOTZERO.COM TO ENTER AND VIEW SUBMISSIONS

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Totoro No Furusato

Film animators, comic book artists and illustrators have come together to create original works of art inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro." The work has been created for an auction to benefit the Totoro No Furusato National Fund - also known as the Totoro Forest Fund. It was held Sept. 6 at Pixar Animation Studios and was a huge success. A book featuring all the works of art will be available for purchase on their website soon and a selection of the artwork will be featured in an exhibition, Sept. 20-Feb. 8 at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco.

http://totoroforestproject.org/, blog

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Advanced Digital Art Production Techniques

The ADAPT conference is designed to teach the most advanced practices in digital film production. This conference touches every facet of digital art creation from film to video game development.

ADAPT joins computer graphic professionals and enthusiasts worldwide, delivering multiple high-end classes taught by some of the most renowned artists (f.e.:Alex McDowell, Syd Mead, Craig Mullins) from the most celebrates studios around the world.

ADAPT is both a forum and a stragetic venue where one can broaden their network, develop business relations as well as enrich their skills. It offers an opportunity to come together while moving forward as an international event that embraces digital art creation in all its magnificence.

www.adaptconference.com/

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Artist's Magazine presents:

The Artist's Magazine launches a new competition for their readers. Simply snap a high-quality photo of your artwork, and submit it along with your entry form and judging fee. The best entries in each category will be featured on their website. Deadline: November 3, 2008

artistsnetwork.com


Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Art Workshops

ArtistsNetwork.TV offers new on-demand video workshops featuring the incredible contemporary realist Sharon Sprung. Her oil paintings - as seen in the April 2008 issue of The Artist's Magazine - are breathtaking. In these exclusive workshops, she shows you step-by-step how to paint lifelike skin tones and realistic facial features. You can watch up close as Sprung explains how she works with shadows, and see her begin one painting and finish another.

Friday, July 18, 2008

New Competition: YIA Award

Illustrative is the leading European forum for contemporary illustration and graphic arts. Every year at two different creative cities in Europe, the exhibition displays an inspiring collection of current graphical art with over 400 works from more than 60 artists.

Over the course of two weeks, the festival will celebrate the illustrative arts, discover new talents, exchange ideas, marvel at progressive technologies, and rediscover forgotten styles. Illustrative will feature an exclusive exhibition and show of works from 25 internationally recognized illustrators as well as conferences, a film program, and parties; it will display not only the quality and fantasy of the latest graphic arts but also show how the visual effects of graphic design, illustration, book art, comics, concept art, and animation spill into and influence the field of art. The exhibition will be accompanied by a Young Talents Contest.

Transmittals in the categories of illustration, animation and bookart will be appraised. The 20 winners of the „Young Illustrators Award“ are shown in a separate section on the Illustrative in october 2008 in Zürich. The exhibit of the contest winners will display the most intuitive tendencies of the genre and is an exciting measure for new trends. Established in Berlin in 2006, Illustrative has been held twice in Berlin (2006/2007) and once in Paris (2007).

Thursday, July 17, 2008

New Books from Ballistic


Following the success of the first Digital Painting book Ballistic Publishing has partnered with Daniel Dociu, Mélanie Delon, Don Seegmiller and Marta Dahling to create a second, 208 page volume featuring 12 detailed tutorials and even more inspirational artwork.

D'artiste Digital Painting 2 will give you great instruction as well as tips on handling Photoshop and Painter from four artist's renowned for their character, creature and environment painting.

more at ballisticpublishing.com

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Forum for Game Artists

CGSociety has taken over the management www.Game-Artist.net and will work in collaboration with the founder and the forum leaders to continue to grow it into a leading forum for Game Artists. The site is mostly about 3D-modeling and texturing but also offers tutorials for 3Ds Max, Maya, Photoshop, Z-Brush, Mudbox or Modo.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

5th Peugeot Design Contest

Entrants must design their project in accordance with the following theme:

“IMAGINE THE PEUGEOT IN THE WORLDWIDE MEGALOPOLIS OF TOMORROW”

Create a Concept Car which is designed to evolve within the cities of the future, whilst retaining the key values of the 21st century. The projects should bear Peugeot's stylistic codes and must contain the following four aspects included in this design competition: environmental awareness, social harmony, interactive mobility and economic efficiency.

Together with the design, entrants must include a text explaining the concept of the vehicle.

For Competition news and exclusive information, sign up for the Design Competition newsletter, by clicking here.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

free downloads

The best things in life are for free.

Perspective Magazine is the journal of the Art Directors Guild & Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists. Published monthly it is now available as a free download on their web-site. The magazine offers a look behind the scenes and the process of the creative side of film production.

www.artdirectors.org

The Art of BioShock

The BioShock Artbook includes environment, character and prop design for the development of the well known game. Take-Two has just announced a deal signed with Universal Pictures and director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) to produce a movie based on the game. You may download the PDF file in a low or a printable version from 2KGames.com

Friday, May 30, 2008

The Art of Speed Racer

The Wachowski brothers bring live action anime, color and movement to new levels in Speed Racer. The CGSociety had a look behind the scenes at Digital Domain. read more...

The Art of Speed Racer
with the complete screenplay included (paperback)
by Larry Wachowski (Author), Andy Wachowski (Author), Joel Silver (Foreword), John Gaeta, Dan Glass (Introduction)

Interview with Michael Meyers at xsibase.com
CG Car Modeling Supervisor Michael Meyers talks about his involvement in the movie "Speed Racer", what it takes to be a good modeler, the cg industry, XSI and his career. May, 12th, 2008, by Raffael Dickreuter

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Designblogs

Today I want to recommend a few websites I came across recently. All of them related to film, architecture and design. Enjoy browsing...

ARTECT.NET

A blog featuring articles by Oliver Zeller about architecture and design in media.

CONCEPTSALAD.COM
ConceptSalad is a brand new website that aims to showcase the best conceptual work from students and designers around the world. With some great work already onboard its well worth a look.

NOTCOT.COM

Inspiration can sometimes be hard to find. Notcot is a site that aims to ease this process by serving designers with a feast of inspiring, innovative and unusual design articles from all over the web.

Monday, April 21, 2008

The Art of Sparth

Structura: The Art of Sparth is a collection of Nicolas Bouvier's personal artwork. Sparth has been an active artistic director and concept designer for the gaming industry for over 10 years. Currently with idsoftware in Texas, a renowned leader in the gaming world with such titles as Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake, Sparth has been integral in designing the games that the video game enthusiasts of today devour. Among others he has contributed concept art for games such as Prince of Persia and Assassin's Creed. (click here to buy the book at amazon)

For more information about the artist visit his website and blog. The Gnomon Workshop has an exclusive interview on their website

Friday, April 04, 2008

The Art of Glen Keane

A blog dedicated to the strong artwork of Glen Keane, Disney animator and story artist for films such as Rescuers, Hunchback, Pocahontas, Tarzan and many more. A compilation of drawings, clips and scripts from one of the great Disney veterans.

theartofglenkeane.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Animation Backgrounds

Animations backgrounds create the world where cartoons come to life. In traditional, classic animation, the backgrounds are often masterpieces in themselves. In this blog you will find backgrounds re-created from Disney Classics such as 101 DALMATIANS, CINDERELLA, SLEEPING BEAUTY, SNOW WHITE, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, THE JUNGLE BOOK and many more

http://animationbackgrounds.blogspot.com/

Learn more about background painting from the pro's. Here are some interviews with:
  • Bob Givens: Background Design
  • Bill Lorencz: Background Painting
  • Phil Phillipson: Background Painting
  • Friday, March 07, 2008

    100 Tutorials

    3DTotal and 2DArtist offer more than a hundred free tutorials for Photoshop, Maya, Lightwave, Digital Painting, 3d Studio Max, Softimage

    find more tutorials here

    Wednesday, February 20, 2008

    Drawing Force

    Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators

    Drawingforce.com is a school where artists are given the opportunity to experience the ideas of force through drawing. Enrolled students get to view over 30 full video lessons and a forum for critiques and camaraderie. 'Drawing Force' is key to understanding how to capture forceful poses with dynamic drawing. It is informative, concise, and packed full of inspirational illustrations

    watch the sample lesson here, buy book at amazon

    Thursday, February 14, 2008

    Call For Entries


    d'artiste Digital Painting 2 is the seventh book in the d'artiste Digital Artists Master Class series celebrating the creative talents of digital artists worldwide. d'artiste is the digital art industry's premier how-to series, featuring the world's best artists' own art and techniques.

    Ballistic Publishing
    is now calling on artists to submit digital images for consideration in d'artiste Digital Painting 2. Images can be created in any digital painting application (eg. Photoshop, Painter, or Paint Shop Pro).
    Entry Deadline: Monday March 24th 2008

    Friday, February 08, 2008

    Concept Design Academy

    Spring 2008 Courses

    Concept Design Academy is an LA based school located in the center of Pasadena. Their goal is to create a generous learning environment and deliver quality classes taught by some of the top professionals in the film & game industry.

    The new brochure for Spring 2008 have been completed and is out in local schools and art stores in LA area for distribution.

    Find out more about Concept Design Academy at their web-blog, cgsociety and conceptart.org.

    www.conceptdesignacad.com

    Tuesday, February 05, 2008

    The Marvel Vault

    A Museum-in-a-book with Rare Collectibles from the World of Marvel

    Roy Thomas and Peter Sanderson tell the history of Marvel, accompanied by reproductions of artifacts. In little plastic pockets reside facsimile Bill Everett sketches, for example, or copies of Marvel Christmas cards or fan group memorabilia or Marvel Stamps (from the comics, not the post office ones). It’s a great deal on a fun coffee table book. Buy at Amazon

    Sunday, January 27, 2008

    fmx/08 - Stuttgart/Germany

    13. International Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Digital Media. May 05 to 08, 2008
    fmx/08 offers talks, workshops, screenings and much more – covering the creation, production and distribution of the whole spectrum of digital imagery. The main focus lies on the convergence between animation, effects, games and digital media.

    fmx/conference includes lectures on varied up-to-date topics ranging from cinema and television to games and mobile entertainment. International speakers will discuss and share artistic, aesthetic and technical visions, opening their digital tool kits, analyzing new developments and debating the future of 3D entertainment.

    fmx/forum invites companies to present their latest achievements and introduce new products. Researchers, hard- and software vendors and users can debate new technologies and practical application, whereas graduates and freelancers meet recruiters looking for new talents.

    Thursday, January 24, 2008

    NVIDA - Digital Art Competition

    This competition invites you stand on the shoulders of giants like Frank Gehry and gaze into the far reaches of imagination and technology. We challenge you to create the most awe inspiring architecture and landscape - to stretch the envelope of human experience and to dazzle the senses.

    What we want: Awe inspiring fusions of architecture and landscape – that simple. The emphasis is on imagination and artistic expression.
    What we don't want: Technical marvels that are cold and devoid of artistic merit and beauty.

    One image per entry must be uploaded prior to March 10th 2008.
    Images must be 2560 x 1600 JPEG images – at least 90% JPEG quality.
    Entrants must be members of CGTalk or CGSociety.
    visit NVIDA

    Wednesday, January 16, 2008

    The Art of Beowulf

    Visual effects innovator Robert Zemeckis uses motion capture technology to resurrect the ancient epic poem "Beowulf" for the modern screen. Actors Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, John Malkevich, and Robin Wright Penn bring to life Neil Gaiman's fascinating redefinition of this macabre dark ages tale. Fans who relish the intense, action-packed film will want this extraordinary hardcover packed with lavish concept art from production designer Doug Chiang's revered studio (responsible for the design of "Robota", "Star Wars: Episode I", and "War of the Worlds"). Quotes from the production designers, artists, actors, and filmmakers, as well as accessible text on the technology utilized in the film, complete this stunning homage to the genesis and visual execution of a unique motion picture.

    buy The Art of Beowulf at AMAZON

    Sunday, January 13, 2008

    Paul Lasaine - Visual Development

    Paul Lasaine began his career in live-action, primarily in visual effects as a matte painter. After interviewing for a job at Amblimation, he later received a call from startup company DreamWorks to work in visual development. He is now a production designer at Sony Pictures Animation. His credits include titels such as Alien³, Batman Returns, The Prince of Egypt and The Lord of the Rings.

    More samples of his work can be seen on his blog: http://paullasaine.blogspot.com/
    Further you'll find his tutorial about creating photoshop brushes here