Featured Artist #2 - James Salenga (Turd World Animation)

We go way back, back during my days as an animator.  His style has tremendously improved since I worked with him.  James is someone that I would recommend if you are looking for a modern and fresh animation style.  Just check out his reel.

Contact: Facebook Info



Flash Animation Demo Reel (2005-'11) from James Salenga All Rights Reserved.

Stephen Silver's Message

Stephen Silver is well known for creating Kim Possible and a host of cartoons that I enjoyed watching when I was a kid.  Here's what he has to say to people asking artwork/design for free.  I guess I will be saying the same thing from now on.

With all due respect, no.  I won't do it for free.

-Creative-Uncommon

Artist Tech #1: Pogo Connect

Artists who are always travelling require them to bring some accessories so they can create and submit content to the digital space.  Some still use a sketch pad and digital camera, others carry their Wacom Tablets and stylus with their laptops and recently people just carry their tablets.

Digital Tablets are the "now" thing.  iPad being the popular among the rest, lacks stylus support.  Until Ten One Design thought of a solution.

Ten One Design initially called it "Blue Tiger Project."  I did not hear about this until they were almost done with the project last year.  Seems that Pogo Connect has filled that pressure-sensitivity void for artists that mostly use their fingers to draw on the iPad.  Capacitive styli are not enough anymore.  That rubbery nib/tip is not and was not ideal for drawing to begin with.  

The Pogo Connect features a pressure-sensitive sensor and tip that allows the user to manipulate and control lines and flow of the tool used in a drawing/note-taking app.  This allows for more diverse results of line width and values in coloring.  It is connected using Bluetooth 4.0 and only features some apps in the iPad.  I bet those apps are the ones that you are currently using for drawing using your fingers.  

The most popular app that it supports is Paper by Fifty Three, Inc.  The company updated the app to have native Pogo Connect support from the get go.  Adobe Photoshop Touch supports the Pogo as well.  Pairing should be done inside each apps so the pressure-sensitivity could work.  It's awesome an awesome tool, but after watching this review, the tip looks like it is similar to the Bamboo Stylus for the iPad, only wider.  Here's a quick video of Terry White from Adobe doing a demo of the pen:  

My reaction would be the same as his, if I had my hands on a review product. 

If you're that person who uses the iPad for more than just "media consumption" and you actually do artwork with it, this might be something to consider.  It is still an investment considering the somewhat steep price for just a stylus.

You can own the Pogo Connect for $79.95.  You can also get the 2-Pack standard extra tips for another $9.95.  

Video: Terry White's Pogo Connect Quick Demo
Source: Ten One Design - Pogo Connect

Artist Tech #0: Tablet PCs are for Artists

I started drawing using paper.   For the most of us, pen tablets and tablet PCs did not come until we started working professionally.  I remember using the ball mouse to color my scanned art work in Photoshop, and create vector art work and animate in Flash.  Since the future of artwork, animation, painting and design will eventually be most reliant with computers, I only dreamt of that day when it is possible to create something that you cannot really touch.

My first experience with a Wacom Tablet was in my first job with Philippine Animation Studios.  I found it awesome that I could draw on a piece (slab) of plastic with sensors and I would directly see it in my tube monitor.  I was so excited.  That was only 7 years ago.  Three years ago I started working in a company that provided us with Cintiqs, another Wacom product where the sensors are mounted on top of a display, making your monitor a huge digital canvas.  The Cintiq is an artist’s luxury and at the same time, comfort. .  It was even better than a regular tablet, since it allows you to draw directly on the screen and you’ll see where your pen (stylus) is going, you can see your hand, and the lines that you’re working on. 

Now, I am using a Samsung Series 7 Slate for drawing, sketching and designing.  If the Cintiqs are screens that you can draw on, this device is a screen that you can carry around and draw on.  The advantage of this is it does not require a computer to function.  It is a full-fledged computer that you can carry around.   This is not your common iPad or Android tablet, this is a PC.   It has a full version of Windows and can run Photoshop and Sketchbook Pro with ease.   I find myself doing crazy artwork and lines with it every day.  Though there is still something special when it comes to drawing on paper, but the comfort and the convenience of having it in digital form is something to be appreciated, especially from an artist’s point of view.  I guess what I am saying is, artists and future artists today have it easy. 

For all you artists out there, here’s what I have to say about the Series 7 Slate:

“It is what you need to draw.”

Don’t even worry about your status if other artists don’t see you using a Macbook Pro.  Efficiency is the key.  Why would you spend $1500 up to get a machine just as powerful as a $600 laptop that has similar performance?  Although I have been tempted many times to get a Macbook Pro, it was not a worthy investment at that time.  Firstly, I was still making my way up to the industry so I really do not need luxury.  Secondly, I cannot justify the price of getting a Macbook Pro as an investment.  It is way too expensive for a product that’s going to be refreshed the year after.  Lastly, I was unemployed. 

Although Macs are very efficient machines,  they're really not interested in creating tablet Macs, or Windows just got the patent or copyright.  Who knows?   They did, however, release the ModBook Pro -- which is a 13" MBP fitted with the Wacom Penabled Screens (found on most Tablet PCs), and costs like $3000.  Do you want to get that?  And you don’t really need one when you are still trying to pursue art or design.  

My advice for aspirants out there (who don't own a MacBook Pro to begin with, grab a piece of paper, pen or pencil and imagine.  Be creative and unique. And be contented.

So with those reasons and justifications in mind, I settled for the Slate.  It is indeed a worthy investment.  I am a techie and an artist, so this “Slate” is not the number 1 on my list of machines, but owning and using it for 2-3 months, I say it’s enough. 

The Slate does not come with a keyboard or a mouse, although you can get the keyboard separately.  It’s a touch screen and has a Wacom screen.  It will get you really productive since the canvas will be all up in your face.  The size is decent and the brightness is enough.  It comes with a stylus, and 5 tip replacements. 

I cannot recommend this for professional artists who need to do really heavy artwork or painting.  Production work for film and 3d animation is definitely out of the equation, even 3d modeling.  You can do that on your workstation or your laptop, but not this one. This device is for artists on the go and don’t mind working on an 11.6” screen.

There will be more tablets on the horizon since Windows 8 is just around the corner.  Make sure you get a tablet with Windows 8 Pro and at least a Core i5 processor.  Do not settle for those Atom ones since they will not be efficient for all Adobe tools, unless it’s the mobile version.  Yeah, any questions or comments, I’ll be glad to answer.  Let me know in the comments or send me a message.

My goal is to help the Art Community get acquainted with the tools and devices that are efficient and worth it at the same time.  Not all artists will move towards being mobile anytime soon, and   not all artists are techies, or know about computers.  I am here to help out.

East X West

It's a working title.  This will be a publication(no publisher yet) in comic book style, to help out emerging comic book artists locally in east coast and west coast.


The goal of this publication is to help out emerging artists (non-professional) specific to the animation, comic, and cartooning industry. Criteria and qualifications are still being discussed.  Website plans are still being planned and this blog will update the progress of this project.


I'm planning to get it to the shelves next year.


I am putting down the idea today, July 11, 2012.  So this is now Creative Uncommon Intellectual Property and Copyrighted.

T'was a "Marvel"ous Night

Reading comic books has been a part of my life since I was a child.  I never really picked a a specific comic but when I saw Spider-Man, I was like "This guy is freakin' awesome, and then when I see a spider, I was always hoping that it was radioactive and would "accidentally" bite me and give me Spider-Man abilities.  Then, I watched that movie "Arachnophobia," and I changed my mind.  See how media is a great influence to us kids!   Speaking of influence, I used to dream about someday meeting the man who gave face to the comic book industry.  It was just a dream, of shaking his hand and taking a picture with him or maybe pick his brain, last night became that opportunity.  

My wife and I are scheduled to watch his personal documentary "With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story" with Q&A in Pasadena, and we were coming from Sta. Monica, taking the 405 freeway at 5pm.  30 minutes in to the drive we were still at Wilshire Blvd and I was getting hopeless and wanted to refund the tickets, but my wife insisted that we still try.  We got there at 6:45pm, he was wrapping up his Q&A (this was before the documentary) and we walked towards my aisle and I just stood up and shook his hand and said "Thank You."  Well, that "thank you" meant thanks for Marvel, Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, The FF, The Avengers, The X-men, and for starting a movement that who knew would change a fragment of history, and would change, most importantly how reading, is viewed today.



Again, Thanks Stan! For giving us this gift, and for still doing what you wanted to do, and never giving up on it!

'Nuff Said!

-Jiro

Featured Artist #1

BRIAN PITT

Brian is one of my good friends here in Los Angeles.  Loves dirt bikes, skateboarding, cereal boxes and cartoons.  Sorry, He does not have any relation to the actor. He's just a simple, cool guy that you would want to hang out with, well, not really, I'm kidding Brian.  He's definitely awesome, until you see his artwork.  His artwork reflects those who we consider "pioneers" of modern animation.  His style mimics the cartoons that we've enjoyed (and still enjoy) every Saturday morning on TV or playing video games when we were still in elementary in our pajamas eating cereal.  Too bad he does not have any website or has not updated his blog.  I do not have that information with me but when I get my hands on them I'll post them right away.  Enough of this writing, here are some of his current artworks, and these will not be the last.  You'll definitely like them artworks! This first post is for you bro! 

- Jiro  

Stimpy

Ripping Friends

Stimpy

Snork

Knuckles

Captain Caveman

Atom Ant

Riff Raff

Gazoo

Earthworm Jim

Yosemite Sam

Ren and Stimpy

All Characters belong to their respective owners.

Drawings are "fan art"