I came up with a brilliant character design.

Then I realized that the reason it looked so good was that I had unwittingly ripped off A Bug’s Life.

Back to the drawing board…

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Wow, I’m so popular all of a sudden!

Over the weekend, I got a comment on each of my posts! Most of them said something like, “xcm,asdlasdg” or “xcnpasenage” or “fgnaspasdfon.” I can only assume that aliens have discovered my blog and are appreciative of my thoughtful posts. Now all I need to do is decipher their beautiful language.

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Two small breakthroughs

In addition to posting up things I find and like here, I’ll also share when I make artistic discoveries along the way. I have two to report today! They both pertain to drawing, rather than graphic design. And they are:

1. Feel out the form with your pencil. This is from a few weeks ago, when I stumbled across this post at the Temple of the Seven Golden Camels. (Now if that ain’t a great title for a blog, I dunno what is.) The whole “Kick in the Head” series is terrific, and I (who have had very little formal drawing training) felt like I had actually had a boot to the head (na na) when I saw this:I instantly went and made one of the most gravity-conscious, three-dimensional drawings I’ve ever managed… all from that one little concept. I love learning!
2. Perspective transforms drawing. This one is from today. I was dozing a little bit after my quiet time, and suddenly had a desire to draft a tavern scene. I typically avoid interior scenes like the plague, because they involve (dun dun duuuuunh) PERSPECTIVE. Perspective always seemed to me like pointless, mathematical, frustrating WORK that got away from the freedom of drawing. How wrong I was. Oh, how very wrong. I set a horizon and began sketching walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, even moose heads (yes, moose heads)… it was like creating a space from nothing! It was one of the most empowering half hours of drawing I’ve ever spent. Perspective was… fun. Shiver me timbers.

I think God is helping me get towards drawing that actually exists in a space, and deals with form and composition, weight and physics, and away from doodles in a blank field. Thank goodness.

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Kilogram, by KalleGraphics

Kilogram is so rock & roll. I love it. Watch for it in designs soon. (via Smashing)

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More Than A Feeling, by Boston

From 3:42 – 3:58 … 16 of the best seconds in music.

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Tove Jansson’s “Hobbit” illustrations

Beautiful illustrations … it’s so refreshing to see that Tolkien’s world, although beautifully realized by Peter Jackson, has more than one face. I hope Guillermo del Toro has found a copy of this book. (via Drawn!)

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Does God Delight in Non-Christian Art? by Tony Reinke

Here’s a good article. Well-reasoned theological stuff. The short answer is “yes,” and how he gets there is thought-provoking. I need to dig a little deeper into it (speed read a bit on my way to work), but it seems like a winner.

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Dominick Domingo

How much am I loving the work of LA-based artist Dominick Domingo?

Um, a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot.

He reminds me of fellow (but not contemporary) Disney artist Eyvind Earle (who is an all-time favorite and will definitely show up in these notes). But it’s not because he’s an Earle copycat… it’s because his vision of the world is rhythmic, textured, and distinct. I love artists who see the world differently than I do.

Total win. (via Lines and Colors)

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Steven Heller: Podcasts & Radio

I haven’t listened to any of these. But they’re supposed to be very, very good. I’ll almost certainly be diving into this after I finish my current audiobook.

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Sarah Oppenheimer

Sarah Oppenheimer‘s work is easier to see than to explain. …I think.

Okay, that may not be true. I don’t know if I can explain it. But it’s very cool.

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