Wakfu

Over the last few months I've been on a huge WAKFU kick, and thought I'd draw up a piece of fan-art based on its main characters:

Percidal, Evangelyne, Amalia, Yugo, and Ruel

But what is WAKFU?

During my travels, teaching animation, WAKFU was the single most asked about animated series, the world over. Naturally, I set out to find out as much as I could, and I'm so glad I did.

WAKFU is a heroic fantasy animated series that follows the quest of an orphan, Yugo, who sets out to discover his origins. It was created by France-based studio Ankama, inspired by their turn-based MMORPGs (also created in-house) called Dofus, and it's sequel, Wakfu.

What makes WAKFU stand out from other animation is that it's heavily made using a cut-out style (characters are like puppets), but the movements in the series are beautifully fluid, and doesn't shy away from strong dynamic poses and camera shots, not normally associated with cut-out style animation. What makes it even more impressive is that it was also created using Adobe's Animate CC (aka: Flash).

Former students of mine have all heard how I've long since parted ways from Flash's use of symbols, and its traditional animator un-friendly interface. Though it has gotten much, much better, proficient Flash users still get a lot of my respect for working with the software, and Ankama ranks the highest up there.

Ankama's secret though is that the animation for WAKFU is actually created traditionally, on paper, first, and then cleaned up in Flash, using cut-out where, and when possible.

Traditionally hand-drawn keys of Yugo

For some of the more complicated shots, creatures, and contraptions, Ankama even utilizes 3D software, helping them to push angles even more.

Suffice it to say, that a lot of hard work has gone into creating the animated series, and it shows, in spades. Not only is the animation amazing, but the story and world-building are also a delight, and I highly recommend it for anyone that hasn't seen it.

Mind you, that's the most upsetting thing, as it's not widely available here, in North America. Thankfully, Netflix does have both Seasons 1 and 2 online, as well as the movie, La Quête des Six Dofus Eliatropes (don't worry, it's in English).

And if you still can't get enough, might I also recommend their board game, Krosmaster Arena (also available as a PC game). It's a turn-based skirmish miniatures game that battles it out using similar mechanics to their video games. And while the game itself is a blast, the physical miniatures you play with are irresistible! (Check out a live Table-Top game play of Krosmaster Arena here).

Enjoy!

2015 in Review

So, this has been another odd year for me...

A good chunk of 2015 I've spent dealing with the pinched nerve causing problems with my drawing arm. Needless to say I haven't done a ton of drawing or freelance art.

Despite that, I was able to actually finish my animation video tutorials and likewise, make them available to the public on udemy.

If you still haven't seen them, check out the link here:

https://www.udemy.com/animating-traditionally-with-toon-boom/

I've also gone back to learning video game creation. It's something that I really enjoyed as a kid, but never pursued, and it's amazing seeing all the tools now widely available.
I got hooked on Game Maker Studio back in 2013, and I'm already rusty. So this year, I've been having fun going through a couple more tutorials.
Let me know if you want to see a sample of one of the finished tutorial games!

I was also able to complete a re-creation of Dungeons & Dragons' Keep on the Shadowfell, using RPG Maker VX Ace! Basing much of the game on playing sessions I ran back when I was teaching at Sheridan. Unfortunately, I can't release it to the public as it was made with liberal use of copyright materials/media. So it's going to have to stay a personal project. Sorry all.

Speaking of games... Development continues on my table-top card game.
Mechanically, I'd say it's pretty much done, and I'm hoping to start drawing up art in January.

In case you're wondering; no, I won't be publishing the game through Kickstarter. It would be logistically impossible for me to handle publication and distribution by myself. Hopefully, I'll be able to show it to a few publishers at gaming conventions next year, and find someone to pick it up.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting on a couple other developments, but I guess I'll just have to see what 2016 brings.

Until then, here's wishing everyone a happy holidays and all the best in the new year!

Inktober - Dino Bear

InkTober, for those not familiar, is a drawing challenge, started by artist Jake Parker, to draw one inked drawing every day for 31 days in October. It's a great way to make sure you get in some inking practice and have some fun doing it, in the process.

So while my drawing arm still isn't 100%, it was as good an excuse as any to dust off my brush and pens and try to get in a little bit of inking. So, after asking around for suggestions and mixing up their ideas a bit, came up with this duo. Hope you like it!

Animation Tutorials Now Online!

About a year ago, I posted that I had started working on a series of animation tutorials using Toon Boom's Storyboard Pro and Harmony.

I'm pleased to announce that the video tutorials are now available on Udemy's website!

ANIMATING TRADITIONALLY WITH TOON BOOM

Affordably priced, this beginner course is great for animation students just starting out, or even professionals looking to quickly figure out how to animate traditionally in Harmony (YES, it's not just for cut-out animation!).

As mentioned in my earlier post, the series walks the viewer through the entire workflow from analyzing dialogue, to storyboarding, to completed animation.

If this sounds interesting to you, or someone you know, definitely check it out!

Is that a Zombie on my Lawn?

I was able to sneak in a couple of art pieces in Palladium Books', upcoming Chaos Earth® Resurrection™  sourcebook.

With all the zombies shambling around in this tome about a post-apocalyptic, zombie-plagued, Wisconsin, you might catch a glimpse of a particular zombie, of the plant-eating variety, amongst its pages.

Chaos Earth Resurrection is slated to come out in December!

Open House Sketches

The Palladium Open House was last weekend, and while I didn't get to go, I thought I'd share a few of the drawing requests that I received. Thanks again to those that ordered sketches!

Sketch Commissions Now Open - For a Limited Time!

As regular visitors may know, over the last couple years, I've been battling debilitating spinal injuries, that have at various times left me unable to draw.

On May 14-17, Palladium Books is hosting what will likely be their last Open House convention.

I'm hoping to attend, but dealing with disability expenses have left monetary funds rather lacking...

So, for a limited time, I'm taking character sketch commissions for those that will be attending the Palladium Open House that you can pick up at the event!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get enough sketch commissions to cover the costs for the Palladium Open House. Huge thanks to everyone that ordered a sketch!!
All commissions will be mailed out shortly.

Hope everyone there has a blast!!

UGH!

I was doing so well... Bi-weekly updates and tons of stuff going on. Then silence...

It seems I've become victim to the revenge of compressed nerves. Unfortunately, this time, affecting my drawing arm, of all things. I've barely been able to sit at the computer for more than ten minutes without cringing. Needless to say, everything I've been working on has been put on hold, or has been progressing at a snail's pace.

I'm still hopeful that my animation video tutorial series will be ready by Spring.
And, if all goes well, I'm still looking forward to attending and hopefully drawing tons of character sketches at the Palladium Books 2015 Open House in May!

Until then, more physiotherapy sessions, and lots of stretching.

Animation Tutorials - In Production

With all the Robotech art out of the way, it's been a little quiet the last couple of weeks.
I've temporarily put my other projects on the back burner, as I've been recently working on an animation video tutorial series.

The tutorials will walk the viewer from dialogue analysis, to storyboards, to finished 2D animated scene (no cut-out). I'll be using software from Toon Boom, including Storyboard Pro, and Harmony 11. While I will be talking about how to use some of the software features, the focus will be on character animation fundamentals, which will be applicable no matter what software (or paper) you're using.

The tutorials are being produced for participants of the Skills Canada - Ontario Technological Skills Competition; but will be made available for the public, afterwards, and once I actually get a store page set up.

Pricing has yet to be determined as it's still in production.

If this is something that you think sounds interesting, drop me a line, or leave a comment here, or on facebook. Unfortunately, until the project is fully completed, I can't post images or samples up; but if there's enough interest, I'll be sure to do so, once the project is done!

More Robotech Stuff

So all of my art for Robotech: Expeditionary Force Marines has been approved, but the book's been delayed until probably late Q4. Until then, I'll wet your appetite with my finished Cyclone-Invid illustration. Alas, the other piece with the Alpha will have to wait until later.

 

Also, for any Robotech fans out there that might have missed it, Harmony Gold Productions is looking to crowd-fund a brand new Robotech animated series based on the late Carl Macek's last project during his time at Harmony Gold, called Robotech Academy!

For more information, check out their Kickstarter! As of this post, they've got just about a week to go (campaign ends August 8th) and they look like they could use quite a bit more backers to get funded. So if you're a die-hard fan, I'd definitely head on over to be part of the production and get in on some cool rewards!



UPDATE (August 2nd): With less than 40% of their goal funded, and only six days left in their campaign, Harmony Gold has decided to cancel the Robotech Academy kickstarter, while they explore other options of bringing Robotech Academy to production.

Click here, for more information.