Project 2 from 3D Animation Class

The second project from my 3D animation class. The focus of this project was complex curves and surface materials. I used a photo from my family garden as the source image.

Moore Farm Pepper sketches

Some sketches of dried peppers from Moore Farm/PCSA in Watseka, IL

Project 1 from animation class

Project 1 from the animation class I'm taking at Parkland College. In it I have modeled a "superhero paint factory" using Maya software.

$6.50 feeds a person for a week!

Learn more about the Wesley Evening Food Pantry in Urbana, Illinois.

I volunteer there once a month on the third Thursday.

Send a donation via PayPal.

A shape study for animation class

This is a polygonal shape study for animation class. The lesson was to create basic shapes using the Maya software and arrange them in an interesting way in a "museum room" on a pedastal.

An action figure helmet

Two views of an action figure helmet made from a tutorial for my 3D animation class at Parkland College.

Further progress on the animation class project

This is the basic layout that I am creating for the paint factory scene that I posted the sketch of previously. These shapes were created using Maya software.

Paint Factory sketch for animation class

I'm sort of working ahead on a project for animation class. This is a concept sketch for an imaginary paint factory where my superhero, Ultra Blue Man works. If I go ahead with this, it will be modeled using Maya 3-d software for project #1 of the class.

Studio Projects Week of August 20

- 1/8" scale model for A Christmas Carol
- Setting up software and readings for my Computer Animation class I'm enrolled in at Parkland College
- Color glazes on the Moon painting
- Packaging and delivering prints of the Round Barn in the Snow painting to cinema gallery

Moon painting

Here's a photo of a painting in progress on my work table. I'm working from memory of when I saw the full moon on July 30, while I was in Watseka, Il. The canvas size is 8"x10"

Current Studio Projects

Current Studio Projects
- 1/8" scale scenic model for The Christmas Carol at Parkland College, Champaign, IL.
- Sending photo of the Round Barn in the snow painting to the printer to make an edition of 10 prints for sale at Cinema Gallery.
- Making two sets of hand-painted "Colors of Life" greeting cards.
- Starting the first acrylic washes on the moon painitng.

Looking for ideas to add some sparkle to these greeting cards

I'm considering offering these cards through online sales, such as Ebay. Currently, I label them as Original Watercolor Greeting Cards. I'd enjoy any suggestions you might have that add some sparkle to them. Things you might consider are: What did you think, or feel, when you first saw them? Do you have any personal associations with colors, or groups of colors, such as these? If you purchased a set, what would you call them?

Top row: Burnt Sienna, Red Oxide, Ultramarine Blue,

Bottom row:Chrome Oxide, Yellow Oxide, Cerulean Blue

Detail view of one card

Paint sample for Summer Studio Theatre Company

Here's a photo of the paint sample I made last week for the main walls for the Summer Studio Theatre Company at the University of Illinois. Cory, the scenic charge artist will use this sample as a guide for mixing color and creating the texture technique.

Studio Projects This Week

- Charcoal drawing on four apple slice paintings
- Base layers and spatter coats on a round barn painting
- Props meetings for the Summer Studio Theatre Company
- Composing the green square painting
- Trip planning for scene painting work in New York in mid-April

USITT Conference presentation responses

My presentation of touch up techniques for large format prints in Phoenix ten days ago went smoothly. I had several conversations afterwards with people who saw it.

One comment that stood out was:

"Your techniques for touching up computer printed scenery with paint were so well researched, developed, and presented that I didn't need to ask any questions at the end of the workshop." Jen Knott-ROSCO USA, Product Manager, Paint and Scenic Products

Current Studio Projects

Projects I'm working on this week are:

• Base coats and spatters on four paintings of apples being prepared for cooking
• Presenting my research on touching up computer printed scenery with paint at the United States Institute of Theatre Technology conference in Phoenix
• Layout of the green squares painting

Computer printed scenery presentation rehearsal today

This morning I presented a rehearsal to students at the University of Illinois of the material I will present next week at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology in Phoenix. The photo above shows one of the three 8'x8' digital prints I worked on to test various paints and techniques. I found this rehearsal helpful, as it gave me some ways to connect this information to people who are early in their career as artists. For instance, what I learned this morning is it would make the information more clear by adding some slides to the presentation that explain French Enamel Varnishes to people who are not familiar with that.

Welcome Kyle and Stephanie

I found out this week that Stephanie Charaska and Kyle Gyondla will be joining me as design assistants on the Summer Studio Theatre Company project. They are both undergraduate theatre scene design students at the University of Illinois. I look forward to working with them on the scenic model, properties, and painting.

Finish coats on Summer Studio Theatre Company paintings

The three paintings based on the Summer Studio Theatre Company designs on my work table

Bus Stop

Pasta

The Lion in Winter

Current Studio Projects

Drafting the scenery for the Summer Studio Theatre Company at the University of Illinois.

Painting a faux finish in the dining room at a residence in Savoy, IL

Editing the slide presentation of my Computer Printed Scenery research at the United States Institute for Theatre Technology

Putting sealer on three paintings based on the Summer Studio Theatre Company set designs

Naked Brothers Band - television scenery on tonight

The television show I worked on last summer in Brooklyn, The Naked Brothers Band, is airing this evening on Nickelodeon at 7:30. I think the "recording studio" set that I painted, stained, and textured will be on this episode.

A Sample from my Work Table

Here are two new pages in my process/sketchbook. I arranged the notes I took at the 40North Workshop for Entrepreneurial Arts Organizations & Artists with Jerry Yoshitomi. I created this blog based on conversations during the workshop.

Support the Wesley Evening Food Pantry

A new food pantry supported by the Eastern Illinois Food Bank has opened on the University of Illinois campus at the Wesley Church and Foundation. It is open on the third Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm. This food bank focuses on helping people who work during the day and can't make it to many of the food pantries in town during business hours. The food panty could use both money and volunteers. I work there each month unloading the truck and helping people out with their bags. Send me an email to find out you could help.