My World

Take a little trip into my imagination..... but don't touch anything, it might bite!!

Favela-BLOG

My co-director and i have decided to make a blog, to wrap up the last remains of our short film "Favelados". I have posted here a little taste of some of my old concepts i made for the film nearly 4years ago.
We have gathered up all kinds of stuff, from rough layouts, the rough animation linetest - including the original piano score, and team fotos etc. So, if your interested check out the blog.
Enjoy!

Observational...

Back at the zoo again, and this time there was a new addition.... Raccoons!!
I spent a good hour watching my little fury friends, getting plenty of inspiration for my own character "Banjo Raccoon".
I'm also a big fan of the Bears, such wonderful creatures!! I took some time out to scribble a dozing bear, resting in the shade too.

Happy Wedding Day

One of my best friends is getting married tomorrow. Im too poor to buy her a present, so i'm hoping she'll appreciate a framed scribble i have made of the happy couple. Congratulations Danni and Andy!! xxx

Works in Progress....

Here are 2 samples of personal projects i am currently developing in my own time. The 1st 2 pieces are concepts for a traditionally animated, musical short, and the 2nd is the most recent design i have created for a children's television show, "Banjo Raccoon"

Self Portrait

If you are wandering... Yes i am blue... well at least feeling it.!
Im still supporting a broken jaw, and with all the meds im currently taking, and lack of food i can eat, it's been really getting me down. The photos below was taken just recently, after having my 1st operation (of sadly many more to come) to try and fix my poorly broken jaw.

Well, as long as i can still hold a pencil and draw to my hearts content.... I'll be happy. I'm a tough cookie!!

Takin' a Break...

Bafta Awards 2007- TV Commercial

In 2007 I was asked to help Story Board a TV Commercial for the Bafta Awards. I cant show much, but here are a few example boards from one of the scenes i worked on.

Visual Development, Concept Designs & Backgrounds for Uli Meyer Studios 08/09

Follow this Link to see a selection of my work for Uli Meyer Studios. All work is Copyright to Uli Meyer Studios.

Tribal Village.... Work in Progress

FInished!!! I decided to stick with the vibrant red pallet as i loved trying something at bit different.
I have painted the final image in a different style to how i would usually paint. I have stuck with bold, flat, colours, and have payed little attention to the detail in the foreground, making the fire the main focal point.
This has been a fun treat to get stuck into whilst i am currently recovering from an operation. I could take it so much further, by trying different painting approaches, even adding characters...etc but i think for the time being, i'm ready to move onto the next big thing.....

3rd Colour Thumbnail. Midnight Blues, again completely changes the atmosphere. I feel this pallet has slightly more depth to it. Its good to try different colour pallets, rather than just settling with your first choice. Personally so far, I have really enjoyed the vibrant Reds in my 2nd thumbnail, to set the mood for the finished image.
Final Stage, now in progress. Come Back Soon....

2nd Colour Thumbnail. Vibrant Reds etc, create a sense of intense heat and danger. I'm enjoying the fear these colours bring to the scene, where as the greens seemed a little too safe. Its amazing how colour completely changes the mood.
Work in Progress..... More to come......

1st Colour Thumbnail. Stereotyped, Greens... friendly jungle colours....

Cleaned up final lines put together on many multiplane layers. Next Step.... Colour!

Rough Tonal Thumbnail. Next Job.... draw and clean it up.

That Awkward First Dance...

"Can you guess who it is yet....??"

Pie-Rats

Sandy Hewitt R.I.P April 5th 2009

I was asked to draw a portrait in memory of a very close friend who we sadly and very unexpectedly lost just a few days ago....
Usually this job is something i would enjoy and find very comfortable to do, but in this case it was not so easy.
I think i must have tried at least 3 or 4 attempts to try and get it right. I have found it so very difficult as i think i am still in so much shock at our loss. Sandy has always been like a 2nd Mum to me. I have grown up, knowing her all my life and am deeply saddened by our tragic loss.
I am still not very happy with this portrait, as i dont believe i have captured my friend perfectly. My usual attention to detail is lost and my pencil work is shabby.
Looking back, i feel i have been lazy in areas and i am not happy with lack of detail in areas where i think it is really needed. I plan to draw a new portrait when i am in a better frame of mind. I think at this moment in time, i am still in a deep amount of shock. Only time will heal my pain.
May Sandy, mother of Thomas and William, Rest in Peace. I will always be there to help guide your boys and never forget all the wonderful memories we shared. May you watch over us and your spirit live on. Thank you for all that you have taught, given, shared and have done for us. I love you so much and miss you every day. The world needs more people like you. God Bless you Always. Forever and Ever, Amen.x

In Loving Memory...

I have drawn this picture in loving memory of my Bestest Best friend. "Sasha".

Forever in our hearts and never forgotten. I miss him so much....

Snow Dogs

Aardman: "Shaun the Sheep" T.V Prop Design

These are a few samples of graphic designs, i drafted at Aardman. They will be made for the model props, used with the character puppets on set of the new 2nd Series of Shaun the Sheep which is currently in production right now.... keep your eyes out for them when it starts on the BBC later this year.
For more info on the show, visit the official "Shaun the Sheep" Website: www.shaunthesheep.com

Bug Catcher & a Happy Mistake

I accidently started animating "Banjo Raccoon" with out actually realizing it. I was flipping between 2 different drawings to see what expression looked better in a yawn.... Eye Brows UP? or Eye Brows DOWN?? Next thing i knew, i was throwing drawings inbetween the drawings i had already done and my little raccoon friend started coming to life.
This is a bit of fun and nothing serious. Its nothing i'd use to sell myself, just a happy mistake that kept me quite for an afternoon.

Nanjing, China

In 2006 I spent some time working for Net Giant Animations in Nanjing, China.

This post is of a couple of studies, I made during my Chinese Adventure. 

"Bonny wee Hogmany!!"

Uli's Sky Dive

On December 6th, Uli Meyer will be doing a static line parachute jump to raise money for the "Teenage Cancer Trust".

I made this, to wish him luck. Happy Landing!!

"Banjo Jam"

Tonal Production Still. Colour coming soon...

"Disney HERO" My own original Concept & Design

I was given the brief from "Disney Consumer Products" to draw an original Disney Character in 3 different Poses.
I came up with my own original theme and concept of taking Mickey Mouse and putting him in the pose, costume and setting of 3 different Classic Disney Heroes.

Since finishing the brief, I have continued to create further concepts and designs for my "Disney - Hero" theme, just for fun.
Keep an eye out on my blog for further designs to come...