Work in Progress December 2009

Welcome to the final Work in Progress for 2009! I managed to release this on Xmas Eve, as a small Xmas gift to you.

In this video, I continue the concept sketching of Tholemo, right up until the point of drafting a front and side image to use as a template for 3D modeling.

TPD - December 2009 from Paul Caggegi on Vimeo.

In related news, I took some time out of my schedule and sketched Minauld Wallace for Lora Innes of The Comic Creator's Alliance

She is asking for artist submissions for a worthy cause: stop world slavery. All artwork submitted will be part of a wallpaper, which will be made available o those who donate to the cause. All details are there on her website.

Some sketches showing the process to making this image - as well as two more images - can be seen in this gallery.

Speaking of giving in the spirit of Xmas, Tom Dell'Aringa is also offering his "Out of Orbit" publication as a free pdf to the unemployed.

I got my hands on a print copy of Tom's book:


I'm hoping that in future, more authors like Tom will make a free alternative available, perhaps along the lines of Cory Doctorow for instance, who sets up folks who wish to buy his books but prefer the pdf downloads, with libraries, half-way houses, and the like to receive a bought print edition of the same book from the fan.

Some other books I treated myself with this season were:


High Moon by David Gallaher - you might recall our interview back in March '08
The Skillful Huntsman was recommended to me by Chris Oatley.

In the spirit of giving, my small gift to you is just a few lines away. I've made available the video in small, medium and large formats for you to download if you have the bandwidth and enjoy the higher quality.

• WIP_091226_L.mov - Large H.264 1280x720 (238MB)
  
• WIP_091226_M.mov - Medium H.264 854x480 (129MB)
• WIP_091226_S.mov - Small H.264 427x240 (55MB)

Happy holidays, everyone. I'll be back in the New Year!

Cheers,

Paul C


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Feedback Episode 12-09

Feedback for December 2009!

Some news, some musings, an Amazon order comes early, and the feedback is very insightful advice on how to go about marketing the video releases of the tutorials!

Cheers to Rich Brown, Nixon, Kris, Jon and James for the emails, comments and suggestions!

Some inspiring books just came in the mail:

• Mechanika
• The Skillful Huntsman
• High Moon

Stay tuned to the final WIP video for 2009 just after Xmas, but just before New Year. Until 2010, Merry Xmas, Happy Honnuka, may your Saturnalia yield an evil-doer to scapegoat successfully.. oh hell, just have a great time with your family, friends, and food. :D



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A conversation with Tom Dell'Aringa 12-09

This month's conversation is with creator and artist behind "Marooned: A Space Opera in the Wrong Key". I've released this a few days early because pre-orders for his first book, Out of Orbit, close on December 2nd. Details below.


Tom Dell'Aringa has been working on Marooned for about a year and a half, now. Throughout that time, he has experimented with various styles, story-telling techniques, and has even embraced the digital revolution to a small extent!

Tom gives some detailed information on his methods, goals and the ongoing process which he is discovering as he produces. He is certainly full of info for the beginning artist, and hearing about his trials and errors can't help but inspire.

You can find Tom's work at:

• www.maroonedcomic.com
• www.wishtales.com

If you like his work, and wish to support Tom's efforts, why not pre-order a copy of the Out of Orbit today!




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Work in Progress November 2009

The first in a new series of tutorials which will outline the creation of three characters and two vehicles. In this video, I share my sketching process for three characters and two vehicles.

TPD - November 2009 from Paul Caggegi on Vimeo.

The following videos will focus on one character (Tholemo) and one vehicle (the biplane). I will produce tutorials on full-body modeling (including head), full-body and face rigging, vehicle modeling, and finally a special video on producing the look for the web comic (procedural texturing, lighting and rendering).

My aim is to wrap up these tutorials in time to release the first panels of the new web comic (some time around May). I have a game plan, and I'm hoping to stick to it. Know that I'll be recording the creation of the other two characters and the sandboat modeling as well, but at this stage, I plan to keep them aside for release on the full set as a DVD mid-next year.

This month, I offer a couple of test formats for you to download and view (right click, save file as):

• WIP_091127.flv - 1280x720 (112MB)
  
• WIP_091127.mov - Large H.264 1280x720 (160MB)
  
• WIP_091127.mov - Medium H.264 854x480 (81MB)
• WIP_091127.mov - Small H.264 427x240 (32MB)

Please let me know if these sizes work for you. I've exported presets out of both FCP and Compressor. I've tested each of them, and they look good to me. I'll be curious to know your experiences and which formats suit your needs best.

The formats which seem to work best will be the format I plan to put on the DVD release.

I look forward to the feedback!

PS: Do you watch these videos on an iPod video and can only see things in 4:3? Well I found a solution for you to see the whole image (if you didn't already know). In your root menu on your iPod, select Video>>Settings. There you'll see an option "Fit to Screen". If it's set to "On" set it to "Off". You will now automatically letterbox any 16:9 content.



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Feedback Episode 11-09

Welcome to this month's feedback episode! On the whole, it was positive, and there was lots of it. I do have to give special mention to one or two good emails I received - one from Ignatio, and the other from David.

After the feedback, I rant a bit about the direction I'm taking with Character Development, and my reasons for doing so.

A couple of interesting books and a film which have inspired me this month:







I'm also interested in hearing your opinions on making my tutorials available in other forms. Have a listen to the podcast for details, and get back to me.

Worthy links to check out this month:

Michael J Dowswell
Wishtales
Marooned



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