6.30.2011

Disney's Animation Academy

Discover the secrets of how to draw a classic Disney character from a Disney animator at Animation Academy!

I found out about this recently after a good friend of mine had the privilege of attending this hands-on experience when he chaperoned a year-end field trip for his children' class to Disney California Adventure Park. The last time I attended something this cool was back in 1988 at the Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, FL!

I can't believe I didn't know about this!

Learn the Basics of Drawing
Fun for any age and experience level, Animation Academy provides step-by-step instruction on how to draw some of your favorite Disney characters. Learn some basic tricks and techniques to give your drawing a professional pedigree.
Disney Animation Building
Animation Academy is only one part of the Disney Animation building, where you can learn all about the art and history of Disney animation, in an interactive, hands-on environment.

6.17.2011

A Little Sketchy

Tools. There are many standard and some very unique tools that artists can utilize to craft their creations. Fifteen years ago, as I was applying to Disney, DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Animation Studios, a new technology was changing the way animated features were being produced. Today's artists must not only be craftsmen, but also need to stay current with the technology of their trade.

This was apparent to me during my tour of the DreamWorks Animaiton Studios in Glendale, CA. Paper has now been replaced by the Wacom Cintiq 21UX. Unfortunately, they retail for $1,999!


Luckily, there is a more economical option with the Wacom Bamboo. Today I purchased my first tablet in order to adapt to this new world of technological tools. I admit that I have always been a little apprehensive about using these tablets. But with anything, practice is essential to get the user comfortable and confident with their new found skills and abilities.

6.16.2011

Magical Memories

In the summer of 1988 my family embarked on a road trip around the United States to see as many landmarks as possible in a 1 month period. Little did I know what I would find on this journey. At 13 years old I already had a fondness of animation, but it was at the newly constructed Disney MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida that I knew what I wanted to do.

One attraction at this park is called The Magic of Disney Animation. At the time you were able to watch real Disney Animators at work from behind a glass curtain after viewing a short movie on the process of creating an animated movie. Once I stepped in, it was a slice of heaven for this young artist with a love for cartoons.


Disney Animation Paper Circa 1988

The picture above is of the actual case of Disney Animator's Drawing Paper that I purchased on that special trip in 1988. I found this paper tucked away in a file cabinet containing some of my old artwork. The caption on the right states, "Animator's Drawing Paper- 50 sheets specially made to Disney Animation specifications. Created exclusively for the Animation Gallery."

6.02.2011

Car Toons

If you are going to pay for your license and registration, why not build in some mobile marketing too!