End of the Day's Work

I finally bought myself a copy of the incredible graphic novel 'Blacksad' this weekend - it's been on my amazon wishlist forever! Everything about it is totally amazing, and I've already started pulling what I like into my pre-production for this film. This background is heavily inspired by a panel! Anyway, here's Dad and Daughter going home at the end of the day's work.

Self-Portrait

A painting from the weekend - I was trying to see if I could draw myself in the style of the characters I'm designing for the film and I got a little carried away! The difference you see between this self-portrait and the one topping this blog is 10 months of artistic development and hair growth! I'm also continunig my inktobers. To the right is a study of the main character from Marvel's 'Daredevil' series that's currently on Netflix - I'm completely hooked!

Background Tests

I've been having some fun this week trying to nail a style for the backgrounds for this film idea. I know that I want shapes and colours to be the focus, but I need to decide how graphically I'm taking that as I do like the fluid style of animation that I used for the sneak test a couple of posts ago.

These would be stills from the beginning and end of the film - in the first still, she's just fallen in love with a boy who lives across the river. In the last still she has to find a way to get to him and maybe a barrel from her apple stall might do...

Inktober and Pre-Production

I'm continuing pre-production and using inktober as a part of it! Each of these sketches was done very quickly in pen in my A6 sketchbook. I'm really trying to work on the shape/pattern idea for the backgrounds at the moment. The era that I'm setting the film in had a lot of brickwork in its architecture and the brick pattern works both as a grounding element and because it's beautiful visually.

I went on a lovely trip to Hartlepool to see my brother this weekend and took the opportunity for some reference photographs. Above is a picture of the historical quay there, complete with masted ship in the background. It might give you some idea of the brickwork look that I'm going for.

We also went to the seaside and I took lots of photos of the water. The film will be set in a port town, so I'm looking at patterns in the water to offset the patterns in the brickwork. The first of my inktober sketches may give you an idea of what I'm going for!

Pre-Production and Style Tests

So, as I mentioned last week I have an idea for a new film. I've started some pre-production this week in the evenings after work and this is what I've got. Above is an influence map of what I'm looking at - on the far left are photographs of industrial revolution cities, where my story is set. As you move further right, the photographs change into drawings and paintings that are influencing me visually and stylistically. I really like the idea of emphasising colours and shapes in the designs.

Sneak Animation Test from Julia Young on Vimeo.

Above is a quick animation test I did over a very rough concept background. The girl (as yet unnamed) in the shot is the main character of the story. In this shot she's sneaking around at night, avoiding the police who might stop her.

I'm playing with the idea of using variations of one colour over an entire background; this is a sunny day, versus the purple night in the animation test. I'm also experimenting with simplicity versus detail. I'm looking for a balance that leaves the focus as the shapes and colours but gives a bit more information and life than the above test.

Church Roof Fund

Recent cartoons to aid the local church repair fund. I had a play with the concept of the thermometer that's used to mark the money raised. Getting the building 'on the mend' was the idea!

News and Stuff

So, last week was the first public screening of 'The Keeper' at its first pubic festival! The Smalls festival is a festival for 'short films on small screens'. The awards ceremony was on Thursday and here are some pictures of the location.

Unfortunately Josh couldn't join me there because he was struck down with a cold, but I kept him updated with an ongoing commentary. The festival was held at Hoxton Arches in London in a unit made from the train bridge arch. It was a very cool event!

In other news, I'm thinking about making another film. I've started doodling storyboards and character designs and below is a quick rough walk cycle test of a character concept.

Walk Cycle Test from Julia Young on Vimeo.