PORTFOLIO REVIEW

Joe Massey 1975 - 2010

2010-02-22T17:32:00.000-08:00

My wonderful kind friend Joe Massey died on Feb 17, 2010. Joe and I worked together and became good friends. He enjoyed doing the Portfolio Review with me, and was excited to see and read all of the emails that we had received from all over the world. Joe delighted in caring for and helping others. He is survived by his parents Dallis Newell and Mele Massey, sister Malisa Massey, wife Kelly Ann, and children Benjamin (11), Savanah (9), Jacob (7), and Sydney (5). Joe will be sorely missed.

Diego Molano

2009-11-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

inkastudios@yahoo.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

media:pencil, ink, photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Pixar

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Chris Sanders, Shane glines, Bruce timm

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Stitch, harley quinn, Bloo

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

religion. Because of all the colors and opulence

What inspired you to become an Artist?

the teenage mutant ninja turtles were my brothers growing up (only child)

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/
http://drawn.ca/
http://cartoonbrew.com/

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Israel Covarrubias

2009-11-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

intuiart@hotmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Normally 3d max for my characters
Of course mechanical pencil and rubber

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Spain or Vancouver
there is a high level of animation

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are many excellent characters designers

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Carlos Baena o Patrick Beaulieu are great

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Monster o Cartoons

What inspired you to become an Artist?

in Pixar Animation Studios, Dreamworks, Blue Sky

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://animationtipsandtricks.com/
http://3dyanimacion.com/index.cfm
http://intuiart.blogspot.com/

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Lance Archer

2009-11-29T11:11:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

lancejasonarcher@gmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use various mediums ranging from pencil to paint to polymer clay.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Being that I enjoy movies, the kind designed for kids both young and old,I would love if I could to intern at Dreamworks, Aardman studios or Pixar.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Brian Froud's character designs for Jim Henson's movie The Dark Crystal are amazing. The way he captured the melancholy spirit of the old Mystics and the decaying desperation of the evil Skeksis was awesome. Offset against the childlike innocence of the Gelflings Brian managed to create a truly unique world which puts him for me at the top of the pack.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

n/a

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favourite subject to draw is the human figure as there is an infinite supply
of different sizes, shapes and spirits to be found and captured.
Then with having tried to translate them onto the page I am always left feeling
that I have learned truly invaluable lessons which utilize and focus my talent
and perspective, also figure studies constantly remind me of how much I still
have to learn.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

At first I thought my response to seeing a beautiful work of art was akin to
a birth defect; the sense of amazement and awe seeing them inspired was
gobsmacking, the fascination I felt as I studied the detail and the technique.
I immediately knew that this profession was the only one worth pursuing.
The pleasure of the process, from conceptualization to the final result is
totally encompassing. Unlike a lot of other careers where once a formula is
learned it can be applied over and over ad nauseam, with each new project I
undertake I continually have to return to the basics and reinvent myself.
This is what inspired me to become an artist and continues to inspire me daily.
Besides that I just like getting dirty.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

n/a

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Marko Antonio Luna Soto

2009-11-29T11:05:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

markoluna@gmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use a wacom tablet, Photoshop and Painter for all my concepts, sometimes I draw on paper and afterwards I scan it and use it as a foundation.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would like to work at Pixar or Ubisoft like a Concept Artist, thats one of my biggest dreams!

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are many but some of my favorites are Marko Djurjevik, Andrew Jones and Daryl Mandrik

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Actually one of my favorite character designs is Hell boy from Mike Mignola

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

MONSTERS, because I love TO draw grotesque forms AND ANATOMY to create strange situations on the character

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Video games, inspired me a lot, when I was a child I was always curious to see how they did it.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://sixmorevodka.blogspot.com/
http://alessandrobarbucci.blogspot.com/
http://mandrykart.wordpress.com/
http://androidjones.com/

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Daniel Swartz

2009-05-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

dan@daniel-swartz.com

www.daniel-swartz.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

All of my pieces start out as natural media drawings. Depending on the project I use varying degrees of either Prisma-color markers or just good old #2 pencils. I find it best to really hash out my designs by hand where I can really work back and forth (addition & subtraction) and have a kinetic connection with the work. I can get a better flow and rhythm to my characters and spaces when I sketch it out first.

After I get my finished underdrawing to a point where the design is complete I scan or digitally photograph the drawing and drop it into Adobe Illustrator as a top layer on Multiply. From there I work to follow the initial feel of the sketchs as I build up layers of flat color, gradient and texture.

I also create my own textures either through combinations of filters, collected reference that I modify or my favorite: getting dirty with paint and finding new tools to apply it with and creating textures that I love and give a more 'hand crafted' look to my spaces.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well Pixar is always at the top of everyone's list. Just for the incredible team they have assembled of artists and creatives...it would be invaluable to rub shoulders with and learn from their experience. Other than that, there is a design studio called Invisible Creature. Their work is beautiful and they do a lot of work where stuff is brought into digital, then printed and they work on top of that and back and forth. Great stuff.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I would have a really hard time narrowing it down. I love the work of several animation and advertising studios from the 50s. A couple more contemporary artists I enjoy would be: Alberto Cerriteno, Bob Logan, Mike Casal and Robin Rosenthal.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Although they are a totally unrelated style to mine, I really enjoy the designs from the Final Fantasy video games. Dennis Jones does great work that is very energetic. Mary Blair's concept work for Disney is beautiful.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I think above all I enjoy drawing the human figure more than any other subject. There is a beauty and a rhythm and flow that is both challenging and enlightening. As I continue to improve my life-drawing skills I watch my illustrations and character designs become more complex and unified. I really feel that they both build upon each other to such a great degree.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

It started off with the fact that I could draw just slightly better than the other kids in 1st grade. Since then my inspiration and reasons have changed a lot. I used to be very inspired by 'beating' everyone else at drawing and art. However that has changed dramatically. I work very hard not to pit myself against other artists now unless it's to learn from them and find weaknesses in my own work. Now I try to create great work because I believe it's the fulfillment of who I am. I believe we were all created to do something great with our lives and to better the world around us. So now my inspiration is to utilize my God-given talents to their fullest...anything else would be a waste.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I visit www.Drawn.ca religiously. You should too. :)

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Margherita Premuroso

2009-05-09T08:37:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

mmeghy@mac.com and me webpage is www.margheritapremuroso.com.

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use pencil draw to scketch, and laer I use Photoshop and Painter.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I prefer work by home in my studio

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

the top characters design are Wndlings Claire , and David Colman

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

My favorite characters are pixar's characters

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favorite subjects are people , that I saw on the underground.It 's the best place to find new type of face deformation ...I like people because are more expressive ..

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I like draw , it give me freedom , It' a great grace....

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

wwww.margheritapremuroso.com

http://alcornstudios.blogspot.com/

http://jacanimation.blogspot.com/

http://www.aldogagliardi.blogspot.com/

www.animationmentor.com

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Jonathan Miller

2009-05-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

seppo@videotron.ca or www.millertoons.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, pencil, pen and ink

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I think I would love to intern at Hallmark and/or American Greetings studios. I've been inspired so inspired by so many artists and designers they have working there. Their is such an abundance of styles there, that I would continue on a daily basis to not only learn from some great talent, but to be inspired to push myself to be greater at my craft and excel in areas where I never thought I would be good at. When you see other work done by illustrators you admire, or styles you love to see, it inspires me to work and draw even harder.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Most people tend to think that all great character designers only work in the animation world. I agree that animators are incredibly talented and have skills that are second to none. But artists at small companies that we've never heard of, or large ones, like a Hallmark or American Greetings, have such a pool of talent, where they can design from the simplest of characters to the most complex.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Mike Adair, Miah Alcorn, Nate Wragg, Johnny Yanok, Bob Staake, Steve Mack, Anna Chambers,Leo Espinosa...the list is really endless

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I have been in the children's publishing business for 6 years now. And as much as I love to draw humans and animals, it tends to get a bit repetivive at times. I adore kids, and recently have been doing work for the baby/toddler industry and fell in love with that style. I love coming up with cute little animal characters and icons, but not in typical pale baby colors, but more of a bold and vibrant feel. I think artists like Bob Staake and Johnny Yanok are great examples of artists who's style's and illustrations are not only great and unique, but the colors are so vibrant, you instantly are drawn and love them

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I can't say for certain what inspired me to be an artist. I've always had a love for drawing since I was in kindergarden and eventually made a career out of it. There was no one in particular that inspired me to become a cartoonist, it was just something I continued to do every year and eventually made a decision that it would be the career I wanted to do.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.mikeadair.blogspot.com/

http://www.drawger.com/bobstaake/

http://www.alcornstudios.blogspot.com/

http://annachambers.blogspot.com/

http://www.spotillustration.com/

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Eric Guzman

2009-05-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

My email is Worldsfinest81@gmail.com and my webpage is www.worldsfinest.deviantart.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use mechanical pencils with 2H lead, col erase pencils various colors, and photoshop 7.0 with a wacom tablet.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would like to work for any animation studios as a character designer (preferably warner bros. or Cartoon Network).

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are many great artist out there in which i am greatly influenced by, ranging from american animation and japanese animation.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Some of my favorite designs come from a lot of the 80's cartoon era (He-Man, Thundercats, GiJoe,Silverhawks etc.).

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I like to draw people because of the variations in structure that can go into creating a character is always fun and challenging.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

What inspired me to become an artist was growing up i was always fascinated by the look and feel of characters in animation.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.wizarduniverse.com

www.daredetectives.com

www.stevegordon.com

www.animationinsider.com

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Ted Kim

2009-02-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

I can be reached at seoulman@hotmail.com , and my website url is http://www.tedkimchee.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Generally I like to use various col-erase pencils and 0.9mm & 0.5mm HB mechanical pencil. I'd be nowhere without my wacom tablet and predominantly use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop although I've been meaning to work with Painter. I've been missing out!

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Pixar, Orphanage, Lucasarts and Bioware

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Bruce Timm, Ben Caldwell, Stephen Silver, Lynne Naylor, Jose Lopez, Sean 'Cheeks' Galloway, Shange Glines, Joe Madureira, Franciso Herrera, Humberto Ramos, Skottie Young, Carlos Meglia, Alberto Ruiz, J. Scott Campbell, Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, Claire Wendling and everyone on your site!

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I really dig all of Bruce Timm's work. He really pioneered a new era in American animation with the birth of the Batman series. Genndy Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack is another amazing example. Various Japanese Anime such as Samurai Champloo and Afro Samurai.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Hmm, really anything to do with superheroes, sci-fi and fantasy. These days I'm very into Asian mythology.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The two biggest artistic influences in my life I'd have to say are Jim Lee and Bruce Timm. I've always loved drawing but I took it as a mere hobby for years. Seeing Jim Lee's work in the 90 's opened my eyes and spoke to me not only artistically but at a cultural level as well. Him being a second generation Korean going against what is typically accepted as a 'professional occupation' in Korean circles gave me alot of inspiration and hope to pursue art and my love for comics. Bruce Timm's style and sensibilites was another turning point imparting the element of simplicity and dynamic design to my own growing sensibilities.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Many of them are already listed on your site but here are some of my faves:

http://www.drawingboard.org

http://www.conceptart.org

various arstists:

http://gotcheeks.blogspot.com/

http://humbertoramos.blogspot.com/

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ANWAR MADRIGAL

2009-02-04T10:03:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

You can visit my page at http// www.madpencil.deviantart.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

TRADITIONAL MEDIA, PENCIL, PAPER. ADOBE PHOTOSHOP, ILLUSTRATOR, ALIAS SKETCHBOOK

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

DEFINITELY PIXAR ANIMATION

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I'M A BIG FAN OF DAVE GUERTIN, TOM BANCROFT, CHUCK JONES

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I LIKE STUFF LIKE THE INSOMNIAC GAMES CHARACTERS, THEY'RE LAYERED SOLID CHARACTERS. THEY HAVE A LOT OF SUBSTANCE TO THEM

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I LIKE DRAWING ANIMALS AND GIVING THEM HUMAN MOVEMENT AND ATTITUDE, I TEND TO USE PEOPLE AS MY FOUNDATION FOR MOST OF MY ART

What inspired you to become an Artist?

THE ESCAPISM ASPECT OF IT, THE IDEA OF CREATING A WORLD IN WHICH A PERSON CAN FIND PEACE OF MIND EVEN FOR A SHORT WHILE

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

CREATUREBOX.COM
GALACTICCHIMP.COM

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SHEKHAR SHIMPI

2009-02-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

shekharss@hotmail.com
shekhar77.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use Pencil, then clean my drawing with ink pen, I use Photoshop, Now days I use Wacom Tablet.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

any cool place, If I had choice , would really like to work for Tim Burton, Del Torro or Terry Gilliam.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are lot of, this names comes to my mind instant ,Nate Wragg, Ben Caldwell,Tony Fucile.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I love "Jack Skellington" from "Nightmare before Christmas", I like charcters from "Incrdibles", and "Triplets of Bellville" and there are lots more.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I really love to draw Monsters and Witches, Fairy tales stuff, but bit more darker,
in my opinion there is a lot of scope to run your imagination wild,on this particular subject.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Growing up watching Old Black &White horror and Sci Fi cinema, Classic Disney Movies such as 'Sleeping Beauty',
Reading Fairy tales, Comicbooks was real inspiration to me.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

daredetectives.com
cgtalk.com
passionforcinema.com

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Justin Cook

2009-02-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

justin@seencreative.com
www.seencreative.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Corel Painter 9, Adobe Photoshop,
Adobe Illustrator, Alias Sketchbook Pro. I draw directly on screen using a
Wacom Cintiq. I also sketch using any old pencil I have at hand. If I like
the design I'll scan it into the computer and start inking in Painter.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I'm a freelance artist based in the UK, so I'm open to any projects
that may be offered to me.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Stephen Silver,
Gary Ham, Dean Yeagle, Alberto Ruiz and Ben Caldwell.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Mandy by Dean Yeagle, Kim Possible. I also really like the designs used in
Foster's Home for imaginery friends and The grim adventrues of Billy and
Mandy. I'm also a sucker for any old Hanna Barbera cartoon character, my
favorite would be Huckleberry Hound. Also Peanuts. Fantastic character
designs, and I can really relate to Charlie Brown, haha.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Monsters! I love them.
The imagination can run wild when I'm designing a monster of some kind. They
keep me amused for hours. I would love to design characters for a monster
catoon.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I can't remember a specific moment in
time as I have always drawn from an early age, and I just kind of assumed I
would work in art in some way or another.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.schoolism.com
http://stephensilver.blogspot.com/
www.superham.com
http://www.deanyeagle.com/
http://www.daredetectives.com/
http://processjunkie.blogspot.com/

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Ryan Firchau

2008-09-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

You can contact my through my website as soon as I have completed refurbishments www.ryanfirchau.co.uk or my Email www.rfirchau@microsoft.com or www.rfirchau@rare.co.uk and if you want you can also drop me a line on my Deviant art page send me a note http://firecrow78.deviantart.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

I used to be a pencil and paper man but nowadays I pretty much work entirely digitally, I use Photoshop CS2 and painter on the odd occasion. Having said that, I have started to keep a sketch book for the first time since I left University. I think that you can be in danger of becoming a bit lazy with all the benefits that Digital can provide so It's good to keep in tune with traditional methods and techniques plus it makes a pleasant change to draw on paper.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I love where I currently work at Rare, but I do have a burning desire to work for Stan Winston's studio and Wetta

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There have been so many great artists which I have been influenced by and which I admire, but I think when I look back it is mainly two which have had the biggest impact on how I produce my work and they are Albert Underzo. Underzo's illustrations for the Asterix series where one of the strongest influences for me as I was growing up. The other is Paul Bonner.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I recently discovered the work of Florian Satzinger, who's created some fantastic looking characters. The character work on PIXARS The Incredibles is fabulous, such stylized shapes integrated with such believable and subtle reality. I enjoyed the work of McBride on the Pirates of the Caribbean films, I especially liked Davey Jones who was designed by Mark 'Crash' McCreary another big hero of mine. And of course Animal from the Muppets, everyone loves Animal.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Creatures are my obsession, I love monsters and ugly things that look scary, always have! I guess it must have come from watching films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth and all those cheesy 80's horror movies. I also love dark fairy tales and gothic subject matter the brothers Grimm that kind of thing.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

It happened when I was very young, in Kindergarten, I drew a picture of a rabbit and showed it to my teacher and I guess it must have been better than average for a child of my age and I remember the positive reaction I got, it seemed to make people happy when I drew pictures, children are always so keen to please and be noticed, I guess this was a major part of what kept me going also I received a lot of encouragement from my parents and friends. I was average at all other subjects but I loved art, I have always had an over active imagination and drawing is a release for me I couldn't imagine my life without it. These days I try to learn as much as I can and I turn my hand to lots of different disciplines from sculpture to airbrushing and photography. I'm constantly pushing to improve my skills and my visual library, as a concept artist I need to have a broad wealth of knowledge of different subject matters. Research and reference is all part of the job, but I enjoy it so much that I'm always at it, not just during work hours.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.paulbonner.net/

http://paperwalker.blogspot.com/

http://marknewman.deviantart.com/gallery/

http://www.andyparkart.com

http://cheeks-74.deviantart.com/gallery/

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Enrique Corts

2008-09-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

My email address is kikekun@gmail.com , and my website www.artofenrique.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I mainly use the good old paper and pencil for sketching, and then when I'm happy with what I see, I scan it in and start inking with my Wacom tablet and Photoshop. It's a very organic process where I make all kinds of changes until the image is finished.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would love to work on some of the companies that are doing my favourite videogames out there, like Valve, Bungie, Retro Studios...I also wouldn't mind to try and be involved on animation development, maybe in places like Pixar or Dreamworks.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Sadly, there are not a lot of great Character Designers working on games right now, except of course the very well known ones like Yoji Shinkawa, Yoshitaka Amano, Hyung-tae Kim or Tetsuya Nomura. For some reason, the western Designers are not that well known as the Japanese ones.
In the animation field, I love the work of Lesean Thomas, Enrique Fernandez, Sean Galloway, Jeff Matsuda, Eric Canete, Yoshiduki Sadamoto...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I love what Lesean thomas is doing with his Cannonbusters graphic novel...fresh! Also, all the stuff that Gainax and Mr. Sadamoto do is absolutely incredible...I love all the Furi Kuri and Gurren Lagann designs.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I think my strongest point is to draw action scenes, where I can play much more with the camera angles, character body language, visual elements...I always try to draw the most dinamic and intense scene I can.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Probably all those old comics I was reading at my uncle's house! All very mixed stuff...from Fantastic Four to Westerns or war tales. Also my mother, being a very acomplished Artist herself helped me out and inspired me a lot.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://jeffmatsuda.com/
http://www.leseanthomas.com/
http://studiosis.com/jam/
http://enriquefernandez0.blogspot.com/

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Ben Camberos

2008-09-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

email: camberosben@gmail.com
webpage: http://bencamberos.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

Paper, pencils, markers, scanner, mac os x Photoshop, illustrator, Wacom.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would like to work on character design or concept illustration for anyone who has a cool n fun project independent or not (pixar, nick, IML, etc)

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Shane Glines, Bruce Timm, Genndy Tartakovsky, Chris Reccardi, Lynne Naylor,
Katie Rice, Jamie Hewlett

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

bruce timm's DC comics characters, Samurai jack, The gorillaz,

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I like doing pin up girls and scenes cuz i magine a whole story just by doing one image

What inspired you to become an Artist?

i took a character and animation class with Jorge R. Gutierrez & Sandra Equihua back in 98, so
they recommended me to keep going with my stuff.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

cartoonbrew.com
http://www.kidrobot.com/
www.tysonmcadoo.com
http://www.drawn.ca

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Joe Dave Torres

2008-05-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Any means of communication is fine. On a google search for "leftyjoe" most of my pages come up. myspace.com/leftyjoe or leftyart.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Mostly everything I draw is initially on paper with prisma col-erase
pencils. I do sketch in photoshop sometimes though.
After my sketch, I use adobe photoshop and illustrator. And even the
occasional prisma "color stick".

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Wow, there are sooooo many cool creative places out there for an
artist, I would love to work anywhere that I can be a part of the
collaborative creative effort that results in any wonderful piece of
art. I'd like to someday know that I've worked everywhere. I hope I
can reach my artistic potential and someday have every studio on my
belt. I can dream can't I. LOL.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Gosh, there are so many great artists, and so many amazing styles,
that it's hard to develop a criteria to compare them all. I love
character design sooooooo much, that I love and respect all styles and
designers. I think the only thing that I don't respect, is straight
up gaffling designs with no attempt to redraw from the original design
that was referenced, and claim that design as your own. I've seen
some of that around. There's nothing wrong with copying to learn a
style, or just to practice, but to later claim it as your own, is of
course....... an aboration.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Some of my most coveted designers, like my absolute hero the
illustrious Mr.Stephen Silver and claire Wendling have the ability to
create and capture such subtle nuances of character in the particular
personality of the being that they are developing, that their talent
and skill drive me wild and send me into euphoric states. Like I said,
there are soooo many others that I love and respect, like Sean
Galloway, who's style theories are incredible. So much to look at and
admire, that I simply admire anyone who strives to sit down and do the
dang thing, and start creating and ever reach for that personal
potential.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I have always been a very observant human beast. I, for some reason
became very interested in the subtle differences of everyday beings. I
fell in love with archetypes and stereotypes ( positive ones) that
character design allowed me to put on paper all those things that I
noticed. things that were, in real life bellow the surface, I could
bring out and exaggerate and show the world. To surmise, that my
favorite subject to draw , is the uniqueness of an individual,
exaggerating it, and separating it from a sometimes similar group.
showing what makes the individual special from the rest of the similar
bunch, you dig?

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I just kinda never put down the crayons, and I was inspired, as I am
still today to reach a level of technique and style that compares to
those who I respect. the ever growing knowledge and skill that I have
been constantly chasing is what inspires me most.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

No joke, but my most favorite of all related pages, is
this.....http://characterdesign.blogspot.com/ it gives me
everuthing I need to absolutely geek out and revel in. Thank you
Odin, for this wonderful blog. ( btw, i don't really pray to Odin)
LOL.

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Sam R. Kennedy

2008-05-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

samrkennedy@yahoo.com; http://www.samrkennedyart.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

I love col-erase pencils and markers. They allow me to produce a sketch with early value and color solutions. After that I use Photoshop and Painter to finish a character sketch into an illustration.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I think Bunji would be a fun place to work at, but I'm working at a great placeright now too. Red Storm Entertainment in Raleigh, NC is where I've been sketching and painting for the last few years. I get to do lots of sketching and illustrating for the Ghost Recon series.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I find myself looking at Francisco Herrera, Ramos, Joe Mad, Jeff Matsuda, and Carlos Meglia. I've got a couple of their trade paper backs, and I never get board with looking through their pages. Each page is a lesson in design and silohette. These guys stylize the character with solid drawing behind it.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen? The hottest thing I've seen lately are the vehicle designs for Tom Clancy's EndWar. (I don't think these are public domain yet, so working for Ubi has it's advantages.) In addition, I like what I see from Tak and Jeff Matsuda's work on "The Batman."

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

By far my favorite subject is the human body, mature men and women. I grew up reading comics and watching cartoons where characters could fly, fight, and move without the law of gravity applying to them. That had so much appeal that I'm always trying to capture that sensation of action through my drawings.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

It was really my college illustration professor. He's the first one who told me one could make a living doing this stuff. Before that I thought you were either born with the ability of Frank Herbert and Ollie Thompson or you were a "starving artist." Although I drew a lot as a kid, I never had a real art class until I got to my college's design department. Even the Fine Art classes I had taken several years before failed to teach me anything useful and left me with the impression that I couldn't make a career as an artist.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/
http://www.conceptart.org/?artist=marc_taro

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Valerie Schoman

2008-05-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://vhsartcraft.blogspot.com/ <-- features my most recent doodle farts, and I may be contacted through PurpleTsuyoi@gmail.com What type of tools or media do you use?

I usually default to the oft-used three-step process of 1) roughs done in blue pencil (preferably mechanical), 2) ink renders using any combination of Hi-Tec-C 03, Micron 01, 03, 05, 08, and/or brush pen, and finally 3) scanning and coloring with Photoshop. However, perhaps my greatest downfall (or is it greatest joy?) is my insatiable interest in medium experimentation. I love pencils, pens, paints, you name it I'll try it! I think, for me, color is the key.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I am currently having the very fortunate experience of interning at Nickelodeon Animaton Studios. I am still finding my place in the kooky world that is art, and my cares lay more in what I do rather than where I am. Right now I am very interested in breaking into storyboarding for television animation because I'd like to apply my knowledge of composition and character and learn more about storytelling.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Goodness gracious... there are so many! I particularly admire the work of Claire Wendling, Terryl Whitlatch, Eric Canete and Jasen Strong... may I please go on?

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

If it weren't made overly clear by my response to the last question, I am always impressed with well-designed animal characters, particularly stylized ones done for animation. I also loved the unique designs done for "Les Triplets des Belleville", Disney's "Mulan" and "Lilo and Stitch", as well as characters from "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Invader Zim", just to name a few. I get a kick out of trying to understand the approach of various designers, because even those styles that are not remotely like mine hold a lesson.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Most favorite would probably be animals. I suppose animal drawing is simpler for me, in a way, because I can see such obvious personalities and/or symbolism in them, which are the most basic elements for great characters!

What inspired you to become an Artist?

When you get down to it there were two things that started me on this path: discovering drawing tools and the encouragement of family and friends. I honestly don't believe I chose to become an artist. In fact it is something I've tried running away from unsuccessfully in times past. What I can tell you is that from the time I was able to hold a Crayola crayon in my hand up until the present moment when I was holding a Crayola crayon just before filling out these questions, drawing is the only thing that I have ever felt an absolute consuming need to do. And, through experience, I can also say that I am not the same person without it. That's not to say that I'll ever be any good at it, but I will never stop trying.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

A couple:
http://www.claire-wendling.net/
http://kahnehteh.blogspot.com/
http://alinanimation.blogspot.com/
http://themonkeymind.livejournal.com/
http://chuckpyleart.blogspot.com/

... Enjoy, and thanks for considering me!

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Ishen Kalawan

2008-05-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

ishen@disrupt.co.za

What type of tools or media do you use?

hb pencil, blue red coloured pencil when & sketching and 0.5mm pilot fineliner when inking. Wacom tablet in photoshop and coreldraw when adding colour. (pc)

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Any major feature animation studio, preferably Disney feature animation

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I've always been a fan of Glen Keane, Mark Henn, Andreas Deja and Chris Sanders

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Most of Glen Keans work as well Chris Sanders designs on Lilo and Stich.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I would have to say the female form or female characters and animals

Why? I find it a bit more of a challenge drawing women, but that's what makes it fun. When it comes to drawing animals you can have fun giving them human characteristics and personalities, you can play with their facial expressions and body language. Disney animated features have done that for years, all their lead animal characters, have quirky personalities and a lovable quality to them.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

A love for comic books and animated movies. I really appreciate all that goes into making these movies, especially the animators and concept artists that come up with these characters stay in peoples hearts.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.deviantart.com

www.skottieyoung.com

www.comicartcommunity.com

www.theartofglenkeane.blogspot.com

www.chrissandersart.com

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Rafael Rivera

2007-12-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

E-mail : rrivera112@gmail.com or visit my site www.woundedlamb.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I like to start off with pencil and pen sketches, scanned in ,
cleaned up and colored in Photoshop and Corel Painter

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

ILM , I am a big fan of many of the concept artist there and the
projects they work on as well.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

here are so many. I like the old Tex Avery and Chuck Jones designs.
The newer stuff coming out of Pixar , Blue Sky, and Dreamworks is
always great. My favorite creature designer of all time has to be
Carlos Huante.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Again the old cartoons like Tom and Jerry, Popeye, The Hulk etc,
simply because they started it all and they stand the test of time.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favorite subjects are Pin-up girls. It is fun to design a sexy pin
up , plus early in your art career, women are the toughest to master,
so once you feel you got it down, you show off a bit.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Growing up in Brooklyn, the Graffitti around me was a big influence.
As a kid I had alot of comic books, watched tons of Godzilla and
Harryhausen films. My uncle owned a printing shop in Long Island, and
he would give me rolls of tracing paper and boxes of copy machine
paper, so it only felt right to fill them all up with doodles.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.animationarchive.org
http://paullasaine.blogspot.com/
http://www.carloshuanteart.com/
and of course www.woundedlamb.com

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Shane Corn

2007-12-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

shanecorn.blogspot.com
maizekid74.deviantart.com
maizekid@gmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I started out using traditional media.. I Love the way a pencil feels,
Copic Markers are wonderful and I was trained in watercolor for a
year. I also spent 6 years doing Kids Room Murals so I have a special
place in my heart for acrylics. I've recently started using flash and
photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Id have to say Pixar. Even if I just got to intern and never work
there I think the experience alone would be nothing short of
wonderful. There is an amazing amount of talent to learn from up
there.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are so many.. My favorites as of lately have been Sean "Cheeks"
Galloway, Harold Speirman, Genndy Tartakovski, Craig McCracken, Ricky
Nierva, Ralph Eggleston, Peter Sohn,and Tony Fucile, Lynne Naylor, ..
I also love the old animator designer guys like Chuck Jones, Tex
Avery, Bob Clampett, Mary Blair, Tom Oreb, Ed Benedict, and Ward
Kimball... There are just so many

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Any from Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom, I think the design work in
Samurai Jack is Brilliant as well, I really cant pick a single
character I like.. I'm a huge fan of animation across the board so, ..
too many

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

MONSTERS.. fun silly monsters. The appeal of having no limits to what
you can do with a monster is really nice. 5 arms, 3 feet, 50 eyes ..
whatever you want. I also like drawing animals these days. I'm
learning a lot by doing so.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I was one of those kids who sat in front of the tv and didn't move as
long as there was a cartoon on. I Love the old Warner Bros stuff and
Disney. I later found a lot of inspiration in Hanna Barbera style.
Nowadays I'm finding that comics from France and other places overseas
have a LOT of great line and appeal.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

cartoonbrew.com
drawingboard.org
cartoonretro.com

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Kan Muftic

2007-12-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

My e-mail is: info@streamatica.ch and the homepage is: www.streamatica.ch

What type of tools or media do you use?

Anything that'll do the job. If I'm about to make some mature, high-detailed concepts, I'll probably go with pencil on paper. That way, I can achieve the greatest amount of detail. But if I need to conceptualise various versions of the same character, I'll probably go all digital. For Moodboards or illustrations, I always go digital, from beginning to end.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I guess I found it: I'm hired at NC Soft Europe in Brighton ( UK ) as Senior Concept Designer.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Simon Bisley, no doubt. None can combine caricature and violence like him. And those wonderfull colors, yami... Besides Biz, definitely James Hewlet. I mean, the man is a legend. Tank Girl, Gorillaz... Beat that.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Teletubbies. Really. It's a design that was / is adored by kids all around the globe. And that means something. Besides that, I dig every single sketch made by Calum Alexander Watt, known as "Salaryman".
And even though it's not really a humanoid character, the "EVE02" from Neon Genesis Evangelion makes my heart go bonga-wonga.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I guess it would be the Post-Apocalypse. Ever since I left my bosnian homelands in fire and ashes, I feel like a piece of a post-apocalyptic society myself. So that could be an aspect of my personality that comes through in my designs.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Since I grew up in a artistic family, it didn't appeal to me at all until I went to art school in Sarajewo. Then, all of a sudden, it just came over me and I drew 12 hours a day. Then, the war came and I had a break of about ten years. I became a visual effects artist and film director after a while. But after drawing a storyboard for one of my videos, flames turned on. I then discovered conceptart.org with it's amazing designers and decided to let all go and get back to drawing and painting. That was about two years ago. Now I'm drawing for one of the biggest video game companies in the world.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Needless to say, it's surely conceptart.org. Specially the "Sketchbook" section; scary! There are also CG Channel and CG Society as the main bookmarks for anyone involved in this business.

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Patricio Oliver

2007-09-14T13:27:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://www.patriciooliver.com.ar/
http://www.fotolog.com/coshicabuto
http://www.fotolog.com/killermodels
po@patriciooliver.com.ar

What type of tools or media do you use?

Adobe Illustrator

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would love to do covers for marvel comics, since Im a comicbook geek ever since I was a child,
working with guys like Genndy Tartakovsky or Craig McCracken would be amazing too since they show me when I was younger a new style of cartoon more related to what I like and enjoy.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Craig McCracken, Genndy Tartakovsky, Edward Gorey, Mike Mignola Tim Burton, Bruce Tim Hayao Miyazak

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Mike Mignolas Hellboy universe is amazing it has this mix of Gothic terror, humor and Scifi that I love. Tim Burtons The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy & Other Stories is incredible, strange bizarre children with terrible fates are mesmerizing for me Most characters from Foster House for Imaginary friends are cool too. I can help loving Eduardos design.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

As I said before everything related to Victorian culture, war, freak children and horror has a great appeal to me.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Comicbooks and cartoons for sure, I love superheroes, but everything change while I was studying graphics design and Tim Burton Craig McCracken, Genndy Tartakovsky, Edward Gorey and Mike Mignola appeared in my life. The animated style of bruce Tim streamline characters gave me a new perspective in cartoon and superheroes.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.redmagicstyle.com
http://www.kidrobot.com/
http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/
http://www.popcultureshock.com/timm/
http://www.hellboy.com/

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Richard Gaines

2007-09-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

You can contact me at rgaines326@yahoo.com.

What type of tools or media do you use?

It depends, really. Since I have a habit of doing character sketches, U usually use blue col-erase pencils or and H-B mechanical pencil. Just recently, a friend of mine introduced me to Tombows, which the Warner Bros. animators used. As soon as I used one, all the generic 2-B's and H-B's went out the window. It was like drawing with butter comparitively.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

The place I would most love to work at would have to be Disney, Warner Bros. or any similar traditional animation studio of that ilk. If not animation, I would also enjoy doing storyboards or character design at Pixar, Dreamsworks, etc.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are so many character designers that blow me away! Of course you have Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Florian Satzinger, Uli Meyer, Sergio Pablos (Tantor rocks!), Dave Coleman, Steve Silver, John Nevarez (king of storyboards), Mel Milton....just to name a few.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Well, I'll have to say the styles that have most influenced me have been Don Bluth (to the chagrin of many--don't know why), Walt Disney's style between the 60's through the 80's which were largely influenced by Milt Kahl and John Lounsbury, and course the animal designs in Balto. I only wish they would make cartoons like this again!

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favorite subject to draw is usually animals and animal-based characters. A lot of my friends say I tend to draw a lot of canine characters. Lately, though, I've finally managed to get back into life drawing. It's a breath of fresh air and you feel like you are beginning to pick
up on things you either forgot about or overlooked in hindsight.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The prospects of being an artist has been a life-long passion for me, even though I got serious about it a bit later in the game. What was most influential for me was watching classic cartoons and going "I wanna do that!!" Oftentimes, I harkened on these imaginary crusades of trying to reverse the current trends in animation and overrunning the "market-influenced" pageantry with more fun cartoons. John K. has a similar agenda and I fully reward him for that!

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Some great websites would have to be Animation Nation, Cartoon Brew, Concept Art and Drawingboard.

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Randy Siplon

2007-08-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

randysiplon@yahoo.com, http://rsiplon.deviantart.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

Staedtler Mars pencils, Pigma pens, Photoshop and Flash.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Any animation studio or game company that lets artists truly be creative.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Jeff Matsuda, Bruce Timm, Glen Murakami, Genndy Tartakovsky, Dave Johnson, David Williams, LeSean Thomas, Jim Smith, Jorge Gutierrez.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Samurai Jack, Venture Brothers, Metal Gear Solid, Star Wars, Hellboy.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Women. I find the female form to be incredibly intriguing, and always a challenge.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Reading my brother's comic books as a kid. And of course cartoons from my childhood like Transformers and Thundercats.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.deviantart.com/
http://www.conceptart.org/
http://www.drawingboard.org/
http://www.tencentticker.com/projectrooftop/

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Mark Jarman

2007-08-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

I can be contacted at marknrose@mstar2.net or www.jarmanart.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use photoshop and a wacom tablet

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I really don't have a preference, I've worked in so many markets, kids books, video games magazines, and still enjoy these assignments. But I've never had a chance to do movies, and would really love to give it a try.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Wow, there are so many very talented artists, some are virtually unknown. But the big guys I like best are Iain McCaig, Armand Serrano, Simon Rogers, Terryl Whitlatch, Ovi Nedelcu. Some illustrators I really like are Doug Frazer, and Sergio Martinez, and James Christensen and the guy who did Dinotopia, can't remember his name just now (oh yeah, James Gurney). To name a few.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I just bought Ovi's book and I just love his stuff. . . again there are so many tough to make a list.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

People and animals. Because I do them best. Want to get a lot better at perspective and environments.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My friend John Wallace, back in 3rd grade. He was an awesome artist. But I don't think he is doing it anymore, I've lost touch with him. . . .

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Oh I don't know, you've already got a comprehensive list, not sure what I could really add to it, sorry.

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David Wolter: World's Tallest Cartoonist

2007-08-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

davidwolter@hotmail.com, davidwolter.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Blue Col-Erase and Photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Pixar no doubt.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Silver, Satzinger, Moshier, Marlet, Balistreri, and Goodrich

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Ego from Ratatouille is pretty phenomenal.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Characters I loved as a kid, trying to recapture the magic I guess.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

God, my mom, and the Thundercats.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

None that would be new to anyone familiar with your blog. I check
CartoonBrew like, twice a day, and sevencamels.blogspot.com is a great
resource as well.

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Frank Hague

2007-08-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

n/a

What type of tools or media do you use?

Charcoal, pencil, brush, chalk pastel, pen, and watercolor

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

First choice would be Spain but am willing to work anywhere depending on the job.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

n/a

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

bernard the bear, tarzan , the iron giant

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

my favorite subjects to draw would probably be landscapes when using watercolors and when playing around with other media i like to draw from a model

What inspired you to become an Artist?

cartoonists that i saw in the newspapers inspired me to draw, after that i was inspired by a documentary i saw about the making of the Lion King.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://aodhanscribbles.blogspot.com
http://paulinabrinck.blogspot.com
http://gushughes.blogspot.com
these are friends i studied art with that have character designs on their websites.

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Teuvo Heikkila

2007-08-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://shambolic-art.deviantart.com/
shambolic.art@gmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

-STAEDTLER 780-Bic GEL intesity BLACK-cannoscan 5200-WACOM intuos 2-Photoshop 5.5-

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

valve, bungie, id, madhouse.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

-Katsuya Terada-Yasuhiro Nightow-

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

-gungrave-yotsuba-

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

destruction. mechanical things & monsters. and girls, tho im not good at the last one :p

What inspired you to become an Artist?

i was obsessed with gijoe toys, then gijoe comics and that lead to spirits of vengeance comics and from that point the comic floodgates opened :p

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

n/a

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Bryan Ballinger

2007-07-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

bryan@breadwig.com, www.breadwig.com, www.bryanballinger.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

2d tools: black sharpies, post-it notes, Photoshop, Painter, Alias Sketch. 3d tools: Maya, Mudbox.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I currently teach digital art at a small college, and do freelance illustration on the side, and I enjoy both.
I would love an opportunity to work on something that uses my looser, more cartoony 2d style.
Most of the work I get is for my 3d characters. And I love that, but my 2d work is a closer link to my soul.
For instance, designing characters for a cartoon in my 2d style would be a blast.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Pixar certainly has a lot of great character designers.
Other specific character artists I like a lot include: Michael Gagne, Jeremy Vanhoozer, Doug TenNapel, Phil Foglio, and Hiroshi Yoshi

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

The characters in Michael Gagne's Frenzied Fauna are fabulous.
http://www.gagneint.com/Final%20site/books/fauna/Fauna_fullbook_1.htm

These 3d characters by Hiroshi Yoshii are just so great:
http://web.mac.com/hiroshiyoshii/iWeb/Character/CharacterWorks.html

And recently there are two artists who's characters I find to be some of the most charming ever.
Paintmonster (Marty Mito): http://web.mac.com/hiroshiyoshii/iWeb/Character/CharacterWorks.html
And Muffin (Mette Johnsen): http://mettejo.blogspot.com/

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I thoroughly love drawing dogs. Probably because I love dogs in general, but also because dogs come in such a huge array of sizes,
proportions, etc. And they all have so much personality.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My best friend starting in 4th grade, Heath Gordon. He was so talented and an amazing cartoonist even in grade school.
That and my love of comics, specifically B.C., Tumbleweeds, and all my old Mad Magazines.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.drawergeeks.com, http://www.drawingboard.org/index.php, http://www.drawn.ca ,
http://www.cgchar-animation.com/ http://www.flightcomics.com/forum/

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Joseph H LeDosquet

2007-07-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

porpitude@gmail.com (website is www.porpitude.com)

What type of tools or media do you use?

Predominantly Digital (Photoshop), but I still do a lot of traditional ink, watercolor, and acrylic work.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would love to work with Pixar, but my dream is to become a director and have my own studio similar to Tim Burton.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Top Character Designers: I don't know, it really depends on what style you are looking for. Tim Burton isn't really thought of as a character designer, but he designs some off-the-wall characters for his stop motion movies. On the other end of the spectrum, I also really liked the character designs that Iain McCaig did for Star Wars.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Favorite Character Designs: Hands down the most wonderful character designs were the early ones done for The Incredibles, simple shapes and fabric patterns developed into those characters...sheer brilliance (from Pixar I would expect no less).

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Favorite subject to draw: Weird people. There are some freaky looking people in this world (big noses, no chins, crossed eyes...) I love drawing them.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

What inspired me: I'm not sure that anything in particular inspired me, I just always drew to communicate.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Favorite website links: www.porpitude.com (shameless self promotion), www.mikelaughhead.com (friend of mine who does illustration), Iain McCaig's site www.iainmccaig.com (coming soon).

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Marco Hasmann

2007-06-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

starplatinum666@hotmail.com
http://lasttravelart.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

Other than the conventional ink and Pencil I use Photoshop for coloring on PC.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Both on the Comics and Design side i have many and different inspirations and aspirations, if i had to name some of the most intriguing: comic-wise i'd like to pubish some work in the states with Image and Marvel while in europe i'd like to work with Soleil editions. While on the design-side of the coin i'd like to apply by designing characters for cartoons productions.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I find most inspiring the works of Sean Galloway, Enrique Fernandez, Benoit Springer, Claire Wendling and Stuart Immonen.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

John Silver and Dr.Doppler from Treasure Planet are both from mhy top-list, while the whole Samurai Jack concept makes me enthusiastic.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

The freedom of shapes\possibilities by drawing monster\robots things is absolutely undeniable.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Since i was a kid is absolutely the chance to give life to images and feelings i have in mind, the emotion of creating something that didn't exist is second only to the ability of creating life itself.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Here are a few:

http://gotcheeks.blogspot.com/

http://kahnehteh.blogspot.com/

http://lospaccanuvole.blogspot.com/

http://www.robertvalley.blogspot.com/

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Javier Burgos

2007-06-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Email:javiburch@yahoo.es

Webpage:http://javasb.blogspot.com/

http://javas.deviantart.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

Paper, Col Erase blue/red animation pencils, mechapencils, inkpens, Photoshop, Wacom Intuos

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I love working as a freelance because it gives me the freedom necesary to come up with my own personal projects. But of course it would be great working on Pixar, Disney, or any good animation company as a character designer. Sharing influences and working on a team its sometimes necessary if you want to grow as an artist.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

So many, Glen Keane, Enrique Fernández, Sean Galloway, Claire Wendling, Jamie Hewlett, Chris Sanders, Jeff Matsuda, Todd Harris, Ryan Wood, Miyazaki...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Enriquez Fernandez designs in "Oz", the awesome characters that Juanjo Guarnido did in Blacksad comicbooks, Barbucci´s Skydoll, Cheeks amazing redesing of Hellboy, Glen Keane´s Tarzan and Chris Sander´s Lilo, Iron Giant, Totoro from Miyazaki, Venom design by Skottie Young...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

People, facial expressions, animals, natural landscapes, clouds, hair, swirly stuff... Anything with life and movement.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The necessity to create images, my imagination and the influences from animation films and comic books.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.deviantart.com/

http://www.comicspace.com/

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Anuka Baratashvili

2007-06-01T06:09:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

anukaart@yahoo.com , www.anuk.deviantart.com personal web page comming soon
What type of tools or media do you use?

I work in traditional media:watercolors,different penciles etc and in digital media: photoshop CS

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I can't answer where I want to work dunno yet

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

top character designers are: Harald simepermann, Devid colman Bobby chiu, and many more.. Boog and Elliot from Open Season are my favorite characters

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Boog and Elliot from Open Season are my favorite characters

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I dunno exactly what was inspiration just I can't live without drawing
What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

My favorite links are http://www.davidsdoodles.com/ http://www.illustrationmundo.com/

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Oleg Yourkov (aka Oritey)

2007-05-02T06:31:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

mail@oritey.com / oritey.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

open canvas 4.06 / WACOM grafiro A5 XL

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

only freelance-illustrator i wanna be!!!(and work all round the world)

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

i think that all of the character designers here are SUPER! but one of
them i adore most of all GABRIELE PENNACCHIOLI

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

a shark with piano by GABRIELE is my favorite.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

i think my favorite subject to draw is animal..cartoon animal for my
daughter - because i love her))

What inspired you to become an Artist?

my daugther inspires me always. before her birth i was just a little
designer doing trash. you now what ? - this site is inspired me too. ;)

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.animationmeat.com

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THIS IS A NOTICE TO ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE ATTENDEES OF PORTFOLIO REVIEW.

2007-04-27T07:03:00.000-07:00

As it stands, Portfolio Review will feature a new post of an artist for one (1), month.
This will happen in the order we receive all of the interview as well as requested items for your post.
It may increase in number as we receive more portfolios, but for now it will stand as stated above.
We encourage anyone to submit for Portfolio Review and we look forward to seeing your work.
Thanks for visiting and keep them coming!

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Tracy Constantine

2007-04-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

twconstantine@gmail.com http://www.gunfighterslife.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Pencil, Paper, Ink, Photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Any comic book company would be great. Or video game company. Or a place where you sit all day watching sports and getting massages. That would be cool.
Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Mel Milton, Shawn "Cheeks" Galloway, Ben Caldwell

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Any thing that Mel Milton has done, and Shawn Galloway...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Right now I'm fully engrossed in my Gun Fighter's Life comic book, so I should say that's my favorite thing to draw right now. I've always been a comic book type artist, at least I would like to think so.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My love of all things Disney. I realize that sounds very bland, but it's for real. I grew up on that and wanted to work for them for a long time. Not anymore, but I really did.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://gotcheeks.blogspot.com/ http://melmade.blogspot.com/ http://roboworks.deviantart.com/gallery/

Those are my heroes right now!

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Andrea Rania

2007-03-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

andrea@endriu.com
www.endriu.com
http://andrearania.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

i work with pencil, paper, wacom intuos, photoshop and flash

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Aardman or Turner is cool

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

there are lots of cool people, i really dont know exactely, anyone think up something new

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

can list some movie where i've see some great characters:

Mulan, Flushed Away, Open Season, Samurai Jack, Spongebob...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

no preference, i really like draw everithing, everytime is a challenge

why? because i love when people laughin or smiling whatching my characters

What inspired you to become an Artist?

God :) ehehe

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

mmmm.... i dont know...

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Kevin Wasden

2007-03-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Email: kevin@kevinwasden

Website: www.kevinwasden.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I start everything with a pencil sketch but vary in the final mediums, depending on my deadline and desired result. Traditionally I use oils, acrylics, and watercolor. Digitally I prefer using my 9x12 Wacom tablet with Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I prefer to work freelance, in my personal studio. Of course, all things are open to negotiation.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Honestly, there are too many great artists to mention here, but I suppose that answer won't suffice. I'm a big fan of Ian McCaig's work for Star Wars. I also like Todd Harris, Kevin Keele, and Justin Sweet.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Pretty much anything Ian McCaig did for Star Wars,

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I enjoy drawing life: people, animals, creatures of all sorts. Faces and hands express so much emotion and character. I don't find as much satisfaction designing cars, buildings, etc. Those things can make a movie, a video game, or a story look really cool, but it's the characters that breathe life (and success) into a project.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Basically art stalked me until I gave in to it. I tried for a long time to find a respectable career, but I just couldn't stop drawing. I'm fascinated with the whole concept of creativity. I love the process of coming up with an idea and figureing out the best way to communicate that concept to others. So I guess you can say I'm an artist by default. There's nothing else I would rather do.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.splintered-mind.com

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Kevin Necessary

2007-03-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

kev.necessary@gmail.com. You can view my blog at
www.necessaryart.blogspot.com . or my portfolio (I'm using a service
until I can get my own site up) at www.artwanted.com/necessary.

What type of tools or media do you use?

Everything I do does eventually get finished through the computer
(mostly Photoshop, but I do use Illustrator quite a bit). However,
getting to that point differs by project. Sometimes I just use pencil,
or pen and ink. Other times, I'll throw in acrylic or ink washes, or
take photographs or scans of interesting textures. I'm not sure I have
a set style or technique — when I'm creating I use whatever comes to
mind.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I'd love to character design for a video game or animation studio
(Lucasarts and Lucasfilm, Pandemic, Blue Sky, etc.) Beyond that, any
design firm would be great. Right now I work for a newspaper doing
page design, which means I don't get the opportunity to do art. So any
place where I could draw and create would be fantastic.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Brad Bird is probably my favorite character designer out there. I'm
also a big fan of Aaron McBride, Doug Chaing and Gennedy Tartovsky.
Also, I love the stuff that comes out of Craig McCraken, who's doing
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends on Cartoon Network.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

As stated above, I watch Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends almost
every night. The designs are so simple but so expressive. I recently
discovered the artwork of Tony DiTerlizzi, who did a children's book
called The Spider and the Fly. Brilliant black and white work.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I love retro-future designs, and find myself constantly drawing little
characters in that style on the edges of my sketchbook. Things like
clunky robots and funky little ray guns. I think I have a longing for
a future that seemed futuristic. I also like drawing political figures
of both the past and the present.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I wanted to be an artist ever
since I was exposed to the artwork of Ralph McQuarrie, who was the
concept artist for the original Star Wars Trilogy. I first saw his
work when I was 3 or 4 years old, right after Return of the Jedi came
out. I used to try to match the Star Wars coloring books to his
paintings (the books were based on his work). As I grew older I
stopped focusing on art and got a "real" job, as a page designer for
newspapers. But on a trip to the Art Institute in Chicago in January
of '06, I rediscovered my love for art and the passion for creating
art. I've spent the past year trying to build up a portfolio.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.illustrationclass.com
www.illustrationmundo.com
www.thedailydrawing.com
www.creaturesinmyhead.com
www.brandonbird.com

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Colleen McDonald

2007-02-22T07:31:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/colleen.mcdonald or

zoidel7@hotmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I paint with acrylic on canvas with brushes...very hands on!! ha Traditional painting. My paintings are quite large...some 6ft. Good for gallery shows or hanging in your house. But I am starting to use photoshop in some of my newer projects...cause it's faster and doesn't take up as much space as a painting. I thought it would be very difficult to paint in photoshop...but I know now that if you have fine art training... it isn't as tourcherous. The basics of painting and color are still there. I am not so scared of photoshop anymore!! ha

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would love to work anywhere that had a creative and fun work environment. Where the people there would get as excited about great character designs as I do. And if the characters were made into real life 3d and could walk and talk....even better! ha

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I think the best character designers out there are the ones who are just slowly breaking into the field. I have seen so many great artists...but I can't remember their names, only what their work looks like. And so many different styles too. That's great. They will be the top character designers soon.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Munch from Munch's oddysee....is an all time favourite. I was blown away when i saw that character. Everything from his voice to his stance to his overall design...just perfect.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Robots are my favourite to draw. Probably cause they were the first real characters that i was exposed to that had a WOW effect on me as a kid!!! I was so fascinated by them and their mechanisms.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My imagination.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Don't know of any off hand.

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Flaviano Armentaro

2007-02-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

flaviano.armentaro@hotmail.com

http://myspace.com/greatflaviano

What type of tools or media do you use?

pencil, felt-tip pen, photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

san francisco

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

glen keane, bodart, alary, pennachioli

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

ice age's De Seve, ren & stimpy and all John Kricfalusi characters and the master tex Avery

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

all the bad, dirt and infamous animal (like rats, pigs, tortoise) and of course the pin-up

What inspired you to become an Artist?

all comics artist who i read and watched when i was young (like Frazetta, Buscema, Milton Caniff, Raymond, Gould,Watterson, etc)

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

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Dan Helle

2007-01-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

www.crylic.blogspot.com .

What type of tools or media do you use?

I keep it real, Col-erase pencil and paper. I occasionally will clean
up and color in Flash. I've also been known to pull out a brush pen
now and again, but I've still got a lot to learn with it.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well the obvious choice would be Pixar, everyone says that but only
because it's true. It truly is where everyone wants to be (that I
know.) With so much talent and inspiration there why would you want
to be anywhere else. So yeah, Pixar, 'nuff said.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Well I gather the most inspiration from those that have a unique
handle on there craft, that aren't doing what everyone else is doing
and really pushing design. That said, my top's right now are Chris
George, Joel Trussell, Robin Mitchell, Matt Williames, Jamie Hewlett,
Sergio Pablos, Jared Chapman, Gene Blakefield, Willie Real, Scott
Morse...the list goes on but that's definitley my top ten in no
particular order.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Well again, the guys in my top ten are consistently pushing the
envelope for what makes a great appealing design. Chris George's
Sheena and Lucas are a heavy source of inspiration, as are Robin
Mitchell's girls...he uses the most pushed shapes and poses and I love
how you can see all the groundwork that's been laid down before he
finally settle's on a drawing. It's so hard to pick cause I see so
much new and fantastic stuff everyday. Doppler from Treasure Planet
is definitley up there, as is Lupin the Third. My range of influence
is so wide that it really is impossible to choose, haha.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I really enjoy drawing the ladie's. Big, short, tall, skinny, it
doesn't matter. I like playing with the shapes and seeing what new
and crazy chick's I can come up with. The majority of the girl's I
draw have a backstory, I like playing with there personality and
really developing them before I lay pencil to paper.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My main inspiration was cartoons, ever since I was a kid Saturday
morning cartoon's pretty much ruled my life. I knew early on in life
that making cartoon's is what I wanted to do. As I got older and my
taste's matured to more quality driven stuff like Disney, it was
simply a choice of finding a good school and applying. Animation is
my life, followed closely by comic's and toy's, I still get up early
every Saturday for the good stuff like Avatar, Billy and Mandy, and
Spongebob.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Well I have a ton of link's on my blog of which I keep regular tab's
on and ya'll should too, and the list is constantly being updated. My
fave's though are www.drawn.ca and www.cartoonbrew.com. I'm there
like every half hour checkin' for new stuff, it's a wonder I get
anything done at all

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David Dick

2007-01-22T08:17:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

davealert@gmail.com - My email address

http://ddickportfolio.blogspot.com/ - My portfolio

What type of tools or media do you use?

I usually use pencils, markers, pens, and Photoshop.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

A place that really has that passion for art, and the drive to make a quality product :)

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are so many I really admire, but my favourite are Glen Keane, Milt Kahl, Bobby Chiu, Tony Fucile, Maki Fujimoto, Stephen Silver, and Ibrahim Al-Gwaiz.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I'd say Cruella Deville, Mirage, and Gil (from Finding Nemo)

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I'd have to say people are for sure! They are interesting, unpredictable, and a non-stop fountain of inspiration.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I'd have to say comics and the Disney movies. I loved them so much I really wanted to be a part of that process :D

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://sevencamels.blogspot.com/

www.cartoonbrew.com

http://www.animationarchive.org/

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Shaun Pendergast

2007-01-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

sfpendy01@gmail.com, monkeyspin.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use a mix of digital and traditional mediums. Mostly number 2
pencils, and Photoshop.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Moe's Tavern, but Pixar is a close second.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I love Enrique Fernandez's characters. He has a great Oz series out
there. William Joyce has been my favorite for a long time now. I want
to be him when I grow up.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I always smile when I see the Radish Spirit from Miyazaki's Spirited Away.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I've been drawing characters and scenes from L. Frank Baum's The
Wonderful Wizard of Of Oz since I was a little boy. I've had a
fascination with the stories since my Father gave me my Grandma's
original books.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My Father (who is also an artist).

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.flightcomics.com, www.pixar.com,
http://gabriele-pennacchioli-interview.blogspot.com/,
www.sketchbooksessions.com/shanesboard

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Tyler Stott

2007-01-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

stottart.blogspot.com, ttotsbarc@hotmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

a slick lil' pencils, ps/tablet,yah thats about it.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Pixar would be ideal but there are other great places like Blue
Sky, or Sony Animation.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Claire Wendling, Humberto Ramos, John Nevarez, HJose Lopez, Sean Galloway and Eric
Canete, ya they are all super guuuud!!

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

All of the characters from "The Increddibles" and Galloway's "Bastion 7" characters.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Usually peeps but more rescently i've gotten into drawing animals. I love to pick out people from school or in town or even finding photos online and then creating someone from them, whether it looks like them or not(for inspiration).

What inspired you to become an Artist?

My papa, he's pretty guud so i guess i picked it up from him. Since I've started doing animation, artists everywhere out there have inspired me to be better, especially those peers around me, MAN there is alot of talent out there!

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.avalanchesoftware.blogspot.com there is alot of talent there.

www.humbertoramos.blogspot.com yuyah!

www.kahnehteh.blogspot.com more talent!

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Gavin Ball

2007-01-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Email (Gavin.animator@gmail.com)

What type of tools or media do you use?

pencil, copic markers, pencil crayons, water colours and digital

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Nintendo

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Hmm... Off the top of my head I would say Sergio Pablos, Alessandro Toccaceli and Steve Silver

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I liked the mice that Alessandro Toccaceli did, I also like alot of Steven Silvers work.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I like drawing just about anything, as long as I can put some kind of unique spin on it. I try to make the unbelievable appear believable. That is my goal. To me that is more interesting than drawing something realistic. Don't get me wrong, realism is nice too, but I feel there is not as much room for creativity.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Reading Mad magazine and comic books when I was growing up. I always wanted to draw for Mad magazine. Also animation like Tarzan and Ren and Stimpy really inspired me to pursue art as a career.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I like conceptart.org , characterdesigns.com, cgtalk.com and this site of course to find out about new artists I wouldn't have seen otherwise

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Leon J Garcia

2007-01-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

People can contact me at lgarcia3@sbcglobal.net

What type of tools or media do you use?

I mostly use Photoshop to do my digital coloring, but I want to take the time to learn Painter much better, as far as tools go just your normal black or blue pencil for work-ups then scan and then color in photoshop.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well anyplace would be fine, any kind of experince like that would be great.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

That is a easy question, to me the top is Glen Keane, he is my all time favorite, along with Sean Galloway, love his coloring style.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Well since I love Gryphons, the model sheet from Quest for Camalot for the gryphon is so cool, that was my favorite.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I love gryphons, always have for some reason, you can draw them so many ways and they look so powerful and graceful all at the same time and I love to draw my character Pendragon, i've drawn him different ways.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I am a self taught artist, I've learned by looking and then trying to do it myself, comics were always my first love, with the multutudes of artist I learned so many things. I think to answer the question, it was from when I was introduced to comics.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Some of my favorite links are The Drawing Board http://www.drawingboard.org/index.php

and then the Concept design forum http://www.conceptart.org/ and a link to my own blog which is at http://snowtigers-fanciful-tails.blogspot.com/

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Robert Penn

2007-01-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Manumblu2@aol.com or you can check my web site: stu.aii.edu/~rrp181

What type of tools or media do you use?

I love to design in Flash and Photoshop I do majority pencil scans to digital coloring

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

At this time It would be a dream come true to work with any company especially any Flash animation studios.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

well some of my favorites are Sean Gallaway because I love his animated style, Bryan Konietzko for his contributes to Avatar and Invader Zim, Scottie Young, he is another that adds that animation feel to his designs.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Well definitely those of Invader Zim, The Venture Bros., among others.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I love to create characters of any type because when I design my character it feels like I put life on paper. From the minute they're thought of till they are completely colored I can visualize every lively characteristic they should have.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

This is a God given gift and I intend on using what he gave me. I've been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil and its my way of expressing the things in the goofy way I see them.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Deviantart.com www.scribble.ws/

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Jarrett Young

2006-12-21T14:30:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

anthony.young@sheridanc.on.ca , http://jarrettyoung.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I experiment in all different media.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

As long as I can design for a living, I have no preference where I work as
long as the environment is inspiring.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Oh, so many. Gerald Scarfe is just awesome! Jack Potter has beautiful
simplicity. Craig Frazier for his great concepts! They're not exactly
character designers, but among my inspirations.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Some of the first character designs to really catch my eye were
embarrassingly simple. I think I carry that simplicity into my designs to
this day. My initial inspirations are mascots. Mario, Sonic, and Bonk.
Sprites! Simplicity has always been of interest to be because of the nature
of early video game design.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Faces. I could draw faces until the end of time. There is noting more
rewarding than finding a unique ensemble of features that tell you something
personal.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The insatiable desire to create. My mind has always been an obsessive
creating machine. When I'm not drawing, I'm thinking about my next drawing.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://shaz-lym.blogspot.com
http://andrew-ross.blogspot.com

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Adam Koford aka Ape Lad

2006-12-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

www.adamkoford.com ak@adamkoford.com apelad.blogspot.com , hoboes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apelad/sets/1223244/

What type of tools or media do you use?

pitt pens (I particularly like the brush pen), pencils, photoshop, markers, watercolor, and the occasional yellow sharpie.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Warner Brothers animation, circa 1940. Or Pixar. Pixar would be good too.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Geefwee Boedoe, Peter DeSeve, Frank Espinosa

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Jack Kirby's designs for the Inhumans and New Gods, Richard Scarry's early painted work is brimming with charm, most anything by Mary Blair, Bob Staake's childrens books.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Right now it's hoboes, due to my involvement in the 700 hoboes project. Several artists are illustrating all of the ficticious hobo names listed in John Hodgman's book "the Areas of My Expertise". The list is full of funny references to literature and pop culture and movies and all sorts of fodder for the imagination.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Watching my dad draw.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

e-hobo.com, and I think everyone interested in animation or cartooning should be reading John K's blog: http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/

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Tihomir Chelanovich

2006-11-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Email tiho.morcina@gmail.com and/or Web page www.kfatoliperazus.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Pens, pencils, ink, Photoshop, Painter.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Disney, Pixar...

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Shane Glines, Glen Keane, Claire Wendling...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Milt Kahl's drawings, Claire Wendling, Alan Lee, Dan Lee, Peter de Seve...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Lions, monkeys, insects, rabbits, girls, old people.

These are the subjects I draw without much thinking and many times, they turn out good looking in the end.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Making up new creatures and new worlds.

Imagening situations, conflicts between characters, telling stories.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Animation podcast, http://ilkke.blogspot.com/, http://www.flightcomics.com/, http://sewardstreet.com/

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Nathan Bachelder

2006-11-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

contact: http://nathanlb.cgsociety.org/gallery/
email: n8saprano@yahoo.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

tools: Mostly Adobe Photoshop, but some 3D using Alias Maya, Adobe AfterEffects, traditonal; watercolor, oil, Ink, and pencil.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

What place would i like to work: Pretty much any prodution studio for the Entertainment and/or Gaming Industry; as long as I'm doing something creative I'm happy.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

My top favorite Artists: Bobby Chiu, Jonny Duddle, Pascal Blanche, Mathias Verhasselt, Nicolas Bouvier, and Steven Stahlberg.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Favorite piece: "Cirque de Spectaculaire" by Jonny Duddle

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Favorite subject('s): I love monsterous creatures for the dark and mysterious aspect of it but I also enjoy sci-fi themed characters for the Industrial Design aspect.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Inpiration: Well Ive always loved drawing, I think I was creating pictures before I learned how to spell and write. But I think you could say it runs in the family because both of parents are pretty creative.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

CGTalk, conceptart.org , computerarts.co.uk, and ImagineFX

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Mike Legan

2006-11-22T10:49:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

www.mikesartwork.com

mikeorion22@hotmail.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Illustrator and photoshop

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

still looking into some good places.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

i really like Ragnar, Joe Madureira, Mike Mignola, Bruce Timm and Sean
Galloway

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Samurai Jack, Foster's home for imaginary friends, Bruce Timm's batman
series

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I like doing faces the most, its fun to tell a story with facial
expressions, and seeing how raising or lowering something as simple as an
eyebrow can change the mood of a character

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I've always liked comic books and wanted to be able to draw like the people
i saw, mostly Todd McFarlane when he did spawn and Andy Kubert doing x-men
were my early idols.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.comicartcommunity.com

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Isaac Aranda

2006-11-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

People could contact me at bakaburra@gmail.com or visiting my blog
bakaburra.blogspot.com .

What type of tools or media do you use?

I usually use Flash and a Wacom tablet for my first contact with the
character. After a few lines, i define the most important shots and
after i paint with a basic palette.
Then I export to Photoshop and i apply some colour effects.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well, if i could decide it, i would like to work for Pixar, not only
like a drawer even thinking about characters, ideas for gags, making
photocopy.... jajaja but i think that with my age and family this will
happen in other life. But now i´m thinking, there´s another place i
would like to work.... Cartoon Network....what a lovely characters they
create...

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I discover a lot of character designers and drawers every day. Lot of
them are impressive and i enjoy their desings. Blogs are a very
important source of aknowlegment. People like Sean Galloway, uwe... or
designers that work for pixar, disney, warner... i can learn a lot
seeing their art. In spain there are a lot of good artist.... if i have
to choose one, MIguelanxo Prado is my favourite.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

The incredibles was a very important picture in my life like an artist.
All of the characters are perfects. The art of Tony Fucile and Lou
Romano.... i have no words ...fantastic!
I have seen this film a lot of times and i enjoy it every time. I
remember Norman Rockwell like an important influence.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Villains and tortured charactes are my principal subject. I don´t know
why, they produce in me a lot of good feelings. I like to imagine their
stories and bad acts... Everybody knows a hero conduct but is
impossible to foresee what a villain can do...

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I went to school, since i was 4 years old with a friend of mine that
was a fantastic artist. I start drawing imitating my friend....but soon
i saw that i had my own capabilities and i started to enjoy with my own
art.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

no reply

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Jesse Aclin

2006-11-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

jesseaclin@gmail.com
www.jesseaclin.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

alias sketchbook, photoshop, illustrator

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

any studio really as long as it is a good opportunity..and pixar and
lucas of course

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Right now i like Ricky nierva, steven silver, feng zhu, john nevarez,
ryan church, cheeks, and most everyone listed on this sight.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

i don't have much out there and I'm a very harsh critic of myself.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Robots are always fun. I like giving them human and animal
characteristics and trying to put a lot of life into something thats
mechanical.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I have always drawn but lately sights like deviantat art and concept
art and this site have been big inspirations for me.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www,deviantart.com www.conceptart.org

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Moro Rogers

2006-11-17T11:58:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Email is fine...My webpage (kambodiahotel.blogspot.com) has a little more
info and a bunch of art.

What type of tools or media do you use?

Whatever seems to suit the subject matter. I like watercolor, pen and ink
with photoshop color, and gouache...

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a
choice?

If I had a choice...Pixar. Laika sounds neat also.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Nicholas Marlet and Jamie Hewlett are good. I'd like to see movies in their
styles.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I love the people and aliens in LILO AND STITCH. They're very charming and
curvy.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Monsters, dinosaurs, naked ladies...They are all beautiful in themselves,
but allow for a lot of freedom, too. I don't think I could ever get tired of
drawing monsters.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I've been drawing since I was a little kid and...I really don't remember,
haha. My dad is an artist too, and my parents constantly encouraged me to
develop my skills. But when I was younger I thought I wanted to be a
scientist. Who knows.
Later, PRINCESS MONONOKE and Stephen Chow's movies made me want to become a
filmmaker myself. I'm working on it.^_^

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this
Blog?

Not sure what to put here, since all the most awesome art sites have
probably been linked already...
A friend of mine with really cool art- http://beetlebeauty.blogspot.com/
Tree of Life project- http://tolweb.org/tree/
Studio Ghibli- http://nausicaa.net
A CS Lewis site (One of my favorite writers. A big influence on my
storytelling.>- http://cslewis.drzeus.net/

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Brett Jubinville

2006-11-15T11:47:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

People can contact me through my email, brett@thebrett.com and can see my
stuff at www.thebrett.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

The usual stuff. Pencil, pen, tablet, photoshop, illustrator.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a
choice?

Nickelodeon is at the top of the list, along with Pixar. I'd love to
produce my own short or series at Nelvana, where I currently work.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

The top guys, in my opinion are Steve Lambe, Genndy, Craig McCracken.
Also, though he's not really a 'character desgner', Ashley Wood is
phenomenal.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I've liked the look of Open Season since the get-go. Finally it seems
like the 'trying to be photo-real' thing is running out of steam and we're
getting back to the idea that these are cartoons, not live-action
wannabees.

El Tigre with Nick has a damn nice look to it too.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Aside from the ladies, cause they're ladies ... I'd say people with
swords. Lots of Samurai Jack and Warcraft II (yes 2) influence on my art
over the years.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The desire to do something with my life where if I was taken out and
replaced with someone else, it would be done completely differently. Not
to be just a cog in the machine I suppose.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to
this Blog?

Ash Wood's blog
http://ashleybambaland.blogspot.com/

Drawingboard.org
http://www.drawingboard.org/

Concept Art.org
http://www.conceptart.org/

Design is Kinky
http://www.designiskinky.net

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Olivier Aubin (Bino)

2006-11-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

by my webpage, please.
http://binoland.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use traditional art techniques (rotring pastel, acrylic...) and computer Pc or Mac : photoshop, illustrator ,3dsmax, zbrush .
But everything always begins by a piece of paper and a sketch.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well I'd like to work as illustrator, for children's tale.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Bobby Chiu

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Ray caesar, Mark Ryden, Helwein

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Stupid characters, animals,are my favorites. Stupid characters because I have got a lot of imagination,
and my world is a bit mad, and animals because of the diversity of their shapes, expressions, apleasure to draw them and to make them human!

What inspired you to become an Artist?

It very naturel to draw, so I don't feel like an artist.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I'd like to share these adresses:

http://www.raycaesar.com/
http://peteoswald.blogspot.com/
http://donshank.blogspot.com/

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Arash Tirgari

2006-11-15T11:31:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Email: inkboyt@hotmail.com Webpage: http://tirgari.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

I use whatever tools necessary to get the job done. However, a favorite
methode of choice has been scanning pencil and pen drawings into the
computer to be painted in Painter. At work during break, I also do the
occassional marker pieces. I also enjoy oil painting when time permits.
However, the ultimate tool is the sharpened pencil, because it all starts
with a basic drawing: composition and value studies.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a
choice?

I really enjoy my current occupation as an FX artist on movies. I have
been lucky to work on a high profile film or two, including the recent "The
Chronicles of Narnia", however I am also in the lookout for interesting
projects or freelance job to do some traditional work: illustration and
concept design.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There is so much fantastic talent out there some of whome I happen to
personally know: John Nevarez, Steven Silver, Jose Lopez, etc. I also
really like the works of Carlos Huante and Justin Sweet to name a few, and
of course a great favorite of mine Moebius.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

One of the most obvious would of course be "The Incredibles", both in
terms of design and expressiveness of the characters. I also like some of
the works of Japanese artists, including Koji Morimoto and the likes of
"Ghost in the Shell".

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I actually really enjoy drawing the human figure and had the opportunity
to teach my own classes in subject of figure drawing and anatomy. To me the
human figure has been the ultimate challenge as a subject for many artists
through the ages. Figure drawing can be challenging and rewarding at the
same time. However, even a little knowledge and skill in drawing the figure
can help your drawing ability a good deal, especially as a character
designer.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Ever since I could hold a pencil I have drawn. Originally, I was studying
to attend medical school, but my heart was somewhere else-- mainly in the
arts. So, I chose to pursue a career in the film industry as a traditional
artist first and now as a digital one.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this
Blog?

www.animationnation.com (great resource for artists)
www.conceptart.org

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Caroline Attia

2006-11-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

http://www.carolineattia.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Drawing, Photoshop, Illustrator

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Passion Pictures or Studio aka

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Bruce Timm, Peter de Seve, Carlos Nine (well he is not really a character designer, but his characters are amazing!), Michel Gagné

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

no reply

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Small dogs, because they got such awful faces, and old ladies because of the work time as done on there faces, you can really see through they face their life and character.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I was fist very inspired by French comics, and then I discovered animation through Disney first.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.pictoplasma.com

http://www.tokyoplastic.com/

www.studioaka.com

www.passionpictures.com

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Christyan Lundblad

2006-11-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

I would like to be contacted on Christyan@ofir.dk or I_am@christyanlundblad.dk

What type of tools do you use?
Pencil, pen, marker and Photoshop.

Is there a place where you would like to have an internship?
Where ever they are not afraid of thinking differently.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?
AL Hirschfeld, Aidan Harte, Jesoped, Nicholas Marlet.

What are some of your favourite character designs which you have seen?
Really hard to say. As long as it flows . has appeal, interesting shapes and contrast within shapes.

What is your favourite subject to draw?
And why?: Birds, fish and elephants. Because you can go very far with their shapes and still see what animals they are.

What inspired you to become an artist?
The fact that I like drawing a lot.

What are some of your favourite links that would be relevant for this block? http://stefchoi.blogspot.com/ http://www.lost.art.br/osgemeos.htm www.robertvalley.com http://www.wellworthwaiting.com

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Ricardo Tércio

2006-11-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
http://mautempo.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?
pencils,watercolours,acrylic & digital

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?
I like to work in freelance bases to get more variety of work

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?
anybody who provided work for Pixar, Samurai Jack, Darkstalkers, Powerpuff girls, Spirited away,Nocturna,Studio aka

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?
so many...the Powerpuff Girls are brilliantly well thought...I really liked Darkstalkers...stuff from Claire Wendling,Moebius

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?
Monsters...They're never enough

What inspired you to become an Artist?
My family,toys,movies,the streets...

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?
http://claire-wendling.net/

http://www.studioaka.co.uk/html/index.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/17016/frames.htm

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Sandro Pizziolo

2006-11-15T09:13:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

If someone would like to contact me,
this is my e-mail: pizziolos@halloweenschool.com
and this is my new blog: http://www.letsdraw-sandro.blogspot.com
and in this site can you see one of my old work: www.halloweenschool.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Usually I work with pencil and after i inking with brush or pen.(I prefer use the brush.)
After i finish my work with photoshop.
But I like many of techniques to draw my ideas!

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Whell, now my principal work is the comics maker..and I like this!
But one of my dreams is to work for one of (big) Animation studios!

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I like Stephen Silver,John Nevarez,Harald Sieperman,Andrei Riabovitchev...
this are only some that I like...there are many Great!

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I've Loved the designs of "The Incredibles"..."Home of the range"...and the series "Samurai Jack"...and many others ^__^

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favorite subject are the people and I like to create different personages!

What inspired you to become an Artist?

The italian comics artist Giorgio Cavazzano!

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

www.silvertoons.com (Stephen Silver site)
http://john-nevarez.blogspot.com/
http://andreiriabovitchev.blogspot.com/
http://pierrealary.blogspot.com/
http://haraldsiepermann.blogspot.com/

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Michael Arnold

2006-11-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)
www.arnomation.com

What type of tools or media do you use?
Mechanical pencils, felt tip pens, light box, copy paper, scanner, Photoshop, Flash, Adobe Illustrator

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?
Well, at this point in my career I'd rather continue working from home and stay freelance. You can't beat the hours and the commute is a breeze. I worked for almost ten years at Sesame Street so I'm not in any hurry to get back to the daily grind but if I had to pick a place it might be Pixar because they seem to be just having a ball out there.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?
Peter DeSéve, Bill Mayer, Glen Keane, Bruce Timm

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?
I've always been a fan of Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth's Rat Fink and Basil Wolverton's sick and twisted people and I loved the design of Long John Silver from Disney's Treasure Planet. The character design was just awesome the way they combined a hand drawn 2-D character with a 3-D arm, leg and eye piece to make him into a cyborg was incredible.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?
I love to draw anything organic. People, plants, animals, you name it. What I hate to draw are straight edged objects like a chair, a building a car or anything mechanical. I just don't enjoy it.

What inspired you to become an Artist?
Just a love of cartoons and comics as a kid. I loved John Buscema's Conan the Barbarian, Jim Unger's Herman, all the stuff in the Sunday Funnies like Beetle Bailey, Peanuts, Hagar, The Born Loser, I loved John Severin's work in Cracked magazine and Jack Davis in Mad. Saturday morning cartoons were big as well. The Wacky Races, the Krofft Super Show, the Flintstones, Inch High Private Eye all of it. I was and still am a cartoon junkie.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.edroth.com/
http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/wolvertn.htm
http://www.drawmagazine.com/
http://www.bluelinepro.com/sketch.htm
http://www.awn.com/interstitialAd.php

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Chapman Tse

2006-11-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
chaptse@gmail.com, www.yellowatelier.com

What type of tools or media do you use?
pen & paper

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?
Hong Kong, China, US, Japan, Germany

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?
Toriyama Akira

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?
Dragonball's characters, mickey mouse, hello kitty, snoopy, miffy...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?
Animal, i love animal so much.

What inspired you to become an Artist?
Cartoon, comic, those i read when i was a kid.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?
no reply

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Arnaud SIMON-LAFOREST "EyeS-L"

2006-11-14T13:25:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?
contact@eyes-l.com
http://www.eyes-l.com

What type of tools or media do you use?
First I use pencils for sketching and drawing the line. Then I make the colors: I used to do watercolors but now I mostly use Photoshop CS. Et voilà!

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?
As long as a project makes me draw interesting characters or creatures, i don't really mind which company it is.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?
Adam Hughes, Katsuya Terada, Franquin, Moebius, Kinu Nishimura, CRMK, Sinkiro, Range Murata, and so many more...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?
Some of the Capcom and SnK characters because I grew up with them, the characters of FLCL because they had the effect of a cool breeze on my vision of animation and SpongeBob of course!...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?
Well characters and creatures that allows me to have fun using anatomy, mechanics, etc... Because sometimes it's like making a puzzle and you're the only one who knows what it's gonna look like.

What inspired you to become an Artist?
As far as I can remember, I was always drawing when I had some time left and really loved that. So I studied art in Lyon (France) during 4 years and then began working as a character designer and 3D modeler for a video game company. Now I'm freelance so I can work on different projects and focus on illustration.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.cfsl.net

http://www.scottmccloud.com

http://www.libertymeadows.com

http://comicartcommunity.com/gallery/

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K. Douglas MacRae

2006-11-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

- Email:kdmacrae@skyeproductions.com Web Site: www.skyeproductions.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

- I start with a red pencil and ink then I scan the drawing to a my computer and do all the colors and effects in Adobe Photoshop.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

- I'm currently running my own small business, Isle of Skye Productions. I'm very happy working from home. Plus, I can leave my pajamas on all day!

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

- There's so much talent out there right now it's hard to think of just one.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

- The CG characters "The Incredibles" really blew me away. I love a lot of the classics though like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian, etc.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

- I draw a lot of female characters. I think characters are much more interesting when they have humor and sex appeal.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

- I could draw at a very early age. I think knowing this, I just ran with it. The inspiration came later in life with cartoonists like Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes), Todd McFarlane (Spawn), and Jim Lee (X-Men, WildCats).

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

- http://drawn.ca/
- http://www.jscottcampbell.com/
- http://www.drawingboard.org/index.php

William Bradford

2006-11-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Contact: Elephantmarch@gmail.com

website: will.capimation.com

phone: 604 202 3029

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Company of choice for work or internship: Pixar animation studios

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Top designers alive today; Maybe Tony Fucile, Shane Glines and Juanjo Guarnido (that's a really tough question). IF we can include people who aren't alive, though, I think Milt Kahl is the best character designer and Maurice noble the best background designer.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Another tough one...Shane glines designs probably appeal to me the most.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

characters. I'm interested in character design, character animiation, character writing. It's all to serve the same purpose in my eyes and I can't see how you could be a top person at one without at least a basic understanding of the other two.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

cartoons pretty much. I need a character or a story of some sort before I can pull together enough interest to draw it. I can't do a decent background unless I have a character in mind to put in it. The biggest influences I remember were the Looney Tunes, Walt Disney and, oddly enough, Super Mario.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.shaneglines.net/index.html or www.cliochiang.com

Kory Bingaman

2006-11-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

rathersweedish@yahoo.com
www.korybing.com
booker.deviantart.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Most often I use pencils, India ink pens and Photoshop, but I'm always experimenting with new materials like oil paint, watercolor, Photoshop collage, and Illustrator.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well I'd be happy to work with anybody who would have me, but if I could choose a dream job I would love to work at Pixar, Cartoon Network, Jim Henson Creature Shop, or Stan Winston Studios.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

There are so many! Some of my favorites include Wayne Barlowe, Steven Gordon, Brian Froud and Terryl Whitlatch.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I've always admired the designs for cartoons like Gargoyles, X-Men: Evolution, and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Live action movies and television shows like Alien, the Dark Crystal and Farscape have also had a big impact on me. I like designs with a lot of imagination and creativity behind them

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

My favorite subject has always been mythical creatures. Folklore and mythology is packed full of interesting characters just waiting to be designed. My favorite are the really obscure creatures like the Missouri Monster or the Nixie. I enjoy drawing people and animals too, but I find that mythical creatures often combine my favorite parts of drawing both. It's always a fun challenge to read the descriptions of monsters and then try to make an interesting-looking character out of it.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

It was never really a conscious decision. I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. My parents were weavers, my sister and two of my uncles are graphic designers, another uncle is a painter, and my grandparents were portrait artists and children's book illustrators. I grew up with art and it was really the only thing I've ever focused on seriously. I've always drawn and I always want to draw.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I have to admit I don't spend as much time on the Internet looking at art sites as I should be. Most of the sites I go to have already been mentioned several times on this site. I do enjoy perusing http://conceptart.org/ every so often, though.

Aidan Harte

2006-11-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

www.wellworthwaiting.com
aidan@cartoonsaloon.ie

What type of tools or media do you use?

Traditional, but mainly flash, photoshop these days.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

A US commercial house like Wildbrain.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Mike Mignola. Jez Hall, Barry Reynolds, Robin Joseph...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Hirschfeld caricatures, I find them endlessly elegant.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Fish and women, combinations thereof.
God only knows why.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Illustration like Harry Clarke

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

The blog of the BBC show I'm directing, Skunk Fu!
http://skunkfu.blogspot.com/

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

Glenn Melenhorst

2006-11-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted?

glenn@glennmelenhorst.com
www.glennmelenhorst.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Initially colour pencils, then photoshop and painter and 3d Studio. Sometimes I work directly in 3D for charcter design but more often I start with sketching.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Pixar or Sony as feature film charcter desin intersts me most.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Chris Applehans is probably my favorite at the moment, but I really like Nathan Jurevicius too.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

anything from the two guys above really.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I like monsters and kids more than anything as monsters can be anything fanciful and kids have a lot of energy and dynamic.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I just always have and used it as a fall back on my lack of sporting ability.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://nathanj.com.au/meat/
http://www.froghatstudios.com/

Andre Moore

2006-01-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://www.andremoore.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

Mostly I use Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2 And Flash 8

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Well I work at Cartoon Network but I would have loved to work for Disney when 2D cel animation was still big.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Glen Hanson, Steven Gordon, Jo Chen is really nice ,Jeff Matsuda has some cool stuff that I really like. I really like this new guy I just found his site named Ahmed Guerrouache and Peter de Seve

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I've always loved the designs on Proud Family and X-men Evolution

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Ha! I guess that would have to be women. I grew up being a big Adam Hughes Fan so I always tried to draw women like he does but never came close to it. The guy is a beast at drawing women.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Mostly comic books and my art teachers in school always giving me a A+ for art class

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.peterdeseve.com/
http://www.tdog-art.com/
http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/cowbell/
http://www.kharupt.com/

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Ricardo Venâncio

2006-01-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

2depaus@gmail.com
http://rvportfolio.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

Anything I can think of or have at hand. Graphite and lead pencils, watercolors, ballpoint pen, and, fairly recently, Adobe Photoshop. It really depends on what the job is about and the effect I'm going for.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Anywhere I'd be allowed to develop my skills.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

I'm not much of a name-dropper, but some of the artists that have impressed me the most over the years are people like Iain McCaig and Dermot Power, Genndy Tartakovsky, Paul Pope, and Mike Mignola.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Again, some of the work on the Star Wars prequels, Tartakovsky's stuff, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Kirby's New Gods, John Byrne's cosmic stuff with FF and X-Men, Pixar's movies, Hellboy, etc, etc, etc…

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I tend to draw mostly characters, human or otherwise. It's my favourite part of the whole process, the fleshing out and development of the features, the personality and back stories of each character.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Everything I saw growing up, really. I started reading Comics at 8 or 9 years old and tracing over Frank Miller, John Byrne, John Buscema and many more. When it came time to choose between Law and Arts, it felt more natural to do what I liked to do. How dumb was I, huh…?

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?
These are some of the places I get inspiration from…
http://catsuka.com
http://drawn.ca
http://drawingboard.org
http://cfsl.net
And these are a couple of my local friends' places online…
http://mautempo.blogspot.com
http://nunoplati.blogspot.com

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Zoë Moss

2006-01-04T06:59:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

zoeisfunky@sbcglobal.net (is checked automatically)
http://www.brainfarto.0catch.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

For the basics (lines), I'll use a regular bic mechanical pencil with
.7 lead, or if I'm feeling different, .5. For inking, I like to use
those nifty micron pens, usually around .1, .005, or .5, but I do NOT
recommend that anyone live by those as a means of inking anything.
With that said, I like to explore different pen brands, and I'm
currently experimenting with brush pens. I support the nifty Japanese
Calligraphy pens and pen sets. They are SO good.

As for color, I'll use whatever I can get my hands on: watercolors,
colored pencils/art stix, oil pastels, markers, oil and acrylic
paints, make-up, hey... if it makes color, I'll use it.
And for the digital work, I like to use photoshop (I use photoshop 7
sometimes CS), Illustrator, and Painter 8 all with a wacom intous 2
tablet.. I think.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

In the states, I would like to work at Pixar (who wouldn't?) because
they're doing things with a creative touch and they pay attention to
story. If I could, I'd really like to work for Gainax in Japan because
their work is INSANE! They seem like the sort of studio that isn't
afraid to do things where they count. And I'd kind of like to work on
Robot Chicken as a writer among other roles.
Of course, that's all just me dreaming big, I guess. I just want to
get into college first.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

In terms of being popular, I think Shane Glines, Bruce Timm, and uhh...
In terms of my favorites, Kevin Dalton, Matt Groening, Raphaëlle Marx,
and all my friends who do this sort of thing.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I think a top favorite may be Bender from Futurama. Then as you go
down the line, Retro (along with 97% of the designs from "Dead
Leaves"), Little Gloomy and cast, The Venture Bros. are full of fun,
and it goes on and on...

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

The human body. DANG. I can't help it! I like to develop the human
body, particularly in abstract or impossible ways. For example, long
arms, or joints in the wrong spots. I gather a lot from the human body
because it has a lot to offer.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I drew, and behold I had fun. I decided to continue having fun.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I get some fun inspiration from these links:

www.calmlikeabomb.org/*
http://www.hiredmeat.com/
http://www.calarts.edu/~pward/
http://www.notoart.com/
http://www.reyyy.com/
http://www.cmo.jp/users/bnd/*
http://spacetrash.unicornmeat.net/*
http://36oh.net/
http://www.clubyaourt.org/*

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Bryan Beus

2005-12-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

www.beauxpaint.com
untitleduser !at! gmail !dot! com --Please note the required assembly
so bots can't get my address.

What type of tools or media do you use?

Oil, conte, NuPastel, prisma colored pencil, Corel Painter!,
Photoshop, those are my biggies

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Where to start! Any of the large film studios, UbiSoft France (Rayman
rocks!), Avalanche Software, Weta

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Peter de Seve (how does he make those shapes!?!), Quentin Blake,
Michel Gagne, Ryan Woodward, Don Seegmiller, James C. Christensen,
Charles Guarnido (Blacksad), (can you fill this part in please Randy:
the guy who did the crazy go nuts designs for Pixar and Shrek that
Jason Strong showed as his hero when he was here. He designed the owl
and snake in "Boundin" as well as other things. If you don't know
that guys name, just leave it out and I'll ask around 'till I find
it.)

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I'd have to say that no character has ever been more real for me than
"Calvin." Do I even have to finish the title of the comic strip;)
Michel Gagne is unstoppable. www.gagneint.com I believe is the link.
You should probably talk to Ryan W. about getting a hold of him...?

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Definitely the figure. Graceful, wholesome girls especially. There's
just a purity there that is hard to find anywhere else. Also anything
zany, I don't care if it's a just squiggle or a big monstorous beast,
just as long as its zany.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I was actually a music major about 2 or 3 years ago, believe it or
not. Music just wasn't clikin' for me though and then my friend gave
me a "How to Draw" book for my birthday and the rest was history!

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

I spend most of my iSurf time looking up artists that are around my
age, some of my favorites are: Mario Furmanczyk
(www.animatedbuzz.com), Jennifer Wood (www.artofjwood.com), Jason Chan
(www.jasonchanart.com), Linda Berkvist (www.furiae.com)

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Leo Antolini

2005-12-09T16:40:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

leantolini@yahoo.com
http://popcircus.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I like to sketch really, really loose, so I usually
start with Col-erase blue animation pencil (although
sometimes I’ll use a regular 3B pencil or even a
mechanical pencil for doing loose sketches). Then I
either clean up the drawing, scan it and paint it in
Photoshop or (more often than not) I scan the rough
sketch and work directly over it in Illustrator. I’m
trying to force myself to start using Flash for vector
drawing, since it’s probably better and more
practical, but it’s hard to shake the Illustrator
habit.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon are my big dream
studios, either one of those would be great to work
at. However, there’s definitely cool shows to work on
at DisneyTV and WB. Also smaller places like Wild
Brain or Renegade. Then there’s Pixar, of course, but
I’m not even close to being that good yet…

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Craig Kellman is absolutely brilliant (and a super
nice guy, too!) I also love Alex Kirwan, Shannon
Tindle, Gabe Swarr, Stephen Silver, Mark Ackland, Rob
Lilly, Ben Balistreri, Teddy Newton, Lou Romano…I
could go on, there’s lots of amazing, inspiring
artists working in the industry right now.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Man, that’s tough, there’s a lot of em…Pretty much all
the characters from Foster’s Home for Imaginary
Friends are really beautiful. Samurai Jack, the
Powerpuff Girls, Kim Possible, Camp Lazlo, the X’s and
the movies Madagascar and Robots all have some great
character designs in them. And of course, older
classics like the Hanna-Barbera cartoons from the
60’s.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I really enjoy drawing animal characters, mainly from
my head (although given the choice between doing
figure drawing or live animal drawing, I’ll still go
for the animals) I gravitate towards a very cartoony
style, and animals have such great shapes in their
bodies and features…they make great characters!

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I’ve always loved to draw. Watching way too cartoons
as a kid was probably pretty influential too, but it
was when Cartoon Network came into its own and started
making all those cool new shows (like Dexter’s
Laboratory and Cow and Chicken) it he mid-90’s that I
really made the decision to pursue art as a career.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.gruesomestein.blogspot.com/
http://www.dankrall.com/
http://bushiboy.blogspot.com/
http://chrisbattleillustration.blogspot.com/
http://pinkydee.blogspot.com/
http://saltysugar.com/
http://shannontindle.blogspot.com/

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Christin Marineau

2005-12-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

christinmarino@aol.com
http://rngnt99.blogspot.com/

What type of tools or media do you use?

My old stand by would be of course Col-Erase Pencils (Blue or Black), Other then that I'll use Prismacolor, any kind of Ball Point Pen, Mechanical Pencils, and Pastels. When coloring digitally I'll use more often then not Flash in combination with Photoshop and Illustrator.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would say any place that would challenge me to be a better artist. Beyond that off the tops of my head it would be Tom Hignite's Miracle Studios, Project Firefly, and Cartoon Saloon.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Steven Silver I would have to say personally for me. His characters are very inspirational. Having said that there are just too many great designers out there but I have to say I love Mike Kunkel's Hero Bear and the Kid. The Design of that book is so awesome.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Some of my favorite designs were done by Milt Kahl. Medusa, and Snoops from the rescuers. All the Designs from the Sword in the Stone. Iron Giant of course and Cats Don't Dance love those designs. Dexter's Lab, Clone wars, there are just too many.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I would say that I draw people most often. With people I think you can get into there skin more. You can feel them from the inside out with how they move or make a gesture. I do really enjoy drawing animals as well I just find them a bit hard to characterize. Especially getting everything to working proper.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I'd have to say Tom and Jerry. I loved that cartoon as a kid. And to this day every time I hear that music from there opening it really takes me back to why I love animation. The fact that those characters held a story without talking and made it so much fun to watch really says something about the story, design and animation.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://patchoforange.blogspot.com/
http://reddotblog.blogspot.com/
http://rparpan.blogspot.com/
http://pinkydee.blogspot.com/
http://www.john-nevarez.blogspot.com/
http://stephensilver.blogspot.com/

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Bob Rissetto

2005-12-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

modulox@hotmail.com is my contact for anyone that wants to write. I check
it regularly. And
http://www.bobrissetto.blogspot.com/ hosts some of my work.

What type of tools or media do you use?

Almost everything starts with col-erase for me. I love how loose I can be
with it and build it up and erase and it comes in all sorts of pretty
colors. I just dig the feel. It's almost necessary for animation.
Speakin' of which, I almost exclusively draw on animation bond. It can take
a beating and I can backlight it no problem. I'm actually getting picky
about it because now I hafta use it at work. I'm a video game concept
artist by day and apparently 8.5 x 11 copy paper just ain't cuttin' it for
me... Outside of that, I enjoy experimenting with other traditional media
(crayons, oil bars, sharpies) but I'm definitely a digital artist at the
core. I'm a bit of a perfectionist (thanks genetics) and the undo button
doesn't exist in the real world. A little Photoshop and a TON of Flash.
Love Flash to death both for it's animation capabilities and vector
illustration.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

Cartoon Network without a doubt. There's some really well designed shows
there. There's always fresh content in the works. Great animation,
character driven shows, and supporters of Flash. There's really a lot that
appeals to me about Cartoon Network and what they're doing.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

This is really impossible. There's so many people that have really honed
their craft. Craig Kellman tops my list. I was blown away by his work on
Madagascar and really wished his sense of design was even more apparent in
the final movie. And I don't think there's a single weak design in Samurai
Jack. Jamie Hewlett has amazed me with all the work he's done with the
Gorillaz. Such fantastic characters - so well done. The toys are some of
the best hunks of plastic I own because of his design. John Kricfalusi has
been a big inspiration for me for a lot of his characterization. I think
the whole Spumco crew were masters. Stephen Silver is unmatched. Bruce
Timm and Shane Glines are up there too. Katsuhiro Otomo is another one. I
didn't understand a lick of Akira the first time I saw it in high school but
I was drawn in by the characters (bad dubbing and all) and how this world
was very gritty but they were so round and expressive and appealing. They
seemed real, and I attributed that to the design. Studio Gainax in Japan
was responsible for FLCL which was another list topper for me in terms of
design and animation. In the way of anime, nothing is better in my eyes.
Tex Avery can make me laugh with a single character. Just how it was drawn
was funny. Not the pose or what he was doing - just the look can make me
laugh. And Ed Benedict was huge. I remember actually hating the
Flintstones as I was growing up. The limited animation, the "awkward"
shapes and what I thought was a crude flatness. It's so charming now
though! Such simplicity! Ed was the master of asymmetry! Note to self:
must buy Flintstones DVDs...

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Basically just connect the above names to the projects they've worked on. I
think the cast of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends takes the cake for me
right now. Some of the best. Samurai Jack, Ren and Stimpy, and Tom and
Jerry will out live them all. Hellboy was introduced to me after watching
Disney's Atlantis and seeing Mignola's designs. I loved everything about
Disney's Hercules too. Oh and Emperor's New Groove! Those two movies
really pushed the look of characters in animated features for me. Stuff was
more graphic was a bit flatter - square fingers, curly kneecaps, straights
and curves really contrasting. I thought Katamari Damacy for the
PlayStation 2 was wonderfully unique in terms of it's design. Such
terrifically weird characters. And I still ogled over the mascots and silly
characters from the 50s and 60s that tried to sell you the latest
sugar-fortified cereal. There's just too much to cover with these
questions!

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Characters. People. Bipeds. I love to think about posing and expression
because I'm an animator too, so designing a character that can do something
funny and make a face is a big part of the fun. I love boiling down a
complicated thing (like faces) into some simple shapes and lines. And
trying to do it different every time is something my brain just loves.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

If I really date this all the way back, I hafta say He-Man. I've always
loved toys and I loved cartoons. And with that, I loved to draw. I didn't
have every He-Man toy and the ones I wished I had I just drew with Crayola
markers. And eventually I'd draw my own scenarios and my own characters. A
little later, Disney was big with me in Junior High. I loved the art but
early on I was just drawn into the great stories and fun movies. In high
school I got pretty deep into comic books. Jim Lee was golden. X-Men,
WildC.A.T.s and all those Image guys. Fresh new characters and brilliant
art on shiny paper. This was it. I loved to draw - I'll draw comic books
for a living. In high school I was determined NOT to go to college. I'll
just keep drawing and land a gig with a comic company. I got pressure from
all sides to continue my education and I folded like a house of cards.
"I'll try this 3D animation thing" because I still liked Disney and Toy
Story was just released. This would be cool. Going to school taught me one
thing really well - 3D was not for me but animation was. I didn't learn
much about the industry, or much about the craft, but I started getting very
passionate about everything I drew and animated. Even if it was total crap

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Man, I hafta tell ya - I don't surf the web much at all. I find it really
overwhelming. There's TONS of inspiring stuff out there but I could get
stuck looking at links forever. I'll gladly check out a link that's passed
along but I rarely go out for a stroll on the information superhighway. I
hafta say though, if there's one group of people that really inspire me the
most it's my friends so I do make an effort to keep up with all of them
through the blogs. Check 'em out - they're all linked at
www.bobrissetto.blogspot.com.

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John Savoia

2005-11-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

Email is johnasavoia@yahoo.com or my website, http://cronus.poned.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

For natural media, pens, pencils, markers, charcoal, or anything around, digitally, Wacom Intuos3 and either Photoshop CS2 or occasionally Painter IX.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

So long as the job is providing me with experience and letting me improve my skills, its a good job to me.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Stephen Hillenburg is always great, great, great, Joel Trussell is awesome, and definitely Mitch Schauer, who has done some of my favorite designs ever. I don't keep up with a lot of character designers, but those are two I have in my mind as favorites.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?
The designs in Joel Trussell's short animation "War Photograph" are simply astounding.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I tend to draw people a lot, mainly because for me, when I draw a person, I have so much at my disposal that I can put into it. With say environments, I end up recycling lots of things, every environment will have a tree or something like that. With people I never think about, "is this too much like that one I drew the other day" I just feel more free I suppose.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

I've always loved to draw, and in highschool it dawned on me that I could be doing it as a career, and that just seemed like the greatest possible thing. Hasn't happened yet, but I still have that 16 year old kid dream.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?
I love http://conceptart.org , just full of amazing artists helping eachother out and showing their stuff, and of course the websites of any artist I mentioned is bound to be full of excellent stuff.

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Javier Guzman

2005-11-27T12:13:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

J_Guzman23@hotmail.com or you can visit my garbage at www.javier-guzman.blogspot.com

What type of tools or media do you use?

I try to mix it up, but generally use blue or red Col-erase and Ebony pencils for the initial sketching. I got hooked on the look of col-erase pencils because of my animation background, and I use Ebonys because they’re so darn smoooooth. As of late I’ve been using more ink, brush pens, and Prismacolor markers. When finishing something up I fall back on Photoshop and use Flash quite a bit as well.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?
I think I’m gonna go the obvious route here and say who the heck wouldn’t die for a gig at Pixar? It’s the number one spot right now. But so many opportunities for design on new television shows are opening up, and so many great designers are getting some exposure right now because of it. Cartoon Network has really pushed a lot in terms of design and opportunity.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Jeez, what a tough question. There are so many guys out there and I can appreciate what all of them bring to the table.

Just off the top of my head, some of the guys who I’ve seen some great stuff from are:

Tony Fucile, Craig Kellman, Shannon Tindel, Chuck Jones, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Bruce Timm, Shane Glines, John Nevarez, Stephen Silver. And don’t even get me started on Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and that whole golden Disney crew!

If I could remember the names of all those French and Dutch guys out there I’d name them too.

Becoming a part of this whole art blog craze has opened me up to so many talented people, and I’ve come across a lot of great stuff out there.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

I loved a lot of designs coming up as a student. I mean, who didn’t think Tarzans design and the way they handled him was amazing. Scar in Lion King I thought was terrific. I was amazed at almost every single character design on The Incredibles and Iron Giant. Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes are magnificent. Hank Ketcham’s Dennis the Menace and Charles Schultz Peanuts flowed so flawlessly, and all Chuck Jones stuff was all so appealing.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

Really anything that just allows me to play with all kinds of shapes and proportions. So I guess I would have to go with people, especially ladies.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

Well, as a kid I always watched those old golden age Disney films. I remember being so captivated by that art. It just sparked something. As I got a little older Don Bluth’s stuff got me as well (Dragon’s Lair, Space Ace). I’m a relatively young guy and I grew up reading comic books when guys like Jim Lee, Todd McFarlane, Eric Larson, and Dale Keown were in their prime. I was one of the guys that got all excited during the “Image Comics” movement. I also loved Joe Madureiras X-MEN stuff. When my brother started collecting I just fell in love with that art. It was why I started reading those books.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

Now, because of this whole blog community thing, there are so many links that I frequent.

Smook’s links blog here has so much good stuff: http://reddotbloglinks.blogspot.com/
A collection of awesome Bruce Timm stuff: http://www.buzzscope.com/timm/search.php
Some amazing digital painting by Craig Mullins: www.goodbrush.com
keep yourself in the loop: http://www.drawn.ca/
Look up my blog too for links to a lot of local Chicago guys: www.javier-guzman.blogspot.com
Just to name a couple. Theres soooo much stuff out there.

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Nik Daum

2005-11-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

http://www.nikdaum.com/meatland

What type of tools or media do you use?

I have recently been traveling a lot, and have found it easiest to
draw with pen on paper, take a digital photo and color in Photoshop.

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I'd love working for Pixar or Aardman. While I'm not focused enough
for either place, I think both houses produce tight, beautiful and
good-spirited animations.

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

Let me preface this be saying that I think illustrators/fine artists
can be considered character designers as long as their creations are
more than decoration. I think that a lot of emotional interest in
their work because the character's life is theirs start to finish.

Sylvain Chomet, Chris Ware, Mark Ryden, among others. While their
characters vary in design and purpose, each transcends being a
commodity and approaches art. Part of what makes them so unique is
that their styles work so well with their purpose: Chomet's
"Triplets" characters reflect both a somber and playful world, Ware
works in a variety of intricate styles with each expression and
composition perfectly crafted to the story, Ryden's characters are
mysterious and eerily real.

What are some of your favorite character designs which you have seen?

Anything from "Les Triplettes de Belleville." Every character had
such a specific and interesting shape. In what was basically a
silent movie, the characters had to be visually distinctive in order
for the action to make sense. Beyond being a gimmick, their body
types and deformities effected who they were and how they behaved.
And they achieved this while being beautifully loose, expressive and
weird.

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I enjoy drawing trees and people because they are both varied and
beautiful subjects. If a person fell down in the forest, would I draw
it? You bet.

What inspired you to become an Artist?

There seemed to be no acceptable alternative.

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.sampaints.com
http://www.rustboy.com
http://www.burstofbeaden.com
http://www.yokotanaka.com
http://www.jeffsoto.com
http://www.femtasia.nl

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Gal Shkedi

2005-11-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

If people would like to contact you, how would you like to be contacted? (Email, Webpage)

If people would like to contact me they should do it by E-mail
shked_e@nana.co.il

What type of tools or media do you use?

I am using pencil Texture pics(that I do for the for my self) and computer

Where is the place you would like to work or be an Intern if you had a choice?

I would like to work in my own studio making cartoons

Who do you think are the top character designers out there?

My favorite characters designers are:Gary basement Warnke Micael Slack

What is your most favorite subject to draw? And why?

I really like to draw people, when i am walking in the streets and see people I get my insperation

What are some of your favorite website links that would be relevant to this Blog?

http://www.studioaka.co.uk/html/index.html
http://drawn.ca
http://www.eugene-and-louise.be/
http://www.woostercollective.com/
http://www.shual.com/
http://www.pilanimation.com/
http://www.yonigoodman.com/
http://exego.net/

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