As the dying roars of 2011 fade away and the great beast succumbs to extinction like its two thousand plus predecessors, it seems time for a facelift on the ol' Translation. Along with the new look will come a slew of new projects I will be updating you on. Stay tuned for a year of lusty sea shanties, haunting campfire stories, and epic Scottish fairytales. We might even cross paths with a dinosaur or two.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Chades Challenge LXIV: Jolly Dragons
There's no better way to Santa-proof your house than a fire-breathing dragon with a taste for roasted reindeer.
Addendum 12/25/11 My mom's gift to her dog, Leia, just happened to be a dragon that looks exactly like my Chades design! It certainly made Leia a jollier schnauzer.
If you have any winter wyrms, let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise, you can join in January 6th for:
CHADES CHALLENGE LXV: BANE
2 days...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Hobbit Envy
TheThe Hobbit trailer (is that one too many the's?) came out last night. I'm waiting to see it on the big screen, but my DnD character, the pint-sized rogue Ilmare (who you may remember from posts such as these), says if they wanted a real halfling hero, all they had to do was ask.
Which trailer has you more excited: The Hobbit or The Dark Knight Rises? Or is it one of the myriad of films in the poll to the right?
4 days...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Merry Shirtmas!
Along with this year's BluRay exchange (which I walked away from with a brand new copy of Moon--yesss), the Dandies and I also had our first annual Shirtmas. Shirtmas is exactly what it sounds like a Secret Santa exchange limited exclusively to t-shirts.
I was tasked with finding a shirt for Everett Downing. Ev just had his second kid, so I know he needs a nanny. And the best nanny I know of is the Avengers' personal governess, Squirrel Girl!
For those of you who don't know, Squirrel Girl is the most powerful character in the Marvel Universe, having defeated Doctor Doom, Magneto, and Galactus. Ev's dream is to direct a SG movie starring none other than Toy Story 3's Kristen Schaal, so I drew this Shirtmas card for him. Kristen, if you're out there: Squirrel Girl--think about it!
I, in turn, got this fantastic H.P. Lovecraft shirt from my teaching partner, Paul Mendoza. I think I'll wear it to church Christmas morning!
Merry Shirtmas to all, and to all a plain white!
Labels:
artwork,
christmas,
comics,
dandies,
holidays,
marvel,
shirtmas,
squirrel girl,
superheroes
Monday, December 19, 2011
Milquetoast & Cookies
Today is our 10th Annual DVD Exchange--sorry, 1st Annual BluRay Exchange at work. Can anyone guess what I brought?
6 days...
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The Noodles Challenge
Being a toymaker has lost its luster since all any kid wants is an iPhone.
This is my contribution to my former student Fernando Brandi's Noodles Challenge. The idea is to do a drawing in the time it would take to nuke a cup-o-noodles (an animator's main source of nutrition). This month's theme is "Your Elf Self". Mine is obviously obsolete and bored since I am so technologically inept.
9 days...
Friday, December 16, 2011
The Joker and the Choker
That smoke in the background is probably laughing gas, which Batman has grown an immunity to over the years (much like Iocaine powder).
Speaking of laughs, I highly recommend a click on today's countdown link (below).
9 days...
Labels:
artwork,
batman,
dc comics,
joker,
skbk,
superheroes,
warm-up drawings
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Santa, Baby
If you're looking for a drawing challenge, here's a good one: illustrate a Christmas song! Santa, Baby always seemed rife with animation possibilities. Community certainly capitalized on the song's comic potential.
Maggie Gevers
10 days...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
School's Out II
See School's Out I here.
Also waiting for me: a delicious batch of cake pops! Thanks, Hannah!
Congrats to our students for a semester of fantastic animation!
11 days...
Paul Mendoza and I teach animation one night a week at the Academy of Art University. Last night was the last class of the semester, as evidenced by my whiteboard drawings:
As you may know from previous posts, I always leave a whiteboard drawing under the projector screen for the next class.
Today was special, because when I got to class, there was finally a whiteboard drawing waiting for me!
Also waiting for me: a delicious batch of cake pops! Thanks, Hannah!
Congrats to our students for a semester of fantastic animation!
11 days...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Reading Buddies
For the last couple of years, I've been participating in a program called Reading Buddies. Every Wednesday, we go down to the local Elementary School at lunch to read with the youngsters.
It's been an amazing experience watching my reading buddy, Domanic (seen with me on the top left), as his reading skills improve. I've even had a chance to teach him a thing or two about dinosaurs!
If you know of any programs like this near you, I'd highly recommend getting involve. Reading can change a kid's life, but you don't have to take my word for it!
12 days...
Friday, December 09, 2011
Chades Challenge LXIII: Explosive Stockings
Santa fills stockings with yummy chocolaty sweets,
But the Grinch prefers his packed with nastier treats.
"What surprise lays in store for little Cindy and Tom...
When they get a taste of my green tannenBOMBS!"
But the Grinch prefers his packed with nastier treats.
"What surprise lays in store for little Cindy and Tom...
When they get a taste of my green tannenBOMBS!"
As always, everyone is invited to participate in the Chades Challenge. If you have any designs for "Explosive Stockings," let me know and I'll post them below. Otherwise you can join in December 23rd for...
Chades Challenge LXIV: Jolly Dragons!
16 days...
Thursday, December 08, 2011
"What If..." Part III
The final instalment of my "What if Hell froze over" series for the upcoming "What If..." Gallery Nucleus show. I call it "Hell's Angels."
The gallery opens this Saturday. If you're in SoCal, I highly recommend stopping by and perusing these and the humorous musings of other animation industry artists!
17 days...
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
iPad, too!
I finally broke down and bought an iPad2. This is my first drawing on the contraption, a nur-maid for my friend Nuritzi. It's no replacement for a sketchbook, but it's nice to be able to immediately play around with layers and color.
If you guys have any app recommendations, I'm all ears!
18 days...
If you guys have any app recommendations, I'm all ears!
18 days...
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
House Topolski
I finally found a wedding gift for my friends, Jay and Sue Topolski! You may remember their Hawaiian wedding from a few posts back.
This apron will make your food taste better, increase your sex drive and SAT scores.
19 days...
Jay and Sue hosted weekly Game of Thrones parties back when the show was on, so when I saw this Stark-esque chalice at the Dickens Fair (available online from the fine folks at Fellowship Foundry), the wedding gift question was answered.
Of course, I'm one of those people who, whenever they find a cool gift for someone, they have to buy one for themselves. As you can see, Jay if overwhelmed with joy:
If pewter chalices aren't your style (or price range), a cheaper Game of Thrones-themed gift is my "Iron Grill" apron, available here on Zazzle.
This apron will make your food taste better, increase your sex drive and SAT scores.
It should be noted that Jay came up with the idea for this apron. I'll be keeping all the proceeds, of course.
19 days...
Monday, December 05, 2011
More Whiteboard Drawings
It seems I can't get near a dry erase pen without leaving my mark! This whiteboard happens to be at work, on my friend Neil's office wall.
We like to put up a weekly brainteaser to keep the wits sharp. And being how it is a studio of animators, there's usually a cartoon to go along with said brainteaser. This one is an homage to my new favorite Batman actor (sorry, Keaton).
20 days...
Sunday, December 04, 2011
"What If..." Part II
Part two of my three part series, "What if Hell Froze Over?" I call this one "Ice Laden."
Check out this series, and work from other animation industry artists, at the Gallery Nucleus "What If" Show next Saturday, December 10th.
21 days...
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Funny Bunny
I know this is out of season, but when Steve Niles posted this image on Twitter, I couldn't help but imagine the next shot of the scene.
I've always thought Joker v. Superman was just as good a foil as Joker v. Batman, and this is eggsactly what I'm talking about.
22 days...
Friday, December 02, 2011
"What If...?" Part I
Gallery Nucleus is hosting a "What If...?" show next Saturday. My take on the theme was "What if Hell froze over?" Here's the first of the three part series, "Faust Bite."
It'll be a cold day in Hell before I paint another theme as fun as this one!
23 days...
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Predator goes to an art auction
It's funny where your mind wanders during the morning shot review.
Of course, Predator always gets what he's bidding for by replicating the voices of the other bidders and intimidating them to back down.
Of course, Predator always gets what he's bidding for by replicating the voices of the other bidders and intimidating them to back down.
24 days...
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Warm-Up Drawing OTD: The Lizard
Slashfilm posted some concept art of The Lizard from Marc Webb's upcoming Amazing Spider-Man, which got me thinking about how I would design the creature.
The design needs work, but I think it's heading in the right direction. I posted the warm-up challenge on Twitter, here's what folks came up with:
Dr. Connors???
Maggie Gevers
He's just lonely is all.
25 days...
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The PIA Mook: 25 Years of Pixar Animation
Every year, the Japanese magazine PIA Mook invites us to contribute art to a special Pixar issue.
Last year's issue was an inside look at Toy Story 3. This year is an all-inclusive 25th Anniversary Issue, featuring interviews with Dice Tsutsumi and Sonoko Konishi (who makes the world's most amazing Halloween costumes!).
I'm not sure what they wrote above my name. My friend Mach says it's either the phonetic spelling of my name, "O-sutin Madison", or "man with very odd obsessions".
Unfortunately, the issue is only available in Japan. So write to your
local congressman and demand cooler industry mags here in the states!
26 days...
Monday, November 28, 2011
Earl Grey
My doppleganger, Zack Keller (co-creator of Dick Figures), informed me that my Dick Figures character, Earl Grey, has his own wikipage. I noticed the trivia section on this character is a little sparse, so let me shed some light on this monochromatic mastermind:
-He spells "grey" with an "E" for the same reason he spells "colour" with a "U": because he's not a knuckle-dragging commoner.
-Earl Grey is the mixed-race sire of two royal families, Black and White.
-This supervillain does not move objects through telekinesis. Rather, he "elevates" objects from their working class to a higher station in space/time.
-Aside from high concentrations of colour, Earl Grey's one other vulnerability is a weakness for Twiglets and Pickle.
-Earl Grey has a similar affliction as his cousin and fellow land-holding title-bearer, Lord Tourettes. He suffers from narcolepsy, and must constantly imbibe tea or else pass into a deep REM state.
-And finally: in Season Four, Earl Grey may or may not make an appearance in a Christmas episode entitled "Dickens Figures."
I hope that slakes the wiki admins' thirst for Earl Grey.
27 days...
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