Jonathan Winters, Ultimate Improviser

This is Jonathan Winters, one of Robin Williams' heroes and thusly one of mine. Observation isn't just key to drawing and design, it's also key to acting choices. Winters has such a breadth of knowledge and such a keen observation of character-types that he can captivate an audience with a simple pencil case. What's great is that his eyes hardly ever change. Who said acting is in the eyes? It's in the entire character!

Every artist should know what makes their keen skills of observation possible: happy little rods and cones.

Jonesin' for some Indy IV!
Dang, I was just telling Vi that I wasn't going to use this blog for movie news, but this set pic from Indy IV is awesome! Looks like everyone's favorite whip-wielding archaeologist is in pretty good shape. Let's just hope the same can be said for the script. More information at the official website.



UPDATE: Here's the first production diary for Indy IV--awesome!

Week One of Chades Challenge III: Telescopic Placebos

The Lowdown:
Once every two weeks, a couple of artists choose one word each (one a noun, the other an adjective). The combined words form the subject of the following weeks' Chades (CHAracter DESign) Challenge. At the end of each week, all Chades Challengers post their skullduggery on their respective blogs and many a good laugh is had.


The Challenge (to be posted next Friday):
THE CHESHIRE CAT


The Challengers:
Ben Adams
Josh Billings
Richie Blitz
Lorelay Bove
Emma Coats
Scott Cook
Steve MacLeod
Leo Matsuda
Adrian Molina
Laura Jane Murphy
Vi-Dieu Nguyen
Bobby Pontillas
Moro Rogers
Joe Ruiz
Sean Taylor
Rob Thompson
Lissa Treiman
Nate Wragg

I detest reality television just as much as the next rational man, but this clip's just too good not to share. Awesome facial expressions.

WHEN CHINASAURS RULED THE EARTH



Chinese paleontologist Xing Xu just unearthed a bird-like dinosaur nearly as large as a tyrannosaur. The new species has been named Gigantoraptor (how awesome is that?) and stands about sixteen feet tall (possible ancestor of Yao Ming?). Is this astounding find a missing link betwixt dinosaurs and birds or just a parrot with severe elephantitis? You be the judge!

More on Gigantoraptor at:
nature.com

Chades Challenge III: Telescopic Placebo




This week's assignment is sure to seperate the men from the amoebas. Any complaints can be forwarded to Adrian Molina and Emma Coats, the designators of this week's challenge words. Post your placebos next friday. Till then, sketch greatly!

Week two of Chades Challenge II: Elderly Mermaids

A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.
--William Butler Yeats (A Man Young and Old: III. The Mermaid)

Don't forget to check out all the other fishy vixens posted by the mighty Chades Challengers:
Ben Adams
Josh Billings
Lorelay Bove
Emma Coats
Steve MacLeod
Leo Matsuda
Adrian Molina
Laura Jane Murphy
Vi-Dieu Nguyen
Bobby Pontillas
Moro Rogers
Joe Ruiz
Sean Taylor
Rob Thompson
Lissa Treiman
Nate Wragg