Adam McMahon’s Experiments of the Cartoon Kind

Old Works in Progress

December 6th, 2008 | Author: Adam McMahon

I was digging through some of my old files and I found a few gems that were showing some signs of progress. Why I stopped working on them I can't remember, but now that I'm seeing them again…. maybe I'll go back and finish a few. These are all 3d models, all based on another artist's designs.

The Genie from Disney's Aladdin. This was based off a maquette I found a picture of at http://www.mousetreasures.org/maquettes/genie.shtml. I wish I could see the maquette or at least more pictures from different angles because I remember the facial scture being difficult to figure out. Especially the smile on his left of his nose.

The Tazmanian Devil from the Looney Tunes. Based on this terrific sculpture. I wish I knew the artist behind these sculpture as he really does a great job of translating these 2d characters into three dimensions. See more of his sculpture at http://www.cartoonstore.net/ These two models were done in a time when I was really studying how to bring the appealing designs of 2d cartoons into 3d. During that time I also modeled Scrooge McDuck, also sculpted by this guy, that I posted about earlier. You can see it here http://www.adammcmahon.com/blog/2007/06/20/scrooge-mcduck/

The next two characters are based on Tony DiTerlizzi's illustrations of Mary Howitt's The Spider and the Fly

I was trying a different approach with the eyes by modeling them shut. I honestly can't remember my thoughts behind it now though. Hmmmm. I think it had to do with how the geometry of the eyelids flowed into the area that would make up the crow's feet in a smile. Oh, I remember that I modeled him smiling because that was such an integral expression for him that I needed to be certain that his geometry would allow it in a nice looking way. After I got this expression working I would have to go back and sculpt the face back to a "default pose" using the same geo though.

And here you can see the sculpted hair look I was starting to work on for the spider.

Posted in Digital Sculptures and Models |

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Color for the Mad Scientist and his creation

November 23rd, 2008 | Author: Adam McMahon

I couldn't resist coloring them in.

Posted in Digital Paintings |

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Inking

November 20th, 2008 | Author: Adam McMahon

Sorry for the long time lack of posts. Work has been busy lately as we try to get through the crunch time on Ice Age 3, and also I moved into a new apartment which kept me busy for a while and I guess the creative mojo just hasn't been there. But things are starting to settle down and I'm feeling the urge to draw and create again.

Here are a couple of drawings I tried to ink a couple of months back. I'm pretty happy with them and I like what it adds to the drawing. I had so much fun doing these that I went out and got some actual inking brushes to try out. I'll let you know how that works out soon, I'm a bit intimidated by them.

Posted in Sketches |

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Brian Lemay Lesson 12: Weight

August 17th, 2008 | Author: Adam McMahon

A rather quick exercise, compared to the last one. This one is dealing with weight and primariley how it affects timing/spacing. The circle is meant to represent a bowling ball. The quick fall, following by a very small bounce and the object coming to a rest shortly thereafter gives the illusion of weight to the object.

Posted in Animation |

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Brian Lemay Lesson 11: Sliding Seaweed

August 17th, 2008 | Author: Adam McMahon

Okay, another animation lesson. This one proved to be tax my brain a lot more than I anticipated. I had to deal with Timing, Anticipation, Action, and Reaction, arcs, Slo-in and Slo-out, and overlapping action. The idea behind it is the seaweed I animated earlier is now sliding left to right across the screen. The movement of the seaweed has to travel up the length of the seaweed at differing lengths of time. So the bottom moves first, and as you go up the more things lag behind in inheriting that movement.

I'm pretty happy with it except for the change in direction on screen left. It feels a bit stiff, like the whole thing is rotating, instead of the movement traveling up the spine of the seaweed like it should.

I kept this one loose and rough.

Posted in Animation |

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