Is art like brushing your teeth or more like body building?

so here are my sketchies from today:

Because of winter, I haven't zoo sketched in a while. I was a bit nervous that I would publicly suck. but that feeling went away because even though I haven't drawn animals in a while, I feel like I just picked up where I left off. It makes me wonder how necessary it is to be obsessive about drawing daily to be good at it. Is it possible that it's like body-building, where rest is as important as doing the lifting itself?
Or is it like brushing your teeth - do it everyday or your teeth will rot? (Teeth being analogous to skill.)
I really don't know. I'm just rambling. All I know is, it was 80 degrees out and I had a day off, and life doesn't get any better than sketching all day at the zoo :)

ps. drawing pigs are my favorite. just a bunch of circles put together :D I like circles.

Illustration Friday - Grounded, with youtube video!

The inspiration for the doggie is of course, my darling Gracie, my gorgeous red Toller.

Isn't she gorgeous?!

To watch me paint this in time-lapse, click here!

Tiffanny

Mish Mash Blog Post!

 I spent much of December working on Trivia Adventure's Promo Video. It took about 3 weeks to do all the setup, animation, compositing, and effects, and an additional week to learn Particle Illusion and do yet more effects.  

 This one-minute video was accomplished in 4 weeks by me and my husband doing the animation and compositing, and with my co-worker Adam doing the logos. Sound was outsourced. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Working straight through Thanksgiving and Christmas was worth it. (Only someone who loves making art that much could say that).  But working 16 hour days for a month has to end, and now I am basking in relaxation. I'm sleeping as much as I can, exercising again, and have a blast doing some digital painting at work, which I can't wait to share!!

These sketches are from Ikkicon, where the promo video had it's first public showing! Our booth was unfortunately in a low-traffic area, (DOH), but the promo video did it's job and brought some curious people in!  Anyway, these sketches were done when the traffic was low. We have lovingly called our girl character "Generica" because she's basically your customizable character, so she starts out generic until you make her your own. All of the stuff she's wearing can be found in the game when you're higher level :) Her pet is Action Kitty, the first pet you can find in the game.

And finally, I started the year right by attending figure drawing. Gotta keep the skills sharp, sharp, sharp. I do a lot of digital art at work, but I find that the infinite undos can be used as a crutch. When I go to figure drawing, I generally use oily crayons that are hard to erase, to keep erasing at a minimum. This teaches me line-economy, and to be as sure as I can be of every line I put down. This actually makes me faster, because I'm not searching and erasing as much. :)

 Any-who, it's 4 am so I guess it's time for bed :)
Thanks for visiting my blog! See you at the next update!

Boxing Day Still Life

 No better way to spend a day than painting with friends.

 Here's some details. I had troubles with the apple, which I lifted and repainted 3 times. I think it looks ok now though.

Well, we were getting hungry, so I short-handed the flowers. I'm ok with abstract elements in a representational painting though. I enjoy spattering the paint around and letting it do it's thing.

Okie, that's all for now. Hope you all are enjoying your holidays!
Tiff

The Messenger

My illustration for this week's Illustration Friday is the postal worker! Dear postal worker, thank you for delivering cards and gifts from family and friends to my mailbox. :)
Dear family and friends, Thanks for sending them :) Happy Holidays and hugs to you!
Dear readers, thanks thanks thanks for checking out my blog, even though I have sucked-out-loud at keeping it updated. I know one measly painting wont make up for it. If it helps, my New Year's Resolution is to update once a week. YES, Once a week!! It's not much, but I think I just MIGHT be able to do it!
Anyway, here are some details: 

I'm thinking of switching out of cold pressed watercolor paper and using hot press, which has less tooth. Wish me luck :) I hear hot press is a total bitch to work with. Any tips? Gimme! :)

Festively yours,
Tiffanny

Figure Drawing!

 My blog sorely needs updating!! Been working too much, but I can't help it! My job is so fun. I'm making a marketing video for Trivia Adventure, and so all I did over my Thanksgiving break was draw storyboards. I know it's for a little marketing video. It's not for something huge and epic like Cars 3, but somehow I feel like I'm still doing the coolest job ever. I'm storyboarding!!! Plus, Trivia Adventure is kind of my baby :) I like making little monsters and creatures for it. I can't wait for you all to see the latest level, because I really tried to surpass the older levels in art department. I will let you know when it's released!

Anyway, my new year's resolution is coming early. I can't keep neglecting going to figure drawing. I will go at least 3 times a month, damn it. You know how you do scales with music as practice? You do figure if you're wanting to be an animator/character designer, and so that is what I have to do.

 these are one minute poses. I did about 40 of these and these are the only 3 that I really liked. Gotta work on those one minutes!!!!!

Until next time!
Tiff

Trivia Adventure Concept Art!

 I painted this for our office space :) Our Trivia Adventure "mascot" and her cat, Action Kitty.

details:

Anyway, back to animations!