CALARTS CHARACTER ANIMATION PORTFOLIO PREPARATION: Hands, Feet and Faces: ‘Separating the wheat from the chaff’

Countdown 26 days to go be for the portfolio deadline for CalArts

 

 

Time is running out and  I haven’t met the minimum criteria of 15 pieces of artwork. At the moment I am on four presentable pieces. Six pieces if I included work from Barking and Daggers College.

 

I have tried to give my portfolio some dimension by working in different mediums. So far I have used crayons, charcoal, ink and gold. Compared to those portfolios that got accepted onto CALARTS Character Animation program, I still haven’t got that WOW factor. At this moment in time my only regret is not having attended extra life drawing classes whilst I was at college. No point crying over spilt milk.

 

There is one advantage,  doing the sketchbook on a daily basis and attending the life drawing courses has meant that I have seen a significant improvement in my artwork. I can't stress enough how practicing everyday is vital to your improvement in your artwork.  Another advantage about attending life drawing classes is that you can add your rejected artwork to the sketchbook!

 

Two weeks ago, I attended a life drawing course specifically on Hands, Feet and Faces at the Heatherly’s Fine Art School, Chelsea (London). It was a must for me to attend this life drawing course, as CALARTS places a heavy emphasis on being able to draw the hands, feet and face accurately.   Calarts states that you can disguise a beginner from an accomplished artist by looking at the hands, feet and faces. 

 

I didn’t produce any finished pieces from the class itself, as most of the lesson was taken up with the tutorial; but I did leave the class with a range of ideas for a visual story for the hands.  So I am eager to see if this works.

 

There is one course that I must attend and that is a master course in colour. In one of the life drawing sessions the art teacher told me not to merely colour in my artwork. Instead I must think and feel how colour could enhance the visual narrative. I’ll let you know how I got on with that course.

 

Tip for preparing to apply to Calarts Character Animation Program.  START AT LEAST PREPARING YOUR PORTFOLIO A YEAR IN ADVANCE!  This would enable to choose from a range of artwork, hence you will be able to pick out your best pieces.  It would be able to give yourself a chance to improve on your artwork.  Either way starting well in advance is a must.

Useful Reading
Learn more about how to create great hands, feet and faces
http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/foot-and-shoe-reference-part-2.html