Digital Collage and Painting

Here's what looks like a great book that was just delivered to me today, "Digital Collage and Painting" by Susan Ruddick Bloom.  It's a thick book, much like a school textbook.

Included as a guest artist in the book, is Alexander Jansson, whom I wrote about on my previous post dated 3-28-11.  As Alexander points out in his tutorial, one of the issues with digital art is that it often comes out looking very sterile, smooth and without feeling.  I was especially reminded of this over the last couple of days, since I went back to working in 3d modeling in Blender.  It can take a conscientious effort, artistry, and lots of computer memory in order to give a worn, worked-on look to a digital image.   Of course, Alexander takes texturing very seriously in his images of desolate dwellings in bleak landscapes.  The digital painting that he writes about in the book, is a gate entrance that was included in his "Ramone Bosco" video (shown on my 3-28 blog). I'd be interested to know what software he used to animate the different layers of his pre-existing digital paintings, for the Ramone Bosco video. I assume it must be Blender, as he lists it as part of his toolset.


Back to work on my animation now.  I need to do some texture work.  :)

Alexander Jannson

Here is a Youtube video clip from the artist Alexander Jannson of Sweden... It's a trailer for an upcoming graphic novel called "Ramone Bosco":






The video has the look of a Tim Burton production (or even a level from the LittleBigPlanet games), with its playful but sinister domestic landscapes and a wide variety of dysfunctional characters.  I really like the abundant textures, which seem to stand out as much in the background skies as anywhere else.  The inhabitants of this domain must surely be despondent about their lot in life, but most are likely not inclined to leave anytime soon (where else would they fit in?).  Little clips like this one make moviemaking an attractive looking endeavor... as was the case with "Carpates Express"!  (See post dated Feb. 6, 2011).  


Alexander Jansson's cool website can be reached by going to www.alexanderjansson.com

What color should I be today?

My friend Jacquelene showed me a video today, of some of the work done by the Toronto Ottawa BodyPainting company (she has a friend, Billy, who apparently runs the show there).  Here's the video:   




At first I was wondering, what would be the value of creating a time consuming painting, which would only be rinsed off in a warm shower?  But then I remembered that not everyone is the recluse that I am... Indeed, the company performs their artwork at various social functions, parties, and conferences, and I have no doubt that they're the hit of the show.  My favorite body paint designs are the ones using highly saturated colors and high contrast values.  If the painted customer can smile and dance around and act silly after the work is complete, all the better!


I can just picture myself doing body painting.  As an artist, it would give me a warm glow to have my canvas actually talk back to me, and tell me that I suck.  I wouldn't be above providing a little feedback myself, happily using my paintbrush as a pointer while I comment on various sagging features of my critically-minded canvas.  Yes, I would last about twelve minutes in this line of work.  Then my living canvas would tell me exactly where I could put my highly saturated colors.  


Some more great examples of this type of work can be seen at the relevant company website:  www.torontobodypainting.com

Spotlight: Carpates Express

Today I would like to highlight a short film called Carpates Express, created by Maéva Viricel and Doris Bachelier, in France.  I discovered this through the DeviantArt website a few months ago, and instantly fell in love with the somber mood and Expressionistic style of the film.  

A still from "Carpates Express".

The film can be viewed at:
http://vimeo.com/13203960


Maéva Viricel also goes by the artist's name Huguette Pizzic, and more images of her work can be seen at the DeviantArt site:
http://huguettepizzic.deviantart.com


The movie captures the angst of a character named Xavier, as he manages to board a train for which he has no ticket.  There's a lot to appreciate in this film, from the painstakingly textured backgrounds, to the forlorn music and sound effects, and the ZBrush character design.  The odd chatter that fills the restaurant car helps to convey Xavier's careful detachment from his surroundings.  I just hope that Xavier considers himself one with nature, because he's got a long walk through the Carpathian mountains to get back home.


Enjoy the film!  I did, it made me a happy clicker.