WoW Hurst & Blaine (Completed)

One last post for 2010. Here's Hurst's WoW-themed commission, completed. Happy New Years, everyone!

 

Thanks again, Hurst!

-Mel

toonbots.com Site Headers

FYI for those interested, toonbots Animation and Illustration, the same awesome Michigan based studio collaboration whose demo reel I features in the last post here, also now has a spanking new web presence at www.toonbots.com! The site features demo reels, work and bios from multiple members of the toonbots crew - definitely worth a look.

One of our fearless leaders, Chris Carden, was gracious enough to include some of my artwork for the site's  many colorful headers, and I thought I'd share them here with you as well.

For more schnazzy artwork by a slew of wonderful folks, be sure to check out the site!

Cheers,
♥Mel

toonbots' Demo Reel Premieres!

The Premiere demo reel of toonbots, an animation and illustration company based in Detroit that I am thrilled to be a part of, is now online. Included is the work of Michigan-based talent Steve Stanchfield, Chris Carden, Michael Winn, Niles Bontrager, Patrick R Stannard, Jared Hart, VanAndy Prevalus, David Bentley, myself, and more!

toonbots 2010 Demo Reel from Chris Carden on Vimeo.

toonbots is an animation and illustration company based in Detroit. We love story, character, color and line. This, our debut reel, shows where we've been and what we can do. We love what we do, and hope you do, too!

Thanks for viewing!

♥Mel

Private SNAFU DVD Cover Progression

As mentioned in my previous post, I recently had the opportunity to illustrate the DVD background for Thunderbean Animation's latest release of "Private SNAFU Golden Classics," to accompany Eric Goldberg's wonderful character illustration of SNAFU himself.

The cover background itself was a nod to yet another World War 2-era cartoon, "The Spirit of '43" starring Donald Duck, posted below (see around 5:02) The original incarnation of the background closer aped its inspiration's color palette, while subsequent revisions became lighter brighter, cheerier, and pushed far closer to the good ol' red, white and blue.

It was an absolute joy to create a cover in collaboration with Mr. Goldberg, as well as to be able to have a small part in such a wonderful DVD production. Thanks again, Steve!

Cheers,

Mel

Private SNAFU Classics DVD on Amazon!

After tremendous effort and a myriad of fantastic collaborations, my friend and mentor Steve Stanchfield has completed "Private SNAFU Golden Classics" - a gem of a new release through his Thunderbean Animation Studio.

This definitive collection of beautifully restored animation is now available on Amazon.com.

On the DVD itself:

The hilarious 'Private Snafu' cartoons hold a unique and unusual place in the history of American animated films. Originally produced during World War 2 as part of the Army/Navy Screen Magazine, they remain the most entertaining series of shorts never intended for general audience. The series was idea of Frank Capra, with many of the early entries written and supervised by Ted Geisel (Dr. Suess). They feature some of the finest work produced by the Warner Brothers/Schlesinger Studios in the early/ mid 40's by directors Chuck Jones, Friz Freling, Frank Tashlin and Bob Clampett. Over 60 years since the last of the series was produced they remain fresh and entertaining.

Thunderbean presents this special collector's edition, beautifully restored and resmastered almost entirely from the original 35mm elements! All 30 'Snafu' cartoons are included, counting his four appearances in the 'A Few Quick Facts' series. Special Features include a four page illustrated booklet about the films and their creators, still galleries featuring rare original production art, and commentaries by cartoon historians Mike Kazaleh, Jerry Beck, Eric Goldberg, Mark Mayerson and John Kricfalusi.

The DVD was graciously featured on Cartoon Brew on two instances recently by animation historian Jerry Beck, who also provided his wonderful incite to the DVD's special features. Below is a preview of the DVD's special features, narrated by Mr. Beck himself.

Private SNAFU, Golden Classics: Jerry Beck Special Feature from Patrick Stannard on Vimeo.

The DVD also includes a title sequence animated by Mark Kausler (cleanup by Steve, and my good friend Patrick Stannard) As well as cover character art by Eric Goldberg. I was honored to have the opportunity to illustrate the environmental background for Eric's wonderful drawing of SNAFU for the DVD cover - process of which Steve has kindly granted me permission to share with you all in a post to come.

For anyone looking to add a fantastic addition to their animation collection this year, this is the DVD to get!

-Mel

WoW-Style Blaine & Hurst (WIP)

 

WoW-Style Blaine & Hurst (Flat Colors)

Sorry I've been so quiet as of late, everyone. Life's been hectic - I was fortunate enough to get hired on as a Storyboard artist for a feature-length animated film, and it, as you could imagine, has consumed the majority of my time as of late. It's been an excellent experience, however, and has produced a massive amount of work. Hopefully one day down the line I'll have the opportunity to share some of it with you :)

I had some time off over this past weekend for the first time in a few months, and was able to get a large way through one of y commissions: This time, a WoW-themed image for Hurst and his other half Blaine's wonderful character personas. It's been a great time so far - I look forward completimg the colors on this one - hopefully being able to stay fairly true to the wonderful sorts of textures usually seen in-game for WoW.

That says, above are the beginning-stage flat colors for the image, giving a very general idea of what I'm leaning towards for feel, and below, the live art.

WoW-Style Blaine & Hurst (Line Art)

Cheers,

Mel