Attack of the WereChicken!

Eric's commission is now complete! I admittedly had a wonderful time with this whole concept - it was far too silly not to. It started as a mere play between a werechicken and a rather unfortunate coyote.... and between the two of us, just sort of spiraled further and further into silliness from there. Thank you, Eric, for being such a wonderfully humored, creative commissioner!

Up next, I'll be starting Marie's latest commission - I'm quite looking forward to it. I've been drawing droves of anthropomorphic creatures as of late between commissions and contract work - it'll be a nice breather to be able to draw/paint humans again. :)

Cheers,
-Mel

ARMSmasters Blog Banner

 

In efforts to continue the momentum of the ARMSmasters Project, I've recently begun two new undertakings: Creating what will be an expansive public production blog for the project that will be available for all to see, and collaborating with the project's awesome creator, one mister Mike Winn, to create finalized, polished concept art and design model sheets for each of the Project's characters. The first of those collaborations is the above image, created for the header of the new blog, wherein Mike gave me a myriad of wonderful rough sketches of the characters, and I cleaned up, arranged and colored them into the above final image. Below is the process of this image's creation - the same process of which we plan to use for the model sheets to come.

Blogger actually won't allow me to upload the Process image any larger than what's been provided here (click to enlarge) - I'll upload a more viewer-friendly version elsewhere soon, and will direct you all to that link.

UPDATE: The aforementioned "More Viewer-Friendly Version" :)

Thanks for viewing!
-Mel

Kavi, Aeslyn and Inari (Doodles and Such)

My apologies for the slight lull in posts this month all - I've been keeping plenty busy. Apart from contract work, which has been keeping me busy enough on its own, I've been pecking away at commissions, teaching a weekly character design class for a wonderfully creative group of middle schoolers, and have picked back up with aiding the ARMSmasters Project, cleaning up shadow test animation, collaborating with its creator, Mike, to begin to create polished, finalized concept art and character designs, as well as create a public production blog for the project, which I'll be sharing with you all in the next week.

Above is a page out of my current sketchbook of a little blond haired, golden-eyed lantern-baring fellow of no particular origin, by the name of Kavi (Kuh-Vi). Started sketching him during last week's design class, and finished him at yesterday's ARMSmasters production meeting. Below is the current status of the Aeslyn shot form the ARMSmasters trailer - now with shadow model, animated by Patrick Stannard, cleaned up by myself and composited by my other half, Niles. Below that still is a quick color study I created of a couple of 2-inch-tall thumbnail doodles - outfit and color model ideation for the ARMSmaster's Inari.

ARMSmasters Aeslyn Turn shot from Niles Bontrager on Vimeo.

 

Also! Less I forget, this blog now has specialized pages - About, Links, Gallery, Demo Reel, Resume, Comission Info and Commission List pages, to be precise. I'll have their individual content set up fully soon.

More artwork soon, and as always, thanks for sticking with me, everyone.

-Mel

WereChicken WIP and Moxie Progression

 

UPDATE: Here's flat colors! On to the final render.

 Attack of the WereChicken (Line Art)

Alongside a concept art freelance gig, I'm currently having an absolute blast working on Xyk's commission. He has had all sorts of good-humored ideas to go by, making every step of the process a great time. I'm looking forward to getting this project to color. That said, here's the line art for what will be a mock horror movie poser, "Attack of the WereChicken!"

Also, just for the fun of it, below is a quick doodle and it's steady progression into flat colors of my character Moxie, created in those rare tidbits of time available while I'm awaiting feedback on projects. Here's hoping this one gets finished amidst everything else ;)

More again soon. Cheers, everyone!
-Mel

SNAFU Review and Production Blogs of Note

First post of the new year brings us a great new review of Thunderbean Animation's definitive "Private SNAFU Golden Classics" DVD release, which I was recently given the opportunity to help illustrate the cover for. The Review, written by Pietro A. Shakarian at goldenagecartoons.com was kind enough to include a very positive segment about the cover art as well.

"The cover art by Eric Goldberg and Mel Miller is not only impressive but also seems to possess more energy and feeling than most of the cover art from Warner Home Video's recent Looney Tunes DVD compilations."

For the full DVD review, and some interesting history about past attempts to bring SNAFU to DVD, check out its page at the Golden Age Cartoons website. And as always, Private SNAFU Golden Classics comes highly recommended, and is now available at Amazon.com.

Received my own copy of the DVD today. Thanks, Steve!

Also! Over the past couple of years, the College for Creative Studies' Entertainment Arts department has sprouted a number of production blogs for its students' individual senior film projects. Two of those blogs, this year, have really stood out, and are well worth the look at their film maker's progress. The gals behind these productions are extremely talented - I wanted to share them with you all here:

• "Dark Circus" by Erin Greener
• "GatorDog" by Serene Wyatt

While much of the work I've been doing as of late is under NDA, I will have more artwork to post for you all soon, care of commissions and the rare free-moment doodle. A tremendous thanks to everyone for supporting this blog into the new year, and here's for an exciting 2011!

-Mel

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

Sneaky Snow - Complete

 

"Sneaky Snow" now fully rendered! I've begun what will undoubtedly be a very long and intriguing process of starting to learn to utilize custom photoshop brushes with this image - already I'm really digging the result.Thank you for the commission, Dana!

Coming soon - Hurst's WoW themed commission of he and Blaine's original characters. It will no doubt be a fun one! Also, I will be responding to new commissar offer related emails soon. Thanks for your patience in waiting for a reply to everyone who have generously offered me new commission work - this  work and life combined have had me swamped this past week especially. I'll be replying to you soon.

All the best,

Mel

Sneaky Snow Progression

 Here's the progression on the commission I'm currently working on - Snow, a sleuthy kitty-lady created and owned by Dana Jock. I'm hoping to have this particular commission completed by the end of the week, alongside my current storyboarding madness.

 The final line work.

 

The initial ideation sketch, as well as the revised sketch that followed soon thereafter.

 Flat colors, as well as some simple gradients to begin to fiddle with light source and direction.

More soon,
Mel

Back from Ottawa 2010

 Another year, another wonderful stint at the Ottawa International Animation Festival. While I admittedly felt that the selection of films this year was a slight bit more timid then in years previous, it was an excellent time none the less, and the films that did stand out were stellar, as always. It was a great event, with great people - I met so many awesome animators - professional and student alike - caught up with old friends. As always OIAF delivered, and good times were had by all. I thought I'd share a collection of photos taken form this year's flimapalooza. Enjoy - my mates and I sure did! :)

1) The Television trolley markers returned again this year, rebuilt and schnazzy as ever. 2) How I spent the majority of the festival this year - screening dozens of animated short and feature-length films. 3) Niles and I enjoying breakfast at the fabulous Cora's.

1) Ottawa being positively lovely at dusk. 2) Heading into the bustling Byward Market late-afternoon.

1) I was fortunate enough to snag an interview slot with Disney during this year's Animator's for Hire event. 2.) My pass! :)

1) My roommates were also, consequently, my hotel roomies for this year's festival, which was great fun :D Niles, Patrick, and Kerry! 2.) How animators start their morning: Doodles and a hot cuppa Joe.

Disney Feature Animation's Patrick Osborne talks about his work on Tangled.

 1) Myself and my other half - OIAF 2010 gets official Nerd Approval. 2) The latest addition to our animated household. 3) Niles and Patrick, and a whole lot of silly to go around.

I also wanted to mention that I was fortunate to get pulled into a studio feature project recently, and it will have the brunt of my attention over the next few weeks, so my posts here may slow just a bit. However, commissions are back on and in-progress, so keep an eye out for those as I start posting those up once again!

Cheers,

Mel

MMA Vlog 001: Portfolio Madness!

My 150th post to this humble little blog begets its first video blog post. Do excuse my intensely haggard, under-slept appearance/voice here - it's been an impossibly busy roller coaster of a past few weeks in general, and the lack of rest is definitely whooping my butt by this time of the morning. Anyhow! Here's a quick update on what's going on at the moment (Swimming in portfolios! Eek!) and what'll be coming up soon. It may also be an interesting look into self-promotion for animators/artists, as I know I've got quite a few art students watching. :) I hope this is helpful.

This Vlog mentions:

• OIAF 2010
• Niles Bontrager
• Patrick Stannard

Cheers (And I swear, I'm going to go get some sleep now),
Mel