This blog supports 3d model & rendering course at the university of toledo, center for the visual arts. Class members are invited to post updates and pictures of their work-in-progress; thoughts and opionions on the reading; helpful tips on the use of the modeling/animation software (blender and terragen); links to other 3d artists of interest; miscellany related to 3d art and space.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
First Post
Welcome! Use this blog as a bulletin board for our class. It will grow into a repository of valuable information and track our progress as a class.
i enjoyed the quote "for an artist to be able to bring something to life bestows upon him the status of a privileged being" from an artist perspective we are our biggest critic but when an outsider with no knowledge of art or how it is created sees art they're wowed and say things like "you're so lucky you can draw" or "i wish i could paint like that" kind of makes me think we as artist are privileged and are lucky to have the gift and talent to create.
I didn't see a place to post the response so i'm just going to post it here:
I was really amazed to learn about the lightning sketches of animators such as Tom Merry and James Blackton. Until this reading i had never even heard of this process and I think its incredibly impressive that these artists produced their animations on the spot at "lightning" speed for a live audience. Another aspect of these lightning sketches that i found interesting was that the animator was a large part of the entertainment, seemingly the magician breathing life into their drawings right before the audience. I believe this fact is still relevant in today's animators however, they work there magic behind the scenes, letting their work take center stage. Moving onto Cohl's work i think he is immensely impressive pumping out 700 hand drawings for a mere two minutes of film. I do have to say that I feel bad for him though, due to the fact that he was hardly recognized in his lifetime, where the amount of work he put into animation could easily win him the title of "Father of Modern Day Animation."
I enjoyed the reading very much. It was intriguing to discover the historical connections and beginnings of animation, as well as the cinema in general. I innitially knew little about this topic to begin with, but after reading I was impressed to learn about the roles of key historical figures in the invention of animation, including those who unfortunately did not gain rightful recognition. Cohl especially. In regards to this reading, I thought it was essential to view the accompanying animations which are frequently mentioned, such as "Fantasmagorie" in 1908, which definitely allowed me to appreciate how far the art of animation has come over the years. Especially when compared to Cohl's "The Hasher's Delirium" created in 1910. Its really amazing to see the evolution of animation over just two years, let alone the advancement of animations today.
In doing the reading for this week, I found it interesting that Cohl was the first to combine matte photography and animation with live action. His movie, Claire de Lune espagnol (The Man on the Moon) reminds me of the more contemporary movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. As a kid I have always enjoyed the combination of live action and animation in film, kind of the "real" with the "fantasy". This was really interesting to read about. I guess another example I can think of off the top of my head is Mary Poppins
I thought Emile Cohl's story read like a Camus novel, that aside I thought the information about the beginnings of animation and the original processes of animating to be fascinating, and that the first "animations" were in fact more like real time films of artists drawing a series of pictures. I really like the idea of Cohl's Incoherent cinema and the use of "stream of consciousnous" images as opposed to more narrative story telling.
After the reading I learn the history of animation and why it is hard to make but after you get using the steps, it then becomes easier. I also found out in the reading that there is lightning sketch gets the audience’s attention on what is happening. I never knew lightning had anything to do with animation. Tom Merry impressed me by the lightning sketches of animation. I was impressed to learn about the lightning sketch.
It is definately interesting to learn the history behind this ever so rapidly changing digital world. I as well enjoyed the fact that he was the first to combine matte photo to animation/live action. Cohl seemed like a very peculiar person himself with a great sense of humor and imagination. It's nice to relate to an artist of this time; from where he got his ideas (dreams, nightmares, hallucinations), to how he worked. My favorite piece was that of Le Retapeur de cervelles(Brains Repaired). I enjoyed how the ideas melded into the next and created a sense of flow and rhythm. And thus he builded on these ideas, learning from each, and growing with following pieces, which is what I am working towards right now in my work.
The inclusion of the artist in proto-animated films as well as Cohl's occasional inclusion of his hand for effect (pasting the figure's head back on) contrasts dramatically with contemporary animated films. I am always struck by the tricks that animators use in an attempt to hide the process. For example, I am always floored when they include "lens flare" in an animated film. Cars, wretched movie, includes the use of a "lens flare" effect. I don't even think most people notice such tricks. Another thought was how little we know of contemporary animators, now we just know of the animation house; i.e. Disney, Pixar, etc. Animation in now nameless and faceless. Not a critique, just an observation.
This reading was really quite interesting. I liked reading and seeing images from the beginning of animations. It is amazing how much people could do way back then without all the technology we have today. It seems so hard. The history behind animation is wonderful. I've learned a little bit about animation a long time ago when I was little but to read the "official" story behind it was eye opening. It's cool to see how things come to life just like they do today when you watch a Disney movie. Lightning sketches are quite interesting too. Emile Cohl in my opinion was ahead of his time. He really did some fantastic stuff for the world of animation. It's amazing to see how far we've come. I loved seeing how everything came together to tell a story.
Also....the way Cohl used puppets or designed figures with limbs that could be moved without retracing a frame. The idea behind that reminds me of a paper doll...how with the doll you can change its movements and clothes and face without really changing the original doll. The image on page 77 just reminded me of a paper dolls simple movements and how that could be used in an animation.
I enjoyed the article very much. The creativeness of it all was really impressive for that time. I did however feel very bad on Cohl's behalf for not being recognized for his achievements during his lifetime while he watched others get credit for what he started. I also found it fascinating how he was able to make those lightning sketches and performed his animations right before the audience. I'm sure it was quite an experience for the audience watching these drawings come to life for the first time.
I enjoyed this article. Learning about how far animation has come over the years and that cohle was a major contributor in this. Expecially with Cohles Gaumont films which were rated exceptional. His use of animation and graphic art made more things possible in this time period.
testing 1 2 3...
ReplyDeletehello. i'm just testing this out :)
ReplyDeleteShould be working...
ReplyDeleteJust seeing if this works..
ReplyDeletepost test
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteyou got a dart in your neck dude.
ReplyDeletetest post
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ReplyDeletei enjoyed the quote "for an artist to be able to bring something to life bestows upon him the status of a privileged being" from an artist perspective we are our biggest critic but when an outsider with no knowledge of art or how it is created sees art they're wowed and say things like "you're so lucky you can draw" or "i wish i could paint like that" kind of makes me think we as artist are privileged and are lucky to have the gift and talent to create.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see a place to post the response so i'm just going to post it here:
ReplyDeleteI was really amazed to learn about the lightning sketches of animators such as Tom Merry and James Blackton. Until this reading i had never even heard of this process and I think its incredibly impressive that these artists produced their animations on the spot at "lightning" speed for a live audience. Another aspect of these lightning sketches that i found interesting was that the animator was a large part of the entertainment, seemingly the magician breathing life into their drawings right before the audience. I believe this fact is still relevant in today's animators however, they work there magic behind the scenes, letting their work take center stage. Moving onto Cohl's work i think he is immensely impressive pumping out 700 hand drawings for a mere two minutes of film. I do have to say that I feel bad for him though, due to the fact that he was hardly recognized in his lifetime, where the amount of work he put into animation could easily win him the title of "Father of Modern Day Animation."
I enjoyed the reading very much. It was intriguing to discover the historical connections and beginnings of animation, as well as the cinema in general. I innitially knew little about this topic to begin with, but after reading I was impressed to learn about the roles of key historical figures in the invention of animation, including those who unfortunately did not gain rightful recognition. Cohl especially. In regards to this reading, I thought it was essential to view the accompanying animations which are frequently mentioned, such as "Fantasmagorie" in 1908, which definitely allowed me to appreciate how far the art of animation has come over the years. Especially when compared to Cohl's "The Hasher's Delirium" created in 1910. Its really amazing to see the evolution of animation over just two years, let alone the advancement of animations today.
ReplyDeletetesting 1....2....
ReplyDeleteIn doing the reading for this week, I found it interesting that Cohl was the first to combine matte photography and animation with live action. His movie, Claire de Lune espagnol (The Man on the Moon) reminds me of the more contemporary movie, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. As a kid I have always enjoyed the combination of live action and animation in film, kind of the "real" with the "fantasy". This was really interesting to read about. I guess another example I can think of off the top of my head is Mary Poppins
ReplyDeleteI thought Emile Cohl's story read like a Camus novel, that aside I thought the information about the beginnings of animation and the original processes of animating to be fascinating, and that the first "animations" were in fact more like real time films of artists drawing a series of pictures. I really like the idea of Cohl's Incoherent cinema and the use of "stream of consciousnous" images as opposed to more narrative story telling.
ReplyDeleteAfter the reading I learn the history of animation and why it is hard to make but after you get using the steps, it then becomes easier. I also found out in the reading that there is lightning sketch gets the audience’s attention on what is happening. I never knew lightning had anything to do with animation. Tom Merry impressed me by the lightning sketches of animation. I was impressed to learn about the lightning sketch.
ReplyDeleteIt is definately interesting to learn the history behind this ever so rapidly changing digital world. I as well enjoyed the fact that he was the first to combine matte photo to animation/live action. Cohl seemed like a very peculiar person himself with a great sense of humor and imagination. It's nice to relate to an artist of this time; from where he got his ideas (dreams, nightmares, hallucinations), to how he worked. My favorite piece was that of Le Retapeur de cervelles(Brains Repaired). I enjoyed how the ideas melded into the next and created a sense of flow and rhythm. And thus he builded on these ideas, learning from each, and growing with following pieces, which is what I am working towards right now in my work.
ReplyDeleteThe inclusion of the artist in proto-animated films as well as Cohl's occasional inclusion of his hand for effect (pasting the figure's head back on) contrasts dramatically with contemporary animated films. I am always struck by the tricks that animators use in an attempt to hide the process. For example, I am always floored when they include "lens flare" in an animated film. Cars, wretched movie, includes the use of a "lens flare" effect. I don't even think most people notice such tricks. Another thought was how little we know of contemporary animators, now we just know of the animation house; i.e. Disney, Pixar, etc. Animation in now nameless and faceless. Not a critique, just an observation.
ReplyDeleteThis reading was really quite interesting. I liked reading and seeing images from the beginning of animations. It is amazing how much people could do way back then without all the technology we have today. It seems so hard. The history behind animation is wonderful. I've learned a little bit about animation a long time ago when I was little but to read the "official" story behind it was eye opening. It's cool to see how things come to life just like they do today when you watch a Disney movie. Lightning sketches are quite interesting too. Emile Cohl in my opinion was ahead of his time. He really did some fantastic stuff for the world of animation. It's amazing to see how far we've come. I loved seeing how everything came together to tell a story.
ReplyDeleteAlso....the way Cohl used puppets or designed figures with limbs that could be moved without retracing a frame. The idea behind that reminds me of a paper doll...how with the doll you can change its movements and clothes and face without really changing the original doll. The image on page 77 just reminded me of a paper dolls simple movements and how that could be used in an animation.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the article very much. The creativeness of it all was really impressive for that time. I did however feel very bad on Cohl's behalf for not being recognized for his achievements during his lifetime while he watched others get credit for what he started. I also found it fascinating how he was able to make those lightning sketches and performed his animations right before the audience. I'm sure it was quite an experience for the audience watching these drawings come to life for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this article. Learning about how far animation has come over the years and that cohle was a major contributor in this. Expecially with Cohles Gaumont films which were rated exceptional. His use of animation and graphic art made more things possible in this time period.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Baylee said, truly an inspiring read.
ReplyDeleteWho thought Cinema could be so animated?