Joel Mayer's Drawings

[JoelMayer]

Hi there!

Well, i thought i post some of my stuff as well. First off, here's a digital painting i'm working on. It's in the stage of a black and white sketch at the moment, but i think the idea comes across...

And, no, i have no problems with women ;-)

Would love to hear what you think!

[arif]

sorry friend,i cant see any image here....i had the same problem(Jeremy helped me out)do one thing....create album on your user account and then put the image link here.....

Arif:rolleyes:

[JoelMayer]

Thanks for the suggestion!

Here now the Pic. I hope it works ;-)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=390

[jeremyhopkins]

A kiss is an incredibly difficult thing to draw so that's great that you're pushing yourself. Your composition is nice but I think you might want to be careful and watch for all the competing elements that might distract the viewer's eye. Maybe focus the lighting on the characters' faces and pull back some of the brightness on the clouds in the bg. That should help frame the characters better and make them stand out. Look forward to seeing you develop this more and don't be afraid to ask Don questions about your piece on Wednesday! Good luck!

[JoelMayer]

Thanks for the advice Jeremy :-)

Here is some more stuff i recently did. I'm not as good as most of the folks here but i try to improve so i'm glad for any criticism :-)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=395

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=394

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=392

Here i tried myself at sketching a fox. After that i filled about three Pages, trying to caricature it. The three best attempts in my opinion are these:

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=393

well... hope to get better soon :-)

I signed up for life drawing classes again at the local Art School. Two years have passed since i last took some. Now i even have two three hour lessons per week :-)

I hope i can make it to the seminar. Depends on what time it is over here in Europe then. Got to sleep somehow, since i've got to work tomorrow ;-)

But today i thought about a lot of questions i'd love to ask Don about!

Well, let me know what you think and thanks a lot! Its a great community here and a great learning resource :-)

Bye!

[JoelMayer]

And one more:

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=83&pictureid=396

[Rodney]

Nicely done Joel.
I'm really enjoying the underlying sense of composition/design I see in your work.

One fascinating aspect of Don Bluth's drawing can be seen in his videos on drawing his various characters. Initially I didn't think I'd learn much with those videos as they were just rather straighforward drawings of those characters. Errrrrrk. Time to rewind those videos and watch 'em again!

What I noticed immediately was how Don took his initial idea to the point where everything was in its proper place. For many of us this stage represents the sum total of our drawing and we'd likely call it finished there. For Don, this is where he begins.

Watch a few of his character drawing videos and see if you don't see the same thing. Note how he lightly and roughs out the guidelines then puts his pencil down and stops.

He's got it all there yet note closely what he says, "I think I can start a drawing with that." He hasn't even started his drawing yet. He has just placed his essential guidelines there.

A M A Z I N G !

For what its worth your drawings reminded me of what I learned there.

[Mithmeoi]

Very nice drawings! I love the Bozo one, his expression is grand! The woman holding the sword is very nice too. Good action pose but I think the line of action could be strong in it. Give the line a better curve so it looks like her whole body is into the action. Try tilting her torso more forward and shortening her arms a little. Maybe bring the sword a little closer to her body too, right now it could probably tip her over. lol I hope that crit made sense... I'm better with redlining. XD
Overall you have so me nice sketches keep it up!

[JoelMayer]

Hey alltogether!

Long time no posting i know... but i've done a lot of drawing lately. I think i'm on a good track at the moment :-)

Its of course not as well as i want to be but i think i'm slowly improving a bit.

I focused a little bit more on Gesture and Rhythm in a character. I'm working with Vilppu's Drawing Manual to practice life drawing and look at a lot of Don Bluth Videos of course ;-)

Comments and Critique is always welcome :-)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=163&pictureid=761

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=163&pictureid=760

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=163&pictureid=759

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=163&pictureid=758

[JoelMayer]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=163&pictureid=757

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=164&pictureid=766

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=164&pictureid=765

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=164&pictureid=764

(Hope to finish that one soon!

[JoelMayer]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=164&pictureid=763

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=164&pictureid=762

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=771

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=770

[JoelMayer]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=769

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=768

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=767

[lavallelee]

i really like your life drawings, and your cartoon drawings have lots of emotion

good job

[Don Bluth]

Thanks for the suggestion!

Here now the Pic. I hope it works ;-)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=80&pictureid=390

Jeremy Hopkins critique is right on the money! His suggestion to focus the viewers attention to a specific spot on your drawing is excellent advise.

Don

[Don Bluth]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=769

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=768

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=165&pictureid=767

In the future, when you submit drawings, would you please write the name of the emotion you are trying to convey in the character. Life drawings are usually with feelings and simply illustrate your knowledge of anatomy. Your character designs should convey a feeling. You're not quite there with this principle. You definitely show that you have talent.

Don

[JoelMayer]

Whoa Boy! I didn't expect a comment from you, Don!

Thanks a lot! I will take that advice seriously (as well as all the others, thanks to you too!) ;-)

In life drawing for Animators, what do you think matters the most?

I know, that we're not supposed to make just static, fully rendered copys of a model. Its more about capturing the Feeling and the story. But arent you losing then a great deal of learning experience when it comes to things like anatomy and details?

I noticed that a lot of people who do some great realistic drawings are actually pretty bad cartoonists and vice versa... why do you think that is?

I'll probably post this question in the animation seminar forum again, in case you dont have time to answer it right now.

kind regards

Joel

[JoelMayer]

I watched the Video on how Don draws Daphne... It inspired me to try a Girl with a "flirty/sultry" expression myself.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=167&pictureid=773

Done with a Wacom Intuos 3 in ArtRage Pro.

[Poulpette]

Nice work! :)
I like your animals.

[AvestheForumFox]

Hey Joel, your art looks good so far! As the good Don says, you certainly show talent! :)

I like the cartoonish stuff better, but that may be because I'm a cartoonie kind of guy :)

Keep it up! And keep the art coming!

[JoelMayer]

Thanks!

I like the cartoonish stuff better, but that may be because I'm a cartoonie kind of guy

I think its rather because i'm better at cartoon stuff than drawing from life... that bugs me somehow :-(

[lavallelee]

very cool! lets see some more! :)

[JoelMayer]

Some new quick sketches i did in my sketchbook...

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=167&pictureid=780

A Drawing i did from a magazine (no, even though it looks like it, not THAT kind of lecture ;-))

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=167&pictureid=782

Girls... I tried to get as much of a "flirty expression" on them as i could...

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=167&pictureid=781

A relaxed stag, who thinks he is the man!

I hope to post some more finished stuff here soon!

Maybe after the weekend, when i got more time working on drawings.

[joedorsey]

I like your relaxed stag. All he needs are some gold chains. ;)

[JoelMayer]

Hi folks...

I know Life Drawings aren't as fun to look at than cartoons. But i really try to get better at this, so some critique would be most welcome!

So here we go, i did these yesterday:

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=173&pictureid=795

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=173&pictureid=796

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=173&pictureid=793

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=173&pictureid=794




Thanks!

[JoelMayer]

Some new Drawings i did. Some of them are Sketches for an interactive Adventure Game i have and the stuff with the Deer is, believe it or not, a commissioned Character for the Insurance Company i'm working at as a Multimedia Producer. Theres also a new Drawing of my Angry Guinea Pig with which i'd love to do a short film!

I really got to learn to finish my drawings more detailed. I kinda get bored with one drawing to soon...

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=831

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=830

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=829

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=827

[JoelMayer]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=828

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=181&pictureid=832

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=181&pictureid=833

[joedorsey]

The reindeer is a great fun looking character.

[madanimator]

Hey Joel, I like your drawings very much, especially the last ones! Don't give up, it's going to be really awesome! :D

[Richard Willimot]

Heya Dragontoad, some good stuff there. Some things I see that mightbe fixed are watch out for tangents in your drawings. In the second to last pic of the boy you have tangents where both the sleeves meet the pants. Also watch how gravity and forces play on your characters clothes.

[lavallelee]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=180&pictureid=828

i really like this life drawing here :)

very nice

[JoelMayer]

Hey thanks to you all for your replies!

i really like this life drawing here

Thanks! I read the book "Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators" and try to apply some of the principles there to my work. madanimator can tell you probably more about it, since she recommended the book to me. And you can clearly see the impact in her very dynamic work.

[JoelMayer]

Here's my first attempt at doing a Pastel Drawing... It was a gift for the girl shown in the picture.

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=183&pictureid=846

And here a quick sketch done with markers... Testing out my anatomy knowledge... barely none ;)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=183&pictureid=847

[arif]

hai...i like your sketch done by pastel....nice and cool touch......:laughing:

[Moneyguns]

I love those animals, they're hilarious!:laughing:

[johncbeggs]

The sun is my favourite part of the pastel drawing , awesome job - theirs certainly alot of stuff going on and it brings alot energy to the picture :D.

[JoelMayer]

A Sketch of a Pen and Ink Drawing i'm working on. I was a bit inspired by Wally Woods Stuff... Okay maybe not just a bit ;)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=183&pictureid=856

[joedorsey]

I like this drawing. The queen and caterpillar seem a bit put off on whatever the bee is saying. Nice work!

[JoelMayer]

Thanks!

Yeah thats right! You'll see why, in the finished rendering ;)

[JoelMayer]

Hey alltogether!

After a long pause in which i had to finish my live action feature film i finally get to do some drawing again.

I upgraded my Toon Boom Studio to Toon Boom Animate, the same technology that was also used in Disney "The Princess and the Frog".

Of course, this is no guarantee for better drawing skills at all, but i was just playing aroung with the software and really like it especially the effects.

So here's the outcome from today. A little Cavewoman for a dream project of mine ;)

Hope you like it!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs601.snc3/31684_401361357347_832132347_4107083_664279_n.jpg

[madanimator]

Sweet! I like her design very much, Joel. Glad you find the time to draw again ;)

[Richard Willimot]

Great character and pose,makes me want to know more of the story.I look forward to more.

[lavallelee]

ya very good pose joel!

[JoelMayer]

Some new stuff... I really have to get better soooon! So i'm drawing daily in my sketchbook and stop reading books which wont get me anywhere anyway... well at least from JUST reading them. Its depressing i have a whole bookshelf full of books about drawing and animation but havent animated a darn thing in ten years and my drawing skills aren't so hot either. So it's time that this had an end!! Thanks for your attention :P

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=234&pictureid=1066

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=234&pictureid=1064

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=234&pictureid=1065

[JoelMayer]

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=234&pictureid=1068

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=234&pictureid=1067

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=235&pictureid=1071

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=235&pictureid=1069

[JoelMayer]

I was watching the Documentary on "Lady and the Tramp" on the DVD and tried to quickly sketch some caricatures of the interviewees. Don't know what the naked guy has to do there though...

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=235&pictureid=1072

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=235&pictureid=1073

And then some Doggies:

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=235&pictureid=1070

And a tree for some reason...

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=236&pictureid=1075

Thats it for now!

[JoelMayer]

Just realized that a lot of my drawings dont get finished and i kind of seem to stay away from stuff i can't draw very well for example hands... I must try to work on that and face my enemies ;)

[Moneyguns]

I must try to work on that and face my enemies ;)

That's what life's all about.;)

[lavallelee]

i really like those dogs you got

animate them!

[JoelMayer]

Some newer stuff...

A self portrait:

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=288&pictureid=1316

A Fox

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=288&pictureid=1317

And a Guy that im trying to model in 3d....

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=288&pictureid=1314

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=288&pictureid=1319

[andrew sharp]

Your top page is really strong, Really like your life drawing and your cartoony lady. that tree has a great flow to it . Keep it up:)

[JoelMayer]

Thanks!

Here are some more Images of a Stag Character i designed for the Company i worked in... It was meant to be for children marketing but unfortunately the project didnt went much further than this...


http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=290&pictureid=1323

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=290&pictureid=1322

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=290&pictureid=1321

[arif]

welcome back Joel.. ...good to see that you are posting again...:D

[JoelMayer]

Some more stuff from today... i really try to make more finished drawings from now on... also to practice on my hands and feet and anatomy in general...

A little monk character i thought up:

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=291&pictureid=1329

I played around with Toon Boom Animate again, after a half year animation hiatus. Did this little Sketch to become familiar with the UI again. One thing i really love about Animate is its renderer. The line quality it puts out is superb!

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=291&pictureid=1330

[andrew sharp]

Good design I like the stag character its good design gives a good silhuet sorry for my spelling:)

[JoelMayer]

Thanks for the comment! Here my newest stuff... i try to make more finished drawings, as i had mentioned...

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=291&pictureid=1335

I hope this one is not too raunchy ;) But please dont be angry with me its just a cartoon :P

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=291&pictureid=1336

[JoelMayer]

Some more stuff from the drawing board... i really have to practice figures in perspective... i probably will ask Don for some tips on the next seminar but any help from you guys is of course appreciated too :)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1344

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1343

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1342

[lavallelee]

[QUOTE=JoelMayer;20443]
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=290&pictureid=1322


i really like this character, i see a whole series for him in my head!

[JoelMayer]

A Logo i'm working on... still in very rough shape and needs a few passes... its a banana ;)

http://donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=596

[lavallelee]

lol very cool animation test, maybe it has a bit too much hang time but the rest is really good
:D

[JoelMayer]

some new stuff...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs449.ash2/72237_462850002347_832132347_5394456_4373964_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs457.ash2/73024_462849852347_832132347_5394452_699301_n.jpg

[JoelMayer]

and some gesture stuff...


http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1154.snc4/149617_462955137347_832132347_5396239_6759596_n.jp g

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1133.snc4/149588_462955182347_832132347_5396241_3963647_n.jp g

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs923.snc4/73690_462955222347_832132347_5396243_1753416_n.jpg

[JoelMayer]

I colored my banana. Tomorrow i'll add the Hair (secondary Action) and some shadows.

Inked and Colored in Toon Boom Animate.

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=605

[andrew sharp]

Cool animation you got going on, looks really good with colour.Your last life drawing is my favorite :)

[JoelMayer]

Thanks!

Some stuff i did before i went to bed...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs921.snc4/73479_463397722347_832132347_5401720_2479599_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs917.snc4/73063_463397697347_832132347_5401719_2555330_n.jpg

[JoelMayer]

Hmm too bad i almost dont get any comments anymore :( maybe i'm getting worse or something. But nonetheless, here another drawing of one of my facourite subjects: Girls ;)

http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=294&pictureid=1380

[andrew sharp]

Great drawing my friend dont worry about the comments thing I think the forums slow down near xmas. Really like the way you draw the ladies:)talk to you soon:)

[JoelMayer]

Some new stuff after a long time:

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/297342_10150373934582348_832132347_8132707_1285222 78_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/311240_10150306893127348_832132347_7750565_942712_ n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184051_10150278704402348_832132347_7496717_6121962 _n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250168_10150202360172348_832132347_6894080_7504238 _n.jpg

[JoelMayer]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/296827_10150349430212348_832132347_7996002_1012325 596_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/320681_10150291950767348_832132347_7616957_2123695 _n.jpg

[arif]

hmm...sorry Joel...did not look around others stuff so much in recent days...but, i like these versions very much ....like the close portrait....

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/311240_10150306893127348_832132347_7750565_942712_ n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184051_10150278704402348_832132347_7496717_6121962 _n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/250168_10150202360172348_832132347_6894080_7504238 _n.jpg

[msynowicz]

Hope you don't mind, but I did an overlay on one of your girls here. As Glen Keane says "If you're going to mess up anywhere on the drawing, don't make it the eyes" (paraphrasing). A couple of things to remember. The pupils are always going to be level with one another. The pupil on the right is higher than the one on the left. You also have to watch where those eye lids go. I think you were trying to go for a bit of that "sexy" sort of look, but she looks a bit stoned. Check out the overlay to see the difference.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v86/spaghetti016/WeirdEye.jpg

[JoelMayer]

I know it now sounds like a lame excuse, but i really wanted to make her look stoned :)

But thank you very much for your overlay! Looks so much better this way... Guess i still have a lot to learn ;)

Thanks again

[andrew sharp]

Hey Joel good to see your back:) That elephant cracks me up:)

[JoelMayer]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382956_10150397720077348_832132347_8262003_7265068 70_n.jpg

[OwenWelsh]

Wow Joel very nice drawing!

[arif]

yes....do more..post moreee:laughing:

[JoelMayer]

Thanks! I'm trying to animate a girl right now...

http://www.donbluthanimation.com/videos.php?showvideo=815

Strangely, it doesnt show any buttons with my video... maybe too few frames...

[andrew sharp]

Looks good nice and cartoony squash and stretch :) I had to download the video cause there were no replay buttons but it works as a quick time

[OwenWelsh]

Joel you have a good design on your girl character. Btw, I think the reason you can't see the quicktime controls is because your video has too many pixels horizontally. I think its a limitation of viewer on that page. Try to keep the video under 480 horizontal pixels.

[arif]

Nice Joel...yes, it has so less frame ..probably that is the reason..i don't know....but, you can hit `space`bar if you want to see it again...:laughing:

[JoelMayer]

Some new Stuff. I'm really working hard right now on my skills even though my interest switched from animation more towards comics. I hope i'll be able to one day draw a graphic novel or something.

Im also trying to finally stop copying other people too much and finding my own thing. Just let loose you know. But probably i'm still a rip-off :)

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/385850_10150452707367348_832132347_8430211_8503782 86_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391866_10150451177562348_832132347_8427477_2463386 9_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386214_10150451181507348_832132347_8427494_1836799 618_n.jpg

[JoelMayer]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/379894_10150454185747348_832132347_8431898_1829362 697_n.jpg

[arif]

nice design....by the way, does not she has more cloths for top ?:eek:

[JoelMayer]

not as long as i'm drawing her :P

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387662_10150454698622348_832132347_8432548_3998563 67_n.jpg