This is a illustration-based fundraising event aimed at collecting $6,000 for Doctors Without Borders in relief of Japan’s March 11th earthquake disaster. Illustrators from around the world were invited to create pieces with the quirky theme of “vending machines”. Now the work is done all the original works are for sale online at Vend Send Mend.

External Link: Alex Amelines – Vend Send Mend

I recently stumbled upon the work of Clare Elsom, a graduate from University College Falmouth and since her graduation she’s been part of the sea of talented illustrators that are scattered all over London. She’s represented by NB Illustration Agency and has done a lot of beautiful work for a nice assortment of clients.

It really appeals to me the unpretentiousness of her style and the surprising change of stroke thickness, as if her fountain pen suddenly got very excited and spat out more ink than it meant to. The language of her character is quite consistent and has a heart warming naïve feel to it. I wouldn’t mind seeing them moving in the near future!

Introduction

Greg and Myles have been writing and directing animations since 2000 and their work has appeared on BBC ONE, MTV, Nickelodeon USA, Channel 4, E4, Channel Frederator and nokiashorts.com. Their surname is pronounced /MacCloud/ for those not versed in Norse-Scottish history…

The Brothers McLeod are represented by Aardman Animations as Commercials Directors. They are also currently writing and producing for BBC Children’s.

Can you elaborate on what do you do for a living?

Animator, director, musician, sound designer, artist, 16thC trapest monk

Between a directing role and hands-on work, which do you prefer and why?

It’s sort of all tied up together, my favourite time is the germ of the idea, seeing something develop organically.

If you weren’t doing this what would you be doing?

No idea!

Could you describe for us your creative process?

For the films… Idea – brainstorm – design – write – storyboard – animatic – animate – fx – edit – sound – screen

It’s all really organic for our own films and very structured and less flexible for the commercial projects. All projects are planned and roles assigned as part of that process.

How do you find being siblings and partners at the same time? Does it ever get in the way?

It’s fine, never gets in the way. It helps if anything, a shared creative history, influences, inspirations and experiences.

What do you do for inspiration? How do you manage to be innovative on each project?

Read a lot, watch films, go to galleries, think, walk, red wine, green tea, fresh food – search out the best.

Be honest, get yourself excited.

Do you have any good tips for dealing with creative blocks?

Never had one.

Which of the projects you’ve worked on so far has been your favourite?

The M Man, Dog Tired, The Beardmaker

Describe your dream client.

Ourselves – having enough money to produce a grand project. Self funded – no interference.

Do you have any new exciting projects coming up?

Series for the BBC – ongoing
Several ideas for short films

Tell us a secret about yourselves.

I have gills.

If you could have any super power, which would you choose?

Cabbage firing finger tips.

Any advice for anyone following your steps?

Wear wellies, and work very very hard.

You can see more of The Brothers McLeod’s work at
www.brothersmcleod.co.uk

This is a short animation I created for the Catholic Charity CAFOD, it is the first time they use animation as support material, it will hopefully help raise awareness about their Harvest Fast Day fund raising event.

Introduction

Cory Godbey lives in South Carolina with his wife Erin Elizabeth and his cats Harrel Whittington and James. He first discovered his love for drawing while in math class and soon after that began drawing pictures for elementary textbooks. Cory went to college to study old drawings by well-known artists, and he says he still looks at these old drawings when he runs out of ideas. He enjoys lively accordion music, pasta, and when it rains at night.

Hi Cory! How are you?

Hey, I’m doing great! Thanks for having me.

Is there anything you don’t enjoy drawing? And why?

Hm. That’s a good question. Probably not something overly cute. I imagine that’d be no fun. I’m not sure if there’s anything I don’t like to draw. I’ll let you know if I run across it.

What do you feel are the best conditions to work in?

Where I’ve got quiet, minimal interruptions, and some music playing or a movie to listen to.

Do you have a pre-work ritual, or are there certain working conditions that that you can’t do without?

Not really, so long as I can have something to draw on I’m usually doing good.

You seem to spend a lot of time documenting the process of your work. Do you enjoy teaching? Do you feel like you ought to be passing on your knowledge to other people?

Yeah, it can be pretty time consuming but I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about documenting my work. It seems to have helped some people and that was my goal. I struggled by myself for a few weeks through photoshop trying to learn it so if I’ve helped someone through that I’m pleased. I wanted to make a sort of catalogue of studies to give to anyone who wanted a boost in Photoshop. I have taught some classes on cartoons and illustration in the past. Teaching was a lot of fun.

If it happens at all… How do you deal with running out of inspiration?

I’ve usually got three of four different projects going at once so there’s always something to do. Whether it’s a work job or personal or planning a show, I’ve got backlog of pieces to work on. I just work through my list. But sometimes you just don’t feel like doing anything productive. That’s when you pull out the Nintendo.

Is there a colour you can’t live without?

I like blue.

Name 5 things you enjoy looking at.

My wife. Watercolor as it’s drying. Michelangelo’s sculptures. Classical realism in general. When a painting starts coming together.

What’s the secret to be able to make a living as an illustrator?

Making the right friends in high school. The sort who will make a company for you to work at! Well, that’s true, but really just working hard. Getting yourself out there.

Is there a skill you lack that you always wanted to have?

I took lessons as a kid and hated it but I’d love to be able to play piano now.

Do you ever dream what you draw or draw what your dream?

I do usually get some ideas right before falling asleep. But I can’t say I’ve ever drawn a dream. My dreams are terribly mundane.

What should we know about South Carolina?

Well, it’s humid. But it’s also close to the beach and mountains, if you like those sort of things. It’s nice.

Is there a story behind your cats’ names?

Harrell is named for Harrell Whittington, my printmaking professor in school. James is named for James Bond. Because he has gold colored eyes. GoldenEye. Yup. You get it.

You can see more of Cory Godbey’s work at
www.corygodbey.com and www.portlandstudios.com

Dear character designer and animators,

onehugeeye has just re-launched as a news portal run by and for character animators. We would like to invite you to use our website as a way to share and promote your work, get it seen by many people on the same industry, make contacts and be inspired.

All the best, the onehugeeye team.

I recently created this logo for an event called ‘The Wake‘, which celebrates the life and times of the soulful music spectrum. It is an original club night offering from soul, funk, jazz, bossa, beats to psychedelic soul rock.

If Edward Gorey drew the X-Men: A fantastic (concept) illustration by Skottie Young.