Nightster

I finally ended this water color painting(click the images to enlarge) after leaving it unfinished since April.
I wanted to add these graphic "air stream" effect which could look like custom, pin stripe paint came out of its own body of the motorcycle.

Nice season for motorcycle ride has set in California!

More Space Chimps Stuff

Found more sketches I did for upcoming "Space Chimps"(Fox), scheduled to be released on July 18th. I think most of these were from early development in 2004, pencil sketched then colored in Photoshop.
I was not a big part of this and I see the final character art direction has turned out very different from what I was sketching long long time ago, but it still is cool to find the film got made.

EXAMURAI, soon to be rollout!

Above is a partial sneak peak of my new illustration for "Examurai".

I have come back from very hectic trip to Tokyo where the rainy season has just set in, but things seemed to be quite sunny to me!
Had a chance to see Dir. Abe-san and hard working producers of "Examurai" anime project, they said it was 99% done. Although they all looked pretty beaten up and exhausted, yet still surfacing things to make it as good as it gets.

It's been 2 years since I first started doing some initial concept designs, now finally it's almost done with serious contributions from people worked on it. It's always more difficult to complete things than to start them, so I deeply respect their sincerity to carry it all the way to the end.

It's supposed to be bundled in the next new album from the popular group "Exile", titled "EXILE ENTERTAINMENT BEST", scheduled to be released in Japan on 7/23/2008.
There is also a pre-site, going to be up running in a few days.

Watercolor(framed)

I have just fetched the watercolor painting from a frame store in Marina Del Ray this afternoon(sorry I still cannot show the whole image). It took me one hour to pick the right frame and mat from million possible combinations at the store last week. I narrowed down to 2 proposed frames with help from very patient salesclerk, but I just could not pick one. Even after I forced the decision from myself at the end and went back home, I was still wondering if it was the right choice, almost called them again and shouted "No, not that one, I changed my mind!". I usually enjoy choosing frames, it's fun to see paintings with good outfits sometime turn out looking not so bad as I thought by themselves, but this time, oh no. I was delirious. I wonder if natural-born-good-looker ever truly care what to wear.

Then how did it go? I am very pleased with the result! I now feel really relieved since I was working on the painting for more than a month and I knew there would not be more time left to do another take before the deadline of the event. This frame might look almost too calm on this photo, but it perfectly matches with the painting when you see the big picture. I cannot say further details about the event yet, but a lot of artists who I always admire are attending!

Quick Pollock

Need a quick escape from work to cool down your heated brain? Click here.

Watercolor

I have just finished a new watercolor painting for the upcoming event and it now is at a local frame store. Only a couple of days prior to the dead line, I beat it this time! Although I could sense cold metal jaws chattering right behind my butt, Phew!
I wish I could show it here, but just cannot do so before the event gets held this summer. This posted image here is, a brief piece of paper that was left over after I trimmed the edge off from the original painting(you only see a tiny bit on the left side...).

For some reason, I have more opportunities to do watercolor/non-digital paintings this year than ever. I still do most of my professional work in digital format(for especially coloring), but working on traditional media definitely effects how I draw. I spend more time to just staring at the paper before I actually start placing my brush tips on the surface, and occasionally snap back to this "staring freeze" in order to simulate what the heck I am trying to do before I proceed with more strokes...

Vulture couple

I think I did these a couple of years ago for some film development that was never actually made.

Old RAKUGAKI(doodles)

Found some old doodles when I was cleaning up my room recently...
(They are probably from around 2001 based on my research into strata of all piled up junks in the room)

Doodle

Sketch for a new painting.

Space Chimps

This year I am expecting 2 animated films going to be released that I worked on. One is "Space Chimps"(Fox) on July 18 and the other will be "9"(Focus Features) on Dec 26.

"Space Chimps" is Vanguard Animation's 2nd CG feature in which I was not too deeply involved, I only worked as one of initial concept designers in 2004 when it was in early development stage with a different script(we were originally thinking the main character Ham to be chubby and clumsy goofball, like Chris Farley or Jack Black).
Unlike their previous film "Valiant", I left Vanguard Animation before they officially set preproduction in Vancouver so I don't see much of my design survived to the final look of the film, of course, but it still is something to know that the film was made and is now ready to be seen on big screens at theaters... I do respect the effort and hard work from the committed people who practically delivered the finished film anyway.

Nightster update(W.I.P.)

I am really busy now and hardly spending time on this piece, but it at least is about 85% done...
I am willing to add more "pin stripe" looking, graphic effect to finish.

Nightster(W.I.P.)

I saw it on interstate 405 on the other night.

Tasokare_rollout

Done!

誰そ彼 ("Tasokare"/W.I.P.)

I was supposed to work more tonight, but I ended up painting this instead.

"Tasokare" was ancient japanese word for "dusk" or "twilight" which now is pronounced as "Tasogare"（黄昏）, but I recently learned that the original pronunciation meant "Who is he?" because back then (like 500 years ago when human beings and spiritual beings came across a lot closer) it seemed to be difficult to recognize dim figures and faces on sreet corners as the sun set. It is pretty fascinating, yet frightening in a way to realize that some of common words embrace hidden origins.

Is it at that dark corner someone I know or something I don't want to know...

10 years anniversary of march of penguins

In 1997, there was a full CG feature project about penguins. It's titled "Hopper". Under circumstances of Japanese-American co-production, they set up a preproduction office in Santa Monica and built a production studio in Tokyo. After working on it for 2 years at both ends, unfortunately project got canceled by the end of January 1999.


"Making full CG penguin film" was not as easy nor common as it sounds now if you noticed there was no CG feature film existed except Pixar's very first "Toy Story" back in 1997. Comet Hale-Bopp was coming on that year. Diana, Princess of Wales passed away. Maya Beta version was announced, but not quite there yet...

It was my first time experience for feature film development to be a part of and that's why I was so disappointed when it ended up to be buried, but on the other hand it was definitely a priceless learning opportunity for me to work with so many senior artists including mighty Jamie Baker, Cam Deleon, Barry Jackson and more(even Peter De Seve contributed some beautiful concept sketches). John Stevenson(Dir of upcoming "Kung fu Panda"!) was the head of story, Chris Miller(Dir of "Shrek The Third"), Tom McGrath(Dir of "Madagascar") were also lead story artists... Wow, sounds like a dream team, doesn't it? I would be dying to watch the film!

Anyway, since 2 beautiful CG penguin films were already created in the last 10 years and I don't think anyone will keep appetite for another one in a next few years, I post some of my character sketches here from my archive to celebrate 10 years anniversary of "Hopper" never hatched, R.I.P.

EXAMURAI (cont'd)

Happy New Year!

Sorry for no post for a while. I was visiting Japan(half vacation and half business). It was so cold out there! Tokyo must have gotten a little bit of snow by now.

During my visit, I went to an office in Tokyo where Director Abe-san and his main staff are working on Examurai. Here are main characters concept design I did last year, but I saw some really cool new creatures and villains designed by other artists(too bad I cannot share them here yet)!

I might have a chance to do more artwork for this project soon if my schedule allows me so. We'll see...

EXAMURAI

"EXILE" is a Japanese 7-men Pop/R&B group . They recently released their new album titled "EXILE LOVE" on Dec 12 and sold over one million CDs in the first week in Japan.

The album has been released in CD-only format and also CD+2DVD package which compiles many extra stuff including a 10-minute prologue of their original anime "EXAMURAI", sort of "Sci-fi samurai action" which takes a place in Tokyo 2718 after war destruction...

I had a chance to work on original character concept design for it from 2006 to 2007.





In fact, I didn't have traditional/2D animation experience(I mostly do character design for 3D CG films) but I was always interested in this field as well...One of my hero artists is Peter Chung. So I decided to put my greasy fingers on, to have a crack at it when director Abe-san offered me this great opportunity.

I spent a few months on initial concept design phase for main characters based on actual members of EXILE(also their unique weapons and the group leader Hiro's crazy motorcycle) remotely from LA, then animation director cleaned up/finalized them to make the idea more suitable and practical in cel animation format while he was also designing additional characters in Tokyo.

Unfortunately my schedule at the time happened to be so tight due to other dead lines from different projects I had been already responsible for, that I was not able to contribute as enough as I originally wanted. My apologies to the people who liked my work and expected more from me on this project but anyway, it is so great to see the prologue done!

Up-coming 40-minute full length version is to be finished in summer of 2008. Can't wait!

Inspire Benefit Auction update

I've got sever flu since I came back from SF, so my apologies for this be-delayed update.

I have to mention that everyone at Maverix Studio has been so dedicated for making this series of events into practical help on charitable organizations and this time sure wasn't an exception. I think it is an amazing gesture from them and Bay area is quite lucky to have them on 17th Street. And more importantly, it was so much fun!

Despite of the short time notice, the auction place was filled with many great pieces(check these great pics from Carlos Baena and Bosco Ng)!


A Maverix Studios auction is silent for the first 3 hours, while bidders write down their bids on a piece of paper pinned next to each art piece. Which means, whoever wrote the highest price at the bottom of the paper when time's up is going to be a winner. Simple, isn't it? However, here comes a tricky part. Maverix reserves the right to pull a few of the most sought after pieces off the wall and use them in the live auction battle at the end of the night!





Luckily my "Drumthunder Girl" got picked for the last stage with a few other pieces from great artists such as Enrico Casarosa, Dice Tsutsumi, and Robert Valley!


My long time friend mighty Jamie Baker stood up on that night as strong as King Leonidas for the battle against "the auctioneer" Mike Murnane for my "Drumthunder Girl", eventually slammed his sledgehammer of 1500$ and knocked Mike down to the ground!! The crowd gave him a huge round of applause. He also won Rhode Montijo's amazing piece at the live auction arena! Jamie was the gladiator of the night for sure, I was so honored to see Jamie holding my piece with big smile.






There were a few pieces I put my eyes on, but shoot, I apparently was not an experienced bidder and I was barely able to secure one Soosa Kims beautiful watercolor paint for myself when they closed silent auction. I will be more tactical for the next time...















1/26/08
Here is Soosa Kim's paint I won over the auction.

Maverix Holiday Auction : INSPIRE

My talented friends in the same industry are hosting ANOTHER AUCTION in SF this weekend. After raising money for many international charities, this time the Maverix crew decided to help a charitable organization in the Bay Area community, Glide Memorial Church. The proceeds from this fund raiser will go specifically to support their Children's Creative Arts Media Center.

Amazing artwork from local artists will be up for bid in a silent auction, with the evening culminating in a live auction for the most sought after pieces!

I have been attempting to this series of event by remotely donating my pieces although I was hardly there in person, but this time I get to go see my friends and their beautiful artwork physically there!

Hope to see you there on Sunday December 2nd from 6PM to 10PM @1717 17th ST!

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Drumthunder girl rollout!

I have just finished this painting yesterday and now it's under custom framing process!
It is hardly noticeable on this scanned image but I used "Winsor & Newton" gold ink on whole BG which will give it subtle yet interesting effect, it actually would look pretty dark when it is not reflecting much of light and makes the character pop, but it could look shiny enough when light hits on it revealing hidden brush strokes on the area, it is interesting to see the relation of brightness between character and BG shifting "inverse" as you change your position to look at!

I am participating in the up-coming "Maverix Holiday Auction" on Dec 2nd with this piece. Hopefully it would raise some money for their generous gesture!