Animation and digital art have grown in popularity in the past several years. Students interested in this field of study may choose this assignment option. Students will be creating animations or digital drawings using Photoshop, Flash or After Effects, whichever program meets their needs is acceptable. Composition and color theory will play a pivotal role in the final piece or clips created. An understanding of layers, movement and storytelling will be emphasized. Below you will find several websites to help you in your animation adventure.
If you are interested in using Flash please refer to the link below. There you will find how to tutorials in animation.
If you are interested in learning about creating digital Art please refer to the the following YouTube page created by Noah Bradley. He is a fantastic digital artist who uses lots of layering effects to create unified lighting and mood in his work.
Noah Bradley Digital Artist
Here is video tutorial on how to use Photoshop to create animations.
Anger of the gods by Noah Bradley
If you are interested in learning how to draw facial features better the following webpage has several videos on how to draw eyes, mouth, noses and such.
Sycra youtube channel for digital drawing and color mixing.
Transguild Promenade by Noah Bradley
Resources
The Girl and the Fox by Base14 Productions
The Assignment:
Students are to create a series of digital images or animation using their original work. Students need to create a final composition using a single or various composition techniques such as rule of thirds, S-curve, framing, dynamic composition (filling the space with the emphasis) and/or triangular or pyramid composition. Students will also need to use value to create drama/mood with areas of contrast and aerial perspective. Color unity will also be important to the composition, including drawing technique and details. Overlapping and diagonals should also be used to create depth.
Preparation
Thumbnail sketches will be required before starting the final. Answer the following questions on the sketches you turn in.
What am I trying to communicate?
What mood do I want to set in the final image?
How will I create drama with values or color?
What is my area of emphasis and how will my viewer know it?
What composition elements/techniques will I use in my final?
Refer to the tutorials above for directions on how to start your digital painting or animation using the Adobe Suite programs.
Final image size will be printed on a 11 x 17 inch photo paper using the Epson printer. Animations should be saved as a GIF and emailed to me.
Time Frame
Students may work on this project for 4 weeks for a single image to 8 weeks for an animation. Please see me if you need more time.
Materials:
Computer with the Adobe suite
Sketchbook
Pencil and eraser
Wacom/Bamboo tablet and stylus
Printer and ink
Photo paper
Color pencils (optional for sketches)