FOONG MEI
Ideas / Research / Inspirations / Reference
Images taken from http://www.tonkohouse.com/projects/the-dam-keeper-short-film/
From the images above, I love how loose and sketchy edges but at the same time the form is there and appeal to the audience. The lighting in each piece was setting up the mood. In one of the tutorial from the making of, the artist show how the light brings out different mood in the same art piece. I am glad that the artists actually took effort in providing free tutorials. The whole series of tutorial are available in their Youtube channel.
THE DAM KEEPER : A short animated film
"Tonko House’s debut film directed by Robert Kondo and Dice Tsutsumi tells the story of Pig, an introverted youth who lives in a windmill and keeps a dark fog from engulfing his town. Although socially rejected by his peers, he is befriended by the artistic Fox. The film received a 2015 Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film." As quoted in the website.
** SOFT AND HARD EDGE BRUSH REFERENCE **
Reflecting on my portfolio and FMP pitch, I made up my mind to focus on being a “Narrative Concept Artist”. A concept artist that show strong story moments in the piece of concept. The sector that I am looking forward to work with is children animations. The work piece style that I have been looking for to achieve in my FMP, The Dam Keeper (by Tonko House), The Little Prince ( Netflix Series ), and Song of the Sea (by Cartoon Saloon).
Personally, I always like to create art pieces that look like watercolour or traditional painting techniques. While I am researching on the concept artist, I came upon Celine Desrumaux who was the Production Designer for the Netflix Series and also she actually work as Directors for Passion Animation Studios (the studio recently work on Sainsbury's Christmas adverts).
I uploaded my works on Instagram frequently and the platform actually brought me to The Dam Keeper concept art and found a lot more information on their website www.tonkohouse.com . Other than that, I have linked with few other concept artist who works in animations studio and try to get feedback from them.
As for the style in Song of the Sea is beautifully created in digital watercolour painting styles.
Below, I attached some images from each style and inspirations I took from in each film or artwork.
Youtube Tutorial : Painting Demo by Dice Tsutsumi and Robert Kondo
THE LITTLE PRINCE : A Netflix Originals content
Rather than the actual film style, I took inspirations from the Production Designer herself, Celine Desrumaux. Her style in producing concept arts is simply loose but the story moments is strong. The way she paint is so beautiful not only in this project but also in other project she works on. In this case, I look into the Little Prince as the style was what I would like to achieve. In her blog post http://celinedesrumaux.tumblr.com/post/128287484536/the-little-prince-3-do-a-colorscript-is-never she explained the steps of colour scripts she created for the film.
** I will use her approach in my FMP colour script **
SONG OF THE SEA
A piece of 2D animation fully painted in TV Paint by Cartoon Saloon. The choice of software might be useful for my animation but the ideal and accessible sofwares will be Photoshop and ToonBoomHarmony. In the entire animation, I am amaze with the use of colours and textured painting.
** COLOUR SCRIPT REFERENCE **
RILEY FRAMBES : Concept Designer
I came upon Riley's concept art and he plays a lot with colours and mood in his composition. In the particular staircase (image 4 to 6), they are the same image but the colours and lightings are totally dfferent. The mood created is different. This is a really useful example when I want to apply it in my concept art later.
** LIGHT AND MOOD REFERENCE **
CHILDREN ILLUSTRATION BOOK
I gather some children illustration books as a reference for style.
MAGAZINES
Tesco magazines : Recipe for children's cook.
** Reference for the children pose and the layout of the recipe / food **
VIDEO
Videos for camera angle and shot that makes the audience's saliva dripping.
https://www.tastemade.com/videos/french-omelette : Ways to make French omelette.
Research & Inspirations
Ideas
MASAK-MASAK, "My first time learning to cook."
Initially it was an idea to create a children illustration book with the story of first time learning to cook. The idea comes from a childhood game in Malaysia which is known as "masak-masak" a gimmick game of cooking in the kitchen. Masak-masak is a learn to play cook using alternative tools to create a "kitchen".
I had the masak - masak idea scribble down and proceed from there.
The idea was not recreate masak - masak. The FMP idea was the experience of a little who cook for the first time.
I chose the subject "My First Omelette", it will be relatable and easy for a children to cook. In fact, omelette was usually a first dish a child start with in a lot of cookbook.
From the idea of How to cook an omelette, my finalized FMP idea "My First Omelette".
FMP FINALIZED IDEA : MY FIRST OMELETTE
The story is about a little girl who love cooking since the age of 4. When she grew older and she finally had a chance to try out the first experience to make an omelette, she is overwhelm and happy. She follows the steps and guide by her mum and successfully make an omelette. But the twist is the omelette is not perfect.
THEMES/GENRE
THE INFORM OUTPUT
THE OBJECTIVES
As a reference of steps to start cooking an omelette.
Colour reference, used of complimentary colours in the entire book. The style of brush strokes effects.
Perspective and Point of view reference. Also the minimalistic design.
Full movie of The Dam Keeper
I was inspired with the style, staging, lighting and mood in this piece.
The animation is not too complicated in the film. It is more of stepped animation and it is not animated in each frame in some part of the film.
** USE THIS AS REFERENCE VIDEO **
Video Reference
I used the video as reference for me to get idea of how the camera angle works to make the food looks better.
I also get reference video of children cooking. The way they hold the utensil are different from an adult. I also use them as a reference of how they handle the situation in the kitchen where later o I can use it as reference for my animation.
** USE THIS AS REFERENCE VIDEO **
GIF Reference
I collect GIF reference for my animation. As this is my first time to try out hand drawn animation. I want to understand them quickly and not complicate myself with too much information. They includes some cooking, character emotion and performance.
