Week 1-2 - Sketches and the 12 principles

Hi everyone,

So, the first week of AM comes to an end. And a amazing week it was, full of anticipation!! The things I learned from this week will surely help me in the long run. First assignment was to explore the site, see some videos and introduce yourself to your peers. During this week I met amazing people, and everyone was in a collaborative mood. In conclusion, the best way to spend your first week is to try to meet lots of people, remember that they will be the ones to help and critique you, so be nice :)

Now we are starting week 2 and I'll wait for the and of the week to give any feedback. But I can say that this week is for us to discover the basics, the fundamentals, the principles. So it's a good week to go outside and just see the world.

The assignment is to choose a pose from 10 differents sketches that you have to make. As I already said, I suggest you go out and draw while you observe... well... anything you like really. At the and of this post there's my first drawings, and I know that they are not perfect, but I feel myself improving as I draw and that's a good sensation. I would recommend, if you have the time, to take pictures and draw a lot, beyond the number asked. In the end pick the 10 drawings you want to be at your assignment and choose one to pose Stu. 

Other thing I think I'll be doing is to read a lot of books about the 12 principles of animation. I'll suggest some here:

"Illusion of Life" - read chapter 3;

"Drawn to Life, vol 1" - pag. 4;

"Character Animation Crash Course" - pag 75;

"How Cheat in Maya" - the first part of the book.

I suggest you look at this site too: http://www.3dworldmag.com/2012/06/02/free-3d-training-disneys-12-principles-of-animation-straight-ahead-and-pose-to-pose/

For sketches, I suggest the book: Simplified Drawing for Animation from Wayne Gilbert.

You can always go to the Pratt twins for more tips and insights, their blog helped me greatly: http://twinsandtangents.blogspot.ca/p/class-1.html

Here are some sketches:

Cheers!!