(ABOVE) Sketch by Charlie Bowater
This month's cover of Imagine FX Magazine had me at "Hello." The theme for this issue was pasted right at the top: Get Painting! Of course I was so excited to read it, to see just what inspiration lay ahead for me. I was greeted with a letter from the editor, Claire Howlett, with uncanny advice that echoed and solidified my resolutions for 2015 - to get back to the "painting" board! I LOVE the encouragement this issue provided, it was just want I needed to hear.
Truly delightful was discovering artist Rockey Chen, on his reader FXpose (P. 18). I enjoyed reading about his process and the meaning behind his art. I resonate with his passions for art, the way he thinks through a piece, and the messages he is portraying in his work. I feel like if there was an art movement being coined today, we would fit in perfectly together! His work is both illustrative and cinematic - two things I use to describe my own work! This is the first time I have found someone passionate about the same things. Very inspiring, I'm adding him to my watch list for sure!
I loved hearing invaluable advice from professional artists and art directors (p. 20) on how to make 2015 the best year yet. Of the advice mentioned, the following caught my attention: Noah Bradley: "Stop browsing content, and put out some content of your own," Mikael Bergkvist: "...[create] a targeted portfolio specifically for the job," and Tom Hodge: "...passion is what will get you through, passion and putting your neck on the block." Lauren Panepinto, an art director, had four gems: revise your website to make it navigable with as few clicks as possible, showcase your best work (lots of it), watermark the bottom of images for easy reference, and make sure your e-mail is listed on your site (not hidden behind a form). So thankful for this advice!!!
Reading about how cartoonist Jose Ivan Negron rebuilt his studio after loosing everything from Hurricane Sandy (p. 26) was unique. Devastation from a natural disaster is hard to stomach, but Jose's positive words and reading about his successful re-boot are encouraging. I really appreciated seeing his workstation layout and enjoyed tips from his process. The Q&A with Paco Rico Torres (p.36), on how to paint molten glass was useful and fit in perfectly with what I'm learning in my color & light class.
AMAZING advice from the Concept Art Legends sections: Khang Lee (pp. 40-41) spoke on using reference images, Feng Zhu (p.p 42-43) had a great quote on being patient, Colin Fix (p. 44) on sharing work and getting feedback - and more! Inspiring getting a look into the Atomhawk female artist Charlie Bowater's sketchbook (pp. 50-53)!! And it didn't stop there, Studio Profile of New Zealand based Studio, WETA Workshop (pp. 54-57) was a great look into the art backbones of film, and where art meets engineering! The Quick Technique (p. 77) on getting to know the brush palette was completely convicting. Although this tutorial was for SketchBook Pro, the overall concept is what got me. I definitely have "learning the brush palette in Photoshop" on my To Do list. Lastly, James Gurney profiles Macquettes for Fantasy Buildings (pp. 106-107), definitely something I will have to tuck away for later!
Great issue with some great reads: completely motivational!
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