final renders 💭

When creating digital art I render each segment of the image in order to be more intentional with toning and creating the shape.

However, my 2-minute film consists of about 7000 frames so that method wouldn't allow me to achieve my style in this short period of time.

Therefore I decided to try a different method by creating a solid silhouette of each movement. Using the cutter too I can loosely paint a neat mask of the right colour over it.

Firstly I had to decide on the appropriate brush and colour to use. That would give the best effect and feel the best.

Brush test; 

I then created a rough planning of the film (video) to test out the chosen rendering style of each scene before application. I decided to abandon the textured brushes and stick to a solid airbrush, this would give the intended style proposed on the module diary.

 In doing this process I even realised areas that could be improved or rearranged in order to tell the story better.

Rotoscoping movements

Rotoscoping: An animation technique in which frames or cels are traced from a live-action movie  - encyclopedia

While creating the scenes I initially relied a lot on rotoscoping each movement, this is because I didn't understand how to properly time and space an action.

below shows a work in progress clip of scene 9 on the timeline where I rotoscoped the movement from a live-action reference of myself.

 

This method worked well for the first 3 scenes I created, it didn't only help me create believable motion where we can see Flora raising her head fearfully before she opens her eyes. Rotoscoping helped me study my performance more closely. 

As a beginning animator, this method is very helpful to begin the animating process. especially in this case where I and the character share similar features, I get to even imitate more nuances in the face.

Issues:

I noticed rotoscoping didn't really provide room for more obscure movement and the method also seemed to be very time-taking.

 

creating busy backgrounds for scene 1 shot 1

 Scene 1

The vision of scene 1 was rather difficult to achieve because it was harder to act out every action needed. Therefore I decided to try out creative ways to solve this difficulty

I initially adopted this method of smuggling silhouettes of a busy crowd as done on paintings by LS Lowry

                 

To achieve this painterly feeling I decided to use photoshop.

 

I ended up abandoning the lowry method. it was difficult for me to replicate the personality of the place with that method.

So I left the smudges but I created defined character extras and props. 

After creating about 30 drawings of people and animals I used them to populate the scene.

creating the ending Scenes 💬

 This might be my proudest scene so far...

what worked:

As my skills have been evolving I have noticeably been relying less on my references.

so this sequence below is the ending scenes when Flora returns home to a warm embrace by her mother.

VIDEO 💬

The rough sketch movement only consists of keyframes and few breakdowns to scale the feeling.

I believe the movement is having more of a cartoony feel to the character. I am most pleased about the stretch I was able to add when the mother moves back to give more emphasis as explained in the illusion of life. This was a problem when rotoscoping because I was guided by realistic actions.

The reason I refer to this as my proudest scene so far is because of creating the ending hug scene. currently, it is still in sketch form but I can already see the personality of a tired young girl and an excited mother. 

What didn't work: 

Its hard to know yet because there is still much refining needed but the main purpose of the sketch movement was to create believable motion so I believe the purpose has been served.

What learning came out of this:

There is less pressure and faster work when the is a prime focus on the action.

How I will apply what I've learnt in the next step:

while creating the characters I focused on one colour section of the character and used colour to separate each. In the next stage, I would focus on one colour group at a time mainly for consistency but also concentrate on the movement and how to make it better.