2 Bad Mice Design

This is not your typical tutorial. I’m not teaching you how to do anything. What I am doing is pleading with you. If you are thinking about putting sound on your Web pages, I hope I can convince you (except in special circumstances) not to do it.

Why not? (more…)

Here’s a great way to get started in digital art. I come to your home or office, install a new Wacom pen tablet and the included software, and give you a 2-hour introductory lesson on using your new hardware/software to create digital artwork using your photographs. It’s an easy and non-threatening way to get started with digital painting.

Pricing:

• Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet (small 5.8 x 3.7 inch active area) with installation and 2 hour training session: $165
• Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet (medium 8.5 x 5.3 inch active area) with installation and 2 hour training session: $245

Note: Installation should take 15 to 20 minutes, and this is not part of your 2 hours. You should have administrative access to your computer, which means that you are able to install software on the machine. Student computer problems causing longer installation times may cut into the 2 hour training session.

So your kid is spending a lot of time drawing characters from or inspired by their favorite Anime shows or Manga books. This is a good thing, I promise you. It’s a great creative outlet that may just be for fun or may lead to bigger things in the future. Either way, drawing and being creative have a knock-on effect for other types of learning while being fun and rewarding. You do want to encourage them, right? I thought so. After all, if they’re drawing, they’re not glued to the TV or playing video games. (more…)

Step 1: Create and Scan Your Image

I’ve started with a rough sketch with a Col-Erase carmine red pencil, then inked it using Pigma Micron pens. I work this way because it allows me to sketch roughly, then ink over what worked in the scribbles and (as you’ll see) easily remove the red in Photoshop. (more…)

I teach digital arts and illustration at the Austin Museum of Art’s Art School. Past classes have included Flash Animation and Drawing for Anime.

Create Paintings from Your Photographs (all ages)

Saturday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; 2 sessions starting January 19, 2008, ending January 20, 2008

Anime & Cartoon Animation using Anime Studio (age 9-11)
Saturday, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM; 4 sessions starting January 26, 2008, ending February 16, 2008

Anime & Cartoon Animation using Anime Studio (age 12-14)
Saturday, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM; 4 sessions starting January 26, 2008, ending February 16, 2008

Spring Break - Animation (ages 9-11)
Monday-Friday 1 PM-4 PM; March 10 to March 14, 2008.

Digital Graphics with Adobe Illustrator
Saturday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM; 2 sessions starting April 5, 2008, ending April 6, 2008

Spring Break - Animation (ages 12-14)
Monday-Friday 9 AM-12 noon; March 10 to March 14, 2008.

Create Paintings from Your Photographs (all ages)
Monday, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM; 4 sessions starting April 21, 2008, ending May 12, 2008

Advance Your Animation Skills with Anime Studio
Saturday, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM; 4 sessions starting April 26, 2008, ending May 17, 2008

We had a great turnout for the Digital Paintings from Photographs course, with talented students all around. The class was a success, and will certainly be repeated in the Spring, perhaps twice. I’ve had a lot of inquiries about this class, please contact me if you’d like to be informed of dates when we set the schedule, or join my Teaching Mailing List. You can also keep an eye on the AMOA Art School’s page.