The Dark Cab

This is a painting based on a sketch I did long time back. I painted it in a workshop at MCCIA on the occasion of INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION DAY 2008 using WACOM...
In the worshop, people came and saw me doing this and asked questions and learned. That is the purpose we intended. But very sadly, most of them were fascinated about the TABLET and asked all the questions they could, including the price and where to buy it. but very few were curious about the ART.
I kept telling them that it not what TOOL you use, but it is the ART that matters. The method, the logic, the artistic understanding, design sense is all you have to learn.
This is very frustating. People are engrossed with softwares and tools and all but very few thinks about the THINKING. THE ART. Animation as a SUBJECT, as ART.
Well we who know, its our moral duty to teach these souls...What ....is ANIMATION.
Hope you like the painting, its raw. you can fin the sketch in my Game backgrounds post down below.
See ya soon!

Piiiiirate!...

This is again a doodle i did and it took me just about 20 min to finish it....
HOW?
WACOM....well the greatest news is we have a WACOM INTUOS 23 inch tablet now....Widescreen...WHOA!
I've never seen such a beautiful tool made for any artist.
I've been dreaming on working with a Wacom since the start of my career AND NOW I HAVE IT....
AHOY AHOY! WE PIRATES SING THE SONG....AHOY AHOY!

Another Way

Here we go...my 4th short film.
We made this for VATAVARAN FILM FESTIVAL held in Pune. we were one of the organisers and had a workshop on stop motion filmmaking for environmental purpose.
This film is made in two days in which one single night for the production and post production.
We are the team of four who did it overnight. Hope you like it.
Green smile!

A New Enigma - Begins

A very very very big HI! to all there.

Firstly I am so sorry for no updates at all in these last two months. Believe me, I was busy as hell. there is a news. A GREAT NEWS.

I got a new pair of SOCKS!

and

We, our institute, my school, ID ANIMATION & ARTS, HAS SHIFTED TO A NEW PLACE. Much Bigger, lavish, rich with infrastructure and EVERYTHING. And Also, I AM A PROFESSIONAL NOW. WOOOO HOOOOOO!
We had a collaboration of a new company called 'Seamless Education', which has ID Animation & Arts (ours), Broadcast Media(on the second floor, and Toolbox Animation Studio(on the third).
I will soon brief you all about the further details, photographs, website links etc. But just wanted to tell that this is a level up for me and my life is gonna change. I AM DAMN EXCITED!

Animatics

I am heading towards the production of ANIMATIC of the short film I am working on. I just wanted to share this animatic of He Man I got while searching for reference.

Animatics for live-action He Man

I AM I

check out this book too.....It has got very beautiful illustrations and concept too.
TIP- click the lookybook (Two eyes) LOGO to view a larger version on their site.

LOOKYBOOK

Check out this stuff. Its really cool. LOOKYBOOK is a site where you can view the entire books from cover to cover and also embed to your site or blog as i did here. Go make your own collection. I will be posting some of my favourites more in terms of illustration regularly.

ArtLife Photography

Hey ya guys! very sorry for a long time of delay. I was totally engrossed in an international project and found no time to post. But found to time to click some snaps.
I am still busy with the project therefore I cant post the whole series, but just the two of them. I will post the entire set on my photography blog later.















Hope you liked them. I did extreme close-ups this time. see ya. will post soon.

An attempt to understand Positive Thinking

The way you think reflects your future. Isn’t that so? But it is also true that what you do, not what you think, portrays your personality. That is also precise. Then how will you justify these two statements facing each other. A debatable issue.

The possible explanation I will try to enlighten is simple. What you think defines your attitude and is the first step towards your purpose. And what you do is the more physical and tangible elucidation.

As we all know, you should have the first step right to make out the further goals. Thinking is that. Thinking positive helps to build an alleviated road for you. But you just can’t think positive. It’s not as simple as that. For some, it maybe but for others, it take efforts.

I derive the reason for this is Past Experiences. I met people whose lives are just fine, happy go lucky. And I met some having terrible experiences with their families, friends or foes. First kind don’t sometimes even think nor have any fear of things, they approach very calmly to any situation and rarely consider any negative thoughts. Even if they do, they are not troubled with it and proceed confidently. The second kind tends to think negatively more often, as they don’t trust themselves or their so called luck.

I also came across a third kind which are very rare. Now this is very esoteric and severe subject to talk about and I can only present credulous views. I saw some people who stopped pre thinking about any of their actions. They just don’t want to bother to think what will happen or what will not. No pre planning, no fear, and a readiness to accept failure. An approach so very different, blunt, numb and emotionless. They don’t expect anything from life. They have a mindset to face any disaster, any fiasco and sometimes they know it’s not going to work. ‘It could have been worse.’ is what they think. This kind of pitiful thinking is all because of Past Experience. Some incident or disaster that changed their lifestyle. Some tragedy that breaks their trust or confidence. They have a thoughtless, cold, valiant and impassive approach towards life. Neither positive, nor negative.

The reason is understood for that kind of posture and it is very psychological. But the hitch is of the people who think only negative without any reason. Everything is just fine and they have to act just as everyone did but instead of doing that, they prefer to jump in the well of worries. They are upset about everything. The calories are unnecessarily burned and the smile is hard to find on the face. And it differs person to person.

We humans are emotional. We respond to any state of affairs in a respective way. But everything has a reason behind it. If you worry, you have to have a considerable reason for that. There is no need to worry about exams, unless you don’t study well. Theirs no reason to worry about any accident, unless you don’t drive well. There is no reason to worry about your progress, unless you don’t try well.

There are problems and there are solutions. We just need to think and find them. I think that you have to be an interested Observer in life to understand and get a superior knowledge. And where there is knowledge, there is confidence which is all we need to think positive. Observe and learn that is what I think we should do.

Nilabh Umredkar
17 June 2008
Id Animation & Arts Studio School

Watercolor 2

Series two. I didnt do it recently.....these are done wayyyy before. Just wanted to share some oldies....enjoy!


This one is my favourite...

Some More

Here are some more concept sketches I made.....

Airborne Platform

Hydrogeneration House

Jet Deck

Game backgrounds

Now I am gonna post some of the Game concept designs I made. I also am very much interested in CONCEPT DESIGNS and that is my strength too. suggestions will help me ....please.

Mascots

These are the Mascots I designed for the event GAMESTORM which was held at MIT college organised by Id Animation & Arts, MCCI and other studios and companies.
It was all about Gaming and Gaming and Gaming.
People from Nvidia were also included in the event.

Watercolor

This is my first painting when I started learning Watercolors (note the date). I had a book called, Eka Kunchalyachi Bhramanti, from which I referenced this.

Here are some more. These are all done on Handmade papers with Artist's watercolor. Transperancy really matters in watercolor. The fresh and bright feel with clearity is what I like of it.



Hope you like it. I'll post some more soon when I'll scan them. See ya!

Poster Design

Hey guyz, back after a long time. I am a bit busy with my short film project ( www.shade-theshortfilm.blogspot.com ) so couldn't manage the blog.
Here is a poster design done by me for our studio school. everything from the character design to the graphic design is done. I specially like the colour theme. Please tell me if you like it and comment. I'll be back soon. Cheers!

I AM LEGEND

A Legendary Experience

It was past midnight and one of the lamps on the street was flickering casting creepy shadows on the road. It was totally empty. Not a single living soul was visible for a minute and a chill ran down through the veins that has nothing to do with the wind. I was sensing the unseen existence of something in the dark. I can feel the presence of some unsolicited forces behind my neck. I actually started smiling, experiencing such a weird and unusual menacing feeling. Then suddenly a bike came roaring from the far end and just passed away. I was rooted to where I was standing with my adrenaline thrusting and after a moment, everything came back to me.

I had just saw Francis Lawrence’s I am Legend, a post apocalyptic science fiction horror film, based on the 1954 novel by Richard Matheson and starring Will Smith and Will smith and Will Smith. The flavor of the film still was stirring in me and I was not able to suppress the eerie feeling of a very normal street.

It is about a Military Virologist, Neville, who is the sole survivor of a fatal plague which affects almost all the human race rather killing them or turning them into vampires who stalk at night. Neville is relentlessly trying to find the cure of this virus living in a self protected house alone for over three years. The story flows very smoothly through the entire film causing the viewer to gape at it without blinking as the tension built is immense. You stick to your seats hungry for what is going to happen next all the time. The lonely environment of the city is beautifully crafted complimented with very appropriate music. The special effects are skillfully rendered but never do they trounce the human element showcased in the film which makes this film stand out from the other of the same genre. This bouquet of emotions and humanity is watched over by the brilliant acting of Will Smith. It is assured to me that he is indeed a talented actor watching this movie after Pursuit of Happyness. The ending though, I think, is a bit abrupt.

The concept is not new. Vampires, Zombies and other nocturnal creatures are not unknown. But the way this movie is presented is exceptional, though, I should say, I have not read the original novel, my views are credulous. The beautiful yet intimidating thesis of Solitude is seen in the film. It illustrates what the state of mind of a human can be after surviving alone for three years. Though having all the resources for living, he doesn’t have a society. Man is a very social animal and depends on each other for mental and physical endurance. He learns the most from other individuals, and so he cannot evolve in loneliness. There is no motivation to live in this situation and without motivation, growth is deflated. The struggle of living in this situation is not one can confront for a long time. And for the topping on a cake, you have to fight vampires for the long lost battle knowing that you are going to be out numbered. Again I will say that Will Smith’s acting was very eloquent here for the emotions one can play with.

The Aftereffects of a film which haunts your mind deeply for a very long time is the feeling I adore most. The story should drag you entirely into itself. The concept should steer you into the purest but credible imagination. The music should suffuse so deep in your soul that it catalyses your emotions. The acting should justify the characterization so charmingly that it makes you feel for its joy and sorrow alike. The visuals should swell your eyes more than normal. On the whole you should forget the entire world except the world which is created for you to get in. It should appeal and ensnare your senses throughout and after.

It is said that every story has been told. The situations created are tweaked and depicted in every new endeavor. Yes, there are innovative creations but they have to connect and should not be utterly alien. This film justifies all these necessities to a good extent. I wish I knew of the novel before the film because it is always good to read before you see. But nevertheless this film was a great learning and enjoyment.

Nilabh Umredkar

ADAFM

Id Animation & Arts Studio School

Richard Matheson
Richard Matheson was born in New Jersey in 1926 and has lived and worked in CaliforniaThe Twilight Zone. He also wrote episodes of Have Gun, Will Travel, Night Gallery, and Star Trek. Several of his novels and stories have been made into movies including The Shrinking Man, I Am Legend and What Dreams May Come since 1951. In addition to novels in the mystery, science fiction, horror, fantasy, and western field, he's also done many film and television scripts including "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" from (the film starred Robin Williams). His awards include the World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Bram Stoker Award for Life Achievement, the Hugo Award, the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Golden Spur Award, and the Writer's Guild Award.

Realize....before its too late.

The prying mind had rested in the opening of communication session at Saturday. It was yet another new, interesting, inimitable and useful activity held by Vrushali Mam, administration, Id Animation & Arts Studio School. Similar to other faculties, she does not only handle her department but also holds student’s communication lessons.

But my heart was not in the amusement. It was announced that this is the Last communication session to be held and I can see sheer disappointment on mam’s face, all because us.

The story goes like this – Communication sessions were initiated when we started our animation course, one and a half year ago. We were doing an assortment of activities to enhance our communication skills all held my Vrushali mam. We learned to speak. We learned to listen. We learned what teamwork is and that is why we perform well as a team now. We gathered the courage to present ourselves in front of unknown people and sharpened ourselves with the language of communication world, English. There was always something new in the sessions and every time it was a surprise to attend. I remember the excitement and a bit of a fear I used to feel before the sessions. I myself was a very introvert and a bit reclusive kind of person and I know how much I opened up because of these sessions. I never had that kind of stage exposure before. I never spoke about myself in front of unknown people before and now I know that I can do all of it confidently. We were being trained, till now, with an additional and a very obligatory weapon called Communication.

But as our other workload increased with the training, the frequency of these sessions decreased. We started being very busy and gave these sessions second priority to what we were doing. We were not paying much attention to the significant involvement in this process. The assignments were not completed on time or abandoned totally by us. To some extent we evaded these practices, growing heavy with the work which was already sitting on our head. Many a times, Mam pushed us and tried to convey the importance of communication and many a times we fell down. On the other hand, mam was finding new and interesting ways to teach and improve our communication but we were not ready ourselves to get them. She researched a lot; she made new assignments which would have been of help. We followed them but again ignored some of her efforts. It was like someone was trying to feed us the cake of knowledge and we were not accepting it. We were not coming on time to class and we were taking her words lightly. We were not respecting her constant endeavors. That is why Mam was tired and decided to give up and to stop the wasted, unaccounted efforts.

But if I go behind the psychology of this approach towards the sessions and towards Mam, I will never come to the conclusion that we don’t respect Mam as such. Yes, we are mistaken to take it lightly and didn’t feel the tension and pressure towards the sessions. We were more opened up with Mam. We behaved more free & friendly, and that is why we had a soft corner over there. Somehow our mentality had shaped with ease and intrepidness. But we didn’t realize her efforts towards the sessions. Maybe all of this sounds a bit inconsistent, but that’s what, I think, the reality is. We never did this intentionally, but the mistake is done.

In this Last session we realized our mistake. And for the oil in fire, I came late. Mam has been close to tears when she spoke this out at last. It was obvious for her to be disappointed and to get irritated. I sat there horrified, stunned and with a flame of guilt in my happy stomach. I realized that if you are not respecting the deeds one is doing, then you don’t respect the person itself. We never meant to do that. But the harm has been done and other, junior, students are also going to suffer because of us. They will not get the fruits of these sessions that we, to some measures, received. All I wanted then was to convince Mam to continue those sessions at least for the innocents. Why should they undergo the distressing consequences because of us. Why they have to be deprived of this important learning when we know that they cannot survive in the industry without the communication skills.

I am sorry (I know I said it thousand times before…….but still…) for what happened and really hope that she will continue the sessions, with or without us.

Line Art - Guitar

I hardly work out of any photoshop tutorials. (Bad Habit) This image, though, I made referring to the line art tutorial from an excellent artist whose name and website, unfortunately, I don't remember. I will tell you that later. Its really helpful to study the magic of Photoshop through different artist's tutorials. IT IS NEVER ENDING!

MERRY belated CHRISTMAS ;-))

This is a Christmas greeting which I STARTED making to send it all across. But I never finished it in time. Even now it is incomplete. the Christmas is gone and now I can't come to finish it off....maybe it will be useful for NEXT CHRISTMAS. ;-)
I feel bad that everyone at my class relied on me and Trusted me to finish this greeting and I didn't do it. I was out of station and I forgot to do it. Then our sir has to do the greeting all by himself in the 11th hour.....I AM SO SORRY FOLKS!....next time, BELEIVE ME, I will finish it before time.
Tell me how do you like it SO FAR.