Tuesday 30 November 2010

Oblivion


This post is to resume blog activity again after a couple of hectic months, I've got a few things I've been waiting to show around – not intentionally – so I'm glad to do it now finally.

First, the project I was working on this summer, an animated music video for The Heavenly Spheres who kindly offered me to pick up one of the songs of their upcoming album and get all creative with it. Oblivion was the chosen one.

For me this was a perfect excuse to get back to animating and trying out a few ideas I was playing with since the times I was doing traditional animation. That is doing something simple, a feasible one man job that wouldn't end up in countless days drawing 30 full animation seconds, considering that the track is more than 4 minutes long.

The idea was to do something atmospheric so more than basing on the lyrics I spent a few days focusing on the melody and tone and came up with the idea of the tree changing back in time through the seasons, making it dreamy like the song. The hand drawn animated bits were produced during my days in Formentera and then put it all together with After Effects once back in London. It was a great chance for me to getting into this software, it's truly truly easy to understand and use so thanks to those who designed it.

For now the only way you can watch the video is downloading it HERE at least until the band uploads it on you tube when the album hits out. Be patient and you'll enjoy a hi-res version of it. Hope you like it.

PS. Was lucky enough to enjoy The National play last night in the Brixton Academy. Really enjoyed it, thanks to my friends Josep and Marta who kindly invited me.

Tuesday 21 September 2010

UPside


Some of the Playroom collective artists have gathered to create UPside, a show that will feature some of our reasons to be cheerful.

The show is on at the Medcalf Gallery in the beautiful area of Clerkenwell til the 7th of November. For the lucky ones with a free evening there will be a private view from 6-9 pm with free drinks today.

My contribution to the show was illustrating the invite you can see, collectively with Arina Orlova, who designed the logo. One balmy afternoon in June at the terrace of the Medcalf we brainstormed ideas for a representative poster for the show.

It doesn't matter how bad things are, one should always try to look at the bright side of every situation. So, the day your house is turned upside down by a flood, just dance conga and celebrate survival. At least until things get worse.

Sunday 5 September 2010

National Theatre


Sometimes it's better not to think twice before resuming blogging after a long period of blog idleness.

This illustration was triggered off by a competition by the National Theatre calling out for interpretations of the building's famous look.

The NT was the first brutalist building I was properly introduced to and although I love it, it was always difficult for me to humanize. On the deadline day came to my mind the statue of Laurence Olivier by Southbank and recycled some energy out of a late night storyboard commission to do this Shakespearean NT holding a model of the Globe Theatre.

I'm afraid the illustration didn't make it on time, just by a few minutes.

Saturday 26 June 2010

Market Estate knocked down

It's hard to believe that the Market Estate has been finally demolished. Everyone knew it but in the end it happened. No surprises. It's weird that place doesn't exist anymore; I think it is a good metaphor of our own way through life. We come, and for the time being we occupy a space and are, for better or worse, somewhat meaningful to those around us. However when we are gone, there is nothing left behind. And we will be eventually forgotten. Forgotten forever is what makes it painful.
Well, that was a good excuse to get melancholic but the Market Estate's story is another good example of how important is to enjoy life for the short time it lasts. Even if it's ugly and brutalist.

I really wanted to upload these sketches I did for the Treasure Hunt murals. It is easy to see how they changed in the process of transferring them on the wall while looking at the photos of the now gone murals.Here are some photos and videos of the demolition by Joshua Surtees and David Kelly.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/gallery/2010/jun/11/market-estate-art-demolition?picture=363599548

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pijo5RJrg

Participating in the Market Estate Project was a wonderful opportunity; again thanks!

Tuesday 8 June 2010

After Life


Well, one post a month is better than none. Isn't it?

I wanted to upload one of the last illustrations I did for the After Life project that due to work overload issues wasn't shown on the Barbican's website.

After Life was a very fresh and original combination between opera, documentary and stage design; amazing work by Michel van der Aa. Also I had my first chance to see the Barbican's concert hall, I'm so grateful!


Here's the memory this illustration is based on; by Magda.

"I was trying to think of a memory and suddenly came across this one. I haven't thought about it for so long and that's why I'd like to take it with me - not to forget about it anymore.

I was 8 or 9, it was summer holidays. As usual me, my mum and her partner went on a road trip to some place in Europe, might've been Austria or Germany, somewhere in the lake district. At some point we found ourselves at some camping site overlooking the lake, rented a bungalow and went to the rocky beach. It reminded me of another summer holidays when my grandma took me to the lake and crayfishes were creeping all around. I started to talk to my mun how I want to tell my grandma all about this trip when we come back, especially as I knew she was unwell when we were leaving. And then my mum told me that I won't be able to tell my grandma anything because she passed away the same day we started our journey and she didn't want to tell me not to ruin my holidays. "

http://www.barbican.org.uk/afterlife/

Monday 3 May 2010

Does karma exist?


I don't know. I am actually quite skeptic but I'm about to become a believer. On the same day my bike was nicked I got a commission from The Barbican. Both things happened completely out of nowhere.

After having failed chasing the hoodie that grabbed my bike while I was sketching in Victoria Park I promised myself I'd leave London soon. However, shortly after I got home I saw the email from The Barbican. Why? They said it was the illustration about my dog they liked. Was it one last gift from Gomez? I don't know, but I'm immensely grateful.

My job is for Barbican website. I am illustrating memories posted by anonymous people for the promotion of an upcoming opera called After Life by Michel van der Aa. This one on the other hand, is actually my flatmate Yuki's memory. Hope you like it!

http://yukinishimura.com/

Wednesday 14 April 2010

The Destroyed Room - Spanish Tour


Again another huge gap between posts. However I resist to quit blogging, there are still good things to upload.

Specially this poster I did for the very recent The Destroyed Room tour across Spain. This time I didn't have much time to prepare, slightly more than two weeks before the first gig's date. I thought that would be good that people knew about about the gigs with enough time to slot it in their busy agendas so had to hurry up a bit in making it. They played in Andalucia also!

For this illustration I was inspired by this location just 5 min walk from my parent's home. It's the path leading to a bridge crossing over the FGC railways. I miss that place...

By the way, they will be the supporting band for the first ever Smudge gig in Spain. Don't miss out: BeCool Barcelona 26th May!

Tuesday 30 March 2010

The Eastern Winds - Sketches


I thought would be a shame not to publish some of the (I insist) almost 50 sketches I did for The Eastern Winds EP. Even though most of them are just little more than scribbles it takes a while to think of something worth making those loose lines.

The first ideas to play with at the very beginning were roads and relationships; deriving, at some moment, to rain, woods, time machines (when I took quite literal) and finally pencil sharpeners.

It's interesting to see how behind this apparently random brainstorming something was slowly taking shape. I'm happy to see we finally came up with the right covers.

Saturday 27 March 2010

The Eastern Winds



Just two weeks after Gomez passed away we already have a new golden retriever puppy, this time slightly whiter which is good to differentiate him. Haven't decided his name yet but we're considering something related to The Addams Family.

Back on the Market Estate days I was also working on The Destroyed Room's new EP album cover. With few themes such as rain, roads, or a red pencil sharpener I almost did 50 sketches (one of them even with a DeLorean time machine). Finally the band decided The Eastern Winds should have two different covers so this is the final result.

Next July they'll be supporting band the The Get Up Kids gig in Barcelona. Congratulations!
http://www.myspace.com/thedestroyedroom

Sunday 14 March 2010

Gomez


Our family dog Gomez passed away last Monday. He's been with us since 1997 so he's left a big void in our lives. He was always a lovely friendly pal, sometimes a bit lazy, but had a beautiful life; even a book could be written about all the funny anecdotes he's been through.

I wanted to make an homage illustration to him and his love for food. Like us, he enjoyed eating a lot so if he had been able to keep it in his mouth for more than two seconds I would call him a gourmet. I still remember one Christmas when we left a tray of foie alone on a low table. A few minutes after there was no trace of delicacy and Gomez laid flat on the floor for two days trying to digest his mischief.

There's a say in Spanish: you're weirder than a green dog

We will miss you.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Market Estate's Aftermath


The Market Estate Project is over! By now the demolition crew should have replaced artists and bulldozers should be making way for the new blocks. I thought everything would be knocked down in single dramatic explosion but apparently it's a slower more painful process of damaging the inner structure til it's only a matter of poking it to the ground.

I went to the estate for the last time to pick up my stuff and was a bit struck by melancholy as it looked as desolate as it did one month ago when everything was just starting. Someone has already contributed to my murals with some clever writings and lots of dicks. Have to say I'm very surprised by the godly pyramid, doesn't look like a fool's graffiti! Everybody is welcome to contribute, this is public patrimony only for a limited time...

I have to say this project has been a wonderful experience. Thanks a lot to the guys in Tall Tales, they did the toughest task!

Saturday 27 February 2010

Juvenile delinquents


It's been a tough week at Market Estate with snow, wind and the menace of this gang of local kids hovering the estate. It's reported that they gathering up to fight back us usurpers of their legitimate playground and vandalize the artwork before the site is completely fenced by Tuesday. So I've decided to take some photos of the murals at the current stage in case tomorrow they're just gone.

On the other hand, I've come to know some of the residents that bit by bit are moving out. There's even a family from Lugo. Was very surprised by this old Spanish lady that spoke perfect english, they're very rare!

70% chance of a sunny day when my flatmate Yuki came to help me today. She was right, thanks!

Sunday 21 February 2010

Sketching in Market Estate



One week without posting already... How come if I've been in front of the computer beyond considered is healthy? Well, I've been busy trying to get along with Flash for this test for a game company.

Now I'm back on working on my treasure hunt for Market Estate Project. I've now completed the first stage of sketching and coating the walls prior to start painting. Here two photos showing the process! The second belongs to what I call the needle room, a dark storage room where a wasted character used to live, there are cans of beer, lids of dog food, fliers 'bout getting the house of your dreams and junkie needles (hence the name). Ah, lovely place to work! (Will be cleaned up for the event)

Saturday 13 February 2010

Legendary


I've spent all day doing this illustration for Jotta's competition 'Legendary'. It's been a bit risky cos the deadline was today but I could start up from a sketch I did few days ago. I'm happy because I could finish it in one day although I'm afraid might have affected my health.

What's 'legendary' in this illustration is the confrontation between traditional and modern, religion and art, or even north and south. Round 1, FIGHT!

Tuesday 9 February 2010

Vectors


It's been a fun weekend wandering around London with my cousin and his girlfriend. To resume blog life I thought of uploading character design tests I did entirely in flash to practice vector drawing.

The girl (it's a girl) with the builder helmet is only drawn but the gap-toothed kid is made in pieces so it's animation ready. Vector drawing (as I see it) seems much less intuitive than in Photoshop, it feels like being an architect 'building' a drawing in Auto Cad. However, it has something knacky that reminded me of my Lego youth.

Thursday 4 February 2010

Fake!



These are two fakes I did for the Market Estate's entry submission. The idea was to show how the murals would look on the real walls, so I just photoshoped the scribbles from my sketchbook over the photos. Because the site once was the Metropolitan Cattle Market, this characters are meant to be some sort of animal buildings (ox and sheep, respectively).

Wednesday 3 February 2010

The Big Bad Estate



















Today I went to the Market Estate to allocate spots for the murals I'm working on and thought to upload some photos I took when went there for the first time. That was the last day before the proposals deadline and by the time I stepped out Caledonian Road station it was already dark so wandering around the gloomy corridors of the abandoned blocks was a bit nerve racking. Even though some strange noises and the urine stench I quite liked the place. Would never live there though...

www.marketestateproject.com

Sunday 31 January 2010

Friends (Colegas)


It's taken me a while for this second post, been trying out few colors and layouts. These are a series of portraits I did for my Spanish friends this Christmas where I tried to get their gestures and personality. It was a way to experiment with character design combined with the paint texture. Also, this is probably my first self portrait attempt, a bit unsuccessful I'm afraid cos some have said it looks like Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men.

Wednesday 27 January 2010

From the same guy who signed up on facebook decades after people did...


It was absurdly hard but I blogged up finally. I'd like to post not only sketches but photos I take and no one gets to see. However, this will start with an illustration I did before Christmas about Hong Kong. It is meant to be part of a series inspired by cities I've been. This one comes from a photo I took in Kowloon.