Sketches In and Out of the Dark

So, back in April, I participated in an art show at the University of Utah. While the show itself was a marginal success (more a show about technology than art, really), I did have the chance to sketch some cool faces from the crowd while sitting on a post-show question-and-answer panel.
Here are some of the faces from those couple of weekends:





Also in April (every April, as a matter of fact), the LDS church holds a general conference during which leaders speak on various gospel-related topics. This year's was the 178th Annual General Conference, since the conferences have been going ever since 1830 (well, we take breaks...they don't happen all year round). Pretty cool, huh. Below are some sketches made while watching conference (which is broadcast by satellite and over the internet).

Something that was interesting for me was making these sketches almost in the complete dark. I could see the screen, which was several hundred feet away, but I could barely see my own paper--leading to an interesting method of scrawling out shapes and chunks of value. I guess drawing in the dark probably isn't really good for your eyes, but it was a cool chance to try a different way of seeing things (by not seeing them, I guess). Plus the results are mostly a surprise, since you can't really see what's going on while you're drawing--talk about a sketch adventure! Below are some of the more intelligible images that were created using this method. Hope you enjoy! And I promise to be better about posting a little more frequently...(these are from April...oops).

Finally Some Sketches!

So, if any of you have been thinking what I have (and I know you probably have), you're wondering whether it's even okay to call a blog sketch adventure and post so few sketches lately.
You'd be right in thinking this.
So, here are a bunch of sketches of Sawyer, who grows increasingly fun to draw as he ages and figures out how to get into more stuff. These sketches were done in pen when I should have been helping my wife, Allison, with our crazy baby. The simple color was done with ye olde photoeshoppe when I should have been working on my film.
But, I wanted to share some sketches, so I hope you enjoy this little tangent as much as I did!
Back with more sketches soon.

A Contest!

So, as everyone knows, with today's computers you can do basically anything. As we saw in the recent blockbuster sensation The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, computers can make Brad Pitt look like an old man or a baby.
Given these incredible leaps in technology, I've contacted Digital Domain (the effects house responsible for the amazing computer graphics that allow us to know what Brad Pitt will look like in 30 years) and they have agreed to produce a feature length film about our son Sawyer's first year of life.
It's a really fortunate multimillion dollar deal that basically guarantees that I will be able to draw cartoons for the rest of my life, since I obviously won't be worrying about money any more.
The only really tricky part now is that we have to settle on an actor who will portray Sawyer in the film. This is where you come in--place your votes in the comments section (a special bonus prize to anyone who can name all of the candidates, spelling their names correctly)!

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Of course, you know, I realize that many of the potential stars of this film are either long since passed, or on their way out (or in and out of jail), but you're forgetting one thing:

Computers can do anything.

Now cast your vote...because the one thing computers can't do is win this contest.

What Might have been...

Here are a handful of sketches and designs that I haven't posted, in all the flurry over the last several months that we've so lovingly called "Izzy." They are design explorations, that ended up not being chosen for finals...but they were valuable, because they helped us get where we needed to go.
Anyway, have a look. Hope you enjoy!













And above, some quick screen grabs of the models that our tech team is putting together.
For now, time for bed...
Soon, some new sketches--hopefully.

Izzy Learns a Life Lesson

Hopscotch from Anthony Holden on Vimeo.

Some more animation tests for our senior film.

Dear Internet

I know that you keep sending me those emails. You can stop now.

I've finally given in--or rather my lovely wife, Allison has given in.
She started a Sawyer blog, and you can see it HERE. There will be many pictures and videos to come, I'm sure. And while I understand a large reason this site has any draw at all is because I'm Sawyer's dad, I humbly request that you continue visiting even though all the photos and videos will be posted ELSEWHERE.

Thanks, and have a cute time.

PS, internet, you can also stop sending me your Nigerian deposed royalty money laundering scams. I've told you this before and it's still true--I don't have any money. And if I did, it would already be spent on something chocolaty.

Yours truly,
Me

How I spent my Summer Vacation

Yeah, I stayed up all night making this--what have you done with your time?


Impasse at the Zoo from Anthony Holden on Vimeo.

Currently, my class at BYU is in the throes of production of an animated short with the working title of Izzy (after the main character). As the final product will be computer animated, I have made it my goal to contribute as much material as possible that I know has absolutely no chance of making it into the final cut of the film. So far, I'm succeeding.
This weeks offering to the gods, as seen above.
Hope it's fun for you too!

Talk Is Cheap

I've been gabbing on and on about how I was gonna post some sketches.
Well, here they are.


A pal of mine, Becca

Kindergarteners from campus--BYU actually has a pretty great elementary education major, and as one of the perks, there is a kindergarten class that meets in a little classroom on campus. Anyone who's feeling sneaky is allowed to watch them from behind one of those secret mirrors. A bunch of classmates and I went to observe and sketch for inspiration for our film (since the main character is a little girl).

When I get stuck designing, one of my crutches is to put characters into a card game. Go figure.





Also, I haven't been to the gesture drawing session in forever it feels like. These are from today--ranging from 30 secs - 2 mins.




Hope you enjoy! Also, hopefully I'll be getting some more wokr done this weekend so that I can have more fun stuff to show you early next week. Till then, weekend responsibly!

The Hunt!

Crocodiles in the wild from Anthony Holden on Vimeo.

Everybody's got something to hide...