Update... Witch Hagatha and the New iPad

So my Silent Comedy story has had some radical changes due to time, body limitations, need for a better animation, and me being ill (Hence the reason for not updating sooner). Anyway I just wanted to share with you what I've created so far, I am literally now finishing up on the last scene, so I might hang on a little while before I actually show that, no point in showing half finished work when I'm sooo close to being done.
The story has been changed about 5 times now, I have three written up and two different storyboards, so you can see I've actually tried to work on some of them in my actual animation and decided no its not working. To be honest had I not changed it I might be finished by now, I've had a sneak preview of a few others and they havent concentrated on the story as much as me, its just about the animation, which is really good as that's all really Andy wants. I just can't be satisfied with that, I have to do every tiny bit, in fact there is a scene right at the beginning of my animation that I'm not quite happy with, and already thinking about re doing it all. Its very frustrating, but I havent got the time to dally, the longer I spend animating the more Roma's project, the Hansel and Gretel one, suffers.There is such a battle going on in my head, but I think I've made a decision because next teh area I'm choosing to do an in depth study in is Animation, its really important for me to get as much under my belt now.
Unfornately my poor little laptop couldnt take anymore, the powerful programs I'd been using like Mudbox, 3ds Max and Photoshop finally took its toll. So My grandparents and other family relatives have helped me invest in a new 32gb iPad 3 (birthday coming up), I know its not a great subsitute for a new laptop, but I am saving up to be able to build my own computer, so I'll be able to update it when ever needed, meaning that it'll never go out of date and will be a lasting thing. I feel there is definitely no point in buying a new laptop as after a few years they just can't cope. Which brings me to the reason why I have become an Apple Slave.
I can not afford a fancy flash imortal desktop computer just yet, but I do really need something for the summer while the Univesity computers are closed. It's ridiculous to not be able to do anything digitally creative for for 5 months. So after a good few months researching, and plenty of in depth conversations with my fiancee and family, I gave in. I'll use the iPad as a portable sketchbook, using "Apps" like Sketchbook Pro and Brushes, Autodesk 123d Sculpt, Moodboard Pro or Adobe Ideas,  Animation Desk and of course probably GarageBand or some kind of music creating app for my animations. I've aslo invested in the same stylus pen as David Hockney the Alupen, plus a hard case (don't want to damage something that costs more then my Bills). I hope this does help and change the way I work, which is very slow due to the process of transferring a rough sketch into a piece of digital Art work. I'll be able to create on the move which is the ideal thing, I understand there is a lack of pressure sensitivity but looking back I've struggled with that in my normal graphics tablet anyway.
Anyway I get it tomorrow, and hopefully I can hook it up to blogger and show some doodles or something, will also create some music for my animation. By the end of this week, we'll find out if it was a good investment or will it end up on ebay as part of a packaged with pen and case.

Test Renders of Hagatha

So here is a scene render, finally got all the props and the broom character, I don't know wether or not to add a a cat rig to the broom, so I might do that tomorrow. Anyway I can finally start really animating the story out tomorrow. Although it will be the altered shortened version. Anyway below is her walk cycle just a little longer:

I love shes sooo bouncy

Hagatha's Walk

So here is a short clip of her walking:

Test Render of Hagatha

Here is just a test render of Hagatha, just so I can see how she looks when moving. I've just done stills for the time being as they're just a test. More of an update for myself as its been a few weeks since being able to work on this project. I'm actually pretty happy with where I left it. I can't understand why I was getting so frustrated at the time with it. First time walking animation she's doing great.

Just needs her hat and eyes, and we'll be well on our way.

Hat and Body of the Witch

She is coming together quite quickly now that I've almost sorted the face, just got to connect the hat to her head. I will most definitely be importing her into Mudbox, just to give her the extra finer details and smoothing out a bit more. This is the very first character model I have ever done. I hope the animation goes just as well

The Modelling begins

So here is a screen shot of Hagatha's Torso and arms, I thought it time that I plucked up the courage to begin the modelling process, I can just keep adding drawings as I go along, it is no longer essential. Well apart from the storyboard, key scenes and her facial movements, thats all I really have left to draw up. Will update again once she has legs.

Character Design

So here is character one for my animation. I'm now starting character two, and over the weekend I will be working on the Scenery. This project for me is important to show my ideas and workings before the animation as this is perfect practice for the job area I want to go into. I need to develop the skills needed for this career path, along with building up a porfotolio worthy to show people. Developement is key.

Sharpened Pencils

So thought I'd add some of my sketches and idea process for this Silent comedy project. I really want to focus on the  character designs and the process along with it. I've got quite a few ideas swimming round, here are a few: Hiccupping Cat Burgular, Witches first broom, The chicken and the Naughty Egg.

I get bored of writing so I like to sketch as I go along helps with the visualisation process. Never know when an idea is going to stick. (Sorry not been able to rotate image, using the phone).

Below is how the process begins, in this project I'm not going to concentrate so much on being neat and tidy, i'm just gonna do it.

 Since hearing this project last term, i've been stuck on one idea, unfortunately I've let it fester, so ove rthe weekend I bought the looney tunes boxset, loving it!!! Also the Laurel and Hardy Collection, surprising how much its helped. There is a sketch on the Road Runner DVD where Wile E Coyote has a broomstick, simple short funny sketch. I realised throughout the DVD's I loved the ones with ghouls and monsters in, and it led me to witches... This might be the route i'm going to take. Its funny there is alot i can do with it, along with the character design of it all, just a simple background is nessecary with the main focus being this little fat witch struggling with her 1st ever broom. Yes I think that is a better idea then my last which started getting too complex and would be better as a short film then a 1-3minute one. To be honest it may all change again, so will keep u posted.