FMAN 325/A (Winter 2024): ADV. ANALYT. DRAW./DESIGN ANIM
FMAN – 325 A
FB233-9 SGW
Th 8.45 -12.45
Instructor: Valery Mihalkov
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL DRAWING AND DESIGN FOR ANIMATION
Course Outline
Course objectives
The “Advanced Analytical Drawing and Design” studio course is organized to enhance the knowledge and the skills of the film animation students accumulated during their first semester.
The course supports Animation II (core course) requirements. In this context it prepares students to solve potential problems resulting from course objectives of Animation II.
The idea is to coordinate the efforts towards the same goal, excellence in the learning/teaching process.
Course description
The students will learn to speculate with conventions such as line, light, colour, shape, texture, etc. Concrete notions of human and comparative animal anatomy (muscular, skeletal and motion) will be coordinated with teaching the basics of character design including anthropomorphism, realism and caricature.
The students will be advised how the create a visual presentation of a project including coherence/juxtaposition of characters within the location designs.
In terms of technical media, the traditional pencil/charcoal on paper technique will be used for the drawing exercises. For the character and set design students may use any media including 2D and 3D programs such as Photoshop Maya 3D Studio Max etc.
Grading
The final grade will be based on the personal improvement of each student during this course. The students, as well as their artworks, will not be compared to each other.
The aesthetic quality of the artwork will be considered only in relation to the course description.
The final grade will be broken down as follows:
- 40% attendance, punctuality and constructive participation in class
- 20% ability to interpret the reality with observation skills including knowledge of
perspective anatomy proportions volumes etc.
- 40% final assignment – series of images as a visual support/presentation of a concept
Notes
Homework will be given regularly in order to target specific needs and issues.
The use of your sketchbook might be taken in consideration for the grading.
Class attendance and punctuality are mandatory. Furthermore, students are strongly advised to organize non-supervised drawing sessions to fully take advantage of the course material and existing facilities.
Course Layout
January THE HUMAN BODY: proportions and anatomy
January THE HUMAN BODY: gestures and motions
January THE HUMAN BODY: facial expressions and body language
February ANIMAL ANATOMY: similarities and differences between the
human and animal structure
February CHARACTER DESIGN: basic methods and techniques / light
shadows colors and textures
February CHARACTER DESIGN: exaggeration silhouettes drapes and
clothing /costumes
(Mid-term break)
March CHARACTER DESIGN: process and components of style creation
March CHARACTER DESIGN: naturalism vs. anthropomorphism
March CHARACTER DESIGN: visual presentation of a personal project
March CHARACTER DESIGN: customizing the project to improve the
weak points
April PORTFOLIO: finalizing the visual presentation of the personal
project
April PORTFOLIO: final evaluation
Bibliography
Author: Michael Hampton
Title: FIGURE DRAWING - Design and Invention
Author: Marcos Mateu-Mestre
Title: FRAMED PERSPECTIVE
Author: Marcos Mateu-Mestre
Title: FRAMED INK
Author: Thomas Easley
Title: THE FIGURE IN MOTION
Author: Anima Mundi & Julius Wiedemann
Title: ANIMATION NOW
Author: Richard Taylor
Title: ANIMATION TECHNIQUES
Author: Nikos Stangos
Title: CONCEPTS OF MODERN ART
Author: www.watsonguptill.com
Author: www.posemaniacs.com
Author: Gottfried Bammes
Title: DIE GESTALT DES TIERES (animal anatomy)
Author: Eadweard Muybridge
Title: HUMAN AND ANIMAL LOCOMOTION
- Teacher: VALERY MIHALKOV