![User Image](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/hardcandyvegetto/icon.jpg)
[About me]
Where: EST NY/NJ Metro
When: I'm online just about every day. Usually later in the evening or early in the morning.
Who: 28 years old and bitter cool
Samples: Under construction
Who I accept: All levels.
Past experience outside of drawing/painting
Several years of dance (modern, ballet, dancehall, hip hop)
Some stage acting in high school
Acting through puppets
3D object and character modeling
3D texture mapping
Skeletal set up for animation
Scripting for animation
3D character and facial animation
Simple flash animation
Compositing for film
Proficiencies
intermediate/advanced "acting"
intermediate/advanced mechanics
intermediate/advanced perspective
intermediate/advanced staging and design
intermediate/advanced gesture and posture
intermediate/advanced creature design
intermediate/advanced anatomy
simple/intermediate Isometric drawing (scenes)
simple/intermediate costume design
simple/intermediate multiple character integration
simple/intermediate figure drawing
simple/intermediate line quality
simple/intermediate use of media
simple/intermediate sequential art
simple/intermediate anatomy
simple shading/color
kindergarten/simple vehicles/mechanical structures
kindergarten/simple architecture
Dedicated mentees (Limit 2.)
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NOTE: As of Sunday, March 14th, I am scheduling one evening a week to critique, due to time constraints. I am currently:
-Working with a small team, opening and operating a dance studio in NJ. (wearing many hats, both art and administrative) - on haitus due to the economy
-Planning, writing, and editing a book that's scheduled to be submitted for print by Nov 1
-Conducting a weekly cartooning/comic class in NJ - On hiatus until I reboot with a new set of students
-Working a full time corporate job that has nothing to do with art
I am currently burnt out and not taking any dedicated mentees.
Thank you.
[Easy target Mentee FAQs]
- How do I become a dedicated mentee?
Ask.
I love you so much I need YOU to critique me even though I'm not a dedicated mentee.
That's not a question, but you can read this restraining order. It'll tell you what to do.
Can I get a critique even though I'm not a dedicated mentee?
Anyone can request a critique if they feel I may be the right person for the situation or just want an opinion on something. Dedicated mentees get my attention first.
I have a tendency to neglect to read carefully. Can I ask you a question that's answered before I ask it?
I don't believe in stupid questions, but I do believe in lazy ones. Ask a lazy question, and you get a d**k answer.
[What I expect from you]
- When you post your work I want to see:
The image itself if it's not huge or a link to the full view image by itself if it is huge
I'm not a fan of link hunting or waiting for your gallery to load and then having to take another step to full view.
What you used and how long it took
If it takes you really long, and you're getting confused, there could be faster ways to do what you were doing, only more efficiently.
What YOU think of your piece
I can't say it enough. All my hours of critiquing is worthless if I'm not telling you how to do what it is you want to do. Just include a couple of sentences to let me know where your head is at. What is your objective?
A 2-4 sentence self critique.
What you like. What you don't like. This help me gauge your eye as well. Developing your eye is just as important as developing your hand.
I'm on the clock for you, but only if you're going to show me that you're serious enough to do more than drop an image and never even read the critique.
Professionalism
- Maturity
The mentors are really putting a lot of effort to be helpful. Please respect that. All I ask is that you take the time to read the critique. If there's something that you don't agree with, discuss it. Don't just blow it off. If you aren't responding with the same amount of dedication that I'm giving, you won't be my mentee for very long.
Presentation
Clean your scans. That includes:
Adjusting so that your art is visible when you scan or take pictures
Removing lines from paper
Resizing. Big enough to see, but not so big that I can't open it on dial up. This goes for images and links. If your link is a page stretcher, please use the URL button when you post.
Effort
It doesn't matter what your level of skill is, people can see the time and effort put into what you do. So, if I see
![User Image](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v143/hardcandyvegetto/crap.jpg)
When you and I know damn well that you took about 45 seconds to make it... let's just say that I'll be disappointed. Very very disappointed. As I wring your neck like a chicken.
Note: I will look at millions of quick sketches if you want. Please try to compile 3-5 per page. Also, when I say clean, that doesn't mean that you erase construction lines. It's good when I can see them on WIPs and practice sketches.
[What you can expect from me]
As a mentor, I promise in-depth, thoughtful, and solid critique to the best of my abilities. I've been known to make tutorials through the use of draw overs and illustrations. I'm willing to spend anywhere between 2 and 4 hours on a critique, and expect it to not be ignored or pissed for whatever reason. I stopped critiquing in PP for this exact reason. I don't like to waste my time. I'm open to discussion about the piece and will do my best to give as much support as possible to those I work with.
- Things I tend to cover in a critique
anatomy/structure
I go over the overall structure of figures and objects. I look for proportion, shape, volume (if applicable), weight, balance, and mechanics.
staging/'camera' angles
I don't know much, but I do know something about placement of characters and objects an how their relation to each other on the page will change the message the viewer gets from the drawing. I also have some experience with storyboarding and camera shots.
gesture
This is where I have the most experience. My experience in animation and stage performance helps here as I spent a lot of time focusing on non-verbal communication and gesture.
Perspective
I know some overall things about perspective and foreshortening. I'll do my best to help.
style
I don't say anything is right or wrong about style. I do however help you explore things about your style that may not work for what you're doing or suggest ways that you can strengthen your style. Mostly, I just make sure to take your style and intention into account when writing a critique.
overall design
Focal point, color choice, staging, eye flow, value, line, and all the things that make art such a chore, at first, but come to be second nature in time.
objective and intention
I can't say it enough. I will ALWAYS consider what it is you're trying to do and try to help you do that better. If I can't figure it out on my own, I'll ask what you tried to do and then try to help you make that happen.
A note on drawovers and tutorials
I frequently purge my photobucket, but I'm willing to make a pdf of any image heavy critique. Just ask me. You can request tutorials as well. Those may take some time though. They will automatically be pdfs that will be available to anyone that wants them.
[What NOT to expect from me]
I'm probably one of the realest people you'll have to displeasure of coming across. While you can always expect complete honesty from me, DO NOT expect me to:
- Sugar-coat.
I'm not going to tell you something is good when it's not. If I think something is poorly done, you'll know it. At the same time, I'm going to help you fix it.
Argue with you
Do anything illegal for you
I will point you to free things, but no pirate for you.