Google Sketchup

I have recently started learning how to use Google Sketchup to help me with my layouts, perspective and background painting. I really like the software as it is free and fairly easy to use. It took me 3 days to get used to using it and now I'm fairly competent with creating basic shapes and buildings. Below is the first manor I created but after doing so I found I was having a lot of problems, and that it would be easier to start again than to try and fix them.

Here is the second manor I have created so far. I have designed the manor itself using the layout I created, and the added the gate and car using the 3D Warehouse of objects that other people have created. As I am only going to be using this model as a guide I don’t need to spend lots of time putting unnecessary detail in. I will however be creating the grounds and houses surrounding the manor over the next couple of days.

Rascalé: Manor Layout

The Hawethorn manor is the focal point of Rascalé and is the main location where most of the action takes place. In the past I've had a lot of problems with my layouts, specifically the view that you would see through windows and remembering the position of items within the room. Therefore I found it helpful to do a floor layout for the manor and then I could create it in Google Sketchup. Below are my designs.

Initial Deputy Frog Designs

Initially these started out as designs for Rascalé, but after drawing them I new I didn't want him to be a frog but I loved the design. I therefore thought maybe he could become a background character that turns up every now and then as Rascalé's deputy but is too gormless to do anything.

Learning Zbrush

I bought Zbrush a couple of days ago and I've been having a play with it. I don't know why I decided to sculpt a man who needed the toilet but I have, and this is where I am so far with it. I found Zbrush really over complicated, especially when you only really need it for simple things. I'm sure as I get used to it I'll find the controls a lot easier, but as it's so different from any other software I have used I'm struggling to get to grips with it, particularly how to zoom. I do however find it a vast improvement from Sculptris as I am now having no problems with the mesh, symmetry can be easily toggled and obviously it can do a lot more things that will come in useful as I learn to use it.

Quackamolé Logo Design

These are some logo designs I created for a new brand of mexican sauces called Quackamolé. I was asked to create a duck with a sombrero in a cartoony style like Daffy Duck. It became obvious from the initial sketches that this was going to be a lot harder than it sounded, as a lot of the characters I was drawing resembled Donald duck. It took me a while to get this design but I'm pretty happy with it. The only thing I don't like about it is the silhouette perhaps isn't as clear as it could be.

Rascalé: World, Format and Style

This is the world, format and style of the animated series I am currently doing the pre production for so you can get an idea of how the final animation will look.

World

Rascalé is based in an old English town that has been over developed. There is no greenery left for miles bar the small patches of grass in front of some people’s houses. The manor is the only house with a garden around and is a relic, being that hasn’t been modernised for miles.

Format

Rascalé is a 2D animated TV series set in an old English town. It’s a comedy/mystery show from the eyes of a weasel made for children age 6-11. Each episode would be 20 min long with 20 episodes per series.

Style

Rascalé is a 2D animated cartoon. The designs reflect mainly the 1930’s and a modern slightly futuristic age. The inside of the manor will be a lot of browns, turqoises and pinks, the outside will be very clean cut and blue. The animation will appear hand finished but will actually be digital.

Rascalé: Character Outlines

Here are the character outlines for three of the characters in Rascalé. Eventually there are going to be more, but as I'm only just developing the story I haven't decided who the key characters will be.

Rascalé

Rascalé starts off as a young cocky weasel only looking out for himself. Living in the manor he becomes a caring thoughtful weasel, looking out for the animals in the home and helping them in a detective like manor. He comes to love living there and wants to help protect his home and friends.

Sarah Hawethorn

Sarah is the snobby inheritor of a large mansion but no money. She likes to live the highlife, but lives beyond her means, often ending up in dept. She has had to sell some of the mansions land through development pressure and greed but still wants to maintain her heritage and lifestyle.

Alexander Hawethorn

Alexander is Sarah’s husband taking her name to preserve her family’s heritage. He is very supportive of his wife sometimes working long hours to cover her debts. She is controlling but Alexander loves her regardless of her faults. Unlike Sarah, Alex is willing to embrace the 21^st century.