VIGNALI STUDIO

My good friend David Colman has also put together an iPod App! If you are unfamiliar with Coh's work, you're in for a treat. Best known for his animal character design book, this exclusive App provides a drawing collection of both animals and people. The best thing about this new technology, if you have an iPhone or iTouch, it's all right there at your fingertips.

What's really cool is that David has included a step-by-step "how to" tutorial section where he shows how he does his watercolor field sketches.

Once again, thanks to Bobby Chiu, you can find this App book at: www.artistsketchbooks.com.

The official Marcelo Vignali, SKETCHCLUB, sketchbook is now available as an iPhone/iTouch app. For those of you that have always wanted a peek at my sketchbook to see how I handle the subject of characters, here's your chance.

With this convenient format you can load it up and take it anywhere -- especially when you go sketching. For those that have always wanted to go sketching with our Sketchclub, but live too far away to join us, this is the next best thing because you can load up your iPod with this app and take me with you. These are not studio sketches, these are field sketches. The images in this app were originally drawn from life with a pen, a brush and marker.

Thanks to Bobby Chiu, you can find my book at: www.artistsketchbooks.com. This is the first time my work has been available outside of Disney or Sony making-of books. For only $2.99, you get 30 images from my sketchbook -- that's less than .10¢ per page. I can't imagine a more affordable, or convenient, way to offer this book.

I hope you enjoy it.

As some of you may or may not know, but I had a serious spinal operation on December 11th of 2009. I'm recovering well now, and am looking forward to 2010. As it is I spent a month a way from work trying to build up my strength and heal, and am only now returning to the office.

I had quite a bit of hardware surgically implanted into my back. In total I have seven screws, one titanium plate, cadaver bone, and two titanium rods. Suffice it to say, I was laid out on my back during Christmas and New Year. I did some sketching, and I drew this chap on New Year, imagining those days of yesteryear when men would dress up in Tuxedos to welcome the new year with lots of pomp. Why? I have no idea, it was just fun. I almost filled an entire sketchbook with lots of doodles.

I also got to spend quite a bit of time with my family, which was a tremendous blessing.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Being that we are on the eve of Christmas, hence a pregnant Mary.
--Marcelo

Joy to the World
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Click Here to view the recent interview I did with Bobby Chui of Schoolism.com.

It lasts about an hour.

I just wanted to let everyone know that Craig Harris we will be having the last Nomad Gallery art show of the year this Saturday Dec 5th. See my link in the margin.

It will take place from 5-9pm at the
Los Angeles Event and Meeting Center
located in Culver City.

10601 W. Washington Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90232

I'll be there, so come on by and say hello. Let's talk art!

I did a demo on Sunday, and my friends Mark McDonnell and Nicolas Villarreal were kind enough to take some pictures. This shows my initial lay-in when I'm doing a figure drawing. I begin with long flowing lines, and build my shapes up in terms of design and not anatomy.

(I should also note that these drawings were done out of my head, and no model was present for this demonstration.)

I begin to build my shapes by focusing on the rhythm of the pose.

At this point I probably stopped to blather on about something, fortunately long enough for Nicolas to take a picture without my arm being in the way. These drawings don't take more than about five minutes (maybe seven minutes including my talking), so Nicolas had to be quick.

I continue building the shapes, but this time using my understanding of anatomy.



I have to say I was very impressed by the number of people that were interested in my approach to figure drawing. My approach makes sense to me, and it seemed to resonate with the people listening. I was heartened to see such eager minds taking an interest in something seemingly so perfunctory -- but a necessary part of design.

Here's a screen shot from the overhead video camera. It was squashed in perspective, so I had to unsquash it to present it to you here -- hence there is still a little bit of distortion. Now, this isn't the same drawing I was working on in the photos above, but I managed to give three demos during my presentation, and this was one of the other demos.

I'm going to be at the CTN Expo.
On Saturday I'm going to be doing a discussion in a forum called the "Line Kings." And, on Sunday I'm going to be doing a demo. I hope to see you all there.

My good friend Craig Harris has just started an online gallery that also makes periodic (brick and mortar) appearances throughout the Southland -- hence the name Nomad Gallery. He has invited me to participate as one of the featured artists in his gallery, so if you are interested in purchasing some of my artwork or just want to find out when the next show is going to happen (December 5th), please go to the Nomad Gallery.

I am selling a print of this faerie image, so please visit my friend Craig Harris at the Nomad Gallery.

Craig also has a tremendous roster of artists that reads like a who's-who in the animation industry's LA area.

It's been a while, but MAC pestered me and eventually shamed me into posting something -- thanks bud!

I have to admit, I'm so old school I like drawing with the centuries old pen nib and ink. I trained this way years ago, and at one time in my various past lives as a freelance artist I used to do ink drawings for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate -- with my drawings appearing in over 52 newspapers throughout the country. But, that was back when Prince first crashed into the music scene, and Nintendo had just come out with their first games. So, as you can tell that was a long time ago.

But, let's face it, who wants old school illustrations -- right? So, I decided to push this drawing into the technological world of the 20th century and add a little color using my Wacom Tablet and Photoshop 7.0.

I was going through a folder filled with odd sketches and came across this one. I can't remember why I drew this, but it looks like a Planet of the Apes inspired sketch -- or just a samurai ape.

This sketch was drawn on bond with graphite, and obviously from imagination.

I have just posted at Sketchclub. If you would like to see the rest of this image, go to Sketchclub.

Noelle has also posted her version of this mark too. Come and have a look.

I drew this one out at lunch today. You'd never guess this guy was watching the soccer game in an Argentine restaurant. (I'm going to guess his team was losing.)

I have just posted at Sketchclub. If you would like to see the rest of this image, go to Sketchclub

Animation Legend Andy Gaskill is now blogging. Please go and welcome him to the world of bloggers.

Best known for being the writer and art director for Disney's Lion King, here's a list of only some of his film credits I say "only" because he doesn't even have the Fox and the Hound listed in his IMDB credits.

I rarely post my sketchbook drawings during our Sketchclub lunches, rather we typically post our memory drawings at sketchclub.blogspot instead. So, here is a page from my sketchbook during one of these Sketchclub outings.

A whole bunch of us had gone to the local skatepark and drew some of the kids there. Ya gotta draw fast to get these weightless action poses! They're more like gesture drawings.

I just thought I would let you know that I have just posted at Sketchclub.( I know, it's been a while.) If you would like to see the rest of this image, go to Sketchclub!

Next week we're going to draw at a local skatepark.

I was a huge fan of the 1970s television show. So you can imagine two years ago when I found the DVD for all three seasons being offered online, I bought it. My kids and I will often sit and enjoy the show: I reliving my memories; they creating memories.

We would often play LotL with my children and their toys, but it wasn't the same. And, since there are no Land of the Lost games or toys based on the 1970s television show being offered in the stores anymore, I decided to make a game. We found some LotL crystals being offered on eBay, bought them and have made them part of the game. We also use different colored buttons for our characters.

Wanna play? You'll have to be familiar with the show in order to understand who the characters are.

The object of the game is to pick up all four crystals and make it to the end without getting stuck in the circular vortex, or captured by sleestaks. The catch is, no one gets left behind -- we have to move through the game like a family. Having all four crystals allows you to reenter our world.

The dice allows only one of four choices. Move one space ahead, move two spaces ahead, move three spaces ahead, and try again. Three try-agains in a row moves you four spaces forward.

The pylons allow you to move backwards in the game, but not forward. Unless you have the Enik card and happen to land on the red pylon. At which point you can go anywhere in the game. Enik also allows you to escape the sleestaks. Otherwise, you're stuck.

The Pakuni card allows you to take a short cut into the cavern, and gets you unstuck from the vortex -- theoretically by going for help and getting the mirror.

Each time you play the either the Enik, Pakuni, toothpick or torch card, you have to put them back. Unless of course you re-land on that space again that allows you to pick up the card.

The vortex: is like a turnabout. You go round and round unless you can land on the square that allows you to leave the vortex. There is another square that traps you with the vortexes lazer. To escape, you'll need to get the mirror. The mirror reflects the vortexes deadly lazer and allows you to escape, and if a family member is stuck you must retrieve the mirror, and then use one of the pylons to go backwards into the game and attempt to land on their space to rescue them. Once you have the mirror, you keep it.

Sometimes everyone gets stuck in LotL, but usually you can find your way out.

I had the kids draw up the cards. You'll need red, blue, yellow and green crystals, an Enik and Pakuni card, and you'll also need a toothpick, mirror and torch card. You might want to draw up some cards for the crystals too.

The gameboard is watercolor and ink.

(And, yes, I was very disappointed with the new LotL movie. When I saw that Will Ferrel was staring in it, I knew I couldn't take my children to it -- too raunchy and crude for my standards.)

Here is yet another postcard from Argentina...that actually made the journey. This card went out to my friend Richie Chavez.

I had just gotten off the airplane after a 17 hour flight, took a bus ride into BA, walked through the park, and jotted this one down before heading off to my hotel.

I gambled and I lost. I think out of the six hand drawn postcards I mailed from Argentina, only three arrived to their destinations. Even the hand drawn postcard I mailed my daughters never made it.

They're lost into the ether of that great void between memory and imagination...or in some postman's collection.

I only had the sense to take this picture of one. I drew this while in a restaurant in Buenos Aries. I believe it was intended for Paul Wee.

Alas, what can I say, I'm an art adrenaline junky.

Here's another design I did way back when I was doing character design and development work for Disney's Brother Bear.

This sketch was originally drawn on heavyweight vellum with wax pencil.

Here's one I did about ten years ago. The original was drawn on regular 8.5 X 11 bond paper with graphite. Nothing fancy.

I wish I had a better jpg, but this is all I got.

Ric Estrada has passed away. He declined rapidly over the past week as a result of advanced prostate cancer, to which he no longer responded to treatment. This had been an ongoing battle for Ric. Nearly all his children were by his bedside as he crossed over yonder to where the tree of life is in eternal bloom.

I met Ric while living in St. George Utah, and have been living in the riches of having met him. He was truly alive, in every sense of the word, from the sparkle in his eyes to that warm smile he embraced everyone with.

Family Memorial Donation Suggestion
Ric loved every person he ever met and all people. He believed in the possibilities for all of his friends, those he had met and those he hadn't met yet, desiring to help all to improve their circumstances. For any who wishes to do so please donate to the humanitarian fund at http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/.  100% of the funds go to meet needs worldwide. Be sure to indicate that you are making a donation to the humanitarian fund so that your contribution will be used solely for humanitarian needs. You may also indicate that this a memorial donation for Ric Estrada.

As mentioned before, I like to play the postcard game. This is where I send hand drawn postcards to my artist friends, with the hope they will reciprocate in kind. It's a way to collect art and share art with friends in a fun and playful way. I figured I'm usually doodling anyway when I travel, why not do it on a 4X6 card and mail it.

I guess I'm an art nerd, I have to admit I get exited to see how these little pieces of art travel, to their destinations -- sometimes with smudges and creases. And, sometimes, they just don't make it! (I guess the mail man is playing the postcard game too.)

So, naturally, while I was in Buenos Aries, Argentina, I managed to drop off a few cards to some friends. This card went to my good friend, and talented artist, Noelle Triaureau!

I'll try and post some of the other cards when I get copies.

These images were created for Brother Bear.

I had been charged with the task of creating some concept sketches for the animals in this world, as well as some of the humans. In this case here I've drawn one of the younger human members of a hunting party.


This was interesting because when I drew this image the Disney Studio remarked that they were interested in the graphic nature of the skin cape, as well as the uniqueness of the bone goggles. I was looking forward to seeing something like that in the final film -- but it was not to be.


Part of my job here was to do as much research as possible about the stone age implements, tools and tailored hide clothing. So, in that regard, the clothing, stitching, and crafting of tools was very accurate. But, the Inuit make really elaborate outfits, but I had to actually draw them in a more primitive manner so as to fit the feel the studio was looking for.

When I was doing research the bulkiness of the clothing was one of the things that stood out to me, as well as the way in which the leather skins tended to fold -- being that the fur was kept on the inside of the clothing.


All but the top drawing were drawn with Prisma Pencil on newsprint. It looks to me as though that one may have been drawn on vellum.

Obviously, all of these are drawn without models -- this is where figure drawing and sketching in public really pays off.

Oh, I've been a lousy blogger. I just haven't been going around to see what everyone's been up to, nor have I been posting new images.

I did get an account on Facebook. Not so sure I'm going to keep it, the jury is still out.

Charcoal pencil in an 8x10 sketchbook.

Isn't it fun to discover artwork that you did, but can't remember doing?

Obviously a speed painting of a pirate, but aside from that the history is lost to the ages.

You'll need to see this sketch with the ol' red and blue 3D glasses, not the fancy amber and violet ones.

I had tried this before, but it didn't work. This time I figured it out -- with the help of some of you in the blog-o-sphere. Thanks for the tips.

I thought this drawing looked like one of those black velvet paintings, so I went ahead and inverted the image using Photoshop. If you want to see what the drawing looked like, you'll have to revert the process on your end.

I felt it was something you could find in Jim Kelly's apartment, with Isaac Hayes singing in the background.

I just thought I would let you know, I have just posted at Sketchclub. If you would like to see the rest of this image, go to Sketchclub!

Come take a look and compare the sketches.

Bobert D. Ballard found the Titanic, Howard Carter discovered King Tut's treasures, and I have found the treasure trove of places to sketch!

There's a coffee shop not far from my home that happens to be right in-between a suburb, a college and a trailer park -- not far from the beach. Oh, the faces, the costumes...the tattoos!

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to any persons living or dead is not only coincidental, it's also accidental.

Since we're on the theme of hand drawn post cards, here's another one I did just recently.

A friend of mine here at work, Omar Smith, recently went to Mexico. So, I managed to talk him into sending me a card from there. And, in return, I sent him this one.

It's ink and marker.

Here's a hand drawn postcard I drew out for a friend. I drew it with ink and marker.

Years ago I used to play this game with my art friends where I would mail them a hand drawn/painted postcard, and they would return in kind. I figured it was a way I could trade art with my art friends, do something productive with my doodles, and have some fun in the process.

Alas, it worked great in theory, but as time went by I realized I was the only one playing. Some would just get busy with life, and the cards would stop coming. A lot of other artists were so self critical, they felt intimidated that their work wouldn't be as nice as what I mailed them, and this would cause them to procrastinate and never send a card. That was the biggest shame, because that was never my intent. I never wanted this game to cause anxiety -- but heck we're nutty artists, I guess we all have hang-ups.

I didn't mind that some cards would get damaged, that was part of the fun. I considered it the patina of having traversed some great expanse. These banged up cards really felt like they had travelled. And, some cards would never get to their destination! Lost in the mail! Or, part of a postman's collection somewhere.

Some cards arrived from far away places, while others were simply from where ever these artists lived. I managed to send a few out while I was on vacation, but most were sent from where ever I was living.

The fun part was mailing cards with different sizes. I got a wooden postcard from one friend. It was hilarious. The simple fact is, if you put enough postage on a rock, you can mail that too!

The postcard game was fun while it lasted. This particular thank-you card was an opportunity to hand draw out a post card like the ol' days, and send it along. This time, no game -- just a thank-you.

And happy holidays!

I snuck out solo for Sketchclub and tried to take advantage of the "real" weather in order to draw some wonderful wardrobes.

Seeing this woman braving the drizzle and 55 degree weather was comical. It looked like she was ready for some subzero Lake Michigan winds to blow in any minute. The only give away were the tiny dress shoes. Heh-heh, very Los Angeles! Since we don't get snow here, this was the closest thing.

Have a wonderful holiday my friends. I'll see you all in the coming year.

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:14

Yep, that's my daughter and I at last year's event.

Hello everyone. It's that time of the year, and my church has built Bethlehem in our church parking lot, and yours truly and one of his intrepid daughters will be participating once again as shepherds as we give praise to our Lord and Savior.

So, come experience the Christmas story in an interactive town. 
It is a hands-on experience for you to walk through the city of Bethlehem during the time of Christ's Birth. 
This town has a cast of over 150, live animals, music, dancing, wares, trades to try, a petting farm, and a visit from the angels.

I would like to invite your entire family and friends to come and tour Bethlehem.
Admission is FREEE, in fact- they give you a handful of shekels to spend in town. 
Reservations are not needed and groups are welcome. 
Please dress warmly since this is an outdoor event.

3 Nights in MB and 2 in Bellflower (5 nights total):
Manhattan Beach - Dec. 5-7 (6-9pm)
1243 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Bellflower - Dec. 13 & 14 (6-8:00pm)
17456 Downey Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706

Its Amazing, You don't want to miss it!!!

For more info visit: www.journeytobethlehem.org

Hello friends. I've got a couple new images on Sketchclub, so if you would like to see the rest of this image, go to Sketchclub!

Also, a very talented young recruit named Glenn Harmon has joined Sketchclub! He has paid his membership fee and his dues in advance, gone through the rigorous/brutal initiation ritual, and will return to Sketchclub once the swelling goes down.

We also have a new sketch by Paul Shardlow posted there.

First I'd like to apologize for the intrusive watermark/copyright. As you can see, I'm concerned that our artworks may be detached from our copyright, and become "orphaned." So, I'm adding my signature in a manner that can be removed by the "dedicated," but not by someone trying to quickly do it.

Moving on, this is a watercolor I did a while back. I was drawing these drawings in my sketchbook using charcoal, and then hastily adding some watercolor. For the most part, this was probably a five minute sketch, so I would draw out a gesture drawing as quick as I could, and use the remainder of the time to add the color.

Several years ago we purchased this pumpkin scarecrow decoration for our home. It was a huge hit with my youngest daughter, she dubbed him "Pumpkin Boy."

Sadly, we lost "Pumpkin Boy" when the sewage in the home we were renting backed up and flooded our home. (Apparently a tree root had managed to get inside the pipe, and when a toilet was left running, it eventually backed up and flooded our bedroom.) Poor "Pumpkin Boy" was hiding in the closet, and absorbed all the water like a sponge. We had to toss out a lot of things, shoes, clothing and anything else that was contaminated. It was a mess -- I even lost a sketchbook I kept under my bed that I would use to draw my dreams, or other moments of inspiration.

The next year, "Pumpkin Boy" didn't return, and my daughter was distraught that "Pumpkin Boy" had forgotten her. She made the declaration, "He was probably busy, but I know he'll come back next year." What was I to do? I tried in vain to look for this decoration, but alas it was not to be.

Fellow blogger and friend Shuku had offered to help me make one, and she sent me some patterns to make the pumpkin shape. I bought a different scarecrow decoration of about the approximate size and removed the head -- then, stitch by stitch I hand sewed Pumpkin Boy's head -- trying my best to match the original, thus bringing him back from the abyss.

The day before Halloween last year, my daughter discovered "Pumpkin Boy" hiding in the bushes at night.

This year, "Pumpkin Boy" returned once more during our full moon, so I thought I would post a picture of the original "Pumpkin Boy", and the new "Pumpkin Boy." This picture was taken last year, right after she discovered "Pumpkin Boy" hiding in the bushes and we brought him inside.

Thanks to all of you that wrote letters and contacted your congress persons. I believe it made the difference.

Shame on Senators Leahy and Hatch for trying to sneak this by. Write them a letter and let them know how you feel.

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/09/orphan-works-co.html