Hiatus Over, Time to Draw! (Patreon)

[If you're not a patron already, do consider supporting me here on Patreon for as little as $1 a month!]

[[This post contains a lot of animations exported as GIFS which could create playback problems. Please let me know if you have trouble viewing any of the attached GIFS]]

Aloha, everyone.  I hope you've had a GREAT summer!

For those who don't know, I started taking courses at a California-based animation school and took a new job as a Graphic Designer/ Video Editor and Multimedia Specialist, all at the same time. My 2D courses have been taught by a Disney animator and though the time difference has been brutal, I've learned SO much, seen so much behind-the-scenes stuff and had such a blast it's hardly felt like school. Along with anim school, my new job is investing in me to learn 3D modeling and animation. What does that mean for all of us? It means it's finally time we make a strong push into the scary and magical world of 2D and 3D animation.

*jazz hands*

You guys know I've wanted this for YEARS, and now I finally feel like I'm ready to jump off into the known-unknown. I'm not willing to show 90% of the work I've done under the Qalcove name, but I did do a few doodle animations in my..."free" time.

The past 12 weeks has confirmed that animation is NOT EASY, takes a TON of time, and can be very stress-inducing. Instead of labouring over one drawing, I gotta labour over tens to hundreds of drawings not including colouring and cleanup (linework). And you KNOW I hate cleanup.

But to me, seeing all the ideas I have in my head animated instead of as static images is sooo much more satisfying. This is the direction I want to go in - just full-on animations, storyboards and animatics.

Over the years I've spent drips of time on animation, but never really finished anything...

[The Eternal Flame project, trimmed. I'd actually like to give this a shot someday]

[Was watching Game Night and found this clip I felt I could animate. Never got anywhere past these doodles, but - again - would love to build this up] 

For several reasons, I just couldn't devote the time or give up the money I'd lose by not taking commissions. But a lot has changed now. Illustrating has been a FANTASTIC adventure, but I really feel I could shine as an animator if I just gave myself a chance and learned to just be PATIENT. I'm still obviously an amateur, and probably will be for a few years, but I hope you'll support me as I continue to push myself and share with you what goes on in my noggin. Thank you for ALL your support thus far - I really couldn't have gotten here without you. 

Please enjoy some of the other pieces I started on over the break; I tried staying away from illustrations as much as possible during my break, but I just couldn't help myself.

[WIP | I LOVE this piece. Planning to finish this and make prints for those interested :3]

[WIP | Potential February entry for the 2022 Wildehopps Calendar. I'd like to change the perspective now that I'm looking at it again...]

Next Update (Patrons only)

From comics and anims, to old projects and calendars, I've got ideas to spare. Help me curb my over-ambitiousness in the next post where I get your input on the cornucopia of projects I've started working on. I have 2 outstanding comms I must complete first, but once I'm done it'll be time to strap ourselves back in. 

And I can't end this post without a complimentary doodle:

You know I love and appreciate all of your love and kindness and I couldn't be here without you. I hope my little artworks continue to help brighten your day!

- Qalcove