Monday 20 February 2012

Edgar Rice Burroughs

John Carter
A Princess of Mars


During my research for the Cartoon and Comic Arts Award at Staffordshire University I stumbled on the name John Carter while reading Alan Moores "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." He appears fleetingly at the end of the first volume then is seen helping the Barsoomians to take on H.G.Wells Martians at the start of the second volume.


Alan Moores' book introduced a range of classical literary heroes but none more so than John Carter. This got me to research who this character was and what he was doing on Mars. There is also reference to Gulliver as well in the Dialogue, who brings his army to assist in the battle.


Having fought in the American Civil War on the confederate side, Captain John Carter leaves for Arizona in search of his fortune prospecting in the hills for Gold. A group of Apache Indians hunt him and while fleeing he hides in a cave from where he is mysteriously transported to a small Red planet called Barsoom, or Mars to me and you!


Barsoom is itself in a middle of its own Civil war between two differing factions. On one hand there are the Green Skinned, war like Tharks, and on the other is the more reddish kind that bare an uncannily resemblance to humans.




Written by Edgar Rice Burroughs as his first attempt to do something to gain a little money, the serialisation of his story made him enough to make a name for himself and also encouraged him to write Tarzan.

Tarzan is probably Burroughs better known work, but credit has to go to John Carter as this character and his adventures has influenced so much of the modern sci-fi genre.

The stories were always to epic to be made into a film, but provided Marvel with ample opportunity to develop the story and also introduce it to younger readers.It was from theses beginnings that George Lucas is said to have read about the all American hero and it is fair to say a few more as well. 


It is easy to see how Burroughs writing has influenced a range of cinematic directors and authors. Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles owe a debt to Burroughs creation along with James Cameron's "AVATAR" as it was Burroughs who writes about creatures with 6 legs dominating the environment. Below is examples of how George Lucas has been influenced by Carter's adventure.  With the golden bikini which came synonymous with Princess Leia's Slave costume!  


Today Andrew Stanton of Pixar fame "Wall-E" has filmed a movie for Disney using the expertise that he developed with the Pixar company. I for one wait with abated breath for this to hit the cinemas soon.  


Monday 13 February 2012

Simple object Simple Message

Last semester the students were given and object and 6 emotions for them to insinuate! A lot easier to say than do!! 
Strong

Rejected
Saintly


Foolish


Aggressive


Brazen


Friday 10 February 2012

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

1st year Cartoon and Comic Arts students are already producing work. Here was a quick component of a module I ran that encouraged students to look at characters and develop them instead of drawing the first thing that entered their head.

The first job was just a basic introduction to the primative shapes and how they can develop your characters personalities. whether they are triangles which are pointed and dangerous and generally are shapes used to portray evil and untrust worthy characters. Or squares where the character are more solid and reliable. and circles are fun and cuddly.

The next element was shilouettes

This was done to get the students to think about stance and posture. When the detail was removed could the apperance of the character communicate what type of person they were suppose to be?

Overall the students seemed to enjoy the final stage of adding colour and deatil to their ideas, Below is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

A Nerd



A Solider


A Lover

All 3 images were drawn by 3 different students on the Cartoon and Comic Arts Award 2011
  

Friday 3 February 2012

Golf Challenge for Cartoon & Comic Arts

Golf Challenge
Cartoon & Comic Arts

Recently we had a gold course asking if the students could design characters to demonstrate the correct attire for the golf course. After quiet a bit of laughing some ideas were quickly drawn to show the potential range of work available by the students. Here is how the Cartoon & Comic Arts Students went about answering the brief.








Thursday 2 February 2012

Cartoon & Comics and Illustration students work

Image Making Techniques

the art of ...Hands

A recent project set by Bobbie Jones for Cartoon & Comic Art & Illustration students was to create an animal from their hands in a 2 hour workshop. I think you will agree that the effects are quiet astounding what students can do when they put their mind to it!!