We just wrapped up the last semester of my character design by Silver course at www.schoolism.com and I wanted to share with you a couple of the students work. I give my students an assignment on week one before I teach them anything and then by week nine they take another stab of it with the knowledge they have acquired. the image on the left is from week one and the one on the right is from week nine. If you are interested in taking the course, the next semester begins Jan.5th 2009. Also here are a couple comments my students have made from the last semester.

This course was a great experience! I think any one who draws characters can benefit from it. It was packed with exercises and lessons to help push my drafting skills. It also was very encouraging to have a Skilled professional go over my own drawings, giving helpful advice along the way. This was money well spent!

-Alan Stewart

I'm very grateful to have learned so many things from this class. I really do not think I would've learned many of these things anywhere else. This course has opened my eyes to many aspects of art in general, including rhythm, balance, appeal, and breathing life into characters through shapes, poses, line art, and much more. I can safely say that these lessons have indeed improved my drawing abilities, and given me a different outlook when it comes to designing characters. All of the lessons, great tips and advice you gave have a permanent place in my mind, a database if you will, of information that I refer to whenever I am drawing characters. What I'm most happy about is the fact that I am now able to bring more life into my characters. And although, I'm not quite as good as I'd like to be yet, I have a better design sense than I did before, and I know this will help me grow. Thanks for all the awesome lessons and fun course Stephen!

- Dave Han

How to Talk to Girls

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of illustrating this really cute and funny book called "How to Talk to Girls" by 9 year old author, Alec Greven (and published by the wonderful people at Harper Collins!). Just to show you how adorable and charming this kid is, here is a clip of his interview with Ellen DeGeneres.



It's amazing that it all started from a school project!
I'm also thrilled to say I'll be illustrating 3 more books of his...so keep an eye out! They're definitely nice books that not only kids, but adults should read.

I was so excited to receive the books..here are some photos!








These are the earliest concepts I showed the publishers and editors at Harper Collins:





This is the final look they chose..

and some of my rough sketches..


I'm very happy about how the book turned out. HUGE thanks to the Harper Collins team for making a wonderful book! If you're interested in purchasing it, you can pre-order a copy at Harper Collins or Amazon. The book will be in stores on Nov. 25th.

<3Kei

Storyboarding with Kris Pearn on Schoolism.com

One of the finest teacher/artist/person I know. Here's a sneak peek of 'Storyboarding with Kris Pearn'.

Kris has worked for many years as a Storyboard artist in Television and Feature Animation in both the United States and Canada. Born on a farm in Southwestern Ontario, Kris attended Sheridan College and studied Classical Animation, graduating in 1996. From there he worked in Toronto and Ottawa as a freelance Animator, Layout Artist, Background and Character Designer. Moving to Phoenix Arizona, Kris worked for 20th Century Fox Feature Animation studios on projects such as Anastasia, Bartok the Magnificent, and Titan A.E. While living in the desert, he trained as an Animator but eventually made the switch to preproduction to follow his life long ambition to become a Story Artist. Following the career of a Story Board artist, he moved back to Toronto after the studio in Phonex was closed, and worked on many TV productions such as Rescue Heroes, Jacob Two Two, Franklin, Braceface, 6Teen, Handy Manny, Hoze Houndz, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, King Weirdo, and The Ripping Friends to name a few. In 2003 Kris moved back to the States to work at Sony Pictures Animation studios in Culver City California (where he is currently employed). During his time at Sony he has worked as a Story Artist on Open Season and Surf's Up. He is presently Head Of Story on Sony's upcoming Feature, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs which is slated to hit the screens some time in 2009. As well as working professionally in the Animation industry for over ten years, he has also taught at Sheridan College in the Classical Animation program (and had a lot of fun while being on the other side of the desk). In 2006 Kris was nominated for an Annie Award for his work on Open Season, and was also featured in the 2007 Hollywood Reporter magazine's Crafts issue, highlighting up and coming talent working in the industry behind the scenes (as all storyboard artists are definitely "behind the scenes").
Kris lives with his Wife and two loud Children in a wooden box near a beach in Southern California. He has a German Shepherd and is often found rollerblading with the slobbering beast late at night in the general proximity of LAX.
He likes Cowboy Movies and good Zombie flicks.

Early Bird Promo Code on Schoolism.com for Storyboarding with Kris Pearn!

Hey all,

Since there's been such a great response to the last promo code, Schoolism.com is doing a special promotion for 'Storyboarding with Kris Pearn!' There is a 10% off promo code for early bird registered students ending on November the 30th, 2008.

Just enter the code: S76R48

Sign up now at Schoolism as spots are filling up and Kris Pearn will only be taking 15 students for the course on January 26, 2009!

Register at Schoolism.com

Weird little creatures

I'm making a series of these weird little creatures for the Pet Monsters book.
I wish I had a magic brush so after I painted this little guy, he would come to life. He would be my little buddy and we'd watch tv together.

Jason Seiler wins the Gold Nosey Award!

Guest of Honor Award for Outstanding Work. Awarded by Ismael Roldan
2nd Place Outstanding Digital Technique

1st Place Caricature of the year!
4th Place Caricature of the year
8th Place Caricature of the year

1st Place for Most Outstanding Portfolio
1st Place for Best Studio Caricature

And finally the big Sha-Bang . . .

He won the 2008 17th Annual International Competition. Gold Nosey Award
Caricaturist of the Year Competition. This puts Jason in the Master Caricaturist category.

Congratulations Jason! err.. I mean Master Seiler :)

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Awesome link --> Joe Vriens

Early Bird Promo Code on Schoolism.com!

Hey all,

Just wanted to inform you all that Schoolism.com is doing a special promotion for Building a Powerful Comic Book Portfolio with Alvin Lee! There will be a 10% off promo code for early bird registered students ending on November the 30th.

Just enter the code: AL3R7

Sign up now at Schoolism as spots are filling up and Alvin Lee will only be taking 15 students worldwide for the course in Febuary!

For those who do not know, Alvin has been a comic book professional for over ten years now and will be passing on my industry knowledge to students who are willing to learn. It will be a unique learning experience as you will be taking a private online course from Alvin Lee and completing class assignments. Alvin will be grading all of your assignments, critiquing them and also screen capturing the corrections over your own work! It will be an exciting experience to see all of your progress and growth in creating a powerful comic book portfolio. If you are willing to learn, Alvin is willing to teach you!

Check it out at Schoolism

Dragon Sketches sold out!

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for taking the time to look at our art, buying our books and visiting our blog.

So long "Dragon Sketches". Hope all of you found happy homes and nice shelves to sit on.

It's weird because I feel happy and sad at the same time.
Same kind of feeling I get when my college students are off for the summer except this time they're never coming back...

Sketch Crawl Zoo Drawings

I spent most of the day with Kei and a bunch of others sketching Meerkats.




This one was painted digitally at home


I spent the rest of the day playing Tetris on DS vs a couple of my students. They beat me repeatedly... but I had fun.