Schoolism register here

Another semester of Character Design by Silver finished on schoolism.com. Here are some of the students work. The first week they are let loose to design a character based on a description named Jerry Loomy to the best of their ability. Their final assignment is to redesign the same character again with their new knowledge. Great job guys. Below are a few testimonials.
The next semester is filling up, only 5 spaces left.It will begin JAN 4th 2010 Register @ Schoolism.com

Thank you so much for the time you dedicated to critiquing my work over the past 9 lessons. I learned more than I thought I would. In fact, I think I learned more in this course than I did in my entire time at school, and the years following where I tried to teach myself. I am finishing this course with so much more confidence in my drawings than I had originally, and a much better mindset of how to go about the design process. And, of course, am having a LOT more fun with drawing than I ever had. Your enthusiasm is definitely contagious. :)
Stephanie Faye

Your course has helped me understand some of the fundamentals of character design, and has started to give me a bit of confidence in my abilities. I know I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel that completing you course will help focus and guide me towards my goal.
Kristi-Lyn Osterreicher

What can I say? I loved this course and wish it could never end. I really feel like the information that I got out of it was just invaluable. It was everything I was hoping it would be and more. The critiques were wonderful and the classes answered many of the questions that I have had for a while now about how to become a character designer. On top of all that this class also provided me with more tools on how to just become a better and more practiced artist. I am sad it is over but I look forward to using all the tools I learned and applying them to my future work.
Kimberly Gilbert

$100 discount on classes. Go here SCHOOLISM.COM

Live "Artcast by Silver"

One of my ustream videos I do every tuesday night at 7pm. You can get to the channel here and start following if you like. It's alot of fun. I start of with a 10 minute sketch and then discuss an art topic followed by questions.

Black Lagoon

This is a pic I did for a friend, it is brush pen, marker and colored pencil

For anyone wondering what I have been upto, well, alot of exciting stuff. This is a passionate project of mine that I have been developing and is coming to schoolism this January. We have a long list of other artist to follow, but for now I am very proud to show you the first teaser. This exciting series begins January 2010. I will be showing The full seven minute trailer at the CTN expo this month in burbank, be sure to stop by and pick up information.

One of my facebook friends sent me this. This is proof that you can change things around and you don't have to settle for just the average. With persistence and risk, you can achieve anything. Don't listen to what other people say to you to take you down. Follow your passion make your dreams a reality.

Live Artcast Tuesday at 7pm west coast time. see you then. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/artcast-by-silver
Also Learn how to self-publish. A video seminar http://www.schoolism.com under courses and lessons

Nothing like sketching in the good ol' sketchbook. This is where you can explore and have fun.

Self-Publishing Seminar

My "How to self-publish your own book" seminar is now available @ schoolism.com under courses and lessons for only $39.95
Have you ever wanted to learn how to self-publish your own children's book, art book or graphic novel? Well here is your opportunity. The video seminar will give you detailed information including a step by step process on self-publishing. Everything you need to know in order to get started will be addressed. You will learn how to self-publish, print and promote your very own books. There is no need to spend hours upon hours reading books and searching for the right printer, it is all here. Pursue your dreams.

Live Artcast

My goal is to do a live Artcast each Tuesday at 7pm west coast time. So tonight Tuesday sept. 29th at 7pm go here. see you then. I will be discussing an e-mail that I received tonight and then as always an open art forum. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/artcast-by-silver

Come join me tonight: Monday September 21st @ 9pm west coat time on Artcast-By-Silver for another live ustream broadcast.

Just one of the many doodles inbetween drawing. Next week I will be doing another live artcast on my ustream page http://www.ustream.tv/channel/artcast-by-silver
and also on my friend Bobby Chiu's Ustream chiustream

Get 10% off with code.

Have you registered for the Creative Talent Network’s Animation Expo (CTN-X)? Early bird pricing ends September 30th. The most anticipated animation tradeshow on the planet comes to the City of Burbank beginning Friday, November 20th – Sunday, November 22nd. This is the ONLY place where you’ll meet so many animation industry icons under one roof. Make contacts, learn new techniques and meet with recruiters. Hurry and join in on the action where “X” marks the spot to connect with renowned artists from around the world. Register online or call today (800) 604-2238. Early bird deadline is Sept. 30, 2009. CTN-X takes place at the Burbank Marriott Convention Center with ample discounted parking and is conveniently located across the street from the Burbank Airport and Amtrak Station. Early bird tickets are $25 for the exhibit floor only, $50 for a day pass and $125 for a 3-day pass. Discounted rates are available to students, active military and professional industry organizations. Space is strictly limited at this groundbreaking event. For more information and to register, please visit: www.ctnanimationexpo.com or call, (800) 604-2238 and mention the special member discount code to obtain an extra 10% off any 1day or 3day professional/general passport. SILVX09

To register online:
1Day


3Day

PASSION FOR LIFE

Passion for Life is my latest book, giving insight into my philosophies in life drawing and life itself. With over 200 figure drawings in many different styles and techniques, Passion for Life will inspire and give you a look into the art of life drawing with a whole new perspective never seen before. Passion for life, and all it contains is an insightful book, not just for the drawings, but the message it sends. The quotes, and inspirational thoughts, are not just for artists, but for anyone who aspires to be happy, content and productive.
It is available on my website silvertoons.com
12" x 9" 200 pg Full Color Hardcover Book
$40.00 – Signed w/original sketch

A couple of years ago I had the chance to do some development for this new sony feature movie coming out. "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs". I was not a part of the final phase of the movie, but I was honored to find out that they put alot of my development work in this new book. It is filled with fantastic character design of all the people that contributed. The movie looks like alot of fun.

My friend Jason Seiler just released his second book, It is fantastic, especially if you love painting and caricature. This book is "The Best of Jason's Art" created during the 2008- to present day. This is an oversize volume which includes a fantastic and thorough 4 page painting tutorial and some never before seen pieces. you can order it here

WaterMELONS

Just wrapped up at comic-con and had a great time. After hanging out with Playboy cartoonist Doug Sneyd. Who I am fortunate enough to call my friend, I got inspired. I have never really done water color and found some paint in the back of my draw in my studio, while at home today, I decided to give it a try again.

Booth H-06

San Diego Comic Con is coming! I will be there at my usual booth H-06 at the end of isle 1000. Please stop by and say hello. I will also be on a panel on Friday. here is the info:

Friday, July 24, 2009

2:30 pm -3:30 pm: State of the Animation Industry-- ASIFA-Hollywood's annual overview of trends in the animation industry. In this turbulent economy, how is the animation industry faring? Can games take up the slack? Is 2D coming back? Moderated by Tom Sito (Shrek, The Lion King). Panelists include Raul Garcia (The Missing Lynx), Frank Gladstone (producer, Starz Media, Dreamworks), Jun Falkenstein (The Tigger Movie, Mulan II), Helen Jen (Games), and Stephen Silver (Kim Possible) Room 10

Student work

Here are a few of my students last semester work. On the first week they are asked to do a specific design to the best of their ability and week # 9 they are to redesign with there new knowledge of character design. Oscar on the bottom, just took the self study course of my program where he just watched my tutorial videos, without my personal critique. The next semester starts in September, seats are limited and already filling up, The self study program you can sign up at any time. Schoolism.com

ISCA

I attend this convention every year, it is a great way to learn and have fun.
For those of you who may not have heard, the National Caricaturist Network has a new name. We are now ISCA, which stands for the International Society of Caricature Artists. So now the NCN Annual Caricature Convention will be known as the ISCA Annual Caricature Convention.

Speaking of the convention, I wanted to tell everyone here about the big news. This year's annual convention is taking place at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio from November 2nd through the 7th. And the best part is this year's theme: MAD Magazine! We have four top artists from MAD as our guests of honor: Sam Viviano, Mark Fredrickson, Hermann Meija and Tom Richmond. And also for the first time, we are allowing NON-members to come and attend the guest speaker seminars for a special price. All the info can be found here

WINNERS OF BOOK GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCED

Stephen Silver book giveaway video from stephen silver on Vimeo.

Here is my video announcing the 2 winners of my book givaway,
Thank you all so much for sharing your dreams and aspirations. Now it is time to make it all come true!
To order my book visit the store

Self-Publishing Seminar

Seating is limited. to reserve your seat, click on the title above.

SCHOOLISm.com

Schoolism.com Online Art Classes open for registration:

Character Design by Silver - starts September 7, 2009
Over nine lessons, Stephen will introduce you to the art of drawing, character design and the business of art. Your role will be to create major and incidental characters for animated T.V., feature films, or video game concepts!

The Art of Caricature with Jason Seiler - starts July 24, 2009
By the end of this course, master caricaturist, Jason Seiler, will have you looking at people in a whole new way! For illustrators seeking to add high-end caricaturing to their repertoire, this course is a must!

Building a Powerful Comic Book Portfolio with Alvin Lee - starts July 31, 2009
Go through an intensive workshop with professional comic book artist Alvin Lee to create a powerful comic book portfolio. Watch and listen as Alvin draws on top of your work, explaining to you the 'DOs' and 'DON'Ts' of what makes a great comic book portfolio!


Portfolio workshop with Cheeks - starts November 15, 2009
Sean Galloway aka Cheeks will be taking you through 9 lessons of intensive workshop to teach you the do's and dont's of what makes a great design portfolio for film, television, animation, or illustration.

Digital Painting Techniques with Bobby Chiu - starts November 1, 2009
Learn Bobby's personal techniques of how to digital paint. Watch the lessons, do the assignments and see Bobby paint on top of your paintings showing you how to improve your art!

Register at www.schoolism.com

CLICK HERE

My son Caiden was my inspiration for Jolly and Roger

I entered an animation contest, and I would be honored if you would vote for my show concept. 11th row down far right. Jolly and Roger's misguided adventures. please go to this link. CLICK ON THE TITLE ABOVE.
http://bit.ly/x7P75
voting ends on the 26th
Thanks

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY

Passion for Life is my latest book, giving insight into my philosophies in life drawing and life itself. With over 200 figure drawings in many different styles and techniques, Passion for Life will inspire and give you a look into the art of life drawing with a whole new perspective never seen before. Passion for life, and all it contains is an insightful book, not just for the drawings, but the message it sends. The quotes, and inspirational thoughts, are not just for artists, but for anyone who aspires to be happy, content and productive.
What I would like to do again is giveaway 2 free copies. I have found that many artists are working but not following their real passion, and have the desire to do something different with their art other than what it is they are actually doing. So I ask this question?
If you woke up tomorrow and had the opportunity to be doing that one special thing you really want to be doing, what would it be?
All you have to do is leave a comment on the post and put your website or blog URL so people can see what you do. There is no right or wrong, on Monday, June 29th I will do a live video post where I will place everyone's name in a bowl and pick the two winners .
And if you can't wait, you can order my book directly @ http://silvertoons.com/store.html or click on the title. All books come signed with an original sketch of course.
Good luck!

BOOK PROMOTION

Starting tomorrow, June 6th I am doing a book promotion on my book the Art of Silver. This is my 3rd edition book with an additional 17 pages. I have had many requests to do a soft cover version from students so that it costs a little less. So this month into the next month before comic-con I am offering the hardcover version for only $25 instead of $40. Just go to this link http://silvertoons.com/store.html or click on the title above and then click on the add to cart for US sales. For foreign and canadian, click on the order foreign or order canadian buttons to get the discount. All books come signed with an original sketch.

Funatico.com

I was recently introduced and partnered up with Ivan Spasenovic, one of the brains behind this great new innovative site called funatico.com. It is always great to find a site promoting originality and unique user content. Sites like this are also great for finding pictures that you just may want to sketch from.
Funatico is one of the most popular entertainment sites on the web with huge collection of funny videos that will make you lol. If you want to have fun and you have some free time at home or work you can play something from Funatico flash games archive. Don't forget to check out their cool gallery of funny pictures too.

Reuben weekend

Just came back from a terrific weekend at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben awards. There were seminars with greats like, Drew Struzan and Eric Goldberg. Here I am one of the many nights having a little drink with my friends Tom Richmond and Keelan Parham. To get the whole scoop and see lots of great pictures and what it is all about, go to Tom's site, he posted it all. http://www.tomrichmond.com/blog/

SKETCHBOOK DIARY 01

Testing out a new camera, sorry for the motion delay and the image not always in the frame, this was my first one, so the others will improve as time goes by. This is me carrying around my sketchbook, sketching in public places.

Free book giveaway

I get lots of questions as to how to promote your art and get exposure so here is the answer. I wanted to share with you one of the simplest, easiest books that I have come across as far as what to do to promote yourself written by Gino Orlandi. What I would like to do is giveaway a free copy. All you have to do is leave a comment on the post telling me about what you are trying to achieve as an artist and put your website or blog URL and then I will pick one winner on Friday May 8th. Social networking sites are a major key to success when it comes to building a brand name for yourself in the online art community, getting more exposure and generating more income each month. If you want to make a great living as an artist you need to leverage
these sites to your advantage and really become active in the online art community!
"Sell Art Online".

I have been reading an inspiring book by author Napoleon Hill. Below are some excerpts from his book The Laws of Success.
All my life I have had many thoughts and feelings in my head, but never really knew how to explain or define them. For me, when I read this stuff, it all makes sense. Most importantly, I live by it and practice it. The excerpt below is about making decisions, when I read it, I think about how Walt Disney and other successful people are decision makers.


“The man of DECISION cannot be stopped!
The man of INDECISION cannot be started!
make a decision to start the project.
make a decision to transform your vision into reality
make a decision to transform the mere possibilities into realities
Imagination, alone, is not enough to insure success.
define a DEFINITE PURPOSE and a firm DECISION to transform that purpose into reality.

The man of DECISION gets that which he goes
after, no matter how long it takes, or how difficult the
task.

THE SUCCESSFUL MEN
AND WOMEN ARE THOSE WHO REACH
DECISIONS QUICKLY AND THEN STAND FIRMLY
BY THOSE DECISIONS AFTER THEY ARE MADE.

If you are one of those who make up their minds
today and change them again tomorrow you are
doomed to failure. If you are not sure which way to
move it is better to shut your eyes and move in the
dark than to remain still and make no move at all.
The world will forgive you if you make mistakes,
but it will never forgive you if you make no
DECISIONS, because it will never hear of you outside
of the community in which you live.
No matter who you are or what may be your
lifework, you are playing checkers with TIME! It is
always your next move. Move with quick DECISION
and Time will favor you. Stand still and Time will
wipe you off the board.
You cannot always make the right move, but, if
you make enough moves you may take advantage of
the law of averages and pile up a creditable score
before the great game of LIFE is ended.”

I will be attending a night at the Burbank Association of Realtors Hall with Animation Nation discussing the problems that animation artists, both veterans and newcomers are facing in the industry.
Tuesday April 28th
2006 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91506

Doors open at 7pm, first round of pizza at 7:45, discussion will start at 8pm or thereabouts.

SILVERTOONS.COM

Just wanted to share with you that I just updated my website with all new content. check it out. http://www.silvertoons.com

Do It for yourself

For many years as an artist I struggled with the fact that I didn’t draw as well as my influences, or other artists that I thought had superior talent. I was comparing myself to these artists which caused this competition within my head because my work was not as good as theirs. I questioned my level of talent, which would cause me frustration. I get emails from people who struggle with this all the time, they too create their own competition and frustration.

Through out the years I have learned to be inspired by others work and not intimidated by it. My philosophy is that I do not have to be the best, I just have to do my best.

Wallace Wattles, had a great quote he said, “do not be competitive, be creative.” Don't waste your time looking at what the competition is doing, create something new. Look at your goals, your interests, your abilities, not the goals, interests, and abilities of others. Do it for yourself!

Here is some development for Nickelodeon's Penquins of Madagascar show that I was working on.

Student Work

Here are a few of my graduating students latest work from my online character design course. www.schoolism.com. They just wrapped up their nine weeks, learning everything from design fundamentals, to clean-up and turnarounds. I give them a character to design for week one before I start teaching and by week nine they draw the same guy. Some students just want to learn how to push their shapes, others are starting from ground zero.
New semester starts this coming monday and the following one will start in about 12 weeks.

Next semester begins March 23rd 2009
limited spaces available

LEAPFISH

I just returned from a great time at the San Francisco Wondercon and an all day lecture workshop at San Jose State. I drew these of the people walking by at the con. I also wanted to share a really cool search engine with you that I saw on fox news. I like it better than google.
www.leapfish.com

lecture

One of my true passions is teaching. That includes doing lectures and workshops too. I had the honor of being asked to to a lecture at the Art Institute and while I was there, they told me there was going to be a reporter and that's how this video came about. On a side note I am currently teaching character design at CalArts and I will also be teaching a gesture figure class at LAAFA. (the Los angeles academy of figurative arts in april. I am currently in a session with my Schoolism.com character design course and am now taking registration for my march semester.

Some great words by the author James Allen his book which was published in 1902 ” As a man thinketh”
It may seem long, but give it a read, you will be glad you did.

VISIONS AND IDEALS

He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it. Columbus cherished a vision of another world, and he discovered it; Copernicus fostered the vision of a multiplicity of worlds and a wider universe, and he revealed it; Buddha beheld the vision of a spiritual world of stainless beauty and perfect peace, and he entered into it.

Cherish your visions; cherish your ideals; cherish the music that stirs in your heart, the beauty that forms in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all, heavenly environment; of these, if you but remain true to them, your world will at last be built.

To desire is to obtain; to aspire is to, achieve. Shall man's basest desires receive the fullest measure of gratification, and his purest aspirations starve for lack of sustenance? Such is not the Law: such a condition of things can never obtain: "ask and receive."

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your Vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your Ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.

The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.

Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an Ideal and strive to reach it. You cannot travel within and stand still _without._

And you, too, will realize the Vision (not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful,
or a mixture of both, for you will always gravitate toward that which you, secretly, most love. Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your own thoughts; you will receive that which you earn; no more, no less.

Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain, or rise with your thoughts, your Vision, your Ideal. You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration:
The thoughtless, the ignorant, and the indolent, seeing only the apparent effects of things and not the things themselves, talk of luck, of fortune, and chance. Seeing a man grow rich, they say, "How lucky he is!"
Observing another become intellectual, they exclaim, "How highly favoured he is!" And noting the saintly character and wide influence of another, they remark, "How chance aids him at every turn!" They do not see the trials and failures and struggles which these men have voluntarily encountered in order to gain their experience; have no knowledge of the sacrifices they have made, of the undaunted efforts they have put forth, of the faith they have exercised, that they might overcome the apparently insurmountable, and realize the
Vision of their heart. They do not know the darkness and the heartaches; they only see the light and joy, and call it "luck". They do not see the long and arduous journey, but only behold the pleasant goal, and call it "good fortune," do not understand the process, but only perceive the result, and call it chance.
In all human affairs there are _efforts,_ and there are _results,_ and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result.
Chance is not. Gifts, powers, material, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized.
The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart--this you will build your life by, this you will become.

PASSION

I read this on a website called nydailynews.com, I think the author is Jennifer Angel, but I am not sure, and wanted to share it. nonetheless, I think it is great because I truly believe it.

The "word passion" conjures up all sorts of images and feelings.
If we determine what we are truly passionate about then life would be very simple, because it’s the passion that drives us.
It is passion that leads us to our being able to fulfill our goals.
Passion drives us to do what we love, to love what we do - and to love.
But how do we find this elusive passion that sets us into action?
Somewhere inside us we all have something that we really want to do in life; something that will drive us to the fulfillment and satisfaction that makes us fill the hours with enjoyment and energy.
What stops us from finding this driver? Sometimes it’s our lack of self confidence - the voice that asks; Do you really think YOU could achieve that?"
Personal fulfillment - personal greatness - is all about breaking through whatever barriers that prevent us being passionate. To succeed you must search deep inside of yourself and finding out what it really is you want to achieve in your life. It’s about being the greatest you can be.
Just because you have let your ambitions be subdued in the past doesn't mean that you don't still have those ambitions and passions. You can find them again - and find new ones, and even it if takes work it will be worth it.
Every day you have the chance to set out on a new mission, to discover or to revive a passion and start out on a new experience that you thought was only possible in long forgotten dreams.

Here is some more of the early development. And as a side note, I just posted a video of my journey into animation on the left if you are interested.

I recently finished up designing a bunch of characters for an HIV awareness project at Warner Bros. Above are some of the development pages. They were directed by my good friend and great director Chris Bailey that I worked on with Clerks and Kim Possible. They were done as a bunch of shorts showcasing different characters. I think they turned out pretty cool. I don't know how to upload the videos so you can go to the website http://hivfreegeneration.warnerbros.com/