I just returned back from Texas where I did a character design talk workshop for the great animation team at Powerhouse Animation. All I can say is that I had a great time and met some great people. Here are some pics.

I just recently came back from a week long caricature drawing convention, non stop drawing all week long. It is called The National Caricaturist Network (NCN) www.caricature.org. evey year about 200 hundred caricature artist get together and compete. There are workshops seminars and lots of boozing. here are some of the caricatures I drew.

Schoolism

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

Thanks for the terrific course. By sharing so much of yourself in the instructional videos and being so specific during the feedback you really underscored your messages about attention to detail and passed along your great work ethic. I look forward to following up with the reference books and artists who have inspired you and on business practices you reviewed. I've been working as an Illustrator for close to 20 years and found your work and input extremely inspirational. I'm looking forward to applying everything you have passed along and continuing with my good new sketchbook habits. Thanks Silver!

-Marcos Sorensen

Thanks for a fantastic course! I really appreciated the clarity and descriptive nature of the lectures.Your passion and enthusiasm for drawing is evident and contagious. There is a wealth of information to dissect and digest that extends far beyond the scope of the 9 short weeks.

-Rich Lauzon

I just really want to thank you for doing this course! It by far exceeded any of my expectations. One of the things that stands out to me most is how much professionalism you bring to everything you do. It adds a value to your teaching that both inspires and captivates those learning. I took this course doubtful that I'd complete it and be able to produce a decent design... Only 9 weeks later, I feel confident to produce a cleaned up character, full turnaround and expression sheet... that really is a testament to you as a teacher and artist.

-Judd Simantov

I thoroughly enjoyed the Character Design coarse. It was real eye opener for me. I find that I now have a greater knowledge of design and I have the confidence to really push the envelope.

Your critiques were very clear and precise, very easy to grasp. From looking at the other student videos, I could see that you really got through to everyone on their own level, and really honed in on what the needs of the individual were.

Your enthusiasm is infectious – it really doesn’t matter that that its coming from a computer screen! I think your very honest, and encouraging with your suggestions, I have to say, I would have no problem recommending this coarse, to anyone, at any level – I’m only sorry I did’ent start it sooner.

-Sandra Ni Chonaola

The Daily Zoo

My long time friend Chris Ayers has just published his first book. Chris created this book while he was in the hospital after being diagnosed with Leukemia. His goal was to draw an animal a day for a whole year to help him in his healing process. This is a really nice book with some great animal art. You can see by clicking the title.

Another fun night at the drawing club. Every pose creates a new challenge and because of that I try to find different ways to draw the subject. There is no rhyme or reason, just a gut feeling. And sometimes I will just sketch the other artists if I see something.

Artcast 14

Artcast Show 14 Download

This Artcast is about the fear of having kids and raising them while being a full time artist.
www.SCHOOLISM.com - Register today

The Drawing Club

These are some sketches from the other night @ Bob Kato's Drawing Club. He does this every thursday from 7pm- 10pm it is a great time, not to mention you get to drink some nice cold beer while you draw. check out the site @ www.thedrawingclub.com

ASIFA STUDENT ANIMATION FILM FESTIVAL

I will be here selling books and doing portfolio reviews.

CTN is proud to be one of the sponsors for the first annual student film festival co-hosted by the Animation Educators Forum. Held at a different location each year with this years event being held in our own backyard on campus at Woodbury University in Burbank.

Free to the public this event coincides with the Woodbury University Founders Day that includes a variety of activities on campus beginning at 11am with free games and carnival attractions, musical entertainment and local food vendors. Everyone is invited so bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun!!

Some CTN specials are a screening of "An Animated American" directed by
James Baker and Joe Haidar with panel discussion to follow and CTN members Stephen Silver, Glenn Vilppu and more will be on hand signing their sketchbooks.

CTN is also hosting a wine and beverage reception and raffle to win one free pass to the upcoming CTN Animation Expo to be held Nov 20-23, 2009 in Burbank.

Come and help us support the future storytellers of animation.

SEE YOU THERE!!

Artcast Show 13 Download

This Artcast is about not waiting.
“Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful.”
Mark Victor Hansen

Thanks for listening
" Character Design by Silver" www.SCHOOLISM.com - Register today
Too order any books signed with original sketch. please visit silvertoons.com

My friend Marcelo Just e-mailed this to me and I think it's right on. It goes in line with a philosophy that I live by "All Things Shall Pass". So don't get so frustrated ,angry, jealous or envious about anything because that feeling won't last forever. And none of it really matters. Think positive and appreciate what it is you have. Stop focusing on the things you don't have, you'll make yourself miserable.


Charles Schultz Philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read this straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2 Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .


Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .


'Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.

It's already tomorrow in Australia ' (Charles Schultz)

Aren't Friends and Family Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My friend Erik Wiese's show the MIGHTY B! hits the air on Monday, Sept 8, with a week of all new episodes, every day at 5pm.
I love this show, for the look and the freshness of it. Also Erik is a great guy so here is the line-up.
First up, Monday at 5pm, is “Bee Patients” with special guest star Rob Corddry. Here’s the entire schedule:

Mon, 9/8 @ 5:00 - "Bee Patients" (paired with "Ten Little Honeybees")
Tues, 9/9 @ 5:00 - "Night Howl" (paired with "Bee Patients")
Wed, 9/10 @ 5:00 - 13B "Hat Trick" (paired with 13A "Night Howl")
Thur, 9/11 @ 5:00 - 14A "Apoxalypse Now" (paired with 13B "Hat Trick")
Fri, 9/12 @ 5:00 - 14B "Hive Jacked" (paired with 14A "Apoxalypse Now")

Still not enough? Catch these additional broadcasts:

Wed, 9/10 @ 5:30 - 12A "Bee Patients"/10A "Ten Little Honeybees"
Thur, 9/11 @ 5:30 - 13A "Night Howl"/12A "Bee Patients"
Fri, 9/12 @ 5:30 - 13B "Hat Trick"/13A "Night Howl"
Fri, 9/12 @ 6:00 - 12A "Bee Patients"/10A "Ten Little Honeybees"

Check it out!

Ahhhhh! Life drawing. I always like to switch up my mediums, I have found It is really helpful for me in the exploratory phase of art.

Character design class

Only 5 spots left for the september 2nd semester. the next class will begin in february.

The fall semester is approaching, and I am starting to book dates for my lectures. If you would like to have me come down or up to your school or studio, please send me an e-mail @ silvertoons@yahoo.com.

Booth H-6 San diego comic -con

Found a bunch of these in a folder and thought it would be fun to post em. I will be at booth H-6 at the San Diego comic-con. See you there.

My good buddy Ben finally did it, after 6 years in the making it is finally here. HOOOORRRRAAAYYYY!!! The book does not only contain fantastic artwork and a fun story, but is super huge and the printing is great. It is a great coffee table book, one that is so big you can't even put it on your book shelf anyway. So keep drinking coffee and look at it. It is also filled with ben's development designs. You can order it directly from his website www.saltysugar.com. Enjoy.

show #12

Artcast Show 12 Download

This Artcast is about getting your passion back for drawing.
Thanks for listening
www.SCHOOLISM.com - Register today

SCHOOLISM

I just finished another great semester of my character design class @ Schoolism.com and wanted to share with you the great transformation of one of my students Richard Willimot. With some hard work, dedication and passion over the nine weeks, this is how much he developed. For the first week of the class you are given an assignment to draw a character by the name of Fat Joe. On the last week, you are given the same assignment. This is what he did.

I find as artists, we tend to beat ourselves up quite a bit, and the reality is, it's a bunch of nonsence. I Find that if you can let go of comparing yourself to others, you will set your mind free, Relax more, create more and accept what it is you are currently doing as reality. The bottom line is "WHO CARES" Life is too short, so enjoy it.
I came across this on the web and I liked it. http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000932.html
It hits the nail on the head. so I wanted to share.

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips.

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn't have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being "discovered" by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don't try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else's outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about "Commercial vs. Artistic" is a complete waste of time.

24. Don�t worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

COOLGRAPHICSTUFF.COM

I wanted to share with you, for all who are interested, The best priced place I found to order a Cintiq if you want one. I ordered mine through Anthony Coffey at WWW.COOLGRAPHICSTUFF.COM. 212-594-4373. He will get it to you for the lowest price out there. He is located in New York and also does free ground shipping. So if you are interested, give him a call, let him know you saw it here and wa-la, you will be good to go.