Thursday 1 December 2016

One task I needed to complete for the Rumour Mill film was the concept art for the main set building of the Mill.
This was to be used as a design guide for the set building process and the original painting would also be framed and sent to our Executive Producer.

I studied the architectural features and colour palette of the Mill as part of my research.






I also studied the work of Wes Anderson, particularly 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'
as Bexie Bush, the Director of the film was inspired by his work and enjoyed the one point perspective that is his trade mark.

























In addition to this, I studied the work of Stanley Roy Badmin, who was originally an etcher but turned to watercolour Painting in the 1930's. He has depicted many typically english scenes and landscapes and I admire the detail of his trees and woodland paintings.
I found myself collecting quite a few of his paperback picture books.


















I began work on the Main Building which will also feature my autumn woodland backdrop in the set, so I included a version of that in the concept art.















































 I was able to use the silhouette of the actual set as a starting point for the concept art
and added detail.















































I then needed to paint a second version of the painting but this time set in the wintertime.
Here it is! Countdown to Christmas with the Rumour Mill Film!
Not to mention the new Christmas card which I completed of the main set for the Rumour Mill, complete with snow.
























Complete with an Advent calendar full of Christmas puns which is shared each day on Facebook and Twitter, with a different feature from the film ....and a Christmas joke :)



You can buy Christmas cards and help raise money for the film at the same time HERE.



Sunday 24 July 2016

Backdrop paintings for 'The Rumour Mill' animated short film.

   

During the summer vacation period I am taking the opportunity to work on backdrop paintings and set creation for 'The Rumour Mill Film' which is  currently in the making at John Smedley's Mill, directed by award winning animation director, Bexie Bush and produced by BAFTA winner, Chris Hees.
The film is made as part of a much wider and bigger research project called Stories of Change which is asking questions about the past, present and future of energy and community through a variety of narrative media.
Dr. Joe Smith of the Open University is heading the project.
http://www.open.ac.uk/researchcentres/osrc/research/projects/stories-of-change

The Rumour Mill is part of the 'Futureworks' energy project which is focused around the Derwent Valley under the leadership of Renata Tyszczuk and Julia Udall from the Dept. of Architecture at Sheffield University.

https://storiesfutureworks.wordpress.com/

The Rumour Mill' aims to ignite public interest in a debate around the future of energy. The trees surrounding the mill cloak the hills in an abundance of foliage that rolls down to the river, the life source of the town.'






The Main Set BackCloth painting - Daytime

















The Main Set BackCloth painting - Night-time
 



























The woodland around the Mill marks patterns on the hillside and pale blossom forms soft clouds of petals that contrast against the spiky dark fingers of the trees branches.



   

The Mill stands amidst a family of hills, all populated with a variety of English trees that line up and mark changing patterns and palettes in the landscape as the different seasons take hold.
























As part of a bigger project to encourage discussion about the future of energy, the mill trees stand in floral rows, pumping their woodland scent into the summer air.
























The trees that surround the Mill are varied in shape and stretch their feathery branches upwards to the light, forming patterns in a wave of browns and burgundy.























By Autumn time the hills are rolling with umbers and browns, russet and burnt sienna pigments, lighting up the valley and adding a golden feel to the landscape.















































Monday 20 June 2016

Workshops at the Fablearn Conference at UCLan

Fun @FabLearnEurope conference workshop, 'From Pen to Pixel to Plastic and Silk.'

http://fablearn.eu/ 

About the FABLEARN conference

From Pen to Pixel to Silk (Workshop D)
Join Bev Bush for this unique opportunity to enjoy some creative ‘play’ with watercolour pens and paper in an abstract and intuitive way. Complete your design through digital fabrication onto printed silk or organza and take home a unique personal piece that depicts your own character and backdrop for a game environment.

Bev has worked with many large publishers, including Disney Interactive, Sony, Jim Henson Interactive, on video-games such as Mickey Mania, Crash Bandicoot and Lego StarWars.
As an Animation Background Artist, she has credits on many published and award-winning titles for children’s TV such as DangerMouse, Duckula, Wind in the Willows, The BFG
and HRH Prince Charles’ film of his book, ‘The Legend of Lochnagar’

A great BIG 'thank you' to Steph McStea for her expertise in friendly plastic creature creation, to Charley Matthews for his trips across campus to collect our guests (who came from all over Europe for today's FabLearn Eu conference) and for his fantastic fish and Pacman creature creations, Chloe-Leigh Stott for all the help with the workshop and Louis Fray. All your support is greatly appreciated and it was lovely working with you today. Also, special thanks to my colleagues Dan Bowen-Fitton and Janet Reid for organising the conference. We had some amazing visitors from all over Europe and overall had a very worthwhile and valuable experience. :)
































































































































Further Links:

Blog by MA student who attended Bev Bush’s workshop:

http://stephmcstea.blogspot.com/2016/06/fablearn-conference-at-uclan.html

Post from workshop participant on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hashtag/fablearneu

Post about workshop on twitter: https://twitter.com/angieb1970/status/748112321239728128

Linkedin Post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/workshops-fablearn-conference-uclan-bev-bush?trk=portfolio_article-card_title