Happy New Year - 2012!

Wishing every one a Happy New Year to those of you who Celebrate in this fashion.

All my best to everyone for a Happy Healthy 2012!,



MAC

Creatures-On-The-Go 04

Here's a Halloween leftover. . .

New Video Uploaded: Experimenting with Different Mediums: Sharpie - 01

Here's a quick video on approaching sketching with a Sharpie pen while doing gesture drawing. This is the first one of this particular medium that I was happy to have it filmed by my buddy Carl Aspuria in "real time," as I know many people on my YouTube page were requesting to see the process in a one-to-one format.

• I just want to add, as artists we get set in our ways many times and we often do things that we're pretty comfortable at accomplishing. - Meaning we tend not to stray way from what's easier for us to do successfully. - This video is any example that sometimes it's nice to approach things differently, which you can see in how I'm gripping the pen in this demo. By holding the pen farther back in the initial stages, it gave me the ability to be more direct and chance my habitual drawing application.

Birds of a Feather. . . Too

Here's another pass of a different style for the little guys below for the WB.

Birds of a Feather. . .

Here's a few unused designs from a recent WB 3D kids project. These were the JPN "outside of the box" designs.

Motivarti Mentorship Opportunity

Motivarti.org

MAC

Winter 3Kicks Studios - Classes JAN. 2012

Hey Guys,

As the Winter is approaching us, (here in the States), some new studio sessions are going to begin and they generally fill quite fast.

I will be instructing Friday evenings from 7:30-10:30 as it's really a great time to know the weekend is coming as was requested from several of my students. It's a 10-week course that is entitled: Imaginative Costume Quick Sketch. In this class we will be using many different sources of inspiration and how to bend the information to your will and create scenarios that could be used in a Studio environment, simulating on-the-job training.

Classes begin - 01/13/2012-03/16/2012.

Best,

MAC

Cre8tivemarks @ CTN Animation Expo - 2011

Well that time of year has come again, and happily I'll be showing again at CTN in Burbank again this year. I'll have my new book and loads of sketches and original artwork available. This year Mark McDonnell/Cre8tivemarks will be at Table T-54, stop by and say hello if you're attending this year.

All my best to everyone and Happy "almost" Holiday's.


MAC

New Video Uploaded: Experimenting with Different Mediums: PrismaColor Pencils - 01

As we're all gearing up for the 3rd Annual CTN ANIMATION EXPO in Burbank California, I decided to post an all new video in the realm of using different mediums and experimentation when creating gesture specific drawings for the Animation and Entertainment Industry. It's a quick over the shoulder view of a few drawings done with a PrismaColor Pencil, as they are a wonderful waxy smooth pencil to draw with.




or

http://www.youtube.com/user/Cre8tivemark



All my best to everyone spanning the Artistic Globe,

MAC

Gallery Gala - This Saturday @ 7!

I'll be in a gallery show this weekend, Saturday November 5th. I'll be there with other extremely talented artists for the reception from 7-10 P.M. for the 3Kicks Studio crew.

The show will be hung from November 5th-28th @:
210 E. Main Street - Alhambra, CA 91801

www.gallerynucleus.com

Creatures-On-The-Go 03

I had to get a couple of creature sketches in before Halloween. . . phew.

Creatures-On-The-Go 02

Some more late night sketches for the Holiday.

Creatures-On-The-Go 01

Happy (Almost) Halloween,MAC

Mr. Beakly

A sketch caught at a local aviary while dining amongst friends.

Sketchbook Doodle: "Tying One On"

How To Draw With Different Mediums - Pastel 01

I have just posted a new video of how to approach gesture drawing while experimenting with Pastel, as it's a medium that has much to offer. I'll be posting different videos in the near future that deal with the subject of experimentation, this one is the longest of the already recorded videos. It's the first on using Pastel in quick sketch sessions.

MAC

Evil Rises. . .

Please excuse the copyright text - it's an Orphan Acts thing.

Best,

MAC

Disneyland Doodle

Here's the only drawing I did the first day I arrived at the Disneyland Hotel for a family vacation.

He's defiantly. . . a keeper.


MAC

He's Got Stripes. . .

On A Monday I Was Ar-rested (Uh Huh)
On A Tuesday They Locked Me In The Jail (Oh Boy)
On A Wednesday My Trial Was At-tested
On A Thursday They Said Guilty And The Judge's Gavel Fell

I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me Down

On A Monday My Momma Come To See Me
On A Tuesday They Caught Me With A File
On A Wednesday I'm Down In Solitary
On A Thursday I Start On Bread And Water For A While

I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me Down

I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me

LAAFA Lecture Notes

Here's some wipe board design notes from a recent session @ The Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art focusing on silhouette's inside of silhouette's to create clear and readable forms and actions.

Best,

MAC

New Character Design Class @ LAAFA

(Please note, the above images were not designed by me - they are examples of design principles that we will be discussing.)


Hey Guys,

For the last 3 or 4 years I have been asked by various schools and students if I would teach a Character Design class. Due to my schedule and the amount of prep work to create a new and unique curriculum, I did not want to commit. For the last year I have been instructing a Character Design Class at Disney and have finally decided on a quick but dense class session to instruct.

So, I have agreed to instruct a Character Design class that will focus on creating unique and iconic characters in various styles to suite the fast paced world of the Animation and Entertainment Industry. This 8-week class will focus on capturing a specific and new style each class session and ready you for what it takes to design on a tight deadline and with confidence in the Industry.

Artists will be designing these characters based on a new style each week. Reference will be supplied on each style at the beginning of each session for inspiration and guidelines stimulating on-job situations. Considerable draftsmanship will be needed to control the designs associated with the class. Time outside the class will also be needed to perform the tasks at hand. So get ready. . . to create a new set of designs that will take your craft to new levels and help build your portfolio for Studio submissions.

I hope to see many of you who have requested the class as there are limited spots available and it will be a full class shortly. Please see the link listed below for more information:


http://reg125.imperisoft.com/LAAFA/ProgramDetail/3134353331/Registration.aspx

(The classes are held on Wednesday's from 7:00 - 10:00 P.M. - Starting October 19-December 7th)
• Class fee is only: $375.00 •

Best,

MAC

Mellon Balls and Vegan Prosciutto Slices

Another quick Friday doodle.

MAC

VAL - Car Wash Doodle

This was a quick sketch I did while I was at the Car Wash earlier today.

A hopefully sketch, I suppose.

MAC

Finger Snappin' Goodness!

Here's a sketch I just ripped out rather quickly while happily listening to the Kings of Swing - The Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's.

Best,

MAC

A few little people doodles. . .

Here's some recent animal sketches I did. I literally had an hour to fill between a meeting and decided to just see what I could draw quickly. First dip to the left was these little guys. It was nice to be amongst my friends again. . .

MAC

It's . . . me?

Here's a drawing my buddy and uber talented friend Kyle Boyd did of me while I was instructing at one of my Disney sessions. He's the kind of designer that makes his drawings make you chuckle and laugh.

Check him out at:

Www.kyleboyd.blogspot.com

Old Development: Mattel Development

Here's some very old development for a new younger character Mattel was working on creating for a new gaming/toy line. He was to be a 3D character that was animated in front of each segment and behind the wheel with a possible television show to follow. There was an older targeted character and they wanted a younger more hip character in his place.

© Mattel, 2008

Recent Disney Session . . .

It's getting a bit rare for me to get a chance to drawing during sessions I instruct at. Perhaps some more Demo's like these sketches done with a Tombo and a Pentel Stylo. My focus was on a more classic Disney/Renaissance style.

Best,

MAC

Comic-Con 2011 - New Sketchbook: Vol.01

I'll be at Table J-6 in sunny San Diego this year, come on by and say hello if you're down in Southern California for the event!

This will be the official debut my new 100-page sketchbook entitled: Mark McDonnell's Cre8tivemarks Sketchbook Volume 01.

This hardbound sketchbook is the first volume of both personal and professional sketches from my recent collections wanderings in the Animation and Entertainment field. It's a deluxe collector's edition with a canvas cover, stamping and UV gloss to boot. I feel very lucky I am presenting this material as well as the manner in which it is being showed. Stop on by and flip through it or just to say hello . . . it's the greatest show on Earth!






It's here. . . COMIC-CON 2011.

Again, I'm @ Table J-6.

MAC

New Class @ 3Kicks Studio

I'll be instructing a new class, "Imaginative Costumed Quick Sketch" on Friday's from 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm at Charles Hu's fantastic studio, 3Kicks Studio in Glendale.

Check it out if you're interested:

http://3kicks.blogspot.com/

Sealyham Charity Art Auction

I was asked to see if I was interested in doing a piece for a benefit charity art auction for a Sealyham function. I was given a day, and happily here is the piece I submitted. Quick and dirty, a less is more approach.

Best,

MAC

New LAAFA Class Starting June 7th

Hey guys . . . I'm lucky enough to be instructing at one of the most prestigious schools in the area. Anyone at any level is welcome, I'll customize it to your experience level:

http://reg125.imperisoft.com/LAAFA/ProgramDetail/3132363038/Registration.aspx

More images to come,


MAC

Fun Disney Session . . .

My buddy Angelo was kind enough to be my Muse at Disney this evening . . .

Best,

MAC

The Importance of Warm-Ups

I often don't get a lot of time to draw during a session I am teaching as I get around the room and help each person individually on their artistic level to personalize the experience. More often than not that means I have to be on point when I am giving advice. To start each session I often do 1's, 2's or 3's to have everyone focus on the importance of getting the flow and/or feeling the character/model is acting out - making it very hard to get caught up in the details of a short pose. These sketches were examples of how to stay loose, getting the total and not lost in the details. . . that's for 5 minute poses and beyond.

Best,

MAC

My Hits a Homerun: SMIGLY SURVIVES

Here's the album cover for one of the props in the video. Poor poor Smigly.

Marcelo Vignali VERY LIMITED SKETCHBOOK

This is the one.

Marcelo Vignali has created a one-of-a-kind sketchbook that will debuting in Anaheim the weekend of April 29th-May 1st for the Anaheim Comic Convention. They are a very limited number of printed sketchbooks from one of the Master's of our craft.

Get them while they're still available . . . they're gunna go fast!

More on: http://vignalistudio.blogspot.com/

Best,

MAC

Recent Sketches - Sonja!

"A Welcoming."

"All in a day's work."

"Do you feel lucky?"

"He He He."

"Swinging for the fences."

Spring @ LAAFA

SPRING is finally here!

I will be leading another session at The Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art starting April 20th for 8 sessions on Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm. The class will focus heavily on covering how to intensify storytelling aspects in your costumed gesture drawings to directly translate into the Animation, Illustration and Entertainment Industry's needs.

If you enroll before March 20th, you will save $50.00 as the tuition goes up after that date. You can enroll at www.laafa.org.


All my best to everyone and Happy Spring Forward!


MAC

Still here. Still battling.

. . . more to come.