Cre8tiveMarks University - LAUCHES VOL. 03 & VOL.04

Hey Guys,

I'm happy and very proud to introduce the THIRD & FORTH video in a new way of learning at Cre8tiveMarks University.  Volume 03 is in pre-order (due at the end of this month) and Volume 04 is READY FOR DOWNLOAD NOW!

Volume 03 is on the topic of sketchbooks, with a walk through over 20 personal sketchbooks talking about trick and things to accomplish while out in the field, attacking a new subject and how to think in order to get better to apply it to your craft at work!

Volume 04 is on the topic of Silhouettes and this is defiantly a GREAT video!  Pushing, pulling, adapting and growing are all the focus for this video and I'm very proud of it as it explains the beginning of my process of how to accomplish gesture:  Step 01 and beyond.

The files are up for download right now, and if you missed Volume 01 you can purchase that or both of them at a DISCOUNTED rate, for a limited time only just in time for CTN, which I'll be at TABLE T-088 if you're in the neck of the woods to say hello and talk art!

http://www.cre8tivemarks.com/university.php

All my best and I'll be looking forward to seeing you soon on the digital airwaves,

MAC

Cre8tivemarks @ CTN: Table T-88 (Nov. 15-17)

It's that time of year again as Fall has dropped it's last leaves in preparation for winter, (on this side of the globe), and the CTN Animation Expo has almost arrived.  I'll be happily showing for my 5th year and very proud to offer new artwork, books and to introduce the all new Cre8tiveMarks University video series that's FINALLY AVAILABLE!  Come on by, the show is Nov. 15-17.

I'll be at Table:  T-88.  So stop on by and say hello, look at my new wares and just to chat.

Best,

MAC

Cre8tiveMarks U: VOLUME 02 is AVAILABLE NOW!

Hey Guys,

I'm happy and very proud to introduce the SECOND video in a new way of learning at Cre8tiveMarks University.  Volume 02 is now available for download!  

Within the last 5-6 years of teaching at The Walt Disney Company, Dreamworks and many of the most prestigious artistic and animation studios and institutions, I've been able to consolidate the primary needs for a working artist or hobbyist.  From fielding questions from giving lectures and traveling to conventions to sell my award winning book, The Art and Feel of Making It Real, I've been able to really grasp the needs of the working artist in today's environment.  Gone are the days of working 35 years in one particular studio and gaining a pension to retire on.  My process is an adaptable approach thinking about this "commercial art" as a conceptual understanding, making it easy to transfer the ideas and thinking directly into your particular field or part of the craft.

From beginner to professional, I wanted a global way to help and give back to the artists that are looking to get better and grow their talent, no mater what level you're on.  This University, the Cre8tiveMarks University is firsthand studio knowledge in the privacy of your own home, to be watched on your T.V., tablet or the phone in your pocket, any time…any place.  

Many of the topics in Volume 02 will be focusing on "warming up."  I show you how I approach tackling a new idea and exercises to stimulate the brain (both directly and indirectly) when approaching drawing - from figure drawing, to fun "blob sketching" all the way to memory sketching and why that is so crucial in seeing…..and interpreting instead of copying what you see in front of you.  All of these things you get to see first hand examples and watch as I talk about the many facets of figure drawing, such as how to light those forms and what to think about so you can use that knowledge to transfer it to your character/storyboarding/visual development and any type of illustration you're working on. 

The files are up for download right now, and if you missed Volume 01 you can purchase that or both of them at a DISCOUNTED rate, for a limited time only!

http://www.cre8tivemarks.com/university.php

All my best and I'll be looking forward to seeing your soon on the digital airwaves,

MAC

Recent Development - "Something Wicked This Way Comes..."

• Here's some recent rough development for a personal project I've been working on in between jobs.  With a heavy workload, the videos for Cre8tiveMarks University, teaching and mentoring two students...needless to say, it's been hard to find time to work on personal artwork.  But when I do I cannot believe how much fun this project is! •

 -To see a little bit more, check out my deviant page: -    

http://cre8tivemarks.deviantart.com/

- MAC

Comic Con 2013: Table I-05

I'll be debuting my Denizens of the Deep book this year as well as taking sign ups for the New Cre8tivemarks University. I'll be there to answer any questions as well as showing video content for some of the class to watch. It's going to be a good Con, once again!

Stop on by Table I-05!

- MAC

Mark McDonnell: Mentor Program & Cre8tivemarks University SALE!

Mark McDonnell:  Mentor Program & Cre8tiveMarks University SALE!

01:  I will be Mentoring again for two artists that are looking to get one-on-one instruction with me to increase their skills and grow their craft.  This will be one of the last times I'll get a chance to do this in the near future as I'll be ramping up on a project that will last quite a while in production.  

Today is the first day of signing up for the Fall 2013 Mentee Program @ motivarti.org.  Please see the website for any information and to see the amazingly talented artists that are also available to be your Mentor.  This is a very rare opportunity and a very cool way to get very personal one-on-one experience for an experienced professional.

Please see:  www.motivarti.org

02:  For anyone interested in my NEW Cre8tiveMarks University, an online way of learning in the form of personal digital download's, the sale is almost over at the end of this week!  This is the first video, a 3-Hour instructional drawing and discussion talking about what is needed in the Animation and Entertainment Industry, with plenty of examples of me drawing and talking about what pens and pencils you can use with studying for the job you're after!

  

Check it out:  http://www.cre8tivemarks.com/university.php

Best,

        MAC

Cre8tiveMarks University Begins...

Hey Guys,

I'm happy and very proud to introduce a new way of learning!  

Over the last 5-6 years I have been fielding questions, giving lectures and traveling to conventions to sell my book, The Art and Feel of Making It Real, an instructional book dealing with gesture drawing and working in the Animation and Entertainment field.

Those questions from teaching at Disney, Dreamworks and the various Institutions and Academy's around the Studios gave the me a clear idea to answer the most common…and most unique questions when applying it to the commercial art of Entertainment.

From beginner to professional, I wanted a global way to help and give back to the artists that are looking to get better and grow their talent, no mater what level you're on.  This University, the Cre8tiveMarks University is firsthand studio knowledge in the privacy of your own home, to be watched on your T.V., tablet or the phone in your pocket, any time…any place.

http://www.cre8tivemarks.com/university.php

All my best and I'll be looking forward to seeing your soon on the digital airwaves,

MAC

UNION: Gesture Drawing "For Starters"

- MAC

Fun On A Friday.

Quick and Dirty...5's.

Creature Feature - 02

Some recent late night creature sketches.  

- MAC

Creature Feature

I've been working on a creature design-related book for a little while now.
This guy was born out of those shadows.

-  MAC

NEW SPRING CLASSES starting 04/12

It's that time again, New Spring Classes starting for those who are looking to work in the Industry.

I'll be teaching a Character Design class Wednesday's @ LAAFA starting: 4/24.

And a Gesture Drawing with an Emphasis on Storytelling, both nude and clothed on Friday's @ 3Kicks Art Studio starting:  04/12 - This Friday!

- MAC

Cre8tivemarks @ WonderCon 2013

WonderCon Anaheim II is back again!

If you're attending the show, stop by and say hello if you'd like.  
• (Mention the word "Bubbles" you'll get a free surprise gift!) •

- MAC

A Busy March

Sorry for the delay, it's been a crazy month! - Seattle Emerald Con, Family in town, up to Northern California and soon to be in Anaheim for Wonder Con next week.  Sheesh.  In the mean time, I've been working and teaching with an extra trip, as I took a group or 12 or so folks @ The Walt Disney Company to the Zoo for a lecture and an afternoon of drawing Giraffe's and a few other animals.

Talking about the structure of a herbivore and how to use scale in their drawings to show true size relationships.

Doodling some of the long leggers.



...pant.  ...pant.  ...pant.

- More to come soon as I catch my breath,

MAC

Cre8tivemarks @ EmeraldCON - Table # 303

I'm happy to report, I'll be a part of the 2013 Emerald City COMICCON coming up right around the corner March 1-3>

I'll be @ Table # 303 with plenty of wares!

- MAC

Female Figure Drawing For A Friday

First session back after injuring my right clavicle.

A Drawing A DAY - January 2013 (SCROLL DOWN)

I'm back after a broken right clavicle, which happens to be my drawing arm.  I've been slacking on this blogsite and would like to accomplish a goal.

This was something the very talented and kind artist, Cedric Hohnstadt started that I didn't have the time to follow through on....but I do now!  So, a drawing a day for all of January as a reminder of why we do what we do... for FUN just as much as for a job:

1st

2nd                                                                   3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th A

14th B 

15th

16th

17th 

(These were the left-handed drawings I did when I was unable to draw w/ my right hand.)

18th

19th

20th

21st

22nd

23rd

24th 

25th

26th

27th

28th

29th

30th

31st

(AND THAT'S A DRAWING-A-DAY FOR ALL OF JANUARY!!!)

Best,

MAC