Just a rough sketch of a Pixie in Sparkles’ dance troupe, The Happy Rainbows. She has some serious attitude…and Madonna hair.
Once these rough drawings are approved, then they will be scanned into the computer and cleaned up in Flash for animation at Renegade Studios. Flash cleanup is a little bit different, because you’re not only drawing OVER the drawing you have, you’re also building it–kind of like a puppet. Each body part goes on a different layer.
So, for example, Pixie’s right-hand arm is behind her…but we still have to draw the entire thing, fingers and all, and stick it on the level below her body. That left-hand arm will be on a level above…etc. Also, her hands will be separated from her arms, so when she’s animated, they’ll move independently. Same thing for facial features, head, body, that killer ponytail, legs, and feet.
A page from our rapidly expanding storyboard, taken from the middle of Sparkles’ and Gloom’s first big fight scene. It would seem that, while good powers give you the ability to bring back disco acts, evil powers give you the ability to turn your bratty twin sister into the self-proclaimed “King of Pop?” Amazing.
As Comicon 2006 looms in the future, Melissa and I–on top of finishing up the storyboard, putting the finishing touches on our main character turns, and figuring out exactly why golden delicious apples are so foul–are busy putting together all sorts of goodies just for you to covet.
Among other things, we’re making some STICKERS!!…well, they were stickers, until we figured out the paper didn’t have a sticker backing. So now they’re “trading cards”..or something. Either way–get this–they SPARKLE!! This thrills us to no end. Especially me, because I like shiny things.
I have never been able to draw. Ever. Which is why I’m thrilled that Anne is my partner on “Sparkles and Gloom”! What I AM drawn to (pun intended) is writing. From a very young age, I kept a journal, and still do to this day. I was thinking about “Sparkles and Gloom” this morning, and how life experiences tend to heavily infulence what I write about. Sparkles and Gloom were intially conceived as I thought about all of the petty (and in retrospect, funny) arguments my sister and I used to get in as kids. Of course, I always thought that I was the “Sparkles” to Jessica’s “Gloom” (I’m sure Jessi has another opinion entirely!). In reality, I think everyone has a bit of the S&G in them.
So I wanted to post this diary entry. My LOVES and HATES as a 7 year old. A lil bit of the [Read more…]
We’ve been doing some cutting of our own here on Sparkles and Gloom…so far Melissa and has used her mad writing superpowers to cut a bunch of dialogue and bits and things from the script to make it flow better. I’ve been hanging out drawing Villiage People and occasionally doing a storyboard panel or two. We’ll have more to show you soon!
Name: THE GUY** Age: 32 Influences: Anyone who draws blindfolded in the shower.
Gloom: Are those twigs sprouting from my head, or is that supposed to be my hair? Sparkles: It’s HAIR, silly! It’s abstractism! Which is probably why THE GUY only gave me a bow, and no hair! And just look how–supple–he made my arm! Gloom: And your head… Sparkles: Gorgeous!
**Many thanks to THE GUY for being the first to submit this fan art. We love it! Sparkles, Gloom, Anne, and Melissa would also like to thank him for entertaining us with his self deprecating humor.
Hey everyone. Gloom here. While Sparkles gets busy un-wedging herself from the rocks down below, I’ll give you an update on what’s set for this week here in production-land.
Wee. Oh, the endless fun.
Melissa has been working tirelessly revising our script with all the notes we got at our re-pitch–
–Sparkles, don’t pet the scorpions. They don’t want to be your friend.
Anyhow, we’re revising the script and we’re working on posing for a turnaround–
–No, Sparkles, I’m sure they–well, what did you expect? They’re bugs.
*sigh* Looks like I have to go down there and help her out. In the meantime, enjoy these wonderful turns.
The madness never does cease here on Sparkles and Gloom! Right now, we’ve just finished our re-pitch and Melissa is preparing to punch up the script, while I’m preparing to punch up my pencil pushing skills and finish some nifty turnarounds of our two starlets, Sparkles and Gloom.
More drawings coming soon…Right now, enjoy this lovely piece of brightly colored goodness!
