Pencil test for Doggins’ walk cycle, animated on 2’s (adding inbetweens later).
This was my first try at traditional animation, as I wanted to start hand-drawn so I could get a better feel for the character’s movements. I’m now working on a digital version for David to use in the prototype.
Onion skin of the walk cycle I’m animating for Doggins! (Taken with Instagram)
Animating a walk cycle for our Doggins prototype. (Taken with Instagram)
We got back last night from a visit to Arkansas to see my family, who I already miss again. A weekend just isn’t long enough.
They’re in the midst of the worst drought and longest stretch of 100º+ weather I’ve ever seen, which means my parents are having a rough time with the farm. What little hay they had this year is gone, and if rain doesn’t come soon, they’ll have to start selling some of the forty cows they’ve raised from calves over the years. We helped them move the cows down the road to the last remaining pasture with grass, for which they’d had to repair broken fences in the summer heat. But they don’t complain: they just work hard with what they have.
A few hours before we left for the airport, it was 111º. My dad was outside in the sun, setting up a pen and saddling a horse so he could give David a quick riding lesson. And my mom was standing over the stove, frying sopapillas because she missed making them for me.
I love my family.
I introduced a new Idle Mouse wallpaper set this morning, based on my Live/Work prints. Even better, all the wallpapers are now available for free!
The wonderful Bonnie over at Going Home to Roost had some kind things to say about Idle Mouse this morning! Her blog is full of handmade goodness and resources for living simply: a perfect match.
As promised, my cross-stitch life meter is now available in my Etsy shop! I’m almost finished with a tiny version as well, and I have a queue of other nerdy pixel designs lined up. Gotta stitch faster!
Finished up some tweaks to the previous version of Doggins and added his face. In case the difference isn’t immediately obvious, see the above comparison.
Next, I’ll be animating his walk cycle!
The three of us went for a hike yesterday, out in Fairfax. Somewhere around the point that we got semi-lost, we happened upon an unexpected reminder of home: a family of deer with twin fawns. David got some good photos of them while I kept a good grip on Ollie’s leash.
The town itself is a new favorite of mine: artistic and outdoorsy vibe, super friendly people, and good ice cream.
Concept, sketch, and inspiration for Doggins’ home base. Based on Oliver’s corner in our house, where he does indeed have his own wall art.
