Sketchtravel

I have been following this project for some time now, first learning about it on the excellent Lines and Colors, Charley Parker's blog, here. The book have been traveling around the world during the last five years, passing in the hands of today's greatest animators and illustrators. The auction of the original book (as well as 9 signed copies) took place last week in Brussels and gathered 76 000 euros. This will go to Room to Read, a non profit organisation building libraries in developing countries.

 But the true motivation of my post today is this animated film created by Daisuke Dice Tsutsumi. It is awesome, music and all.


SketchTravel from Curio on Vimeo.

You can learn more about the artists involved and the project on http://www.sketchtravel.com/

And you can buy the book here.  (my Christmas wishlist is getting longer and longer...)

They were three little ghosts ... (IF)

 

... and their names were Thunder, Watchap and Loolipop.

 
(Re-post for Illustration friday : Scary)

The Addams Family - Dr Sketchy

   This week I went for the second time to a Dr Sketchy evening in Paris. Wonderful models, with awesome costumes, funny poses and facial expressions. I am not overly proud of my drawings, one (of many !) reason being that I was very tired that day. This is probably why some sketches are a bit more scary than they ought to be. Check out here for other participant's drawings and pictures.

 

 

    I also learned during the evening that the Addams family was created (movies, series and so on) from the drawings of Charles Addams :

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Warrior

(Well, sorry for the title, sometimes inspiration is elsewhere. Still better than a number, you must admit - Good day !)

Skin - IF

   It strange how our life, dreams, sadness and joys imprint on our skin. It is stange that this shell should contain all this, all that we are, our fuel for life.

(1rst digital background - Let's keep it simple...)

François Place - Guest

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    Some years ago, my godmother introduced me to the wonderful world of François Place, a French author and illustrator of children books. She offered me the three books of the "Atlas des géographes d'Orbae". Trust me, even if you don't speak French, have a look at these you will not regret it. If you do speak French, then lucky you, for the stories are magical and very inventive (and well written).

   I still have some of his recent books to read and admire, already filling my Christmas list, but I can already recommend "The old man mad about drawing: a tale of Hokusai" as well as his illustrations for the two awesome "Toby Alone" (Tobie Lolness en français).
   Below are some of his illustrations found on the internet. I could not find any email address or personal site, nor any informations about future exhibitions . If anyone knows where to find him, please leave a comment below ! (so that I can tell him how much I admire him, send him a bunch of flowers and hand made chocolates ....)

EDIT : I found him ! He was at the "Salon du livre et de la presse jeunesse" in Paris, 30 Nov-5 Dec 2011. I've got some sacred autograph and doodle now..

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Scattered... the Light - IF

 A sunset study, a few months old.
I though it would suit this week's topic well : scattered.
Good week to you all. (and see you soon for more recent works !)

Birdy

 

This is Birdy, a very fine fellow despite occasional hot temper. 

By the way, this is the 100th post on Catching Neptune !

And first year anniversary already in a few months... my baby grows ...

Sigh.

The last wild horses

This little painting reminds me of my encounter with Przewalski horses in Mongolia, back in august. As mentionned here :

Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus przewalskii, Groves 1986) is the world's last remaining wild horse. Human activities and a series of severe winters led to extinction in its historical range in central Asia by the 1970s. Individuals only survived in zoos, with a sufficient captive population by the 1990s to allow in situ reintroductions to Mongolia.

Contemplation Chair - IF

 For Illustration Friday's topic: Contraption.

Hibernate - IF