MASON TO ANIMATION

Hi everybody and welcome to Courtney Mason Illustration!

Illustration

My goal is to translate written and verbal ideas into visual imagery that is colorful, compelling, and clearly communicate the objectives of the client. I pride myself on my versatility and am confident in my abilities to tackle any challenge both effectively and efficiently. I am open to creative opportunities in a variety of markets such as but not limited to Graphic Design, Advertising, Editorial, Book Publishing, and especially Post Production for Entertainment.

Animation

My "dream job" is to someday have a career within the animation industry. The holy trio or trifecta of skills will be in character design, storyboarding, and character animation. I have experience in experimental animation, stop motion, claymation, 2D and 3D animation using Autodesk Maya, Photoshop, and Final Cut Pro. In 2011, I received a grant from the Women's Education and Leadership Fund to conduct a study of animation through research and practical application. I learned the fundamentals and foundations of 3D animation through the Ianimate Advanced Character Animation Program and I am continuing my education through Animation Mentor School for Character Animation online starting this upcoming fall 2012.

Innovation

I am very much a team player, but also a self starter and driven towards success. Since I was a child, I was an entrepreneur, a quality I believe I enherited from my father. This sense of leadership and drive has always helped me optimize every opportunity and has given me confidence in the value of my ideas. While I am very dedicated to clients needs before my own needs, I always feel like I have something to learn and something to give.



Sunday, October 30, 2011

tough choices and making moves

Today was career animation day at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Mass. There I listened to four artists from Blue Sky Studios discuss their various approaches and the specific department within pipeline they were apart of.  It was so inspiring...my heart raced each time I raised my hand!

I showed my portfolio to a layout artist, who suggested I do 100 sketched drawings opposed to 10 fully rendered paintings.  He made a valid point and I respected what he had to say but I did not like how quickly he skimmed the pages of my work (like it was an OK magazine or something.)

Another rigging artist I found less intimidating to talk to, and she was very helpful and encouraging.  She was young and beautiful and very humble about everything which I found refreshing.  

Overall, it was worth the commute to get there.  The group of students I brought with me were all sophomores and we are talking about forming an animation club/group at the University. Unfortunately, by the time I get it up and running, I will be graduating.  But at least I would have left of legacy and inspired some kind of advancement in animation here at UHART.

Friday, October 21, 2011

animation career day tomorrow...dun dun DUHHH!

So, after about 10 + hours of revamping my portfolio pieces, printing them out, and updating my resume, I can now thoroughly say I am ready for tomorrow.

boorah!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

the methods to my madness

four deadlines in one week = craze, long nights, LOTS of caffine, and music

this particular piece was intended to accompany an article about obesity in america!

here is the outcome of 2 days of work...





I used graphite to draw it out initially. than traced over my sketchy sketch to create a fine line drawing.  Than the drawing was scanned into the computer, where I used digital paint in photo shop to do a color comp or two.  Than from that color comp I began painting.  I been playing with mixed media lately since I am indecisive and never had the freedom.  For this one I used water color, pencil, water color pencil, acylic fw inks, colored pencil, and pastel.  YEAH!  I know right?

the pastel was kinda a happy accident.  I am not very fond of painting backgrounds...and this one I definately made too many streaks...soooo I was going to air brush over it. But the air brush machine was locked up...so plan B...PASTELS!  why not?  I am far more confident in pastels than anything else.  Worked out pretty well I think.  We will find out this week during my crit.

one done...3 to go!