A colleague took a video of some gorillas while visiting his local zoo, and I asked if I could sketch from it. The interactions between the gorillas were fascinating to study.
Author Archives: AJAiken
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This character jumped out while I doodled today. I’m not sure who she is or what she’s holding, but she seems a bit worried about it.
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
For the last six months I’ve been a storyboard artist on The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, working for Wild Child as part of an amazing team. The series is based on Liz Pichon’s bestselling Tom Gates books. The first episodes are now on Sky Kids in the UK, either as part of a SkyContinue reading “The Brilliant World of Tom Gates”
Jonah Music Video
Over the last few months I’ve been working on something really special – something a bit different from anything I’ve made before. Rachel Zylstra, a singer-songwriter based in Edinburgh, asked me to create a music video for one of the tracks on her new album On Faith. You can watch the result below!
Wild Life Drawing – Wolf Pups
On Saturday I joined an online drawing class from Wild Life Drawing featuring five-week-old wolf-dog pups from Watermill Wolves. They were alternately incredibly active or completely asleep.
Lots of Liffeys
Liffey was the Irish Setter my family owned while I was growing up. She was a wonderful companion, if a little odd at times. I must have doodled these caricatures of her at some point last year, but I’d forgotten about them until now.
Life Drawing, 31st December
I made it along to some of the epic eight-hour life drawing marathon organised by Deryck Henley on New Year’s Eve. It was great to do some drawing from (digital) life – it had been a few months, and I was very rusty. These poses were modelled by Anna and Mariano.
CTN Live – It All Began Five Years Ago
Five years ago I was in LA attending the CTN expo as part of an animation industry group from Scotland. Today, as part of CTN Live (sign up now if you haven’t already – it’s free!) we’re having a reunion to discuss the trip and where we are now. It All Began 5 Years Ago:Continue reading “CTN Live – It All Began Five Years Ago”
Wild Life Drawing – Wolves
Wild Life Drawing hosts live drawing sessions with animals in the UK. I sadly haven’t ever been able to go to any of their in-person classes, but I have now attended online! Last week I joined in a Zoom drawing class featuring three wolf-dogs from Watermill Wolves. A lot of little mannerisms reminded me ofContinue reading “Wild Life Drawing – Wolves”
Life Drawing, 8th October
Last week, I attended a life drawing session where Safire and Andrew held beautiful poses. With three cameras to choose from, I enjoyed capturing the same pose from different angles.
Liquid Solid at DepicT!
Liquid Solid is now screening at DepicT! You can watch it in full here. If you enjoy it please rate it out of five – your vote will count towards the DepicT! IMDbPro Audience Award.
Morna and Alistair
Morna and Alistair are from a story I’ve been working at over the last few months. As they both get older in it I’ve been trying to find characters that work at different ages. These quick doodles I did after work are the first ones I feel capture their characters.
Liquid Solid at Encounters
I’m thrilled to announce that my short animation Liquid Solid has been selected for Encounters Film Festival! You can find out more about the film and the festival through the links above.
Life Drawing, 14th July
A couple of sketches of Naomi, from a session last month. I’ve just started a new job with Wild Child on a children’s television series. Hopefully I’ll be able to show what I’m working on sometime next year!
Character Sketching – Pirate
John Mackey was completely in character at last week’s CTN Character Sketching session! It was great fun, and I came away with the desire to rewatch Pirates of the Caribbean …
Badger Prints For Sale
My badger sketches have proved popular, so I’ve had some lovely A4 prints made! You can purchase them using the buttons below.
Character Sketching – Housewife
Julie Wions modelled at this Character Sketching event a couple of weeks ago. I loved the interaction with the doll – I was reminded of my sister and my niece at times!
Character Sketching – Fantasy Creature
It’s taken me far too long to post these sketches from this session where Daniella Traub modelled as a ‘fantasy creature’! Through the evening I explored different versions of the character – more elfin, a wild girl of the woods, a villain.
Character Sketching – Ballerina
Beatrix held some tricky-to-draw ballet poses last Friday for CTN’s On Model class.
Costumed Drawing – Maiden
Last week I was finally able to catch the free costumed drawing session CTN is running before it vanished from YouTube! As it’s a recording I was able to skip back and forward a bit as I pleased, so though poses were between two and seven minutes I spent less time on some and moreContinue reading “Costumed Drawing – Maiden”
