Elemental Magic Volume 2 is FINISHED and in the publisher's hands now!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! I have finally finished with my end of the work on Elemental Magic Volume 2! It has been an arduous task, months of isolation and hard work, but it is done, and now the editing process is underway. There is no exact release date yet, but as soon as I know for sure I will let everyone know. I will be having a book launch party in Vancouver when the big day finally comes, and it will be greatly advertised here and on Facebook, to ensure that everyone who wants to gets a chance to attend!

Thanks to all for your overwhelming support and interest in the second book. I hope it does not disappoint. We had initially thought there would be a DVD included with the book, but it will be a website instead. The website will contain lots of video footage, tutorials, and various film clips from my workshops, and of actual animated effects sequences, mostly rough animation, so people eager to learn can watch me animate 'live' and also look at the final product. A great advantage of the website will be that it can be continually updated, and I can address people's specific requests for tutorials on specific effects animation questions. so please, if there is anything you want to know, drop me a line and I will address it whenever possible....

Also want to announce that I am officially open for tattoo business. Elemental Tattoos offers high-end tattoo designs and finished tattoos. I am starting with simpler work, no huge back pieces or highly complex tattoos for the first couple of months, but my skill level has definitely reached the point where I am more than comfortable tattooing a wide range of designs. Just let me know what you are looking for and I will get back to you soon! Check for updates and news on my tattoo blog!


Elemental Magical wishes to you all!

FINAL COVER ART for Elemental Magic Volume ll

Well, after all the deliberating, it looks like this is the final cover design for Elemental Magic Volume ll, 'The Technique of Special Effects Animation'. I can't thank all of you enough. I received a great deal of feedback from a lot of people, and it was extremely helpful!



Believe me, I considered every comment I received. A lot of people really liked the black cover designs, as I did as well. But the final consensus was to go with something very close in overall look to the first Elemental Magic cover, rather than go for contrast. To create continuity in what will now be a book 'series'.

Elemental Magic Volume lll? Well, it's too early to say. I am at work on a couple of other book ideas that don't necessarily have anything to do with animation, but that's for another blog I suppose!

Right now I am deep into completing Volume ll in time for my deadline. And it is looking stupendous! I will post a sneek peek at some more images before the final release date. Look for ELEMENTAL MAGIC VOLUME ll to be available this spring! I have added a couple of images from the new book below...

Burning Man ~The ultimate special effects reference?

The burning of the temple
My voyage to Burning Man this year was epic. From the moment I left Vancouver on my motorcycle, and headed East into the BC interior, I felt transported 100% away from the daily routine that most of refer to as 'life'. With the wind in my face and the promise of new roads in my heart, I felt released....free!

Burning Man involves a LOT of burning. The largest most impressive structures are lovingly handcrafted and built almost entirely of wood, and on the last two nights of Burning Man, the 'man' and the incredible Temple (different and unique every year) are burned to the ground. On top of that many art installations in the desert are set ablaze on the last two night.


An amazing dance party in the middle of the desert at sunrise...
On top of that, there are pyrotechnics galore. Every year the fire experts try to top what they came up with the previous year, and there are a dazzling array of fire belching, computerized machines of all kinds here and there around Black Rock City and out in the desert (on the 'playa' as they say). Just down the street from the camp where I stayed, they let me handle an incredible kind of explosive propane fire throwing gun that was absolutely incredible! Pulling the trigger released a tremendous explosion of flame that mushroomed out like a special effect from a Bruce Willis movie! It was such a rush. I only wish I'd gotten some film of me firing it off.


An incredible rainbow appeared after a rainstorm on the first afternoon that I arrived
Although I did take quite a few photos, Burning Man is primarily a participatory event, and walking around taking pictures turns you in to an observer, not a participant. So I frequently left my camera behind, and just got right into 'being there' and absorbing as much as possible. From a special effects viewpoint, I can't recommend Burning Man enough. If this kind of stuff sounds interesting to you, then GO! Buy your ticket and set your sights on being there next year, and I'LL SEE YOU THERE!!



The sunsets on the first night of Burning Man


Pyrotechnics seen through the swirling dust


The 'man' burns...


The 'man' burns...an amazing fireworks display precedes the burning

Elemental Magic in JAPANESE!

I just got delivery of 'Elemental Magic' translated into Japanese! It looks pretty amazing, to see my book in a beautiful language like this that I can't understand. I can't help but wonder how they interpreted some of my more imaginative text. Hopefully I will get a chance to go through it with Japanese friends!

Playing with paint! A wonderful new direction for my art, and a fascinating exercise in Special Effects

I spent two days painting with my friend Autumn Skye, near Powell River. I have not painted anything since I was in art school back in the seventies, but it is something I have always planned on doing when I get 'older'. Skye is an incredible artist, and I was humbled to work next to her, but she is a generous and enthusiastic mentor. She was happy to answer all my questions patiently and turn me on to her painting 'tricks' of the trade. It was an amazing creative session, we worked outdoors under a large opened tent. Many, many thanks to Skye! Check out her phenomenal and inspiring artwork at:

http://www.autumnskyemorrison.com/

Since posting this painting on Facebook, I got an overwhelming number of positive comments, and I am extremely enthused and excited to launch into a painting career....on top of my tattooing work! Egads, will I have time for fishing?


The painting is as yet unfinished, and untitled. I will post it when it's finished and properly photographed. It was really just a practice run, I was playing and learning, and I didn't expect to come up with something that I actually liked. In fact, there is much about it that I do NOT like, but it still fills me with excitement, just to see all that glorious colour and texture come to life under my wiggling brush. Super fun, cool, beautiful medium. Hooked on acrylics! (Now I just need to buy my own paints!, Thanks Skye!)

Cover for 'Elemental Magic Volume II'

Here a a few possible designs I've come up with for my next book, Elemental Magic Volume II 'The Technique of Special Effects Animation'

I'd like to get as much feedback as possible, so please, tell me your favourite picks, tell me which ones you hate, or fresh ideas!
You can leave a note here, or email me at joegilland@shaw.ca with your 'vote'.

I have no problem filling the inside of the book with animation goodies, but designing a cover is really hard. It's what everybody sees, and it should make an impression. I got very mixed reviews on the cover of the first 'Elemental Magic' book, some love it, some hate it. Of course I'll never make everyone happy, but you all matter to me, and I'd love to hear what you think of these. They are just preliminary designs, and I might end up going in a completely different direction, but the size and title and the font is pretty much the way it will look....So, send your thoughts, OK? Thanks!

Click on an image to see a full-sized version

Design #1
Design #2
Design #3
Design #4
Design #5
Design #6
Design #7
Design #8
Design #9
Design #10
Design #11
Design #12
Design #13
Design #14
Design #15

I've been fishing.....

Lately, I've been fishing a lot. What does this have to do with Elemental Magic? Everything, I think. I am drawn to the water like a moth to the flame, I am drawn to rivers, lakes and streams, the ocean. Early morning at the lake, two loons cry out to each other, and then meet in the middle of the lake. They dance together and celebrate the morning. Another day, another lake, a hail storm blows through, and afterwards, when the sun hits the side of the mountain, incredible tendrils of steam clouds rise up from the dense forest on the steep cliffs. Eagles glide over, looking. A huge bald eagle circles and lands on a floating log on the lake. A kingfisher darts down from a tree and strikes the water, making off with a tiny, wriggling fish.

Comox Lake
I bring a small trout to the shore, and gently remove the hook. He is too small to eat, and so I am extra careful, and I let him go in the shallow water, watching as he regains his composure, and then heads back to deeper water. Fish, so beautiful and sleek, each a perfect hydrodynamic miracle, flashing every colour of the rainbow. I make a small fire, and watch as the smoke from the damp wood rises and gets caught up in the convections of the lake's temperature. The smell of damp forest and wood smoke, the sound of wind coming across the mountains, through the trees, and then spraying sweeping patterns of ripples across the lake's mirror like surface.

Comox Lake
I meditate by the water, in the forest. Each moment is that perfect moment, when I allow it to be. Whether or not I actually catch a fish is secondary, although it's always nice to eat fresh trout for dinner or breakfast. But the essence of the experience is absorbing the divine perfection of nature into myself, allowing myself to be one with it and thus perfect, for once. The internal dialogue, the self-effacing chatter of un-consciousness, is quelled and quieted. Feeling and knowing that I am actually one and the same with this natural beauty.....

Maple Lake
It is Living Elemental Magic. It is all there, in every moment, when I am fishing....

Wolf Lake

Beautiful Cutthroat Trout, Wolf Lake, April 9th, 2010

All photos were taken near my home in the Comox Valley, on Vancouver Island. (believe it or not, all these photos were taken with my crappy cell phone!)

Steelhead Trout, Puntledge River, October 2010

Life Drawing in Cumberland

A big part of my Elemental Magic philosophy, is to draw as much as possible, regardless of what kind of animation you do. In fact I think that so called 'digital' artists, and CGI artists, should practice this as much as possible. We work in a visual medium, regardless of what technique we use, therefore we need to develop a visual vocabulary, and always practice communicating ideas visually. Without drawing skills, it is almost impossible to communicate a visual idea that could be quickly and easily explained with a simple sketch. And all you animators out there who started out drawing, but now work with CG, or Flash or Harmony, DON'T FORGET TO KEEP DRAWING!! Use it or LOSE it!!

I decided to put my money where my mouth is, and get back into as much life drawing as I can. Here are a few drawings I've done since I started up again. Definitely a little rusty, but it is fun and I can feel myself loosening up and drawing better and better again!


30 minute drawing


15 minute drawing


10 minute drawing

I can't urge you enough to get out there and draw as much as possible! Everything you do creatively will improve, even music, dance, you name it. Drawing from life is the very soul of the creative experience, let's not toss it out and get lost in a digital illusion of creativity!

Workshop at Algonquin College

I am back home after another extremely successful Elemental Magic workshop. Ottawa was snowy and wet, but the welcome I received there was warm and wonderful.


I spoke to a group of over 150 people, mostly students, but there were also a lot of professionals from local Ottawa animation studios who were able to attend. Kudos to the great folks at Algonquin College for getting the word out to the studio community and opening their doors to them!


The lecture ran for about two and a half hours, and afterwards folks lined up to have me sign their books and add a quick special effects sketch in each one. Every single book that Algonquin and I had on hand sold out in a hurry! I'm not sure how many, but in hindsight I wish we'd had quite a few more. The response to the book and my short workshop/lecture presentation, was once again, almost overwhelming.


I'd like to thank Neil Hunter at Algonquin for his assistance in putting the visit together. He was gracious and a wonderful host. Thanks to Derek Bond too, for taking great care of me and shuttling me through the horrendous wet, snowy weather and traffic! I would also like to send a special thank you out there to all the students who attended, and were so enthusiastic about Elemental Magic. It is incredibly rewarding, when I see that I have created something that energizes and excites you all. When a young animation student comes up to me clutching a copy of Elemental Magic and exclaiming how much it has helped them, I feel 100% fulfilled and all is as it should be in the universe! Thank you. You give me back more energy than you can every know, and you make it all worthwhile.


On another note, I was also able to visit with my family while I was in Ottawa, and it was so special to meet my new great nephew Spencer! Congratulations to my beautiful niece Amanda and her husband Nick!

Another workshop, back in Ottawa today!

This Thursday, I'll be doing a 2 hour presentation of my Elemental Magic workshop, followed by a book signing session. This is taking place at Algonquin College, in Ottawa. Apparently they have publicized it well in the Ottawa animation community, and we're expecting a really jam packed full house! Many thanks to Neil Hunter and the folks at Algonquin for putting this together! I will re-post here when it's done, with photos and film clips too!

Elemental Magic Workshop at PennDesign

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the University of Pennsylvania to conduct my 'Elemental Magic' workshop at the PennDesign department of the school. It was an absolutely wonderful experience, and I can't say enough good things about the quality of the students and faculty and the warm welcome that they gave me! This was my first time conducting my workshop in an American University. I have previously given the workshop in Canada, Europe and Asia, and this was a great opportunity for me to bring my workshop stateside.


My workshop focuses on what I call, 'an ORGANIC approach' to visual effects animation. The premise of my workshop is that, like character animation, visual effects as well should be approached from a traditional, or 'classical' point of view, when a student of animation is first starting out. It has been well accepted in the discipline of character animation, that to become a quality 3D or 'digital' character animator, one must first learn the basic fundamental principles of classical animation. But when it comes to visual effects animation, the long history of special effects animation and the hands-on study of what makes effects elements tick, is most often completely left out of the equation.


Visual effects today is treated like a fully 'digital' discipline, and students of visual effects are taught a kind of techno worshipping, 100% computer dependent approach to creating special effects of all kinds. And from my perspective, this is why the vast majority of special effects being created today look like crap!


Of course there are so called 'digital' effects artists creating utterly amazing special effects these days. But I guarantee you, they are few and far between, and the ones who do create compelling effects know exactly what I am talking about! To create truly wonderful special effects, any artist must approach his art with a great deal of feeling, and an imagination filled with a deep understanding of the elements that he or she is attempting to recreate! The way to do this, is through the imaginative study of 'ORGANIC' elements. And that is the primary focus of my workshops. To bring the participant's imagination and attention, to a universe of visual effects information that is not found somewhere inside of a computer, but exists all around us, in the infinitely creative universe of natural phenomena all around us!


The students at PennDesign were wonderful, and dug into what I was saying! Over a period of three days, as we shared ideas and observations, each student had a chance to explore visual effects from a natural viewpoint. Each student chose a specific effects element to tackle, everything from water running from a tap, to a character punching a brick wall, to an airplane crash landing on a runway. One student did a fascinating study of 'caustic' effects, the wonderful patterns of dancing light rays that we see when we look through a body of moving water....


It was a fantastic workshop for me. I hope that the students at PennDesign feel the same way I do. It was fun and exciting. And that is a big part of what I am proposing when I give this workshop. The most exciting part of being a visual effects artist is the 'organic' approach. Playing with the elements, shooting reference videos, recreating bizarre circumstances in which specific effects might occur, burning stuff, breaking stuff and seeing what happens....this is the really FUN stuff that is a much bigger part of understanding visual effects than learning software!

Kudos to the folks at PennDesign for having me, and kudos to the students there, for really hearing me out and 'seeing what I mean', and for coming up with some killer presentations when it was their turn to show me their stuff! You guys were awesome!



And remember...We are not ‘digital’ artists, any of us. We are organic beings using digital tools. I pray that the academic as well as the professional world of animation will come to understand this fully, and change the creative language that we use to describe what it is that we actually do as animation artists. Must we put the word ‘digital’ in front of everything creative that we do, just because of the tools that we use? Me thinks not.