The Art of Despina

The Art of

DESPINARobin Saker

Computer Animation Arts, Year 1University for the Creative Arts, RochesterBlogger: www.sakerandco.blogspot.co.uk

DESPINA (Harbour City)

When the camel driver sees, at the horizon of the tableland, the pinnacles of the skyscraperscome into view, the radar antennae, the white and red wind-socks flapping, the chimneys belching smoke, he thinks of a ship; he knows it is a city, but he thinks of it as a vessel that will take him away from the desert, a windjammerabout to cat off, with the breeze already swelling the sails, not yet unfurled, or a steamboat with its boiler vibrating in the iron keel; and he thinks of all the ports, the foreign merchandise the cranes unload on the docks, the taverns where crews of different flags break bottles over one another’s heads, the lighted, ground-floor windows, each with a woman combing her hair.

For my Invisible Cities project I had to develop three fully-resolved concept paintings based on one of Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities [1972], as if working in pre-production for a new CG-animated adaptation of his work. Calvino’s novel contains descriptions of cities which are all more-or-less reimagined visions of Venice, Italy.

In these concept paintings, I had to convey my ideas and theme for my city and visually develop my concept for Diomira.

Influence Map: Exterior (Harbour City)

Influence Map: Interior (Sailors’ Tavern)

Early Despina Thumbnails

Digital Despina Thumbnails: Exterior Establishing Shot

Digital Despina Thumbnails: Exterior Establishing Shot

Digital Despina Thumbnails: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Favela Shot)

Digital Despina Thumbnails: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Favela Shot)

Digital Despina Thumbnails: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Favela Shot)

Digital Despina Thumbnails:Interior Establishing Shot (Sailors’ Tavern)

Digital Despina Thumbnails:Interior Establishing Shot (Sailors’ Tavern)

Despina B/W Compositions: Components

Exterior Establishing Shot: B/W Compositions

Exterior Establishing Shot: B/W Compositions

Ship-Port Ideas from OGR Feedback

Ship-Port Ideas from OGR Feedback

Ship-Port Ideas from OGR Feedback

Despina: Sketchbook Plan

Despina: Sketchbook Plan

Despina: Components & Tracings for Basis of Paintings

Exterior Establishing Shot (B/W)

Exterior Low Angle Shot (B/W)

Exterior Low Angle Shot (B/W)

Interior Establishing Shot (B/W)

Interior Establishing Shot (B/W)

Exterior Establishing Shot (B/W) -Refined

Exterior Low Angle Shot (B/W) -Refined

Interior Establishing Shot (B/W) -Refined

Despina: Colour Referencing

Despina: Colour Referencing

Despina: Colour Referencing

Despina: Texture Referencing

Despina: Market Stalls

Despina: Control Room & ‘Favela’ Buildings

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Establishing Shot (Harbour City)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Exterior Low Angle Shot (Fish Market)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)

Despina: Interior Establishing Shot (Cargo Warehouse)