Notes From Gnomon

I paid 225$ for a Gnomon Master Class, and it was so worth it.
Below are my notes from each speaker.

Gnomon Live Rebroadcast:
Brom - Darkwerks http://www.bromart.com/

If you’re commissioned, in the end the client makes the decisions.
Don't let reference chain you down. Use them, but they are not your bible.

Broms Technique: Works in Acrylic
Washes - Block in with Acrylic - then add oil on top - many layers
He works from sketches to the final painting.

Your feelings will help you make decisions.

James Clyne - http://www.jamesclyne.com/

To get to your final painting, it’s not a certain brush that brings you there, it’s an experience.
Use photography because it helps.
Build a reference library.
Understand lighting.
Understand reflection.
Find unconventional things and add them.

Make sure your reference library is well-organized. It will help your work flow.
Try to really understand what your working with, where the reference is, or what have you.
Do research on the subject.
Pay attention.

Mileage is everything. The more you draw, the better you will become, so practice regularly.

Iain McCaig - http://iainmccaig.com/ (still not up, but he was by far my favorite speaker other than Stout.)
Secrets!
Storytelling is the key to selling your Image.

Use your fears and use your experiences
Be resourceful!
If you like something, use it in your design add elements to help your ideas.
If what you’re doing isn't working, take it and use the stuff that did and start over.
If you have a subject, take it and throw it into chaos. Note your feelings as if you were the character, and draw from there to get a good feeling of the subject or story.

Having the right attitude will make you go far! Make sure to take a step back and adjust.

William Stout - http://www.williamstout.com/
Make sure to add a clause in your contract for you to own the rights. Don't be afraid to walk away if they won’t let you.
2 most important part - Values & edges.
Speed is a great thing for an artist.

Try using color to darken versus black or grey.
Remind yourself about what color scheme your working in.
Look for ways to bring contrast that helps your piece.
"""""
Fastest way to get good as an Artist is Figure Drawing
Fastest way to get good as a Painter is Plain Air painting.
"""""
"There will always be a new plateau to reach for" as an artist
It’s not a competition against other artists, but a competition against yourself.

Your job should be to make you the best possible artist that you can be.
Give 100% every time. That way you never look at a piece and think oh I could have done better, because you did the best you could at that point.

Erik Tiemens - http://www.watersketch.com/ http://virtualgouacheland.blogspot.com/
Get Inspiration, and use it.
Practice Master painting.
Learn to do studies of environments - study nature.
Take Pictures!! Travel!!

Work from roughs when making up schemes on your own. Start monochromatic. Switches from warm to cool can help show definition.

Daily practice and diligence will only make you better.

George Hull - http://www.ghull.com/news/news_main.php
Inspiration.
Remember what you love with film and art and what made you first fall in love because this will help you to keep going.
Remember key things.
Drawing fast.
Form follows function.
Draw real world things well!! That's what he would like to see in a portfolio.
Give yourself personal assignments - maybe even set aside a day just for you to do art.

Ballistic Concept Art- George Hull

Marc Gabbana - http://www.marcgabbana.com/
3 things to a painting - composition - lighting - mood.
Rim lighting.
Use color schemes to help make your drawings pop.

Ty Ruben Ellingson - http://www.alieninsect.com/
Patience - not a good tool to get ahead in the movie business.
You need a balanced approach: Sometimes wait, sometimes don't.

Make sure to sell what’s unique about you, know what it is.
Know yourself / have self-confidence in your work but, at the same time, don't be a dick about it.
Be polite!!!
Carry a pencil.
Show courtesy to everyone.
Be flexible.

Value the time you’re tied together with the people you work with.
Know when to make your stand.
Show people you have a vision for yourself.
Help the director have confidence by showing they can have confidence in you.
Be honest.
It’s a process of design. You don't have to rush it to the end because directors will have a say and a right to want to change something.

If you have a final render, the director might feel bad if they say they don't like it because you spent so much time on it.

Wayne Barlowe - http://www.waynebarlowe.com/

Make sure to have a deep understanding you your subject.
If you’re doing a dinosaur, maybe talk to a paleontologist.
Create your own universe and paint from within it.

Kenneth Rocafort - http://www.mitografia.com/
Draw what you like.
Draw often and practice.