Friday, March 16, 2007

Dragons and Dinosaurs

Ahhhh, Wales. Land of Rarebits and my mum and dad's static caravan.... I vivisted NEWI in Wrexham yesterday to do a talk and workshop to their animation and illustration degree and masters students, and what a lovely time I had too. Thanks to Jim Walker for looking after me for the day and arranging everything, as well as Des, Alan and Martin too. Apparently Magnus Scheving from Lazytown was there doing a similair talk the other week when Animex was on, and I was unable to attend because of that but hope to be in touch down the line - he's not just the creator of that particular show but he also plays Sportacus to the uninitiated. If you want to know what Sportacus looks like just put "buns of steel" into Google and see what you get - it should go straight to him.


Yes, that's me at the back of the table scribbling furiously as we all got stuck into a few exercises in the afternoon. That's right, the drawn kind rather than anything actually physical. I mean, look at me for goodness sake!

As promised here are some more images from DINOSAURS AFTER DARK, involving Bobby our protagonist getting up to all kinds of scrapes and hijinks with the big thunder lizards. Sliding down the rooftops above the City Hall...


... climbing up the office blocks and jumping off them all! Obviously with most books I'm associated with there's a suggestion of something slightly sinister, and that happens in the book were the dinosaurs then decide for one last game of hide and seek, and if they find Bobby they might... just... eat him! Thanks again to Jon Emmett for such a wonderful engaging text :-)



By the way, before I go. Primeval? Prime Drivel more like. Nuff said...

16 comments:

Nik Holmes said...

Magnus Scheving? Good lord, the man has usurped Patrick Swayze of his position as the Ultimate Male! Watching the credits for Lazytown, that man is unstoppable! He seems to have a hand in every aspect of that show, and I bet he does it all with a backflip! Hopfully there was some intermediate speaker for the students to ease them from his cartwheeling, backflipping, somersaulting entrance into the room and this-

http://www.qurios.com/Blog/Curtis_go_Boing_Boing.gif

Andrew Glazebrook said...

I was happy reading this until you brought up Primeval,I'd rather you'd have mentioned the Star Wars Prequels !! I'm working on a follow up to Lazy Town called Glazy Town, I've still got a lot of exercising to do though before I look anything like Sporticus !

Niel Bushnell said...

I would have paid realy money to see you and Sporticus performing on the same stage. It's almost enough to turn a man.

Jo Bling said...

Nik - you know, I never tire of that clip courtesy of Mr Bushnell! Mr Scheving is pretty ripped by all accounts, although naturally he pales next to my Adonis-like image...

Glazey - dont exercise fella - I'd pay good money to see you prance about in figure-hugging lycra in your condition!

Bushy - What red-blooded male with a pulse could resist the site of Sportacus and Shortacus working out on stage???

dragonhead said...

Oh gosh! Sportacus Rules! And I absolutly love the music to Lazytown. The site of the guy who made the music though is in Icelandic (or something like that) so I haven't been able to find more of what he does).

And if you are talking about Lazytown, you have to talk about Robbie, they chose the perfect actor to play that part.

justinpatrickparpan said...

As an avid aficionado of all things prehistoric and covered in scales I would like to compliment you on one hell of a dinosaur book Mr. Bling. I especially enjoy that classic Bling texture on Mr.Rex. Nice work as always and sorry for the long absence. Ive missed the old Badablingthing and I promise I'll be back for more.

Anonymous said...

Hi Curtis!

Thanks for the lecture and workshop you gave us at NEWI. It was fun and has given me lots of ideas and inspiration for my work, and for the workshop I'll be teaching kids at the science festival!:)

Anonymous said...

charming work.

Jo Bling said...

Dragonhead - still trying to work out whether that chin on Robbie Rotten is prosthetic or not...

JP - thanks for the dino-appreciation buddy and no worries on the absence - it happens and it's good because it means you're busy

Gina - no probs my dear, I only hope my caricature class didn't shatter any friendships!

Brian - cheers man

Andrew Glazebrook said...

Robbie Rotten always reminded me of the film 'The Mask' with Jim Carey,I think it's his stylized movements !!!

Tim Bye said...

Super pics!

Jo Bling said...

Glazey - I'm with you on that, only with Bruce Campbell's chin!

Tim - thanks for calling by, sir!

paulhd said...

Yeech, Primeval! Had to leave the windows open to try and get rid of the smell after watching some of that show.
At least you know how to present cool dinos.

Unknown said...

these are wonderful!!

Josh Parpan said...

Looks like a fun book Curtis! That texture on the dinosaurs is brilliant, I'd love to see these close up!

Jo Bling said...

Paul - ditto on the heinous prehistoric stench, squire :-D

Alina - thanks for popping by chickie

Josh - if they open up when clicked upon you should be able to see quite a high res scan, courtesy of Mr Glazebrook