William Thorup

Illustrator, Motion Graphics Designer, Animator, and VFX Artist

Author: William

  • More Templar Nation Stuff

    More Templar Nation Stuff

    Another busy week at the wheel, and yet at times, it feels like I don’t have much to show for it.  But I do!
    I thought I would post concept work of some pillar designs for one of the rooms that our hero’s encounter.

    It has been interesting to dive into divers kinds of architecture.  I have a difficult time drawing sturctures, but this project has really helped me to pull out of that shell a bit.

    I actually did this a couple of weeks back, and because I haven’t been doing allot of 2D stuff lately, I thought I post these final images along with the Alchemy sketches.  Enjoy!

  • Alchemy and Frustration

    Alchemy and Frustration

    A glimpse at one of my Alchemy brainstorms and then a bunch of unsuccessful sketches…

    I was thinking about other artists that I know, and how we express our frustrations from time to time.  I don’t want to spread the negativity around at all, but I thought I would post a little session from a few days ago.  I am not sure what was going on that evening, but I just couldn’t get anything I liked out onto the canvas, and decided to bag it.  After an hours worth of research and sketching.

    It just doesn’t work out sometimes.  And what I usually have to do, when I run into “artist’s block” is just drop what I am doing and do something completely unrelated.  (Read a book, video games, talk to friends, etc…).  But just so you all know, I deal with this allot.  And, I would like to leave you with a word of advice.   Don’t get frustrated, stick it out, it will pass.  And when it does finally work, it will feel that much better.

     

  • Comma

    Comma

    Time to Complete: 7 Hours
  • Bewitched Monstrosity

    Bewitched Monstrosity

    Here is a painting that I started during draw night last Thursday.  I was struggling coming up with a painting idea.  So I found a random phrase generator and “Bewitched Monstrosity” came out.

    I also recorded this one (below), to give others the opportunity, as well as myself, to examine my current process of painting.  If you have any questions or critique feel free to leave it in the comments below.

  • Murals

    Murals

    Here are some more sketches from the Templar Nation production.  Very far from the actual look we are going for, for the final product.  These sketches where used simple for composition within an archway frame.

    The look that we want to go for is more like a medieval tapestry than a modern cartoon.  I am excited to try my hand at some older art styles though.

  • loosening Up

    loosening Up

    I wanted to record one of my loosening up sessions in Gimp, to get an idea of how I am doing right now. And I thought to myself, why not throw a song behind it and post it.

    I have been doing allot of value sketches before I start into a longer piece. This obviously helps me light a scene, but it also helps me focus on the overall composition, rather than color and other details.

     I have found that I quickly become attached to my ideas, without trying other perspectives of the same idea, before its too late. Doing value paintings puts me into a situation where I could throw away or change an idea, without feeling guilty.
  • Its About Time

    Its About Time

    Sorry for the dead moment there.   We Finished up the filming for Templar Nation last week, and now we are trying to get our ducks in a row for post.  Got some heavy CG coming up, so I have taken this week to rest before the next sprint.

    Unfortunately the time that has been required to be on set and in meetings, have kept me from painting or drawing much at all.  But I was able to sketch a few things this evening, that I thought I would share.


    These sketches were done in Mypaint.  I really should get into this program more often.  Or at least use it to touch up some of my work in Gimp.  There is a whole slew of tools waiting to be  discovered and used.

    I have switched from Ubuntu to Kubuntu recently, since I bought a new system.  Thinking that I should try out a new interface.  (Also because Ubuntu sometimes feels clumsy to work in, because of recent updates to the UI.)  So far I am really liking Kubuntu.  Has the feeling of OSX, without all of the restrictions (user friendlyness) that comes with the Apple name.

    A little of a heads up on my future posting.  Over the next month or so, the posts will be less. I just don’t know exactly how much time I will have for personal projects.  But I will try to post what I can about Templar Nation withoutp\ getting in too much trouble.  Right now they have me working on a trailer.  Here is a link to the movie’s website if your interested  http://www.templarnation.com/

    Also, an apology for my friends at Draw Night.   Sorry I didn’t make it this evening, I woke up sick, and haven’t been in the best of moods today.  Thought I should spare you all the discomfort of a grumpy Will this evening.

  • Workin’ Them Projects.

    Workin’ Them Projects.

    Being busy is a good thing. At least it makes me feel like I am doing something productive.

    I am currently working on a couple projects. So doing allot of what they call “creative thinking” to drive the concept art I am working on. Its been fun seeing what comes out of the abyss which is my mind.

    I have been able to fit in some personal work as well. I will have some more character designs posted in the next few days.

    But in the meantime, I have been doing some small updates to www.thor-media.net . Go check it out! I have posted a few new recent works up. Also did some updates to the kiosk page. There will be another update there in the next few days as well. I have been working on a commercial for something called the iCuff, and I will have that posted soon. And it is 100% blender.

  • The Protagonist

    The Protagonist

    Been trying to write a short story lately.  (Writing is much more difficult than I thought.  Thanks Sarah!)  And the final goal for it is to hopefully design a Android based video game.
    And, obviously, apart of that process is designing what the characters look like.  And here is a taste of what I have done so far for the protagonist.

     

  • Ehh…

    Ehh…

    Yes, It has been a while since I have posted anything.  Been doing some on and off work for Overstock.com, and sometimes it requires me to stay really late to get a job done.  The late hours sometimes sap my motivation to do anything the following day.  Not the greatest excuse in the world, but it is what it is.

    With that said, I will have some time for the next few days to work on some personal projects.  So I should have some concept art for a short story that I am writing.  Stay tuned!