Artist Portfolio Reviews Session 1 (times previously reserved via sign-up)
(2504B 10:30 – 12:30)
Designing the Dwarves from The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey
(2503 A&B 10:30 -12:00)
Concept designers Paul Tobin and Nicholas Keller discuss Weta Workshops' role in designing the hero dwarves from The Hobbit : An unexpected Journey.
Duration : 1.5 hours
Tara McPherson Special Guest Interview
(Main Stage 11:00 – 12:00)
Creating art about people and their odd ways, her characters seem to exude an idealized innocence with a glimpse of hard earned wisdom in their eyes. Recalling myths and legends, issues from childhood and good old life experience, she creates images that are thought provoking and seductive. Her clients include DC Comics, Warner Brothers, Dark Horse Comics, Kidrobot, Strangeco, SXSW, Spin, Pepsi, Fanta, Penguin, Harper Collins, Revolver, Playstation 2, House of Blues, Punk Planet, Dogfish Head Brewery, and Nike to name just a fews.
Artist as Filmmaker Panel: Iain McCaig, Gris Grimly, Bruce Jones, April Campbell Jones
(2502 B 11:00 – 12:00)
Today there are more tools and paths of production for filmmakers than ever before. Panelists discuss the joys and challenges of bringing their work to life through film and animation and how being an artist has helped them become better writers and directors.
Jon Foster Live Art Demo: Concept and Visualization
(Main Stage 12:00 – 1:00)
Award winning artist and instructor Jon Foster demonstrates traditional painting techniques and the thought process behind developing concepts for his work.
Fantastic Sculpture Panel: Virginie Ropars, Brandon & Jarrod Shiflett, Thomas Kuebler, J. Anthony Kosar
(2502 A 12:00 – 1:00)
Panelists from a variety of disciplines talk about inspirations, challenges, tips and tricks for creating dimensional art in all its forms. Each award winning panelist brings their unique perspective for creating the fantastic in 3 dimensions.
A History of Fantasy Art: Charles Vess
(2503 A/B 12:30 – 2;00)
Iconic illustrator and comic artist Charles Vess takes us on a fantastic journey through the three major aesthetic themes that continue to influenced the look of Fantastic Art today: British Fairy Tale Art, American Pulp Illustration, and European Visionary Art. A richly entertaining lesson in the history of fantastic art.
Peter De Sève Special Guest Interview
(Main Stage 1:00 – 2:00)
Peter de Sève's illustration and character designs are known throughout the world. His Emmy and Clio award winning work spans three decades and various media, including magazines, books, print and television advertising, animated feature films and magazines. Best recognized for his many New Yorker covers and his character designs for the three blockbuster Ice Age movies (Scrat is now an international icon) de Sève has also contributed to such films as Mulan, A Bug's Life, Tarzan, and Finding Nemo.
Terryl Whitlach Special Guest Interview
(Main Stage 3:00 – 4:00)
Terryl’s career has spanned over 25 years were she has worked with many major studios and effects houses as a highly sought after creature and concept designer. Clients include Industrial Light and Magic, Lucas Film Ltd., Pixar, and Walt Disney Feature Animation. Terryl has acted as principal creature designer for Star Wars — the Phantom Menace and in known for her fully realized anatomies and stylizations.
Illustrating the Narrative: Nathan Fox, Bruce Jones, Matt Rotta, Mark Chiarello
(2502 A 3:00 – 4:00)
Great visual storytellers challenge our notions of self and truth, engaging an audience to its core. Panelists discuss the powerful combination of the art of creative writing and the craft of visual arts and the power of the illustrated narrative in storytelling.
Michael Whelan A Career in Fantasy: Michael Whelan
(2503 A/B 3:00 – 4:00)
Living legend, multi Hugo Award winner, and Science Fiction Hall of Fame member Michael Whelan reviews his career and reveals the stories and inspiration behind some of the most iconic images in fantasy and science fiction
Jon Foster Live Art Demo II: Digital Finishing
(Main Stage 5:00 – 6:00)
Using the work begun traditionally in Workshop I Jon Foster explains his digital strategies and techniques as he completes the work.
Faces of Horror Panel: Joshua Hoffine, Brom, and additional panelists to be announced
(2505A 2:00 – 3:00)
Multi-disciplined masters of horror, mood, and fear discuss their methods, influences, and inspirations dissecting exactly just what it is that scares the living daylights out of us.
Charles Vess Special Guest Interview
(Main Stage 3:00 – 4:00)
American fantasy artist and comic-book illustrator Charles Vess’s award-winning work has graced the covers and interior pages of many comic book publishers including Marvel (Spider-Man, Raven Banner) and DC (Books of Magic, Swamp Thing, Sandman). His work now is found more in book illustration, such as “The Ladies of Grace Adieu” (Bloomsbury), “Coyote Road – Trickster Tales” (Viking), and “Peter Pan” (Starscape). Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess' “Stardust," was made into an acclaimed film by Paramount Pictures in 2007.
Character Creation: Peter De Seve
(2503 A/B 5:00 – 6:00)
Renowned New Yorker cover illustrator and award winning designer of such unforgettable characters for block-busters such as, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, Finding Nemo, Robots, and Ice Age discusses the ins and outs of character creation and design for animation.
