Imaginism Studios Blog

We've moved

2008-10-04T22:11:00.002-04:00

We've moved the blog to http://www.imaginismstudios.com/blog.html

Subway Sketching tomorrow!

2008-09-27T12:52:00.003-04:00

Answer to the last post: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that Kei and I will be meeting up with the Toronto subway sketchgroup tomorrow!

Also for those of you interested, Udon Comics is having a Street Fighter Tribute signing at the Beguiling tomorrow starting at 6pm. Kei and I might not make it to this one but we're going to try.... depends how much work we get done today.
For more info: http://www.beguiling.com/streetfighter/

More Warm up Sketches...

2008-09-24T23:27:00.004-04:00

Answer to the previous post: Aviator

Here's some more warm up sketches...
Can you guess the movie? Hint: these aren't the main characters.

Bobby

Warm up sketches

2008-09-20T18:36:00.002-04:00

Here's some warm up sketches from this morning...
Can you guess the movie? I wasn't concentrating on caricaturing but more about simplifying my brush strokes so it might be hard to guess.

Bobby

Life drawing, Schoolism and Subway Sketching

2008-09-18T09:26:00.007-04:00

Hi everyone,

Subway Sketching
For those of you that have been to subway sketching these last two weeks, I'm sorry Kei and I missed all of you!

September 7th we were in San Fran and September 14th I was hit with the allergies BIG TIME!!... This Sunday Sept 21st Kei and I are attending an important wedding so we won't be subway sketching again!!... jeez I'm going through subway sketching withdraw symptoms!! We'll be subway sketching regularly again starting Sept 28th.

Schoolism Class Info
Digital Painting Techniques with Bobby Chiu - Starting October 6th
The Art of Caricature with Jason Seiler - Starting October 31st
Character Design by Silver - Starting January 5th
Storyboarding with Kris Pearn - Starting November 25th
Go to schoolism.com for more info.

Life Drawing
Here's a life drawing sketch I did for class. We tend to look at things through our eyes and the info then goes into our brain and then our brain tells us an interpretation of what we saw. We want to interpret what we see but also be able to see things as they are (before we analyze the heck out of it).
It was a fun class. I really enjoyed it. It's a great feeling when you see that the students are working hard and improving! Go 4th years go! It was supposed to be a 5 minute pose but I'm pretty sure it was 7 minutes.

Schoolism and Joe Biden Sketch!

2008-09-11T11:52:00.001-04:00

This is a quick photoshop sketch I did this morning of Joe Biden. I'm working on a new color technique which I hope will allow for me to make tight deadlines while maintaining the quality that I aim for in my work. I will be adding color to this and will share when finished. I feel it's always good to experiment and try new things with your art, and it's also refreshing!

I need to also let everyone know that my next class at Schoolism.com is filling up. My next class starts on October 31rst. The classes have been going very well and the work that my students are creating is very exciting to see. For those of you out there who do not know what it is that I do, My course at Schoolism.com is an Online Art Class on The Art of Caricature. It's a one on one correspondence course. That means that every week my students watch a two hour video filled with demos and lecture followed by homework assignments. Each week I spend 15 to 30 minutes per student critiquing their work. What that means is that I record myself drawing and painting over the students work while sharing my thoughts and techniques. As a student you also have access to watch the critiques of your fellow students as well as the critiques of past semesters.
To learn more about Schoolism click here. There are limited seats available for each class.

I saved my Biden sketch in stages for you to check out. This is a study in values, so it was painted in grayscale using blacks, grays, and white!

Totoro Forest Auction Recap & new interviews with Side Bar Nation and CreatureDesign.org.

2008-09-08T13:16:00.009-04:00

We're back from the auction and it was amazing... here's a little recap of our trip.

So on Friday Kei and I flew out to San Francisco to attend the Totoro Forest Auction the next day. Bill Presing picked us up and had a lovely dinner with him and his beautiful fiancee Ikumi. Nice, quiet and relaxing. Just looked through his book collection and talked about art all night.

Saturday we had breakfast in the park and for lunch we met up with Lorne Lanning and he told us about some of his crazy adventures back in the day. Mind blowing stuff. Unfortunately those are not my stories to tell so I wouldn't feel right going into any details.

Later at around 5pm we all went to the auction at Pixar. Kei and I spent most of our time meeting the fabulous artists that contributed to the show and getting them to sign our Totoro Forest book. It felt like I was back in high school and it was year book time or something but we didn't care. This was a once in a life time opportunity and I will cherish that book forever :)

In the beginning of the night, Kei and I tried to bid on a bunch of pieces in the silent auction like Peter DeSeve's, Herman Mejia's but were always out bid.

In the live auction we had a little bidding war for Luc Desmarchelier's painting, Enrico Casarosa's, Dice's, Luis Grane's and a bunch of others but each time we were out bid. We did however end up coming home with Lou Romano's piece "BB & Me"! Well, actually we only came home with a certificate saying that we bought it. The real painting will be displayed in a museum for a few months before coming to it's new home in Canada. We'll take good care of it Lou! What a nice guy. He came over to talk to us after the live auction.

But the highlight of the night was when my friends came up to me and told me that John Lasseter bought my "Twins" print! When I was 16, my first real job was designing Pixar toys in Canada and ever since then John Lasseter has been a hero of mine so it was a true honor to have him purchase my painting and a dream come true to talk with him and shake his hand.

Bobby Chiu and John Lasseter :)

Thank you to everyone we met at the auction for making this weekend one of the most memorable nights of our lives. A special thanks to Dice, Ronnie, Enrico and everyone else involved in the show. Also a special thanks to Bill & Ikumi, Lorne & Sherry for letting us stay with them. It was amazing and the book turned out incredible. A must have.

Bobby

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On a side note here's a couple of new interviews:

Side Bar (sidebarnation.com) has done an MP3 audio interview with me so check it out HERE

For all my Russian speaking friends out there, CREATUREDESIGN.org has put up an interview I did with them. You can read it HERE

Totoro Project - Bidding is now ONLINE!

2008-08-30T14:06:00.009-04:00

FYI: You can also bid on the art from the Totoro Forest Project ONLINE! Bidding has already started and will end on Midnight 9/5/08. To see the auction items click HERE

Here's direct links if you wanted to bid on any of our pieces.
Enoki Forest Song

Dirty Job

Twins

As a convenience to those who are unable to attend the auction, we do accept absentee bids. This is a silent auction item so, once the absentee bidding period (Now - Midnight, 9/5/08) is over, the winning bid for this lot will set the minimum bid for this lot on the night of the auction. Please note, on the night of the auction, up to 5 silent auction pieces may be chosen as "wild cards" for the live auction. Should this piece be chosen as a wild card, it will NO LONGER be a silent auction item, and the highest bid will become the opening bid in the live auction. If no one at the auction places a higher bid, during either the silent auction OR the live auction, the winning absentee bid becomes the purchaser.

Eye Candy From Strangers

2008-08-29T12:41:00.002-04:00

Here's a few more girls I did recently for Alberto Ruiz's "Eye Candy From Strangers" book!

I used a black watercolor pencil, a red/blue pencil and some burnt sienna ink w water.

Just a reminder that SUBWAY SKETCHING is back on this Sunday. Hope to see a lot of you there!

Kei

back fromToronto Fan Expo

2008-08-26T10:42:00.004-04:00

Thank you to everyone who came by our booth and showed your support this weekend!
We had a lot of fun and we look forward to next year..

Here are some sketches that Bobby and I did from the event...
(Sorry about the bad quality, I forgot my camera and took them with my phone :p )

thank you!
Kei

Toronto Fan Expo this weekend and Subway Sketching Postponed.

2008-08-21T13:54:00.007-04:00

Hi everyone,

Subway Sketching this Sunday August 24 is postponed because we'll be at the Toronto Fan Expo at the metro convention center. If you're in the Toronto area, come on by. We'll be signing prints and books all weekend at booth A10 in Artist Alley. We'll also be doing free sketches for every purchase.

There's going to be tons of great talent and entertainment there. Just to name a few Jason Seiler, Doug Sneyd, Stephen Silver, Justin Ridge, Alberto Ruiz and Matt Stewart are all going to be sitting in our row.

Here's a few girls I did recently for Alberto Ruiz's "Eye Candy From Strangers" book! Hope to see lots of you this weekend!
Kei

Totoro, Pet Monster Sketch and Explosion in Toronto!

2008-08-16T12:00:00.004-04:00

Ok... I was a bit slow on putting this up. My apologies... we've been busy. I wanted to let you all know that the tickets were up for sale for the event but they all sold out in the first few days.

TOTORO FOREST PROJECT has a blog!
Click on the image below

Here's a little sketch I did a couple of nights ago. It's an idea for the next book 'Pet Monsters'.

Also, a propane factory blew up a few days ago here in Toronto. The explosion shook my home from miles away.
I didn't film this clip but it looks like the same view I have.

Here's another that someone posted on youtube that's even closer!

Elton Sketch

2008-08-12T15:38:00.001-04:00

A warm up sketch for fun.

Summer is fun under the shade too...

2008-08-04T13:41:00.005-04:00

Hi! Here are some sketches I did during our "outdoor subway sketchgroup"..
... because it was just too nice outside to stay underground in the subways :).

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Summer's not over yet! many more to come,
<3 Kei

San Diego photo journal and review and Hiro pic

2008-07-31T15:47:00.010-04:00

Hi everyone,

A huge thank you to all those that trampled our booth and bought all our stuff. And of course thank you to all those that came by just to say hi as well!

San Diego Comicon was a huge success and we really appreciate all the love and support.

Each year the San Diego Comicon has been a life changing experience and this time was no different.

Here's a little photo scrap book of our trip.
time for our favorite: nachos at Chillis! yumm..

This was taken on Tuesday. The day before preview night we hung out at Mission Beach

There were some really great characters there! Where's my sketchbook when I need it?

Our talented intern Lisa playing in the sand. Way to go Lisa! Good job at digging those holes! hehehe...

Oh... that's what she was doing! Kei and Lisa made some cute Totoros in the sand!

Rollercoasters by the beach. The fun never stops.

Preview night on Wednesday didn't start until 5pm so we spent the day by the pool at the Hotel.

And so the mad rush of Comicon begins...

They like our stuff thank God!

Kei's vinyl toy (made by our friends at MindStyle! Coming soon... these were only for display.

Life size Ironman

Snow White

More funky vinyls

Intern Lisa and her boyfriend :)jk

After the convention closes, the fans mob the streets...

Party and live paintings at Munky King

Other highlights of the trip included hanging out with the very talented Dice Tsutsumi, Peter Nguyen, and the rest of the Flight/Bluesky gang, Donnachada Daly, Gabriele Pennacchioli, Michael Knapp, Doug Sneyd, Heidi, Cheeks, Bill Presing, Ikumi and our family: Stephen Silver, Alberto Ruiz and Jason Seiler.

We also were happy to see again Alena Wooten, Born, Alina Chau, Stan Sakai, Everett Downing, Aaron Hartline, Kevin Dart, Pascal Campion, Ronnie del Carmen, Arthur Suydam, Martin Hsu, Vin, Humberto Ramos, Francisco Herrera, Gary Ham, Louie del Carmen, Octavio and many more.

We also met for the first time in person William Wray, Justin Sweet, Scott Campbell, Nathan Fowkes, Ryan Wood, Todd Harris, the artists from Portland Studios, and many more... If I missed you I apologize...

It was also great to see so many of my students there! Andrea, Tapan, Mark S, Vivian, Dave, Francis, Brittney...

One big highlight that made me completely geek out was meeting Masi Oka.
This is a piece I did for Jason Seiler's Caricature book [link]

It's Hiro Nakamura from one of my favorite tv shows: Heroes! I happen to eat at the same place Masi Oka (Hiro) a couple of days ago and I showed him the painting and he was kind enough to sign it for me. Yay! Thank you to Heidi Silver for forcing me to introduce myself.

Can't wait for the new season.

Bobby

Digital Painting Techniques class at Sheridan College

2008-07-29T13:06:00.005-04:00

After many requests for live classes, we've decided to bring back the Digital Painting classes back to Sheridan College.

Course Description: Prepare for a career in digital art by learning from an industry professional. Designed by Bobby Chiu, the founder of Imaginism Studios, and taught by Thierry Lafontaine, the studio's senior artist, cover philosophies and techniques for producing digital paintings, conceptual art, and character designs by applying traditional art skills in the virtual environment of Adobe Photoshop.

Cost: $323.02
Term : Fall 2008
Location : Trafalgar Campus (Oakville)
Sessions : 09
Days : Tue : 07:00 PM to 10:00 PM
StartDate : Sep 16, 2008

Sign up HERE

Please post your questions in the comments.

We'll be at SD Comicon July 23-27, 2008

2008-07-21T01:14:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone!

Jason Seiler, Kei Acedera and I (Bobby Chiu) will be at the San Diego Comic Convention - TABLE G6 & G7. We're going to do sign and do free drawings on all the prints and books for every purchase!... or until our arms get sore and we need a break.

Stephen Silver will be at table H6.

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A while back Kei and I were asked to guest artists to the Street Fighter Tribute Book.
We'll be doing the book signing with my partner in crime, Kei Acedera on this Friday from 12:30-1:30pm at the Capcom booth at Comicon. We'll also have a very limited supply of these illustrations as prints. 6 each.

Each print will be signed with original drawing on the back. First come, first serve. Prints are $50 each. I'll try to save one of each for an online auction after the con perhaps.

Here's mine. The idea was to bring Street Fighter back to the "streets."

Here's Kei's piece! I really love this one. So funny...

Guest artists contributions for Dean Yeagle's new book

2008-07-17T12:04:00.008-04:00

Hi everyone,

Lots of things going on but first here's a couple recent pieces that I'd like to share.
We were invited to be guest artists in Dean Yeagle's new book (available at comicon).
We were asked to do our version of Dean's famous Mandy character. I can't wait to see the whole book! There's tons of amazing artists that contributed (Bill Presing, Shane Glines, J Scott Campbell, Mike Kunkel, David Colman, Justin Ridge, Doug Sneyd.. and many more!)

To purchase visit Brand Studio Press --> HERE

Bobby's

Kei's

The Punisher! . . . W.I.P.

2008-07-14T21:45:00.002-04:00

Just something new I'm working on, this is the first stage of the block in. Also, a reminder, Caricature classes with Jason Seiler starts August 1rst, slots are filling up . . . check it out and feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.
-Jason

Last week for free shipping on books.

2008-07-14T16:50:00.005-04:00

We've started moving our books to our new distributor Brand Studio so shipping will be much quicker and more efficient. This also means Free Worldwide Shipping ends when Brand Studio takes over on Monday July 21st, 2008.

Totoro Forest Project!

2008-07-11T22:22:00.010-04:00

Here's something you'll be hearing a lot about.

This amazing event called the Totoro Forest Project is a fundraising auction that has brought together over 200 distinguished artists from animation, comic books and illustration, to save the Sayama forest (aka Totoro Forest). Hayao Miyazaki used this forest as an inspiration for "Totoro". All proceeds will go to the Totoro no Furusato Forest Foundation, established by Hayao Miyazaki himself. This is the brilliant idea of Dice Tsutsumi, Ronnie del Carmen and Enrico Casarosa.
Check out their wonderful site for some mind blowing pieces !!--> TOTORO FOREST PROJECT

Bobby and I are very honored to be a part of it.

Here is my "inner" Totoro...
Title: Enoki Forest Song
Medium: Gouache on Watercolor Paper.
Size: 11x14 inches
Poem: Raise, raise the lantern high,
Darkened riverbanks roll by,
The small skiff drifts, the band plays on
And the fireflies dance along
To the enoki mushroom forest song.

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Here's Bobby's amazingly detailed pen drawing...
Title: Dirty Job
Medium: Pen and Ink.
Size: 11x14 inches
Story: Help wanted: Enthusiastic individual, must love animals and working outdoors, no experience necessary.

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And another fantastic painting by Bobby! (yes, he doe not stop :))
Title: Twins
Medium: Pen and Ink with Digital
Size: 13x19 inches
Story: The blue gill-necked centi-plesiosaur is known for its inquisitive nature, sociable disposition, and extremely poor eyesight.

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Digital Painting Video of Creature

2008-07-09T19:12:00.004-04:00

This video is all about self-motivation. Time to get off our butts! Let's go out and do something to better our lives!!
Here's a fun little painting of a big dragon type of dog creature?? hehe... hope you like it!

Register for Digital Painting Classes at Schoolism.com
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July 24-27, 2008 Jason, Kei and I will be at the SAN DIEGO COMIC CONVENTION. We're going to sign and do a FREE drawing on all the prints and books for every purchase!... or until our arms get sore and we need a break. Come visit us at Table G6 and G7.

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Good bunny, good bunny...

2008-07-05T11:51:00.010-04:00

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This was inspired by my pet skinny pig Toby. If only he would listen to me!

Schoolism Online Art Classes Update
Digital Painting Classes with Bobby Chiu starts July 31, 2008
Caricature Painting Classes with Jason Seiler starts August 1, 2008
Character Design Classes with Stephen Silver starts September 2, 2008
Storyboarding with Kris Pearn starts August 5, 2008 <--ONLY ONE SPOT LEFT, and Kris has another class starting November 25, 2008

Bonus: here's some funny Aardman clips on how to save our planet! --> HERE

Quentin Painting for my Book!

2008-06-25T14:16:00.002-04:00

This week I will be at the Wizard World comic convention in Chicago, selling and signing books. If you're there stop by and say hello! I will be at booths 3300, 3302, 3304, hanging out with my Imaginism family!

This Quentin is one of my new paintings done for my book.

One of the special things about this book is that I have invited many friends of mine who's work I greatly admire to also be a part of the book. So I would like to thank my Guest artists for their amazing contributions to my book.

Roberto Parada, Drew Friedman, Joe Bluhm, Ismael Roldan, Wouter Tulp, Kei Acedera, Stephen Silver, Larry Seiler, Bobby Chiu, Hermann Mejia, Thomas Fluharty, and Jan Op De Beeck.

Click HERE to order the book!

Charlotte was amazing...Chicago next stop!!!

2008-06-24T17:54:00.009-04:00

A huge wonderful thank you to all of the wonderful people that came to see us at Heroes Con! We all loved the southern hospitality... and food. Corn bread at Mert's was my favorite. Yummy!

The convention was on the same weekend as the Dubs convention so here are some drawings from my little sketchbook of some of the cool characters we saw on Saturday night!

Next stop: Chicago!
We'll be at Chicago Wizard World convention from June 26-29th.
If you're in the area, come on by! Bobby Chiu, Jason Seiler and I will all be there signing books and greeting people.

Tables: 3300, 3302, 3304

Bobby and I will be doing sketches for every purchase of our prints or books!

Here's one of Bobby's that I liked.