Friday, September 02, 2005

Dr. Peter Hickenlopper



Yep, still pulling from the files here. Same dead project, different character. This is Dr. Peter Hickenlopper. I could tell you a lot about him but the short story is that he used to be a respectable anthropologist until he went a little over the edge in his search for Sasquatch. Now he spends his days (and nights) searching for "evidence" and making what he believes are Sasquatch mating calls. Those"mating calls" are terribly unsuccessful, Sasquatch is NOT attracted to thouse sounds, not in the least. But Hickenlopper does draw a lot of attention from all the small woodland critters!

One of these days, I'll draw something new. Heck, with all the time I spent online tonight, I could very well have drawn something. BUT, let me tell you...the browse online took me to many amazing blogs by many EXTREMELY talented artists. You might want to take a look at my sidebar-0-links...there are some serious heavy hitters over there. New links like, John Nevarez, Stephan Kardos and Hans Bacher...just to name a few. More to come too.

I was lucky enough to have some of the best art direction of my life, way back in the late 90's by Hans Bacher (mentioned above). I was just assigned to take over as Lead Artist on the Mulan Animated Storybook (an interactive game) and he was the Production Designer on the movie. I met with him several times (with my Producer) for him to review my designs. I had to design something like 40 or so printable "trading cards" and other things I no longer remember. Now, I must say this first...I'd already been working at the company for a couple years...at least, and this was the first time a Production Designer from a Feature (in my experience, anyway) who actually took the time to meet with us "less-regarded" video game people. I showed him my designs (which I was quite proud of since they were my first attempts with Illustrator) and he had many, many notes for me. But, really...what was amazing was that they were REAL, substantial and absolutely dead-on notes. It was like a miracle for me. I remember smiling with every change request...because I knew, for probably the first time in my professional experience, that I was finally getting some excellent art direction. Of course, I would have loved to get everything right on first or even second pass...but it really was like a gift to receive these kinds of notes. Lightbulbs flashed in my head as I thought "Of course!! You're so right!" and "YES!! Give me more, please!!" That doesn't happen every day and it's definitely worth mentioning.
Coincidentally, I had the same experience today, with my new boss, Bob Boyle. He reviewed my character designs for Wubbzy. Man! It makes such a huge difference when you are working for someone who has a clear vision and they can draw a little scribble on a post-it and the design magically becomes so much better. You know that you aren't just spinning your wheels trying to read someone's mind...the answers are shown to you and you "get it"! Ahhhhh, how I love that.

70 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey Paige! Thank you very much for mentioning my blog here! I really appreciate it coming from you! I'm a big fan of your work already! so inspiring and original!

Anonymous said...

absolutely LOVE your illustrations.
big ear village welcomes creative people like you to join our monthly discussions!

www.big-ear-village.com

Anonymous said...

I'm really grateful you're re-posting these cute characters of yours Paige. I've never seen the last two before. It would have been a GREAT project. Hang on to them, you never know, they may come to life again in the future.

MikeS said...

How fortunate were you! Those experiences are ones that help you take a leap forward. Thanks for sharing that!

....and always, very nice illo, Paige!

Jorge Noujaim said...

great character!!!

Kactiguy said...

The Dr. looks wonderful. I hope he finds sasquatch someday. You are lucky to work with creative people with opinions that matter. It makes a difference.

Jeremiah said...

freaking awesome once again. What's he going to do once he succesfully uses the mating call?? lol

tstar said...

hi paige! i don't understand why the little animals are attracted to him, though. i tot he looked kind of pitiful.. and that's great news on your job! can tell you are really enjoying it! am happy for you! =D

Nick Sung said...

Hi Paige-

That's a terrific story--what a great opportunity to get some hands-on feedback, especially from Hans Bacher! I'm glad things are going well at your new job.

Nice work on Chuy and the Doctor. Pullin' from the files is fine enough I think, but I can't wait to see some new stuff too! Keep it up!

Eren said...

Hi Paige!

Oh my gosh I love everything on your blog!! Including this guy, love the look on his face. And those critters too!

Just like Stef I have to say I'm a big fan of your work already. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Running into artists like you is soooo inspiring! Can't wait to see more of your work!

Zeppellina said...

Love your work!
You are definately too modest, you are a
good illustrator....no doodles on this blog!

Anandi said...

Paige -

Your art is amazing. Any chance you have notecards or prints or anything for sale? I'd love to buy some of your work! Best of luck to you in your new job!

donnachada said...

Hey Paige, I used to drop by your site all the time before I found out you had a blog. (Nice links page too, by the way. You sent me to loads of great places.) Such great work. I'm so glad I to have found your blog.

Dairn said...

Are those creatures laughing at him? Poor guy.... Love the art!

D

ExBF said...

Dig the artwork.. That guy looks exactly like my old history teacher....

anonymous said...

Love your Doodles! :D

Reminds me of www.loobylu.com

Nice

anonymous said...

Just a question
Do you use a tablet when you draw these? I've been searching online for ages on how to draw ala-watercolor in Photoshop and Illustrator, but I can't seem to find any links on how to do it.

SteveLambe said...

Great shapes in that face, Paige. Very fun character.

Always fun reading about how the work situation is going for you. Working with Bob and the crew must be amazing.

Keep up the inspiring work!

-Steve.

lambey.blogspot.com

Annie said...

Hullo there! Your illustrations are wonderful- they are all very colorful and and have so much personality!

Is your artwork done professionally, or just for fun? "Swan Lake" looks like it came straight out of a magazine! It's very urbane and stylish! :)

Fulton Beal said...

I'd remembered seeing Red and Big Monkey, but I don't think I ever managed to see the Dr. (or if I did, I forgot) He looks great, I love the woodpecker drilling into his head. Still think its a shame they never got picked up, but at least you've got a nice new job where your getting a plethora of info, that can't hurt :)

Anonymous said...

Hey, I disagree with your reader who said the animals are laughing at him. I think they are looking up to him with love and awe.

Unknown said...

Gorgious character design!! They are so much fun, I like the attitude and personality of the character!!

Grace said...

oh my gosh.. i love your artwork!

Berlinbound said...

What a cheerful space you have created ...

Peace ...

Huanyan said...

hi, you really have an interesting blog here. Think yours is one of the better ones that I have came across.

REgards

Michelangelo Merisi said...

hi ., how r u I wait is fine very beauty your page your blog is o.k. very humour thanks and lucky in your life

rantomon said...

excellent blog, your work is great.

Have just started my own blog, have
mainly poems and and rants, i wish i could draw like you...

Fabricated Goddess said...

Fantastic blog....love love love the art work. You ROCK Paige Pooler. Will stay tuned for more.

The Dank Doctor said...

hey, awesome blog, nice content. come check out mine. link to me! love your drawings. very original.

Myrtle Beach Dude said...

You said it about direction. I work for a guy who can tell you what he doesn't like and what is wrong with what you've doen but never seems to tell you what he actually wants!

and by the way -
If you are able to host a person or family from katrina-afftected areas with a disability please go to http://katrinadisability.info/ and offer to take in a fellow American. These people will need between 3 and six months to rebuild their lives and these are the weakest and most needy.

isay said...

you are really so talented and lucky and hardworking that is why!

High Power Rocketry said...

:O) Hi from NYC!

R2000

Drazen said...

what snoz!
Great work Paige.

Michael Walton said...

would you like fries with that?

Unknown said...

I love the Sasquatch-obsessed guy! The mating calls....LOL!
Keep up the excellent work!

Sandesh S. Deshmukh said...

Hi Paige,
This blog is a class ap-art.
It is very different that many of the blogs, but i think that mine
( http://sandytech.net ) is the most different, just because mine is based on anything and everything. I think i have also coined a term while writing for my blog. it is "techno-humorist", have you heard of this term before?

Hope u keep on the good work, bless ya! Bye!

10SC-Star said...

As long as the old projects look like this, I my opinion, you can continue posting old projects

paige said...

thanks, everyone! Hearing from you all is so nice, I can't even tell ya!

jdati: No problems posting here...I'm just glad to hear you got out okay. My thoughts and well wishes are with you and I look forward to hearing from you again (when you can)

Beauty Addict said...

Hi jus wan 2 tell u nice pics :) Btw, can I haf ur permission 2 use some of ypur pictures 4 my blog. The address is www.dayafterfinally.blogspot.com. Thanks :) Hoping to see more of your work :)

"Sonhos Sonhados" e "Os Filmes da Minha Vida!" said...

hello EYES

li o teu texto muitas vezes.
pois tenho algumas dificuldades
nalguns vocábulos.

entendi o essencial,
mas para te continuar a visitar
vou precisar de estudar mais.

hearts of Portugal.
létinha.

Asha X said...

Hi there! I'm new to the "blogosphere" and came across your site. I started my own blog recently to pursure my own artistic interest in writing. Your artwork is wonderful, thanks for the inspiration.

Rhiannon said...

Wow you get a lot of comments don't you? Hard to keep up for you I bet!..lol:o)..anyway I just love your site and all the work. I went to the Drawn site and looked at the Kevin Sproul drawing and wow if I could be even 1/4 as good as his talent! I just posted a few of my portrait drawings on my blog last night, hope you might want to check them out, see what you think?

Angel Blessings,
Rhiannon

Courtney Pippin-Mathur said...

wow. love this guy. your stories are great too, great fodders for all of us dreamers. :)

saurav said...

Wonderful post.....

cartoons are really good

pale beneath the blue said...

Your work is amazing. Keep doodling.

John Nevarez said...

Paige, you are so damn good!!! I really love looking at your work. It makes me want to do more Photoshop work. And thank you so much for plug to my blog. I truly appreciate. I must and will post your site on my sidebar tonight!! Keep 'em coming!!!!

Kimberly Brown said...

Hi Paige, I just love your blog, I wish I had your artistic abilities to go along with my writing abilities...it's all in my head how I want things to look, I just can't get my hand to coordinate! I love your ideas and characters, just adorable...have a fantastic day. I'll be checking back often :)

Cecilia's Art said...

hi! my name is cecily, i love your drawings, they are nice , and nice blog ,too.ill be visiting u again, kisses, cecily.

cyberorg said...

Just droped in here, nice site.

Tamera said...

i love dr. peter hickenlopper. fantastic.

Youth Speak said...

Your doodles are awesome! I wish I could draw like that.

Peace,

Josh Murphy
www.youthspeak.blogspot.com
"Youth Revolution For a New Future."

Anonymous said...

Nice artwork. How I wish I can do such creation.
A job well done...





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paula said...

great blog...beatiful art!
bye :)

Anonymous said...

Man... I still love your work. You're bookmarked, so keep the goodness coming.

John Stafford said...

Brilliant pictures. I've mentioned you on my blog "Worcester Words" and I'll link to you as soon as I find out how to do it!

The Jane Doe Chronicles said...

Hi Paige: Beautiful characters. Dr. Peter and Nessie top notch.

I have a writers blog, but I also am an artist in custom designs in stained glass art and reproductions over 100 years old.

I really enjoyed what I have seen so far and look forward to returning and having the opportunity to refer Eyes Wide Apart. Delightful Header...

Jane

David said...

Your works awsome. Just wanted pass that along.
Dave

Sushil said...

Hey Paige,

Nice work! Like the colors you use and the no-outline style.

Cheers,

Sushil (Doodlewala)

Mare said...

Hi Paige!
I came across your blog by chance. I'm an art lover and I really love your artwork. They are beautiful, amusing and they make me smile.

I have only ever done art with oils and sketches (real and comic) in pencil and color pencils. I want to start using Photoshop and Illustrator because I love the effects your artwork has that I can't achieve with pencils. Do you have any tips? Is it expensive to get the software and do you think I can figure it out on my own or did you take special classes in college or something? I am really clueless when it comes to software-related art but I'd love to start. My ambition is to become an illustrator for children's books. :) I love your ideas and they've already inspired me with a lot of new concepts too.

Unknown said...

great works!!!!

GeeOh! said...

I am also one of those bloggers who just chanced upon ur site paige, i am not artistic at all but ur pictures are fantastic and amusing! well done, good luck with ur new job!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I joined blogspot. So many talented artists here. I'm really becoming a fan of this type of artwork! Looking forward to seeing more!

RAY DILLON said...

Good grief. You get a LOT of comments. ;o)

Well, your work certainly deserves the exposure. Great job.

And thank you so much for posting the info about personalizing your page. Very helpful!

Jeffrey, Jeff, Jack said...

OMG thats so cool! ;D

Anonymous said...

Hey...Somehow I didn't notice the little guys at the feet of Dr. Hoshtenflooper...Hicksonbleeper...Uhm, the guy with the camera. They're awfully cute! Cute!Cute!

paige said...

sean felix! thank you very much. And, Please! No offense taken!!!! You did spur me into action though... a new (old) drawing posted now! Phew!

Cecilia's Art said...

nice blog! congratulations! i´l be back soon.kisses.

"Maggie & Kevin" said...

Ok, so I have to get my two cents in here- this is such a charming illustration Paige!

Mark McDonnell said...

Great sketch.


MAC

Anonymous said...

OMG that bird! You still rock.