Promo Flyer for the Event
Photo Credit: Comic Panel
For starters, I would like to apologize for not blogging about this awesome event earlier when I attended months ago hey just found time in my busy schedule after so much procrastination*laughing out loud*winks*but it would be a greater disservice to the local industry not to talk about it at all. Early this year in the month of March enjoying some downtime at a previous creative firm I had worked for to surf the net and peruse the creative groups I belong to on Facebook. (Yeah don’t give me that look, am a creative techgeek that is what really keeps me online there*sorry*ladies, it is not about you all the time*winks with a grin*)
Now as I was saying I happened to be on the Association of Comic Makers of Nigeria (ACMON)and the NigerianComic Artists Group (NCAG) being a #comichead who still loves comics and an avid reader of both indigenous and international content/media. I then saw an interesting post by Ayodele “Dreammaker” Elegba (Head Honcho at (Mustard Seed Communications/ComicPanel) for a forth coming Digital Painting Workshop - A One Day Intensive Workshop in Digital Painting .
The creative event was organised by Comic Panel, organisers of the popular Lagos ComicCon Event now in its 4th edition as of when this article was written since 2012 and sponsored by WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria, resellers of Wacom and Ugee digital tabs with their accessories. The venue was Wacom Nigeria’s office at Plot 71, Isheri/Ogunnusi Road, Akiode Bus-Stop, by Omole Phase 1 Estate, Ojodu-Berger, Ikeja, Lagos. It was a sweet opportunity to meet the guest instructor, Godwin Akpan (Digital Artist – Godwin Akpan Studio) who I happen to be a fan of ever since getting to visit his website(warning: you will be blown away with awesomeness). He is known for digital painting for comics/cover art, rapid character concept art for animation, storyboarding for films and matte painting for fantasy environments creating out of these world visuals/backdrops for animation and film use.
Ishakabar the Conqueror (named by me)
Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio
Sexy Female Concept Art (named by me)
Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio
The event kicked off slightly after the scheduled time of 10am for attendees including me to get settled in. The host for the day was Ayo as he introduced himself and welcomed everyone to the event. The instructor in his usual humorous and laid back manner took us through his experience as a comic artist, storyboard artist and digital painter using Adobe Photoshop CS6 while doing his best not be too technical for those new to the subject.
He also introduced attendees to the works of international digital/matte painting artists for concept art and fantasy environments like Noah Bradley, Dylan Cole (popular for his works on films such as Dare Devil starring Ben Affleck and Avatar by James Cameron to name a few), Patrick Brown and Fengzhu.
Sango - Concept Art
Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio
Lost City Fantasy Environment (named by me)
Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio
The tasks for the event were as follows:
Task 1:
Attendees were now taken through the art of creating digital matte backgrounds for films and games by a creating a fantasy environment composition using the National Arts Theatre on a floating island across a lake surrounded by rocky terrain using a Wacom tab in Photoshop CS6.
Task 2:
The art of colouring comics session had we all colour a comic sketch from Lloyd’s Security: Private Detective (LSPD) and the best attempt would win a brand new Wacom tab from the sponsors. The winner turned out to be a female artist, Cynthia and was presented her prize by Mr Ralph and Mr Olanrewaju Malik of WhiteTechnology/Wacom Nigeria.
Comic Sketch of LSPD Comic
Photo Credit: Godwin Akpan Studio/LSPD Comic
All in all, the event was really was worth the hype and added to my basic knowledge about digital art and matte painting. I got the chance to meet for the first time, Eri Umusu aka Erimation (3d Artist/Animator) popularly known for his dystopian fantasy the SIM animation short, Akinwande Ayodeji Akinola (Graphic/Digital Artist at CKDigital), Dominic Oziren Omoarukhe (Digital Artist/Illustrator), Chike Newman Nwankwo (Comic Illustrator/Character Design Artist) and Tunrayo Oloyede amongst other people. A big thumbs up to the organisers for the memorable experience.
More pictures from the event below and enjoy the visuals:
Venue of the Event
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Myself and the Instructor, Godwin Akpan
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Class Session where Instructor Sets Up the Canvas in Photoshop CS6
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Easy Going and Bubbly 3D Artist/Animator of the SIM known as
Eri Umusu aka Erimation
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel)
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Presentation of Wacom Tab to Cynthia by Mr Ralph with Ayo “Dreammaker” Elegba (Comic Panel) and Godwin Akpan
Photo Credit: CG Blogger’s Archives
Article Credits/References: Google and CG Blogger’s Archives
