Out and About

This city provides endless opportunities for drawing, sometimes in places you wouldn't expect. Here's an assortment from the past few weeks:

Recently SIRT, a research and training facility for the film, tv and gaming industries, hosted a panel about the future of Stereoscopic 3D technology. Located in a giant soundstage at Pinewood Studios, the event was packed with professionals eager to explore this fascinating new medium.

Bill White (Former owner of William F. White, the illustrious Canadian film-equipment rental company) traced the evolution of Stereo from its beginnings to the present as the other panelists listened in. Ever feel nauseous during a 3D film? Bill cited ineffective use of the technology as the main reason for public fatigue and discomfort towards the current trend. "Why would anyone want to pay a premium to feel bad?"

Then Stereographer Brent Robinson gave us an overview of the 3D pipeline and how the technology can add "No pun intended -- Another dimension to your film!"

We were also given a preview of an IMAX documentary film that was simply breathtaking. There were lots of notetakers in the audience!

Next, Diane Woods of 3eedom Digital, explained how all this Stereo business fits into the television market. As usual, Canadian broadcasters were the slowest to adopt this technology.

Here's Bill White looking rather dapper in a slick pair of 3D glasses!

I only became aware of the possibilities of 3D through my time spent in Montreal working on my NFB short. One of my fellow Hothousers crafted his film using audio waveform data and Stereo to create an immersive experience, and that's when I really began to understand its potential. We were also given the opportunity to visit Janro Imaging Labs and test-drive SANDDE, a software that allows you to DRAW IN 3D SPACE! This completely melted my mind, and I'm really hoping to use it to create artwork and films some time in the future. 

Everyone was excited to hear Stereographer Demetri Portelli discuss what it was like to work with "Marty" Scorsese on Hugo. Addressing his bold choices for the film, Demetri explained, "Stereo that plays it safe can be consistent, but stereo that plays it safe can also be boring." The same can be said of many other art forms!

On another night I was invited back to Koerner Hall to see the RCO play alongside legendary pianist Leon Fleisher. I had a different vantage point than my last time at Koerner Hall which made for some interesting drawings.

Mr. Fleisher takes the stage.

The lead violinist played with marvellous intensity.

I found it remarkable that Mr. Fleisher is able to play piano with only his left hand!

On an entirely different day I left home early enough to slip in some drawing time before meeting friends after work. While riding my bike along Queen I spotted El Almacen, a charming cafe that specializes in yerba mate tea from South America.

The tea itself is served loose in a hollow gourd and sipped through a metal straw. I especially enjoyed the ritual of preparing the drink. "You must make sure the water is no more than 75 degrees," the barista explained, "Or you will burn the tea and destroy its nutrients."

The beverage had a grassy flavour to complement my pastry-of-choice, an Alfajore filled with creamy dulce de leche. Nibble, sip, nibble, draw, sip...

Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT)

Pinewood Toronto Studios

225 Commissioners Street, Suite 200

Toronto

Koerner Hall

273 Bloor Street West

Toronto

El Almacen

1078 Queen Street West

Toronto

Toons On Tap

Keeping things fast and loose at Toons On Tap

It has been ages since my last formal life drawing session because of my preference for quick gesture. Most sessions in this city cater to fine artists who prefer long, sustained poses. Alternatively, burlesque-style Drink 'n Draws are way too gimmicky, and with a drawing-to-creeping ratio of approximately 1-in-3, they just don't appeal to me.

  As much as I continue to draw from life, I really miss the formal sessions that I fell in love with at Animation School. Drawing from a model has an different energy than drawing on the streets. Knowing exactly how long the pose will be (1 min, 5 mins, 10 mins) allows you the freedom to experiment with new materials and new ideas. Plus, by working with the same model for the entire session, you can explore his or her personality in ways that aren't possible in a coffee shop with complete strangers (unless you're a total creeper). I have always enjoyed the first 20 minutes of any life drawing class because that's when things get really wild. Rendering a static pose for over an hour is not quite my thing.

 For ages I've been wishing for a place to go drawing that caters specifically to the Animation community. Finally, there's a session that does just that!

Toons On Tap has all the qualities that any Animator would look for in a good night out. Quick poses, awesome music, fabulous models and beer. BEER!

In this first session some people chose to experiment with atypical life drawing materials. This guy chose a graphics tablet.

The model, Rita Koos, was a knockout in vintage with a gangster attitude.

To start we did a series of one-minute poses.

Then the stereo began to crank out the Bobby Womback and we moved on to fives! SICK!!!

Pow!

Those pants were ridiculously cool.

Beer Break!

Mixing things up with some new materials.

Dangerous.

These, my friends, are some good drawing times.

BEER BREAK!

Toons On Tap. You've got to go.

Toons On Tap

The Smiling Buddha

961 College Street

Toronto

When Life Gets In The Way

Sometimes life can interfere with drawing, and by life I mean rent, dishes, spouses and taxes. They're all vying for your attention, ready to pull you away from your sketchbook! The trick is to carry your drawing tools everywhere, be it to the gym or the grocery store, and try to fit in a bit of creative time on the go. I know it's hard, but the more you do it the easier it will become.

This past few weeks I found myself in such a pickle, trying to find time to draw while coordinating packing, painting and moving to a new apartment. In addition, there were family obligations, friends I hadn't seen in ages, appointments, lectures, and those darned dishes collecting in the sink at home. In between a meeting at Bloor and Spadina and an event on Commissioners Street I stopped by Dark Horse Espresso Bar for drawing time that was long overdue.

The girl in front of me seemed to be having a rough time of it. I wonder if she was feeling overworked too?

An other lady sat down and pulled out a book, but she was clearly distracted by her rowdy table mates.

This trio seemed to be having a great time, I wonder if they were skipping out on work?

Looking rather innocent, he was the loudest of the lot!

When a chair opened up on the other side of the table this lady pounced.

A very fit rugby-playing type took her place. He appeared to be waiting for someone.

I always wonder how some people manage to concentrate in such a chaotic environment.

Two women mix some cream into their coffees before taking them to go.

Rugby guy was joined by a man who I assume to be his Dad. They were the most adorable pair!

Without time to spare, I downed my tea and raced off to face my commitments. A little bit of drawing is still better than no drawing at all.

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

215 Spadina Ave, Suite 102

Toronto, Ontario