tokyo story

I watched Tokyo Story(1953) last night, which was directed by Japanese master Yasujiro Ozu. I had been meaning to watch this for years now and I'm so glad I did. The compositions are breathtaking. everything is so well composed, shots are meticulously planned. Y'know I read plenty of essays, and sat in on lectures about mise-en-scene but I didn't really get it. Now I think I do! Anyway It's fun to see the origin of certain styles of cinema and techniques. Ozu's influence can be seen in directors like hou hsiao hsien, koreeda hirokazu, and hayao miyazaki. lots of quiet still shots of ordinary every day life. clouds, a bit or architecture, trees blowing in the wind, empty streets, and neighborhood rooftops. Ozu's film style is very still, mature and subtle. It evokes a sense of mindfulness that is rarely seen in film. He also interestingly enough doesn't follow the 180 rule which I think is pretty interesting to see. it actually works really really well in spite of it.

I really could go on forever about this... anyway I painted this shot which was one of my favourite of his "tatami shots" in the movie. so beautiful. I'm a shitty painter but it was fun, and I felt compelled to do it!

stand by your pan

holy shit. it took me like 30 tries to upload this. sorry its so small but blogger wouldnt let me put it up any other way.

small dump

sketchbook stuff, layout, and layout/ tonal thumbs for painting.

stories, and the psychological meaning of mythological symbols

MAN I've got to update this thing with drawings. soon i swear. In the mean time, here's a lecture from Jordan Peterson. If I had to sum it up in a simple way... which i don't think i can (even he cant) its about the fundamental value of stories, what they mean, and why that's one of the most important things... in the world!

I often wrestle with his ideas in my head, trying to gain a clearer understanding of his body of work. I think its rare to encounter ideas that can both sum up the complexity of stories and mythology while leaving the sense of meaning they have on us intact.

If I can sum up jordan's argument (and we can't forget it is an argument) is that stories are the codified established patterns of how you should (or shouldn't) deal with things you don't understand. because stories are always about that. getting from where you are (what you know) and crossing the threshold to a place that you don't understand...

Boy I'm not explaining this well at all.I just hear my words, jumbled with jordan's words in my head, half-remembered sentences that i know are meaningful if only i could put them together. but thats what the video is for.
so here it is
A sophisticated, complex and intellectually honest and stimulating understanding as to the role (and the function!!!) of stories in the wider context of the human species. please enjoy. I plead with you, watch, listen closely. You'll gain something.

UPDATE

So ive been working with a 2b lately, one to get myself to draw lightly, 2 because ive been doing a teeny bit more rendering, and three cause its fun to try to use something new
anyway here are some caricatures ive done from fashion ads, and photos. been watching jason seiler's video on sketching, its good as a reminder of what to do, and how, but it doesnt go in detail which kind of blows. its still nevertheless inspiring and exciting to watch him draw and see his process.

ive been at my computer since 10 30 am working on this. three more areas to retouch and add details and im done. but for now... a break!!

work in progress probably spend another hour and a half on it today and then try another 3-4 ours tommorow. then ill try something new if it doesnt go anywhere. starting to feel like i was overly ambitious again, and should have thought this through. done something simpler/ my hand hurts so much. AGH!!