Bryan Murdoch's Animation Portfolio

Back after a... 'short' break.

2010-08-31T21:11:00.000-07:00

With the mindset that I need to get back in the saddle in terms of illustration and creature design I'm happy to post my latest creature/digital painting.

This was the 'Lizard Swamp Monster' design I did for a design studio earlier in the year to be made into a suit for a TV show called Freak Encounters.

They didn't go for my prefered design of this guy, but I had me blend parts of him in with another illustrator's take on the creature, which is probably the version that'll make it into the show.

Anyway, I was pretty happy with my (unused) take on this and wanted to paint something up to show him off. It's good to be back and here's hopin' the next one of these things comes sooner than later.

-BRYAN

"Mattingly, I thought I told you to SHAVE those sideburns!!"

Some explainations/ Shameless self promotion.

2009-01-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

Hey-o from a blog that never get's update! Never!

In the interest of protecting the works of myself and Sir Matt Smith and our life changing comic strip 'Generation Y' I've pulled down all posts from this blog containing the comic and it's innocent and Copyright-free contents.

But have no fear dear readers (Mom)! You can still read about the hilarious adventures of Matt, Bryan and the rest over at www.genycomics.com, our very own webcomic site (loaded with accurate copyright information to save ourselves the headache of winning lots of law suits.)

So check it out, tell your friends and, hell, if you feel up to the task become a fan on Facebook- we'll update you when new strips go up and such. Just search Generation Y in your facebook and become a fan!

That's it for me for, well realistically, another year or so.

Boom.

-BRYAN

ANIMAL

2008-04-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

This month's Lineitup challenge was to draw up a Muppet... so here's mine!
I've got a pretty sweet idea for a new series of drawings... so stay tuned and keep an eye out for genycomics.com... soon to be launched!

Catch up!

2008-03-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

Time for Another catch up! The first ones here are some of the rough work I did for the Gorillaz Challenge, and 2 of the ways it could have ended up!

The following sketches are some character designs I did for a Design Company. Gotta look Trendy!

And Lastly just character/Creature design i did a little while back!

Gorillaz Challenge

2008-02-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

January's Line it Up topic was to draw yourself in the Gorillaz style, and I'm pretty happy with the results I think!

So, Turns out, Forcing yourself to draw like somebody else opens your eyes to new ways of drawing for yourself!

Oh, and for anyone who cares, Derek and I shared the honour of winning the 'You Blew It' award for January, through our little 'drive the moving truck around the city with our back door wide open' fiasco!

"IT'S OOOOOOPENNNNN!!!"

Line it Up Topic 1

2007-11-27T21:31:00.001-08:00

Fellow Animator and general Madman Frankie Stellato started up a sketch group and the first topic was Hallowe'en... and here's my submission! Combining my love of Pumpkin Headed characters with my distrust of the Amish!

"Didn't see-me doit!"

2007-11-08T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hey Hey,

So here's somethin' of a bi-monthly update... with... more subway sketchin'!

I grabbed new Zelda for DS and despite that occupying a good chunk of my commute time I still found some randoms to draw on the TTC.

Will and Dewitt's going great these days, like Andy said- It's safe to say I'm the greatest Animator since the Beatles.

Bit of a catch up

2007-09-26T19:56:00.000-07:00

So it's been a GOOD while since a post, but Frankie got me thinkin' it might be worth throwin' up a few drawings. The info on me is I'm workin' at 2 Presidents Productions workin on the the Warner Bros show 'Will and Dewitt' it'll be on in the states, like, this weekend- but it'll be on YTV sometime soon. It's going really well, it's a Flash show and at first I was having a hell of a time figuring out what they wanted, but these days I'm doin' pretty good I figure.

So I'm drawing when I can and Animating for real money... it's the weirdest thing...

Apple Fritters... HRRNN

2007-07-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

Been Drawing lots, but it's for work stuff... so it's not really 'post friendly'. Soo... Figured I'd post some new stuff that is! I'd been saving these 3 for painting up and then posting, but things are busy so here goes!

Colours Class

2007-06-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

A couple Paints of earlier posts. Done while watchin' Venture Brothers- funny show eh?

Up to 60

2007-06-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

S'more creature sketches. I'm up to 60 now... hurray...?

This week in Drawin's.

2007-05-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

Continue to work at the Circus... and it's letting me draw like a madman. The first image is the last drawing of that sketchbook i didn't like. Still don't like it. It's a nightmare to draw on and a nightmare to scan.
Thankfully I've moved onto an older one i had that's full of paper like printer paper. SMOOTH. And immediately my stuff started shining again. Some creatures, and a Spidey that i whipped off.

Cafe and Subway Sketchin' May 07.

2007-05-14T18:31:00.000-07:00

I've been working Security at 'Cirque Avaia' this month at nights. It's so ridiculiously boring. But i'm getting to draw a bit. Some of these faces are Circus staff. Some from the subway.

Best part about it all is that i'm finally done 7 years of University AND College and I'm working at the Circus. My parents are SO impressed.

Updates!

2007-05-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

I figured i'd start posting some of the stuff i've been drawing as of late. I got this smaller sketchbook a little while ago that i thought was so sweet because it was tiny and had a nice pleather cover. Turns out the paper is super rough and i can't draw for shite on it. So i've been powering through it... but what i've got is a bit, i donno, messy.

Some creatures: My 1,2,3 soldier. A sailboat head and bird warrior! And then this rabbit-ish thing.

Quick Post!

2007-05-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Busy Busy these days, figured i'd post SOMETHING, even if they're like a month old. Photoshop paints! An old Kid's Pirate Layout i painted and started really experimenting with Textures in.

Two Cafe Sketches i was quite happy with, these were the first 'real' paints i did. Turned out I had alot to learn painting digitally.

And Lastly my character 'Carnival' and my quasi-Beast Man painted up. Pretty happy with both of these.

Cafe Sketchin'

2007-03-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

Did most of these the same night i became a 'Knight of Strongbow'

Layouts Layouts Layouts

2007-03-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

3 Layouts from the Classical Animation Days. The second two being about as different from each other as possible.

Some Progress Pieces

2007-03-20T13:52:00.000-07:00

Just to show a bit of my process work. Here's my Cyborg Gorilla from original Model Sheet to Col-Erase and Pencils to the final Photoshoped Version.

We were asked to design a cheerleader, librarian, Mafia Hitman, Trucker, Jock and Lunch Lady. After we'd finished them we were then told to completely re-invent 3 of them. The colours on the last one are done with mostly markers... looking back I wish I'd known digital colouring alot better.

A Layout and the resulting Tonal Study.

Life Drawings

2007-03-20T13:03:00.000-07:00

I figured that the one thing this blog was lacking was some actual in studio life drawings so here are a selection of my favorites from the past little while.

Anatomically Correct Creature!

2007-03-06T00:04:00.000-08:00

We went on a field trip to the Guelph University 'Bone Room' (a pretty impressive collection of animal skeletons and anatomy lessons) and we were asked to draw some skeletons and then combine them all into one animal. Mine has the Head of a Ram, Body of an Emu, Arms of a Baboon and Tail of a Cougar

(jeez, feel like i'm talking about Marshal Bravestarr here... and now i've dated myself considerably. )

*sigh*

"...and if we're not home by dawn... call the President"

2007-03-05T23:44:00.000-08:00

Got to do some cafe sketchin' during our (too brief) reading week when not locked in my apartment playing the new Zelda (Aaron Hong is a dead man for lending it to me and taking away my life). Anyhoo, I've been told to start thinking more about designing my character's bodies as well as their heads... because there's nothing worse than a sweet head on a crappy body. So here we go on that.

Creatures 48-51

2007-03-05T23:03:00.000-08:00

Jeez, made'er past 50. Even though this 'creature a day' idea grew into a 'few creatures a week' deal I'm still happy to be doing them. Here are some deformed dogs (the one on its hind legs is actually based on a video on youtube about a dog with no front legs that learned to walk like this. It's absolutely terrifying watching this thing on a leash.)

And because no good scketchbook is complete without a 'Orc with a broken tooth' sketch.

Older Splash Panels

2007-02-18T20:40:00.001-08:00

Here are some splash panels i did for Story Boarding Class around this time last year. We were to draw up 6 panels outlining a story, then after go in and fill in the blanks of the story with more panels. But i won't be posting the rest of them, as they aren't up to par with the rest of my stuff. No sense posting stuff that doesn't look good right?

It's a trick... get an axe

2007-02-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hoop Heads'n'Sharp Teeth

2007-02-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

Realizing a number of my most recent creatures were on the cute side i figured a coulple more dangerous looking ones would be in order.

Cafe sketches'n'such

2007-02-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Creatures 33-43

2007-02-04T11:06:00.000-08:00

More Recents

2007-02-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

Joe said try and draw more realistically and with a better sense of form. Joe says draw, i saw 'HOW HIGH!'

Cree-CHAH's

2007-01-17T22:45:00.000-08:00

"How ya Doin' Fraggles?"

2007-01-17T22:35:00.000-08:00

Yup. Definetly got sick this week. I knew it was time to cut class when my eyes swelled up so they were about half closed and then the tears wouldn't stop flowing out- despite my chipper attitude. Then the clammy hands and burning forehead kicked in. Slept like a baby!

Lesson learned?

It's hard to come off smooth when sweet talking with a stuffed up head.

New Years Postin'

2007-01-03T18:22:00.000-08:00

A little sketching done over the holiday

Cutest... creatures... yet... (and one not so cute)

Creature Catch Up!

2006-12-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

Creatures #19 through 26 comin' atcha.

Xmas Eve goblin. You were all thinkin' it.

The one in the middle here started out bein' a fish character (see the gills) but after a while grew into a kinda Chameleon kinda thing. The one on the right was another stab at that wierd skull character from before... with less interesting results.

Battle Droid anyone?

Somethin' different

2006-12-28T00:33:00.000-08:00

This started out as a creature sketch... but ended up being something I've never really done before. Verrrry Mignola'ish. I like it though. Any feedback'd be much appreciated.

Holiday sketchin'

2006-12-28T00:27:00.000-08:00

I headed home to Ptown (Pickering for those not in the Posse) this past week and even though i was depraved of pretty much everything internet related I did manage to draw a bit.

Cafe Sketches... Old'n'New!

2006-12-28T00:17:00.000-08:00

A couple older cafe sketches from weeks past. I've been told the bug eyed guy looks like Claudio.

Last week myself and 44 other animators stormed Toronto for a day of cafe sketchin' and starting trouble pretty much anywhere we could. These last two collections are from that day/evenin'. For photos from day's hilarity check out www.alphanuiota.blogspot.com

Subway Sketches Dec 15-16

2006-12-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

Schools done. "I love it" *slight nodding* Did some subway sketchin' en route to a party friday, then got to do some saturday afternoon on the way to, and the way back from, shopping for Ribbon on Queen Street.

Don't ask.

Creature Collage

2006-12-13T23:03:00.000-08:00

Here's one of a series of creature collages i did a few years back. It's scary how much animation has improved my abilities, but the creatures are still pretty cool.

I'll post the other 3 soon as I get'em scanned.

Creatures!

2006-12-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

Watched a bit of 'The Skeletor Show' the other night. It's kinda funny, kinda Space Ghosty. Eventually they start answering the fans, kinda trying to be a Strong Bad Email kinda dealy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61E2eI4QqH4

Little Beastman influence...

"Mer-man Pop... Mer-MAN!"

Frantic blog catch up!

2006-12-13T21:45:00.000-08:00

Well it's hell week here at Seneca, something due pretty much everyday. Stayed up for 30 hours yesturday, or... today... or whatever this counts as. Other than being a total zombie for the last little while i got to do a couple sketches here and there... check'em!

Creatures 17, 18

2006-12-06T21:48:00.000-08:00

Couple'a creatures.
Revolver head.

Dig it.

Creatures 14, 15, 16

2006-12-05T23:38:00.000-08:00

Busy busy, December 15th it's all done. Be warned there'll be an Irishman with nothing loose roaming the streets.

I think i'm going to try and cram some more cartoony feel into some of these. 'Less Comicy, more cartoony'. Which is, coincidentally, enough what my Great-Great-Uncle Tom has written on his tombstone.

'Greeeeen Crotch'

Creatures 11, 12, 13

2006-12-03T22:29:00.000-08:00

Good. Lord. So relaxing all last week has quickly kicked me in the ass. Animation is going to beat me up till there's blood in my stool* this week.
I'm behind on Creatures, BUT i got the animation working. Guess it's a trade off. I'll catch up.

*thanks to Andy for confirming for me the correct spelling of 'stool'.

Cafe Sketchin', Style Testin' and Creature Drawin'

2006-11-29T20:20:00.000-08:00

Creature 010

2006-11-28T23:54:00.000-08:00

Creature a Day 009

2006-11-27T22:57:00.000-08:00

"What kind of man has Bat's on the Brain...?"

Creature A Day 5, 6, 7 and 8

2006-11-25T00:32:00.000-08:00

4 Creatures in one, unheard of!

Got listening to 'Rogues Gallery' and there's nothing like Pirate Songs and Sea Chanties to get one thinking about nautical themed characters!

Subway Sketchin'

2006-11-24T12:29:00.000-08:00

Got some Subway Sketches done last night, the best of which being these 4 ladies

Creature a Day 004

2006-11-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

Creature A Day 003

2006-11-22T00:52:00.000-08:00

Alien Drinkin' in a Pickering Firkin Pub? Yeah, okay.

Creature A Day 002

2006-11-21T23:31:00.000-08:00

Came from a Thumbs-up.

Creature a Day 001

2006-11-20T23:25:00.000-08:00

Okay, so after much thinking about what i used to draw, and what i miss drawing i've realized that through my whole life i've always kept coming back to creating wierd little (and large) creatures. Call them Aliens, Monsters, Demons or just messed up characters i always find myself back home with them. So the plan is do one a day. Post as regularly as possible and see where i go. And when i absolutely burn out of ideas. So here's the first! Enjoy, stay tuned and feel free to make requests or suggestions- it could take them in some new and awesome directions!

Been a while eh?

2006-11-20T21:45:00.000-08:00

Hello all you fans of red bearded Irishmen. It's been, like, 3 months since my last post. But that doesn't mean it's been 3 months of no drawing! Here's a few drawings from late August to Mid November to bring you up to speed.

These were all cafe and subway sketches... well all except for the dude in the towel. He was a quick character design i did for a Documentary about Michael Moore I worked on with the Super Popular Studio's team. Regretfully the scene he was in was quickly cut.

These three were from the Ab last Friday. Pub drawing at it's finest. Thankfully the Ab got rid of that out of place 'poop smell' it had going for it.

This was an early sketch of a Hallowe'en costume i was strongly considering. In the end i'll just hold onto him as a villain character. Kind of a 'Jack O'Lantern' meets 'Headless Horseman'.

Subway Drawin' August

2006-08-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

I've been Pushing myself to get out of the comic style... or at least be able to get out of it if i have to. I studied a bunch of Silver stuff and took what i liked from him. The page here using the orange col-erase pencil is my first attempt at his style. The rest are somewhere in between. Been an interesting summer of style changes! Stay tooned for more!

ANIMATION HOUSE PARTY

2006-06-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

That's right gang, a serious House Party. No pulling any punches. Everyone's welcome, just RSVP dammit. Hope to see everyone i know there. Literally. That includes you Grandma.

Winner!

2006-06-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Quick note that I, Bryan Murdoch, took home the 'You Blew It' Award over at www.alphanuiota.blogspot.com... check it out for something truly disturbing!

Zoo Animals and Fire- together at last!

2006-06-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here are a few draws from the Peterborough Zoo Derek, Mitch and Myself went go check out

A Design i worked on for a Sun character needed for a cartoon. It alas was not selected!

Quick Postings!

2006-06-22T19:41:00.000-07:00

Just some random sketches, some more recent than others. I actually finished a sketch book a few weeks back- cover to cover. Never actually done it all the way through... I guess i've been fearful that the last page would never hold up as a 'finale'... but i think i got it right this time...

Some Subway drawings from a while back

A Caracature of my favorite Television A-hole.

Returning to my roots- creature design

Stay Tuned for more character designs comin' soon!

"Buck" Maquette

2006-06-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here's one of the Maquettes I made this year. 'Buck' is made from a coat hanger and modelling wire skeleton. Filled out with tin foil for form and wrapped in Super Sculpy.

The Final Painted version- painted with Acrylic paint and mounted on a slice of Birch wood.

'Buck' and his companion character 'Wolf' can be seen in the display case at the front of the Seneca Animation department.

Brief update!

2006-06-14T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hey, been a tad busy working over at Super Popular Studios. More posts to come though! In the mean time check us out at www.alphanuiota.blogspot.com our Animation House Blog. Find out who'll 'Blow It' this week!

CD Cover

2006-05-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

I did this for a CD cover of my friend Adrianne's boyfriend Ryan's band. The CD is gonna be called 'A Knife, A Pie, and an English Guy'

Cyborg Ape

2006-05-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here's my 'Cyborg Ape Warrior' re-drawn, slightly redesigned... sketch and then the painted.

Painted on the Tablet with PhotoShop

Busy Week 2

2006-05-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

More Sketches from the past week!

Apparently Ali G was in town!

Busy week Part 1

2006-05-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

Been a Busy few days... but skill got some sketching in!

Just some subway folk. This one dude sat down infront of us... started out looking nice and friendly. Then that scowl started and did not stop!

Punk kids outside the CN Tower.

A sketch of Derek

Subway/Bus Sketches May 05

2006-05-15T20:17:00.000-07:00

Here's some Subway Sketches done with a Ballpoint Pen. I did two versions of this one dude with a poney tail... so help me god that thing was tied back SO TIGHT it was pulling his eyebrows up (yet he managed to keep his scowl the whole time) And that hair was combed... i mean perfectly combed, back into the poney tail. That thing must have taken an hour to tear backwards. And him and his buddy (with an identical poney tail mind you) sat on the bus together in virtually complete silence... and they never once cracked a smile. Now maybe it's just me'n'my friends but if i'm gonna be on the bus for 25 minutes at SOME POINT our conversation is going to make me grin. Not these fellers though. Yeee-ikes!

The Pig is a nod to Frankie's 'Farm Week'

This old guy with a camera was standing very still, dressed nicely in a collared shirt, slacks and some nice dress shoes. He moved very slowly and thoughtfully- what you might expect from an older gent. But then he saw something he wanted to get a shot of and that dude snapped into action like Spiderman or something, he was all sprawled out snapping shots like a mad man! It was unreal!

Mother's Day Weekend

2006-05-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

Fairly busy this past weekend, did a few sketches, a little Subway drawin', and a little Spidey action.

The Librarian, Cheerleader, Football Star, Trucker, Lunch Lady and Mafia Hitman

2006-05-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

3 Sets of Character Designs- the first 6 were the original look of the characters, then the following were the re-designed Cheer Leader, Mafia Hitman and Librarian. These were done last year.

First Try...?

2006-05-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

So I hear everyone is gettin' one o'these Blog things... so being a guy who would never turn up a chance to jump on the old band wagon... here we go with a Bryan Blog. Which i spose i'll refer to as my 'Brog'.
Or 'Bryog' or 'Blyan'.
...
We'll see how she turns out... Enjoy!