When and how did you start creating artwork on the computer?
I was always a traditional artist using various types of pencils and charcoal. I got into computers when I did product design for a company I worked for. We bought a 3-D design program so I could create the look of new products before they were manufactured. I started to fool around with the program and use the animation software. I always loved pencils, so I tried animating a pencil first. I had done 2-D animation before, but the program enabled me to really make the character come alive with singing and dancing.
Did you train as an artist at all?
I’m pretty much self-taught. In school I took a few art classes. I was the art director for my high school newspaper and created its first running comic strip. As far as the training goes for the computer animation, I just learned as I went (and still learning). I got into computers for my music and video editing. I studied video production at CMA (Center for the Media Arts) in New York City.
What got you interested in using pencils and office supplies as characters to create the Pencilman theme?
Ever since I was a kid, I always doodled and loved art. To this day, I have an appreciation for pencils. I feel that pencils are amazing because of their versatility. They’re good for writing, sketching, shading, filling... and they’re incredibly portable! And pencils have been used for hundreds of years to create great works of art and write great novels. And some of the first things we get as kids are our pencils, rulers, crayons... they’re all great. I’m also an actor and musician, so Pencilman enables me to write the music and do the voice acting, so I have lots of fun.
What inspired you to create?
Well, I mainly consider myself a writer. Sometimes the best way to make my written ideas come to life was to draw them out on paper (cartooning) or writing for the stage, or starting a band in the case of music. I really like to get on stage and perform for this reason. I was co-leader of a big show band called the Animal Spirits with my friend, Billy Martinez, because we wanted to get our ideas out through music and entertainment. And I really love illustrating through Pencilman - the writing process… and with 3D I can get the little guy to do exactly what I want him to do, place the camera wherever I want. I like the combination of the new technology of computer animation and the age-old technology of pencils.
What kind of emotions do you express through your work?
I’m mostly a comedian. I love to make people laugh. I have had a few plays produced and they have been comedies. But I really strive to write something powerful that will get people to laugh and to cry and to think, actually. In my work, I really want to inspire kids to use their creativity. I try to appeal to the kids with Pencilman because I feel that with all the other technological advances, creativity can start with a simple pencil. A pencil can enable you to create anything in the world that you want, and you don’t even have to plug it in.
What’s your favorite piece?
Usually, my favorite piece is the one that I last worked on. So, right now it is the Pencilman in Pencil-Ween animation. I’m happy if I laugh a lot when I create the piece, and I laughed a lot with this one. Outside of the Pencilman work, I am particularly proud of “The Big Finish” which is a musical comedy about the end of the world.
I’d just like to say that if there’s something you thought about creating, some piece of art that’s in your head, just do whatever you have to do to get your thoughts out and create it. Find the time and just do it. It’s important.
-Be sure to check out Sean’s work here on Pencils.com and get inspired!
When and how did you start creating artwork on the computer?
I was always a traditional artist using various types of pencils and charcoal. I got into computers when I did product design for a company I worked for. We bought a 3-D design program so I could create the look of new products before they were manufactured. I started to fool around with the program and use the animation software. I always loved pencils, so I tried animating a pencil first. I had done 2-D animation before, but the program enabled me to really make the character come alive with singing and dancing.
Did you train as an artist at all?
I’m pretty much self-taught. In school I took a few art classes. I was the art director for my high school newspaper and created its first running comic strip. As far as the training goes for the computer animation, I just learned as I went (and still learning). I got into computers for my music and video editing. I studied video production at CMA (Center for the Media Arts) in New York City.
What got you interested in using pencils and office supplies as characters to create the Pencilman theme?
Ever since I was a kid, I always doodled and loved art. To this day, I have an appreciation for pencils. I feel that pencils are amazing because of their versatility. They’re good for writing, sketching, shading, filling... and they’re incredibly portable! And pencils have been used for hundreds of years to create great works of art and write great novels. And some of the first things we get as kids are our pencils, rulers, crayons... they’re all great. I’m also an actor and musician, so Pencilman enables me to write the music and do the voice acting, so I have lots of fun.
What inspired you to create?
Well, I mainly consider myself a writer. Sometimes the best way to make my written ideas come to life was to draw them out on paper (cartooning) or writing for the stage, or starting a band in the case of music. I really like to get on stage and perform for this reason. I was co-leader of a big show band called the Animal Spirits with my friend, Billy Martinez, because we wanted to get our ideas out through music and entertainment. And I really love illustrating through Pencilman - the writing process… and with 3D I can get the little guy to do exactly what I want him to do, place the camera wherever I want. I like the combination of the new technology of computer animation and the age-old technology of pencils.
What kind of emotions do you express through your work?
I’m mostly a comedian. I love to make people laugh. I have had a few plays produced and they have been comedies. But I really strive to write something powerful that will get people to laugh and to cry and to think, actually. In my work, I really want to inspire kids to use their creativity. I try to appeal to the kids with Pencilman because I feel that with all the other technological advances, creativity can start with a simple pencil. A pencil can enable you to create anything in the world that you want, and you don’t even have to plug it in.
What’s your favorite piece?
Usually, my favorite piece is the one that I last worked on. So, right now it is the Pencilman in Pencil-Ween animation. I’m happy if I laugh a lot when I create the piece, and I laughed a lot with this one. Outside of the Pencilman work, I am particularly proud of “The Big Finish” which is a musical comedy about the end of the world.
I’d just like to say that if there’s something you thought about creating, some piece of art that’s in your head, just do whatever you have to do to get your thoughts out and create it. Find the time and just do it. It’s important.
-Be sure to check out Sean’s work here on Pencils.com and get inspired!