Latest Armature test

Latest test from Tim Hittle

We are now moving to finishing the puppet and storyboards for late spring. 

Latest Leonardo armature

Updated armature from Kamela Portuges of Images in Motion, all hand milled and and hand crafted. Temp head and the hands are going to change. She still needs to make a few adjustments. His shoulders are too high and she is going to make his hands detachable so we can have replacement hands. Should get the armature back by Friday or Monday. Then test it. He is looking quite appealing already :^)

Moving on to rest of the armature

Here is a mock up size relation to get the rest of the armature going. The legs are back at Images in Motion to have the torso and arms added. We will also be building the hands to be replacable to allow for more subtle expression.

armature test no.2

Latest animation test by Tim Hittle.

The armature is now fixed and Tim put it through its paces, even making it jump. No onto the rest of the armature. Leo's head next!

Tim taking one frame

Watch how meticulous a master animator like Tim is. All for one frame - 

Tim Hittle pics of test

Awesome animator Tim Hittle (Nightmare before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach, Pixar, and his own Jay Clay films)  animating the leg test.

Leonardo 'legs' armature test

Well this is why you test these things. Tim Hittle took on the task of putting the Leo legs through a trial run. During Leo's first step the ankle broke when all the weight of the armature was on it and it was off balance. Tim still persevered and made a cute little moment out of it.

animation by tim hittle

All and all though a favorable review from Tim on the armature. Once we can beef up the ankle joint it seems things will be good to go.  No matter I am excited to see this movement and am amazed at how good and meticulous Tim was even with this test. It is a lovely bit of animation.

Leo has legs!

armature by kamela portuges photos by jim capobianco (iPhone)

Hoping to have better pics tomorrow but here are the old fellows legs! The yogurt cup on top is just to give them a little weight.  So far so good. The armature feels great and moves very well. The knee joint is super small. The whole thing was handmade by Kamela Portuges. Leonardo would be proud!