From Jedi to Gladiator

©Armand Serrano.
Back in 2001, I gave a talk at my kids school about animation. My daughter's classmates asked me to draw something Star Wars for them. So I did this quick sketch of Obi Wan and Darth Maul in a duel. I made copies and gave them to everyone in the class. Later, I was asked to join a union exhibit at the Orlando Museum of Art and my son proded me to paint that sketch. A Jedi duel was not exactly what I had in mind but I didn't want my son to feel bad either. So I compromised. I took the pose from the duel and turned them into gladiators in the arena. We both ended up happy with the result. I titled the artwork "Secutor and Retiarius". These are two different types of gladiators. A Secutor is known for it's fighting move which is to chase the opponent. It has a wide round helment with tiny eye holes. He wears either a leather or metal bands on his right arm and carries a short sword called the gladius. He also has a shield and leg guard. A Retiarius on the other hand is literally translated as the "net man" or a fisherman. He uses a trident and a net to catch and fight the opponent. Sometimes they use a neck guard and fights completely naked (don't want to be on that side!). This combination is a favorite in the arena. Anyway, the artwork made it to the exhibit together with two other gladiator paintings. This was done in oil on 22"x26" canvas (photo was enhanced in photoshop).

Achish Briefs Goliath

©Armand Serrano/Redeemer Films.

Again, this is another moment from my indie live action project.

Brother Bear Layouts

©Disney.
A couple of Brother Bear BG Layouts. The first image was for the scene when Kenai wakes up for the first time as a bear. I forgot what the second one was for.

Sony Pictures Animation Lobby

A month prior to the opening day of Open Season, I was given the task together with my friend, Marcelo Vignali to design our new lobby. The lobby of the new Sony animation building, other than a very small logo and a few tiny framed artworks, was practically empty at the time. The task was surprisingly given to both of us and the most important thing is to have a wall showing the process of animation here at Sony. I'd say it was a challenging task. We had to figure out everything from artworks, layout, to what kind of frames and matte color to be used. It was a tedious month for both of us but very rewarding at the end. Our friend Marcos Mateu gave us a much needed helping hand on doing the finishing touches. Well here's a photo of our month-long endeavor.

El Pacifico - "Cabrera!"

©Armand Serrano 2006.
My latest posting on El Pacifico is out. Our pirates are approaching the coast of the island of Cabrera and somehow Dinga-man knows what to expect. Enjoy.