Hi everyone the names Thomas Wood I have been massively engrossed in animation since the tender age of 8 years old. Like most children brought up in the 80/90's I was a regular viewer of cartoons especially Warner Brothers and MGM these were back then re-runs of what had been created some 30/40 years earlier. Many say that the 1940s-1960s was mean't to be the golden age of Animated film as a youngster I was quite fond of Bugs bunny, Tom and Jerry , Flintstones and the Jetsons to name but a few. I was also very into some of the wonderful Cartoons of the 80's such as Duck tales, Sharkey and George , Trapdoor , Transformers and Thunder Cats. I used to get up very early on a Saturday morning to watch Sharkey and George I seem to remember. This even at a young age had my attention ok entertainment wise everyone in the house would watch with me but my focus as moved to the how. I was fascinated by the tehcnique of how what I was seeing on screen came to life, like many crazed fans in the wannabe mould I was truely out of my depth. I had always liked to draw however I wasn't strong enough and the point I missed was I couldn't animate. Being technically a gifted illustrator does not always follow that your able to animate with beautiful fluidity.
Despite the obivous obstacle of not being able to draw well and not knowing enough about how to create animation it didn't curb my passion or enthausiasm for this artform. If anything I became more and more determined that this is something I will follow for years to come and not just as a hobby. I do owe alot to a close personal friend Jeanette Bevan we went to toddler group together been my friend since I was 3 years old and still is today. Me and her would spend summer time watching Cartoons at her house Jeanette is what I would describe of someone with excellent natural ability and talent when it comes to drawing. As much as she was my friend I was a little jealous if I am honest ,but she kind of introduced me to drawing cartoon characters. All that despite the fact I wasn't any good I was determined to get decent at drawing I would spend alot of time afterwards copying her drawings and then once I got confident I would come up with my own characters. So to her I say a special thank you I may never of even ventured down this path without her.
As well as a regular viewer of various cartoons I was a regular at the cinema and I have seen many wonderful animated films at the cinema over the years. And I am still quite fond of many of Walt Disney's animated productions they will always be a constant source of inspiration to me as an Aimator. Another source of inspiration was Rolf Harris I used to be a member of his Cartoon club I was a regular viewer of his shows as a boy. He would draw Warner Brother characters on a huge white board with a big felt tip pen and what he reproduced in a matter of a few short minutes was an accurrate copy of what we where seeing on Televison moving. I have as recent of July this year(2010) met Rolf Harris in the flesh very briefly he is a very humble and kind man who has time for anyone of any age. It was a pleasure being in his company if only for a few minutes he signed my book noticed my Rolf cartoon club badge and asked me if I painted I told him I was an animator his face lit up and he shook my hand "that's great son" he said it was truely a wonderful day meeting a childhood hero.
In short I have followed this path from a young age although through my teenage years I tended to stick to general art and design like practice. I gained influence through many different types of art I have been involved in over the years. Only to come back to my passion fully when presuing it at University aged 18 years old. Now in my mid to late 20's I am more determined than ever to try and make something of this years long passion I love so much. It's been no bed of roses by a long shot in all honesty it's a long roller coaster ride with big highs and also very big lows aswell. However one thing remains this is what I want to do. In what capicity is another issue I am ambitious there is no doubt about, that problem is this is a competitive and cut throat industry where you have to constantly be on your guard. I am quite a well travelled individual for a relatively young man. I have been to a fair few film festivals in my time a met some very big names in the Animation and film industry. The Animation and film industry in the Uk is a very small tight knitt community but one I would like to be a proactive part of hence this blog and soon an official website.
Animatomix is my company name at the moment it's just me freelancing I am available to work on anything Animation related I would also do some illustration and some graphic design however my main interest is if you don't know by now Animation. I am always looking to improve my technique my drawing I am open to constructive criticism where its necessary. I am a firm believer that nothing art related can ever be one hundred percent finished all the great painters feel this and I am an advocate of that old saying also.
Despite my constant strive for improvement I also believe I can offer a decent end product at this stage now hence why my services above are on offer. What ever my destiny is or isn't in this industry one thing is for certain I will give it my all. I hope I am able to work with some of you like minded individuals in the future. For all of you that have took the time to read thanks for visiting my site if there is anything of interest please don't hesistate to get in touch if not thanks for stopping by.
Kind Regards
Thomas Wood
Aanimator
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