Hopp Art

The Cake's a Lie!

2011-04-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

The onset of obsession starts with that insatiable desire to have more of whatever it is you desire; addiction being the sufficient term. It begins with that thirst, that lust if you will, that cannot be quenched. Next you begin to seek out any (and I stress any) other outlets to get just a tiny taste of that fruit. Finally, you push past your own laziness, and pursue your hunger by fulfilling it with your own devices, one's own creativity. Thus, fan art is born.

That said, this leads me up to my post. Yes, to fill that void that those genius men and women at the Valve Corporation have created, I have turned to fan arting Portal. And this is merely the calm before the storm. For I feel the ripple effect take hold of the artist within causing me to create more until I am able to grasp that sacred chalice known as Portal 2.

So, I guess I can sum all this up as "Thank you Valve for delivering a fantastic game."

Disclaimer: I know I'm super behind and just got around to playing Portal. Although, I'm partially glad because I did miss this meme being over used. But at the same time that is part of the experience, no? So, I'll continue to perpetuate it.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter ya'll!

Kicking butt and taking names

2011-04-22T11:55:00.000-07:00

Meet Rose, a princess who's lost her kingdom and needs to take it back by kicking tale! Armed with her magical hair she's going to take down the Skulls Corps and free not only her kingdom but all those enslaved by the Skulls.

Her beret is in a few posts earlier. I know it sounds a bit like an epic Tangled. Difference is, Rose's hair is more like an appendage that she can actually control and whip baddies with. The magic part comes with unique hair berets that give her hair different properties.

This is a concept for a video game I'd one day like to create. Still ironing out characters and story lines until it is pitch-ready. On ward! Have a great weekend ya'll!

Hopp OUT!

Comic Count Down

2011-04-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a piece I did for a Christian art gallery a while back.

My Roomie

2011-04-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

So, this is my roommate, Michael Ryan. There are many Michael Ryans out there, but this one is one of a kind. He's been my best friend and brother for the past 6 years. And in all the years I've known him, I always fall for his secret weapon... pulling his finger. I'll let you marinate on that for a bit.

LOL He's an amazing animator and even better friend. I did this in a line of cartoons I'm doing of my friends. Here's first of many.

Hopp OUT!

A Regular Habit

2011-04-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

This tends to be my state of mind a lot. I feel that the "Regular Show" on CN is my life in a nutshell, well cartoon to be precise. I actually just finished a storyboard test for the RS so here's hoping. I'd love to get on that show. It's so geared toward people my age. The pop references, the slang, the average epicness of every day life!

I was just musing recently how CN has changed so much. It almost feels like it's the Nickelodeon of old. Where as Nick has become what CN was back in the days of Dexter, PPG, and that ancient legend dubbed Toonami.

I SO miss Toonami. Bring it back!

Ok, I'm done.

Legal stuff: The "Regular Show" is owned and copyright Cartoon Network Studios.

Budding New Year

2011-04-14T12:17:00.001-07:00

Wow has it been that long?! A year. Sheesh. Gotta get acrack'n. Been super busy getting my first storyboarding gig and trying to make ends meet. But I'm back and things are looking better. I picked up some Illustration techniques from the amazing team I worked with at Zoic. Super talented artists! So as iron sharpens iron I managed to pick up some skills thanks to them.

And on to the main event. This is a hair beret design I made as concept art for a video game I'd one day like to create. I'll follow up with more concept art soon. Enjoy!

Companda Hug!

2010-04-14T23:21:00.001-07:00

Yep, another companda, with a hug! Gotta love companda hugs!

Panda

2010-03-02T10:42:00.001-08:00

For some reason I had a crazy desire to draw a panda. It might have been due to me thinking of that episode of Venture Bros. where Mr. Brisby has a panda he calls his "companda." That word is just funny.

Random Pics

2009-11-12T01:31:00.000-08:00

When it rains...

2009-10-23T21:02:00.001-07:00

This is a card I created for a friend who was feeling down. Top pic is the front and bottom is the interior. I figured I'd make something one of a kind as opposed to a simple purchase. I had half a mind to scan and color digitally. But I realized my was mind set on keeping it a unique individual. My thoughts lapsed back to the huge box of markers I inherited from a co-worker some time ago. Thus, I wielded my weapon of choice after a 5 year divorce. Despite fending off the deadly fumes that secreted from their radiant tips, I found myself deriving enjoyment from the medium. There's a tactile quality to markers that digital (as efficient as it is) is unable to match. Don't get me wrong, I default to the computer for color on many an occasion. Although, there's an inspiration that leaps from the markers and breath a certain "life" into the art. My mind wanders back to the eternal battle between digital painting and traditional painting. But I digress.

It was a blast and a half of a project and I would surely do it again. Regardless of the cost of brain cells!

Todd out!

Always on His Shoulders

2009-10-21T03:14:00.001-07:00

Did this as a way to use the talents I've been blessed with and give back to my Savior.

I'm very surprised at how it turned out. It's my first straight digital piece. Usually I rough out the under-drawing on paper then scan and do the rest in the computer. But this time was different, and on a wacom tablet no less. Still having trouble on a tablet as compared to using the Cintiques like we had in school.

Just goes to show what happens when you put your faith in Him!

Elemental!

2009-08-22T12:15:00.001-07:00

Wowzers, been many moons since this has been updated. Well, here's little piece I did for farewell to our intern at the studio I work at. He said he wanted to have the power to fly and control the elements like the Avatar (the last air bender not James Cameron). Speaking of which I did see the new James Cameron trailer. Hard to tell how it's gonna be. Seems just as interesting as District 9, something different than our summer blockbusters. We'll see. Wow, I totally got off track!

Taking a stroll

2009-02-28T02:55:00.000-08:00

So I was taking a stroll through my bookmarks and found my blog. Then it hit me, "oh snap, it's been forever since I updated this thing!" Well, here's the first post of the new year. A bit late but better late than never. Todd, out!

In the Falling Snow

2008-10-25T02:49:00.000-07:00

I just noticed that it's been forever since I updated. Here's a piece I've been doing for a weekly draw-a-thon I'm taking part in. Some compositional issues and reading issues need to be addressed.

Done in Flash

Concepts

2008-10-25T02:47:00.001-07:00

Skull Samurai

2008-10-25T02:36:00.000-07:00

Kung fu fighting

2008-07-26T01:00:00.000-07:00

A digital inking exercise. Trying to get use to the Intuos tablet, since I got so spoiled on the cintiques before graduating. Based off a shaolin warrior sketch I did a while back. The background stuff was really just to make it actually enjoyable to look at. I'm sick of white backgrounds. The texture is basic but adds a slight character. And the faded chinese character I tried to get to match like a cast shadow for the figure, but don't know if that comes across. The characters faded and up top mean peace, at least that's what the all mighty info net tells me. And if the info net is wrong .... well it's happened before.

Warm up sketches

2008-07-16T23:01:00.001-07:00

Caricature

2008-06-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

My uncle retired last week and did a caricature for his retirement party. Never been too good with caricatures but this one turned out ok. I got to ink and color it digitally which I got a kick out of, don' t know why lol. Probly 'cause I can finally draw on my tablet and not need a cintiq.

Just don't Cut it

2008-06-06T22:28:00.000-07:00

Here are a few characters that didn't make the cut due to time constraints on my animation. The top character was going to be the main hero originally and the girl an anti-heroine. But like I said time didn't allow for the story I had planned. But I hope to go on and use them sometime. People in my class mentioned it would make a great web show, so I might use that to bring these guys in.

This guy is one of the main baddies while the last two below are just hench men.

Baddie

2008-06-06T22:27:00.001-07:00

This is a local baddie trying to stop our heroine from stealing any valuables. These guys gave me a chance to finally do some symbol based animation!

Characters

2008-06-06T22:23:00.001-07:00

Here is the Heroine of my animation. A thief with a bit of a ninja mixed in. Really fun to animate!

backing up with backgrounds

2008-06-06T22:09:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Graduated and everything! Watch out Cali I'm come'n to town! I'm gonna be head'n to Burbank and start knock'n down some studio doors looking for story artist jobs. I'm also currently building a web site so that should be up and running with in a week or so if all goes as planned.

I recently finished up my Digital Cel Animation project this past quarter. It was a class on Flash animation for the web and broadcast. An eye opening experience. Never knew how wonderful Flash was for Traditional animation. And I finally got to do some fun "outline-free" style animation. Here a some shots of the Backgrounds from my animation:

Design studies

2008-05-08T22:20:00.001-07:00

These are some of the most recent examples of tests I go through when I do my design studies. I usually choose an artist who I really admire and enjoy their techniques. Currently Toru Nakayama who has done concept art and design for the Megaman Zero games is one of the 2 artists I'm fascinated with.

My design study sessions work in this pattern: Find the artist and examples of their work, copy those examples in order to understand break down of the style and the techniques they utilize, create my own designs in that style, then merge techniques I like from that style into my own.

I'm always on the look out for techniques and skills I can learn from other artists in order to push my own style to new heights. 'Cause just as a philosopher said: "The moment you stop learning, you are dead."

Been a while

2008-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hey all it's been a long, long time. I was drawing and figured this new pic was qualified to make it as an update. This the gentle-bot. A gentleman at heart, er... core. Our little scientist girl couldn't find a good boy to take her to the school dance so, being the genius that she is, decides to build the perfect date! Who wouldn't want a gentleman for a date? Better yet who wouldn't want a gentle-bot?

I was hit by inspiration but I think this subconsciously stems from my sister. She's going to her high school prom, but unfortunately her date isn't being the guy she though he was. I guess I just want my sis to be happy and have a good time and finish up school strong. I'll have to get on building a gentle-bot then, ha, ha! Enjoy!

The Joke's on you

2008-03-19T23:56:00.000-07:00

Haven't updated in what seems like forever. Here's the colored version of the Joker I drew previously.

Copyright of DC Comics and Warner Brothers Animation

Transformers Animated

2007-12-26T17:56:00.001-08:00

While interning on Transformers Animated this summer I made this wallpaper. As a tribute to TA's premier on Dec. 26 I'm putting it up. Feel free to download it. As a disclaimer the foreground Optimus was drawn by me while the background Optimus head is a clip from the show. Enjoy. 1020x666

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-21T21:02:00.001-08:00

Some Christmas elves I created for our local paper. They were very fun to do! Colors are a bit dulled down because of the conversion from CMYK to RGB.

Bugs'n me

2007-11-29T16:04:00.000-08:00

Character property of Warner Bros.

Beyond

2007-11-29T16:02:00.001-08:00

Scanner didn't pick everything up. I'll fix that in the color version

Character is created and owned by DC Comics and Warner Brothers Animation

Ha, ha, ha!

2007-11-28T09:39:00.001-08:00

This is my first time trying out drawing Bruce Timm's designs. As much of an influence his works are on me it's hard to believe this is my first time, haha. Yep here's the Joker in all his sadistic glory! I really love his character and Mark Hamill brought him to life even more with that fantastic voice. This is my tribute to the Joker. Now the joke's on YOU! HAHAHA!

Character is property of DC comics and Warner Brothers Animation.

Man o steel

2007-11-25T19:29:00.001-08:00

Character property of DC comics and Warner Bros.

2007-11-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I updated. I've been busy with school. I was recently coloring a Hellboy page for practice got the idea "what would Hellboy look like in my style?" Not very original but I liked the idea. After all Hellboy is my favorite, if not one of my top favorite, comic. Mignola has been a big inspiration to me and I love his graphic style. So here's what Hellboy would look like if Todd Hoppmeyer drew him.

2007-09-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

I did pencils from existing script pages of Hellblazer. I'll need to check out the original prints some time to compare.

2007-09-19T22:15:00.000-07:00

A layout for an Egyptian Emperor's chamber.

2007-09-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Three's a crowd

2007-08-04T02:59:00.001-07:00

Three characters I came up with on a whim. I needed to put sketches into a colab. book the interns here at Cartoon Network were putting together. I liked them a lot so I splashed some color on 'em. I really can't say which is my favorite cause all three were fun to draw. I love going back to my Hannah-Barbara/ WB style.

2007-08-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

The wind up and the pitch!

2007-08-01T22:28:00.000-07:00

Two characters from a practice pitch I did to Cartoon Network. It was for a futuristic action show. Top is the main character. Bottom is one of the top villians he has to face. The story would be too dark for CN but they recommended Warner Bros. so you never know you might find these guys on the WB one day ha, ha! They're a vast improvement over my style and the concept sketches I did of them.

Sonic boom

2007-07-17T21:57:00.001-07:00

I'm an old Sonic the Hedgehog fan. He was the first character I learned to draw way back when. And now he's been evolving along with my skills and style. When I don't know what to draw I always go back to him and somehow get some of the coolest gestures and movement from him. I liked this sketch so much I colored it, no inking, a first for me.

2007-07-05T23:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a sequence from an action film I created and boarded.

BTF boards

2007-07-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

These are a sequence I boarded from a old version of the "Back to the Future" script. Very fun.

Ad boards

2007-07-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

An ad board exercise I did for a fake Pepto Bismol commercial.

2007-07-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

Walk like an Egyptian

2007-07-02T00:05:00.001-07:00

An Egyptian priest I created. I really like doing Eyptian culture. I would love to make or work on a series about Egypt. Walk like an Egyptian!

2007-06-24T02:38:00.000-07:00

Fate Beat: Acid Bass Remix. This is part of a series of works I'm doing with techno-ish/music themes. I'm trying to do each in a different medium for experimentation. This taught me how much I dislike inking with a quill pen. But it turned out nice. Pencil, quill, and bristol board are the makings of this work.

And behind door number 1....

2007-06-14T03:31:00.001-07:00

Behind door number one... no way a decked out time machine! These are from a series of boards I did for an older version of the first Back to the Future script. Probably one of my most favorite things to board!

VRRRROOOOOOM!

2007-06-14T03:18:00.001-07:00

Another board from the same sequence as the perspective gun. I have to say this was probably one of the most fun and coolest boards that came out of all the sequence. I love it cause there's a cool motorcycle. If you haven't noticed I love my perspective!

Yawn This is "Boooooarding"

2007-06-14T03:12:00.000-07:00

Just a fun piece of a storyboard I did. It's perspective is so forced it hurts you like a bullet being shot in forced persepctive. I wonder how that would feel.

2007-06-14T03:05:00.000-07:00

This is a recent sketch I did. I was focusing on clean line work and I'm rather surprised at how it turned out. What surprised me more was going back to an anime style and how decently I was ablt to get one. I've been drawing in a more westernized style that I've been quite out of practice with anime.

Constructive Construction

2007-06-14T02:59:00.000-07:00

Well a second entry! I'm still fooling around with the apps and customization and I'm afraid it will be harder than I think to make this sucker look more unique. But so far I'm moving in that direction. Though this is temporary before I get a site so I'm wondering if I should devote all this time to it. Then again I say that now....

That's a first

2007-06-12T23:53:00.000-07:00

This is my blog. It will be used primarily for art related things like every other artist I know who has one , ha, ha. But it is neat to finally have some form of a website as temporary as this may be.