Welcome to the Hatena Featured Artist section of our blog, where we introduce Flipnote creators from around the world.
We post the Hatena Featured Artist every week on Wednesday, and hope to introduce a variety of different artists that will inspire and entertain you.
Be sure to check here every week to see some of the most amazing artists on Flipnote Hatena. Maybe we'll even feature you someday!
Today's Hatena Featured Artist is Presidentman (id:ambience), from Japan.
Please tell us about yourself.
Hello everyone on Flipnote Hatena. My name is Presidentman. I'm an old man, probably older than most of your fathers, and I used to work as a video game designer back in the old days.
What are your interests or hobbies, and how do you spend your free time?
I like putting together plastic models of tanks, battleships and planes. Building the models and painting them requires concentration and creativity. I feel very proud of myself when I complete a very detailed model. When I have free time, I like to visit second-hand book stores and look for old science-fiction novels. I find unusual books once in a while, and it's quite fun.
Flipnotes by this artist
★ "Background"
This Flipnote is a running/chase scene that was created by moving the background like they do in old style 2D animations. In those animations, they hand-painted the backgrounds as well. I was practicing drawing lines and changing the speed, and this didn't take me much time to finish.
★ "Scene from a Monster Movie"
I was practicing drawing cracks on the ground, and rocks falling in this Flipnote. I ended up adding a monster destroying the city. Making the buildings fall down, and the planes fly wasn't as hard as drawing the monster. I wanted to make a scene similar to old Japanese giant monster movies.
★ "Escaping an Ambush"
You've probably seen smoke used this way in animations before. Well, as far as I remember, this drawing technique has been used in animation since 30 years ago. I just wanted to draw something cool, and I think this turned out quite nice.
★ "Kei-yon"
This Flipnote was inspired by a television program about cars. I wanted to see if it's possible to create the style of camerawork that I saw on TV with Flipnote Studio. Instead of using a sports car, I used my old minivan as a model just to make it funny and different (Plus, it's easier to draw!).
The secret technique I used in this Flipnote is that I moved the background faster than the actual car, to exaggerate the motion. This is a common technique used in cartoons, but I don't see it used often in Flipnotes.
★ "Dog Fight"
This is a Flipnote I made when I was still figuring out the tools in Flipnote Studio. I didn't know how to use them well, so I drew the clouds one by one, which was a lot of work. I'm satisfied with the cloud movements I created.
★ "Meeting the Tiger"
This is one of my later Flipnotes, which I tried to make like the scene from a war movie. I drew the tanks by looking at plastic models I have, but it was quite difficult to make them look cool.
What techniques or skills are you especially good at in your Flipnotes? And what are some techniques or skills that you wish to improve?
When I make my Flipnotes, one thing I always do is to draw the scenes using perspective, and also try to make smooth and dynamic animations.
I'm really bad at drawing lines neatly, and I respect those who can draw really well and animate well at the same time.
Is there something you would like to say to the Flipnote Hatena community?
Try to make original Flipnotes, and not something that everyone else is making. You don't have to be skilled. I recommend that you just draw what you like to draw and have fun! I'd like to see more unique creators on Flipnote Hatena!
Thanks for checking out the Hatena Featured Artist, and please let us know any feedback that you have in the box below. Also, please be sure to check out Flipnotes by the creator we interviewed here, and show them your support with your stars and comments!
