I've been focusing a lot on human characters lately, so I thought I'd try some animals.
I think what connects people with animals is that they show pure emotion. Since they have no sense of consciousness, they don't disguise their reaction to suit the situation. That's the tough part about seeing a hurt animal, their expression of pain is pure, they never "hold it in".
Drew this a year ago for my Sheridan portfolio, The pose is taken from Marlon Brando in Streetcar Named Desire. I've posted other drawings of the Frobster character in the August archives.
Kaj Pindal and yours truly
Picture by Mitch Kennedy
Readers of Cartoon Brew know what I'm referring to, The great Grim Natwick has also experienced a similar mishap when he was in his 80s. Please don't rush false notions.
Kaj is an inspiration to so many of us. A warm and giving person, experienced animation history first hand. In his lectures, accompanied by many behind the scenes stories, He exposes us to many brilliant films, saying "I want to give you an impression of what hasn't been made, so that someday, you may do it yourself"
He Created a very good show called "Peep and the Big Wide World" encouraging kids to put aside the chips and remote and keep being curious about the natural world.
I drew a caricature of him as he appeared in the documentary "Laugh Lines", made in 1979 by the National Film Board. When I gave it it to him, he said "I'm going home to show it to my wife"
Screenshots from "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" Animation by Kaj, Direction by Derek Lamb.
I've been focusing a lot on human characters lately, 
I think what connects people with animals is that they show pure emotion. Since they have no sense of consciousness, they don't disguise their reaction to suit the situation. That's the tough part about seeing a hurt animal, their expression of pain is pure, they never "hold it in".
