2D Animation Concept Designs: Background Layout, Storyboard Frames, Characters, Props and Vehicles

2D Animation Concept Designs: Characters.Proof Sheets of work I have done in the 2D Animation space over my career

 

2D Animation Concept Designs: Vehicles.Proof Sheets of work I have done in the 2D Animation space over my career

 

2D Animation Concept Designs: Background Layout, Storyboard Frames.Proof Sheets of work I have done in the 2D Animation space over my career

 

2D Animation Concept Designs: Props. Proof Sheets of work I have done in the 2D Animation space over my career

 

 2D Animation Concept Designs

Background Layouts, Storyboard Frames, Characters, Props and Vehicles 

       Today I am posting some Proof Sheets of work I have done in the 2D Animation space over my career. I started right out of Art Center working in 2D Animation before I really focused into 3D work with 3D Logo Design, 3D Illustrations, and 3D Animations that take up the bulk of my work.  

TV 2D Animation work:
Phantom 2040: ABC: 62 Episodes,Pre-Production, Pilot and Film.
New Adventures of Flash Gordon: ABC: 26 episodes, Pre-Production
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child. HBO 26 Episodes

       I really miss the 2D side of my art, and rarely get a paying gig anymore to use that skill. I still do love to draw and miss using this skill set as much as I was able to to in the past. There are some sketches that were not in 2D Animation mixed in for Theme Park work, as well as a few Walt Disney Imagineering pieces too here as well.

Most of the Images in these sheets are posted here on my blog full sized. Here are some searches to try:

Sketching:        https://3dconceptualdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Sketching

Napkin Sketches:    https://3dconceptualdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Napkin%20Sketching

Phantom 2040:        https://3dconceptualdesigner.blogspot.com/search/label/Phantom%202040

Flash Gordon:     https://3dconceptualdesigner.blogspot.com/search?q=flash+Gordon+

 

     I am currently still doing freelance as I hunt for a full-time place to work at, so if you need a bid for a 3D Illustration or 3D Logo, or a 3D Model feel free to contact me for a quote. I am open to Hourly gig's, Work Retainers, Part-time, and Full Time opportunities [ Open to relocation ] would be best. I have worked remote since 2009, so I am ready to help you.

                                 Cheers, THOM

Project Review The Phantom 2040 PART CXVII [117th] More Background Design Mini Layouts and Grids

 A rough layout move blocking that I did for Jesse Santos to complete of the African Jungle. I blocked the skull cave over on the right, with a tabletop mesa to the left.

 The Maximum Inc Rocket lands in a field out in the countryside outside of Metropia.

 An Exterior of the Lab blocked with foreground vines to part upon truck in.

 Here is the Maximum Inc Rocket in the cargo bay ready to lift off.

Project Review
The Phantom 2040
PART CXVII [117th]

More Background Design Mini Layouts and Grids

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

For my Tuesday 2D post this week, I have found even more of the small layouts I did to assist in production on the Television Animated Series from the mid 90's called The Phantom 2040.

I did these blocking grids to be used by multiple groups both in-house in the states, as well as for our overseas groups working in France and South Korea.

The background painters, Layout Artists, Storyboard Artists, and Animators all took advantage of these as they would provide that little bit of extra information to help them complete the work on model and quicker too.

I often did plan views, cut away drawings , and whatever detailed sketch was needed to help us make our production deadlines, and simple milestone goals each month, as we did put out 52 episodes in those hectic two years at Hearst Animation.

 If you are a FAN of The Phantom 2040, and on FACEBOOK, there is a group for that....  here.

There is a TAG on the list to the RIGHT for other Phantom 2o4o entry's, but you can click this as well.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review The Phantom 2040 PART CVII [107th] Mini Vehicle Design Perspective Grid Layouts for Storyboards

An Enforcer Hyper-cruiser from above, you can see the design here, and here.

An Interior shot of a generic vehicle

Another overhead shot of Maxwells Hyper-Limo. the grid helps them layout the buildings as well as a UL[ Underlay]

 A shot in action of the Phantom on his Hyper-Cycle with his Multi-Cruiser right behind him with Guran inside.

Project Review
The Phantom 2040
PART CVII [107th]

Mini Vehicle Design Perspective Grid Layouts for Storyboards

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

This is my 107th post covering the Conceptual Design and Art Direction work that I did for the TV animated series, The Phantom 2040 from in the early ninety's, and I've posted today these little storyboard layouts I did for the various shows.

On small budget shows, like we had on PH-2o4o, you do more front end work since it will get lost in production once they begin, so if you are diligent up front, you can get a better product with a bit of extra work.

These little layouts I did are just 2x3 in size, so about the size of a business card, and what we experienced on the shows was that in South Korea, they simply xeroxed up the storyboard frame and went from there right to production. So if the boards were vague they would be vague.

They almost never redrew the frame, which is the typical way it is done, so I decided very early on to put some perspective grids in these mini shots to help them even more, and it worked!

If you are a FAN of The Phantom 2040, and on FACEBOOK, there is a group for that....  here.

There is a TAG on the list to the RIGHT for other Phantom 2o4o entry's, but you can click this as well.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: Dreamquest: Mitsubishi and Chrysler TV Spot- Set Design 1992

Here we see the Mitsubishi 1993 Diamante Japan Edition with Diamonds floating over the paint in slow motion[ VFX done by Dreamquest in 1992]

Some style frames for the Mitsubishi 1993 Diamante done in 1992 for Dreamquest.

A Mitsubishi ripping up the leaves on the ground
[ that turned to gems via some Dreamquest VFX].

A Dodge Colt Wagon passing the gas station[ Fuel Economy ]

A Style frame I made from the storyboards of an Eagle Talon at a castle.

A Full Color Marker comp style frame for the Talon.

Dreamquest
Mitsubishi and Chrysler
TV Commercial Set Design/Style Frames 1992

Client: DQ Films.
Director: Hoyt Yeatman.
Project Date: Summer 1992

I did full freelance my first year after graduation from Art Center in Pasadena California back in 1992. I had a regular few companies I did set design for, and Dreamquest was a huge VFX shop in town out in Simi Valley that I would do regular jobs for.

Above you see examples showing the product from back to back jobs I did, simultaneous for automotive commercials with a lot of Visual Effects for Dreamquest. A few Marker Comps, and line drawings.

The Mitsubishi spot was for a Japan only model the Emarude[ emerald] and the Diamante[ diamond] competing in a slow dance duel with shards of the gems floating around the cars. A fun conceptual piece with a lot of VFX.

The Chrysler Corp spot was for the Jeep Eagle brand for two cars with some stylizes sets as shown. Most jobs were , in and out 6-8 hrs. and I was done, and this was no exception. The Set Design world was a fast a furn around as advertising seems to have.

Dreamquest eventually spun off DQ Films, the TV division of the VFX work, and I have some added postings here and here on storyboards and set designs I did for them continuing to 1997.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040- PART LXIX[69]

All views were extreme views, with fish eye and strong perspective in birdseye and worms eye shots as seen in these two mini board sketches.

The animators were having a difficult time posing Graft correctly at first so I did a dozen poses.

Here are some sketches used in vertical pans, one with the B.I.O.T. cutting Graft out from his damaged B.I.O.T. Outer body.

Here are the two frames from when The Phantom sets a bomb under the arm of one of Grafts pincers. These little boards are 2"x3" velum overlays for the Storyboards, but were also inked for a style sheet as well for reference.

Phantom 2040-PART LXVIX [69th]

Graft Character Views from Storyboards.

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 69th post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have posted some of the overlay sketches I did for the storyboards to get the main character Graft correct in the action shots.

These sketches done were of when he was in the specif mode of "Urban Combat". This was one of a few forms he took that were giant 3 person tall fighting B.I.O.T. robots that would be a huge challenge for The Phantom. It turned out that the animators needed a lot of help with this one so I jumped in and di a couple dozen views to help out.

Once the boards were done I took the little overlays I created and sent to Caesar in Character inking to ink over and create a style page for Graft for the future shows. This helped out a lot so we did this with a few more characters and especially vehicles designs I did.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040-PART 64 Opening Title PT-V

Cont'd from last week...We are now right on the running B.I.O.T as we overtake him.

We cut to a close shot on the hyper-cycles skull motor with a diagonal pan up the bike.

A longer mover with a zoom out and a pan down in the city as we follow the Phantom 2040 on his hyper cycle.

We CUT TO the Ghost Jungle underneath the city as we see the throne for the Phantom...

We cut to the Phantom 2040 hero shot as he slowly folds his arm ending is the famous pose he is known for. ...END.

Phantom 2040-PART LXII [64th]

Storyboards for Opening Title Sequence PART FIVE [final]

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 64th post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up the last post of five for the storyboards I did for the opening title sequence for The Phantom 2040.

Here we reveal The Phantom 2040 and his nemesis Rebbecca Madison as well as show off some more technology.

You can view the Title on YouTube here.

You may view pages 1-5 here.

You may view pages 6-10 here.

You may view pages 11-15 here.

You may view pages 16-20 here.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040 PART 63-Title Storyboards PT-IV

We CUT TO the Phantom 204 a is an extreme high angle as we pan up the body and end on the eyes...

We cross-dissolve to Rebbecca Madison of Maximum Inc, the Nemesis of The Phantom screaming.

We cut to an ECU on the skull ring as the eyes glow purple he twists his wrist on the hyper cycle...

We cut to a Long Shot of the Hypercycle as to shoots off at speed...

We cut to B.I.O>T> on the run from the Phantom t looking over his shoulder to see... TBC

Phantom 2040-PART LXII [63rd]

Storyboards for Opening Title Sequence PART FOUR

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

NOTE: Blogger had an issue on May 12th, 2011 and Lost my Thursday May 12th Post, so this is a re-post of that.

In this 63rd post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up the fourth post of five for the storyboards I did for the opening title sequence for The Phantom 2040.

Here we reveal The Phantom 2040 and his nemesis Rebbecca Madison as well as show off some more technology.

I will finish the Opening Title Sequence Storyboard Series next week. Enjoy!

You may view pages 1-5 here.

You may view pages 6-10 here.

You may view pages 11-15 here.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040: PART 62- Title Sequence Storyboards PT III

..We continue with "Hero" lifting off in Hyperflight mode as Graft enters the scene in Combat mode.

The Phantom raised s his arm and the "Smartgun" he packs flips to his hand and he fires a burst of shots...

We are now introduced to The Phantoms Power-Rope from his Power Cuffs he wears.

The Phantom 2040, then shoots the rope high into the city and swings into frame...

We cut to a close shot of a roof as a foot lands, we pull back to reveal a huge hand of The Phantom... TBC...

Phantom 2040-PART LXII [62nd]

Storyboards for Opening Title Sequence PART THREE

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 62nd post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up the third post of five for the storyboards I did for the opening title sequence for The Phantom 2040.

We finish watching "Hero", Kit Walker, a.k.a. The Phantom 2040's, Mustang change and fly up into the air. We also see some of the gadgets found in the Phantoms arsenal, like his Power cuffs , Power-Rope, and his dual Smart Guns in this sequence that replace the 1911's he originally packed as a character in the 40's.

I found more pages last night for the boards, so I will scan them in and post the final two parts [ five total] in the next week.

You may view the prior post for pages 1-5 here.

You can view pages 6-10 here.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: Phantom 2040- PART 61

...as we continue from the prior post, we follow the headlights of The Phantom 2040's Mustang cresting a hill.

..Hero dipped down in the lower valley and ends up jumping off the road into camera.

Cut To: A reverse angle on the car skidding into a 180 stop.

We Cut To: INT Hero as the Phantom flips a switch on the console and we are viewing it as an ECU.

Hero begins to transform into a hypercruiser [ flying car!].. TBC...

Phantom 2040-PART LXI [61st]

Storyboards for Opening Title Sequence PART TWO

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 61st post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up the second post of the storyboards I did for the opening title sequence for The Phantom 2040.

We continue in the city and focus on "Hero", The Phantom 2040's Ford Mustang based on the original characters actual white horse names the same. We follow it as the Phantom races through the city.

You may view the prior post here, and I will post the final parts of this sequence next week.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040 PART 60

The title Music rolls in as we start on a glint of light...

We are rolling past the skull Icon in the Power Belt The Phantom wears...

We center on the eyes and quickly truck-into the light...

As the light fades we are over the water moving super fast at a large city...

We are close on downtown and we are moving closer to Maximum Inc...TBC

Phantom 2040-PART LX [60th]

Storyboards for Opening Title Sequence PART ONE

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 60th post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up the first third of the storyboards I did for the opening title sequence for The Phantom 2040.

Back in 1995 when we were in production with The Phantom 2040 I designed our opening sequence based on a script and some key points given to me by the Producers and Writers of the Series and I visualized the look for them. We also used 3D back then when it was very rare in 2D Television work to have any 3D and we used a good portion for the logo and a few other parts in the sequence. I was then sent to Seoul South Korea to oversee the production of this piece as well and was joined by our head animator from Japan.

I will post the two additional parts following up with the rest of the sequence soon.

Cheers, THOM

Project Review: The Phantom 2040 Part 59

Here is the stack of mini Backgrounds I did on velum shown at scale.

A mini-background design I did for the lower city camera move up-pan.

A wide porch shot for Kit's Aunt Heloise.

A design for the VR Arcade destroyed by B.I.O.T's.

A close up on the front door for the show.
[ You can see a faint mock-in for Kit on there that was added by the board artist for the final]

Here is a Middle City wide mini background storyboard layout I designed.

Phantom 2040-PART LVIV [59th]

Storyboard Background Layouts

Client: Hearst Animation Productions.
Art Director: Myself.
Project Date Spring 1993.

In this 59th post on "The Phantom 2040" television Animation Series I have put up additional mini background layouts to view.

A mini background is a perspective-grid accurate frame with the guide grid visible so the overseas animation teams can properly reproduce the frame correctly. We had issue with our vendor just xeroxing up the boards for layouts and i most storyboards just rough in the backgrounds and provide a key layout to follow, but in TV work they don't do that, they simply scale up your boards and paint.

I always loved doing these mini drawings as they were only based around a 2x3 inch frame so these were smaller than a playing card. I love detailing out a mini sketch, I got used to doing that in English class on the margins of my notebook :o)

I posted other Phantom 2040 mini storyboard backgrounds here.

Cheers, THOM