Mixing 2D and 3D Art Styles: Fresh Approaches
From personal workflows to large pipelines, across concept art, VFX, and animation, teams and individuals are now starting to merge 2D art and 3D modeling techniques to work faster – and pioneer incredible new aesthetics. And software is obliging, whether it’s Blender’s 2D painterly tools or accessible 3D in Photoshop via Substance 3D Viewer.
The Most Visible Manifestation
The most visible manifestation of this to those outside the industry is the move away from the traditional CG look in animated films towards more creative, painterly styles. Rather than utilising the best 3D software to texture and light a scene in the usual way, artists have been using 2D techniques and the best digital art software to paint 3D models of characters and backgrounds to create distinctive stylised looks.
Benefits for Artists
For artists working within the industry, bringing 3D techniques into traditionally 2D realms, and vice versa, is bringing all kinds of benefits. Shir Baron, an animator on Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the impressionistic The Wild Robot, explains that there’s much to be gained from workflows that combine the freedom and creativity of drawing in 2D with the accuracy of 3D software.
Effective Collaboration Across 2D and 3D
When he began his career 25 years ago, Phillip Leonhardt, a VFX supervisor at Wētā FX, says ‘Do you want to do 2D or 3D?’ was the first question he was asked. “I wonder whether that question remains the same today,” he ponders.
Techniques That 20 Years Ago Might Have Been Beyond the Boundaries
Techniques that 20 years ago might have been beyond the boundaries of an artist’s expertise have become a lot more accessible, opening up the opportunity for all of us to craft more sophistication into the delivered work,” he explains.
The Future of Digital Art and Animation
The trend towards stylised animation in CG films and TV shows has been under way for several years now, but what makes it exciting is that there’s still so much fresh creative territory to be uncovered and explored. Every production has its own unique look that’s facilitated by special tools and workflows, written and designed especially for that project, and artists will sometimes experience it as if they’re working in a brand new medium.
Conclusion
The turn towards handcrafted looks combined with a new creative frontier could be just what we need at a time when the digital art and animation professions are under threat from AI and other pressures. Inspired by this article? Then get involved and get creative yourself. Read our guides to the best laptops for animation and the best laptops for 3D modeling, and catch-up on the latest digital art news and tutorials in our magazine, ImagineFX.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of merging 2D and 3D art styles?
A: The benefits include the ability to work faster, pioneer new aesthetics, and create distinctive stylised looks.
Q: How are artists using 3D techniques in traditionally 2D realms?
A: Artists are using 3D software to create rough passes of their animation, and to generate new shapes and camera angles.
Q: What is the trend towards stylised animation in CG films and TV shows?
A: The trend is towards more creative, painterly styles, using 2D techniques and digital art software to paint 3D models of characters and backgrounds.
Q: How can artists get involved in this trend?
A: Artists can get involved by reading our guides to the best laptops for animation and the best laptops for 3D modeling, and catching up on the latest digital art news and tutorials in our magazine, ImagineFX.
