We would embellish it further in the composite, adding some colours. After that, I’d scan it back in and digitally remove the printed magenta reference, leaving only the graphite render. Then from there, I’d just trace each image, rendering it on paper and embellishing it when needed with graphite. We had a process where we’d print out the digital linework in a light magenta using CMYK colour process, so the colour was as pure as we could get it. Then I’d do a 2D character animation on top of that. “We produced several test scenes,” says Eimhin. In the early stages, Eimhin and his team needed to define the depth required for each sequence. In 3D, you have to figure out constructions and surfaces and so on.” You can’t take as many shortcuts as you can with 2D. “At the start of the production,” says Eimhin, “We were trying to figure out, ‘How 3D does it have to be? Or how little?’ 3D is very time-intensive. Wolfvision concept art, by Friedrich Schaper. In terms of using Blender, this desire translated to mixing standard modelling techniques and arrays with Grease Pencil, plus animated assets from the film’s 2D departments. Similarly, we didn’t want the 3D elements to decide the end result.” “ Princess Mononoke included a fair few 3D shots, but guided by the idea that it wasn’t meant to look 3D. Much of Wolfwalkers remains hand-drawn Princess Mononoke was a big reference for the directors. But whatever is needed to get stuff on-screen works for me. I come from a stop motion background, a 2D background.

“I got the job because they knew I could figure stuff out. He supervised a particularly striking series of sequences: “Wolfvision,” which shows us the film’s medieval forests and towns from a wolf’s point of view, and involved much 3D pre-visualization. For Wolfwalkers, one of those tools was Blender, which was used for Eimhin’s part of the movie. Of course, every feature film is complex and involves many tools. I was involved for 18 of them, so it was pretty full-on.” He still sounds a little stunned by the film’s reception: even without the Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, Wolfwalkers is one of the most critically praised animations of recent years.Įimhin: “The response helps salve the wound of how much work it took.

Eimhin McNamara is an educator and filmmaker based in Ireland.

Blender animation 2d