Environmental Storytelling - The Song of the sea and Brave comparison

After watching Tom Moore at Manchester Animation Festival I was so inspired by his beautiful environments, the magic he brought to 2D animation.

Layers and layers of watercolour effect applied using the 2D software TV Paint, but look like they have been produced using traditional hand-painted cells and creates the illusion that the environments are comprised of real watercolour paintings cut out and arranged, but obviously watercolour can't be applied onto cells. The hand-painted feel adds charisma and depth to the animation itself, giving it another dimension of dedication and craftmanship. Further reinforcing this is how Moore talked about how each animator, brought another element into the artwork itself, added a little bit of their style, really enhancing that vigor the animation has as the team have each added a piece of themselves within it. This also in turn made it more personal to them, adding that feeling of attachment.

Moore also said how the animators went on drawing trips, where they would go to a beautiful place in Ireland and sketch the natural beauty using traditional media. This is an example of Cartoon Saloon really expressing the importance of art skill in relation to animation. Something that has kind of being lost with 3D. This setting is a fine example of what has come out of the sketching trips. The watercolour sky adds this mystical fluidity, enhanced by the digital sun rays.

There is a strong repetition of light adding this mystical element throughout the environments and settings, this complements the enchanting element of the story which revolves around the legend of the selkie and the magical elements within it.

Song of the sea, its safe to say is one of the most beautiful 2D digital animations I have ever seen.

Brave I feel is a strong example of this mystical energy being applied in 3D. With Brave I feel it can be argued that the same magic is felt with the traditional 2D of Song of the sea. Brave doesn't have that feeling of depth that comes with hand craftmanship, but when you watch Brave you get so caught up in the beautiful landscape you forget its the mechanical technological process of 3D.

Light is also a strong factor in Brave, with the blue orbs creating this mystical, enchanting aura;

And sun casting effects, playing with light and shadow to create drama and intensify the beauty.

Like Tom Moore captures the beauty of Ireland, Brave captures the beauty of Scotland, with the same celtic feel applied.

All of the initial concept work is all hand-painted not digitally rendered till the final outcome. Showing that to be successful at 3D, you still need to have creative concepts and have art skill to be successful. You can see the influence of these drawings within the final CG render too, making it look more natural and less plastic as 3D can have. A lot of this comes from the fact Disneys roots are traditional art, and so still runs in the veins of the company.