BEAUTY IN THE BEASTS
ImagineFX|September 2022
Framestore talks ImagineFX through the dynamic between art department and VFX in Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
BEAUTY IN THE BEASTS

For practically forever, human F and somehow not. Just over five hundred years ago, Leonardo da Vinci was revelling in this kind of imaginative creativity, observing nature and, for a period of time in the earlier part of his career, converting that work into any number of visual-effects stage designs and productions.

It seems fair to say that he'd be totally at home with the work of today's illusion makers at Framestore in their work on Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets imagination has run wild with the idea of creatures that are both of this world of Dumbledore and the ways in which the very real informs and inspires the very fantastical. Framestore's Dan Baker (Art Department concept artist) and Christian Manz (VFX supervisor) discuss the collaboration and dynamic between art department and visual effects for the film.

"We started the concept stuff really early on, which is always fantastic for an art department to get any extra time," explains Dan Baker. "We were right in there with the initial briefs, months and months before production started." Beyond the movies, Dan cites a particularly enduring reference point books and influence on his design work, explaining: "Moebius was a massive influence, and European comic like Massimiliano Frezzato's who did the Keepers of the Maser series: a beautiful, hand-painted work. I'm all about the European stuff."

THE POTTER-VERSE

This story is from the September 2022 edition of ImagineFX.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2022 edition of ImagineFX.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM IMAGINEFXView All
PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK
ImagineFX

PAINT EPIC BATTLES IN TRADITIONAL INK

Warhammer illustrator THOMAS ELLIOTT shows you how to create an epic science fiction fight scene with this step-by-step guide

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS
ImagineFX

CONJURE MAGIC ILLUSTRATIONS

Daria Anako demonstrates her process for creating a whimsical piece of art with some spellbinding touches

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025
First Impressions
ImagineFX

First Impressions

We discover the early influences that inspired the artist

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2025
ZBrush for iPad
ImagineFX

ZBrush for iPad

GAME CHANGER The desktop version of popular 3D sculpting software ZBrush has been redesigned for iPad - and it's brilliant

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
BenQ GW2786TC
ImagineFX

BenQ GW2786TC

GET AN EYEFUL Don't scrimp out on your health with a monitor that's kind on the eyes and good for creative tasks

time-read
1 min  |
January 2025
Huion Kamvas Pro 19
ImagineFX

Huion Kamvas Pro 19

TABLET WARS An attractive pen display does an excellent job of balancing price and performance as it sets out to challenge its rivals in the mobile marketplace

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2025
DRAGON OFORCEC
ImagineFX

DRAGON OFORCEC

Legendary D&D artist Larry Elmore explains the keys to crafting timeless fantasy art.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2025
DUNGEON MASTERS
ImagineFX

DUNGEON MASTERS

ImagineFX marks the milestone 50th anniversary of the launch of Dungeons & Dragons with a look at its rich tradition of illustration

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2025
Erik Ly
ImagineFX

Erik Ly

Gamer's haven Why the artist enjoys a maximalist aesthetic more than the minimalist approach.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2025
2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging
ImagineFX

2D meets 3D: How the workflows are merging

Interdimensional As VFX and animation evolve and tools become more accessible, Tanya Combrinck asks whether the separation between the mediums is reducing

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2025