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| Little Rodentia Apartment by Armand Serrano by Armand Serrano Source [1] Note how the furnishings are recycled items used larger species–and check out the Easter Egg in the upper left corner. |
Almost everyone who knows Zootopia knows that artwork of Byron Howard. Many others also know the work of Cory Loftis and Matthias Lechner. But what about Man Arenas, Jim Martin, Armand Serrano and Shiyoon Kim? In this Art of the Day album (my first, so go easy on me) I present some works by a few of Zootopia’s lesser-known concept artists, together with some not-so-well-known works by a couple of the more familiar ones.
If there’s one thing I took away from preparing this album, it was an understanding of just how much the making of Zootopia was well and truly a team effort.
And with that, away we go.
Get your art after the break!
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| Bop-a-Bunny Game by Jim Martin by Jim Martin Source [2] |
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One of the amusements planned for Wilde Times park. Note the tame collar on Nick and the center bunny on the left side.
We
can only hope Judy never sees this: “Now Carrots, I-I can explain everything…OWWWW!”
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| BunnyBurrows Barn by Scott Watanabe by Scott Watanabe Source [3] The place where it all began: the barn |
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| Canyonlands Highway by Scott Watanabe by Scott Watanabe Source [4]
One of the districts that wasn’t explored
in the final film was the Canyonlands. If you look closely you can see Nick and Judy near the top of the frame. |
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| The Canal District by Matthias Lechner by Mattias Lechner Source [5] |
The Canal District another part of Zootopia that didn’t get much
attention in the film. I hope we get so see more of it in the sequel.
attention in the film. I hope we get so see more of it in the sequel.
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| BunnyBurrows by Armand Serrano by Armand Serrano Source [6] |
We never got to see much of the BunnyBurrows community in Zootopia
either. Note The Hobbit influences here.
either. Note The Hobbit influences here.
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| Hopps Family Dining Room by Mattias Lechner by Matthias Lechner Source [7] |
According to the artist there are more than 200 bunnies in the above picture–that’s more than 2/3 of Judy’s entire family.
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| Citsyscape I by Man Arenas by Man Arenas Source [8] |
Can I just stop to say that I really, really love this artwork? The bottom three images look like Zootopia, circa 1938. Note the concept drawing of Wild Times too; looks more like a bowling alley than an amusement park.
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| Cityscape II by Man Arenas by Man Arenas Source [9] |
Of all the concept artwork created for Zootopia, Man Arenas’ pics were easily the grittiest.
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| Cloven Hoof I by Jim Martin by Jim Martin Source [10] |
This is the first in a series of concept
drawings of The Cloven Hoof, a dive bar that never made it into the final film.
drawings of The Cloven Hoof, a dive bar that never made it into the final film.
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| Cloven Hoof II by Jim Martin by Jim Martin Source [11] |
Cloven Hoof — interior layout. As the name implies, it catered mostly to
sheep, goats, etc.
sheep, goats, etc.
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| Cloven Hoof III by Jim Martin by Jim Martin Source [12] |
CGI model of the interior. In this image, the place has kind of an ‘old west saloon’ vibe to it. right down the ‘wing’ doors at the entrance.
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| Clover Hoof IV by Cory Loftis by Cory Loftis Source [13] |
Same joint–different artist. Note the ‘No Preds’ sign on the upper left side.
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| Cloven Hoof V by Cory Loftis by Cory Loftis Source [14] |
Ever get the feeling you just walked into the wrong bar? I’m almost sure this pic was supposed to be from Nick Wilde’s point of view.
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| Gazelle Model Sheet I by Shiyoon Kim by Shiyoon Kim Source [15] |
Let’s get into some character studies;
here’s an early model sheet of Gazelle.
here’s an early model sheet of Gazelle.
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| Gazelle Model Sheet II by Shiyoon Kim by Shiyoon Kim Source [16] |
Gazelle
was unique in that she was modeled more closely on her voice-over artist than
any of the other characters in Zootopia; Shakira even had some say in her design (“More hips!”) Here’s a facial study of Zootopia’s favorite diva with her voice actor as the template.
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| The 4 Basic Rodent Groups by Shiyoon Kim by Shiyoon Kim Source [17] |
Some rodent
concept drawings and a proposal for the finished product.
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| Early Mr. Big by Cory Loftis by Cory Loftis Source [18] |
In his original rendition, The Big Shrew
looked more like little Caesar than The
Godfather. “Wilde you’re gettin’ so you can dish it out, but you just can’t take it any more.”
looked more like little Caesar than The
Godfather. “Wilde you’re gettin’ so you can dish it out, but you just can’t take it any more.”
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| Leap For Life by Matthias Lechner by Matthias Lechner Source [19] |
Tundratown’s
alpine zone was another area that didn’t make it into the final cut. That’s Nick on the Sno-Bike. (I’d love to see this scene make it into the
sequel.)
alpine zone was another area that didn’t make it into the final cut. That’s Nick on the Sno-Bike. (I’d love to see this scene make it into the
sequel.)
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| Nick Wilde Interior Study I by Man Arenas by Man Arenas Source [20] |
From the Artist’s Notes:
Zootopia visual development . (M)e trying to find a good balance between a mammal made
world, very organic and the 1960′s retro interiors design that the directors
wanted back then beginning of 2012. I took an extra care to find the right
details on the wobbly and mismatched furnitures. a fancy balance between nature and
manufacture. I had great fun on those.
world, very organic and the 1960′s retro interiors design that the directors
wanted back then beginning of 2012. I took an extra care to find the right
details on the wobbly and mismatched furnitures. a fancy balance between nature and
manufacture. I had great fun on those.
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| Nick Wilde Interior Study II by Man Arenas by Man Arenas Source [21] |
Nick looks way different here than
he did in the movie. Note that he isn’t
wearing
a Tame Collar, even though this is a very early concept pic.
he did in the movie. Note that he isn’t
wearing
a Tame Collar, even though this is a very early concept pic.
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| Rainforest Gondolas by Armand Serrano by Armand Serrano Source [22] |
Versions ‘C’ and ’F’ are the ones that
actually made it into the finished film.
actually made it into the finished film.
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| Sahara Square Cityscape by Armand Serrano by Armand Serrano Source [23] |
I could swear I saw some architecture very similar to this in Marvel’s The Black Panther.
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| Times Square Building by Armand Serrano by Armand Serrano Source [24] |
We never really got a close up view of
Downtown Zootopia in
the film either. Here’s a concept of a
skyscraper. Note Judy’s apartment
building on the left for scale.
Downtown Zootopia in
the film either. Here’s a concept of a
skyscraper. Note Judy’s apartment
building on the left for scale.
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| Zootopia Central by Cory Loftis by Cory Loftis Source [25] |
Early concept of the Zootopia
train station. Note the different size
trains for different species: Large
mammals on the left, small mammals in the center, and high up on the right
side, the rodent express.
train station. Note the different size
trains for different species: Large
mammals on the left, small mammals in the center, and high up on the right
side, the rodent express.
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| Nighthowler Dart Gun I by Jim Martin by Jim Martin Source [26] |
Here’s a look at how the concept drawings
of two different Zootopia
artists were combined to make a finished prop for film.
of two different Zootopia
artists were combined to make a finished prop for film.
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| Nighthowler Dart Gun II by Scott Watanabe by Scott Watanabe Source [27] |
A somewhat different take on the same weapon; this time modeled on a paintball gun.
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| Nighthowler Dart Gun Final — Screen Shot from Zootopia by Zootopia Screen Cap Source [28] |
And here’s the finished product as it appeared in the film. Note
the magazine, stripes, and silencer; they’re all from Jim Martin’s concept. But the gas-cartridge and squat shape were
taken from Scott Watanabe’s design.
the magazine, stripes, and silencer; they’re all from Jim Martin’s concept. But the gas-cartridge and squat shape were
taken from Scott Watanabe’s design.
Is this in the artbook?
Thanks so much for posting this. I always liked the depth of development that went into Zootopia, and I'm hoping to use some of these in my fics later on.
This is one that is helpful for the TV series I want to create with a close friend of mine. 🙂