The Art Of Disney Pixar Elemental (book review).
Pixar have just released a new film, ‘Elemental’ and Chronicle Books have followed tradition and released a book showing the art starting point where the various artists using different mediums contributed their ideas that became the film. Unusually, I watched the trailer after reading 50 pages simply because a lot of the art was focusing on creating the city which is immensely in detail compared to them finding the look of the four elemental types.
They were obviously looking literally for the look, especially when you have flames and water and how to make them work as living beings, let alone connecting to each other. The trailer shows they did sort it out with a lot more emphasis on their effects on the environment and turn it into comedy.
pp. 12-13 © Alice Lemma, Anna Scott and Maria Yi, digital
What started as wondering how Pixar were going to do a film based on 4 element types, suddenly drew attention to how the Element City sections were also element appropriate to their type. I do wonder how much of it will be subliminal to younger viewers than paying attention to the background when they are watching the characters in front of them. There are a lot of product placement gags shown here. When looking at this book, do remind yourself that what you see here is the preliminary work as the art team build up their ideas looking for what the director needs for the film.
pp. 38-39 © Jason Deamer, digital
There’s really an ecological bent in all of the designs. One of the buildings in the water sector, on page 145, reminds me of a champagne tower as the water pours down from the roof.
Although I might have some reservation of viewers catching all the detail on the screen, having this book for reference will have you looking out for things you might miss otherwise.
pp. 132-133 © Bill Presing, digital (133), Maria Yi, digital (132)
It’s also interesting there was as many pencil sketches as digital, suggesting the artists needed a more organic feel for the elements. You do have to wonder if the lovers Ember and Wade are going to have a successful relationship, although I do wonder if any off-spring would be called Steam.
This is a surprising book and shows a lot of imagination from their art team. Buy and see for yourself.
GF Willmetts
May 2023
(pub: Chronicle Books, 2023. 178 page illustrated squarish hardback. Price: £30.00 (UK), $42.50 (US), ISBN: 978-1-79721-851-9)
check out website: www.chroniclebooks.com
