The Art of Epic

If you not familiar with animation house Blue Sky Studios they are the team that brought you Ice Age and Rio, and this summer movie season they have teamed up with 20th Century Fox Animation for Epic. Based on William Joyce’s book “The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs”, Epic features an inspiring witty heroine in Mary Katherine and her eccentric father Professor Bomba in researching the “Leafmen” who protect the forest from the forces of evil. Mary finds herself transported into this magical world by touching glowing leaves and thus, her adventure begins.

Titan Books with author Tara Bennett have released a companion art book with over 300 pieces of art, drawings, digital animation stills, paintings, sketches, storyboards, and interviews with the Blue Sky team. The book also digs deep into how and why these characters were created and inspired. And we get insights and the stories behind the making of Epic with director Chris Wedge.

This is a great art book for any fans of fantasy worlds or just a solid art reference book to have in your library. Just buy it.

And so with this overly crowded blockbuster film season with heavy hitters like Iron Man 3, Superman, Star Trek, Fast & Furious 6, Hangover 3, World War Z, Lone Ranger, Pacific Rim, Elysium, The Wolverine, Kick-Ass 2, just to name a few, if you have time in the busy multiplexes plan to put Epic on your watch list. I really enjoyed this movie trailer: