The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey pt2

We have been given permission to show some of the artwork that is in the public domain for The Hobbit!

As I mentioned in my first post it was an extreme honour to have been involved in this film to the capacity I was as Lead Creature designer for Weta.  I'd have to say out of all the briefs we've done for the film and still doing the Goblins were one of the biggest challenges.  There will be more artwork I can post as the books are released especially a lot of Orc design, Azog as well and the creatures we have yet to see. ( I think there's a dragon as well???)  :P

Here are some early Goblin designs that weren't in the film but I rather liked:

These were some of the designs that made it through.  There were A LOT of these guys! 

 These were the final designs and an early design for Grinnah, the one talking goblin and my favourite of them all (as well as the scribe, these two were my favourite).

 And the designs for the King of the Goblins  :)   There was a lot of work done on this guy and was really stoked with how he turned out!

I designed the Stone Trolls however It was mainly done in ZBrush and I wasn't able to get any "pretty' artwork done for them, so here's the design maquettes for their faces  :)

I was mainly involved with the creatures of the film but on occasion we're able to do some other design, here's some Thorin tests, a Radagast costume and Bombur's costume concept which I did as well as a warg rider and one warg concept which was pretty much all I was able to do on those creatures as I was focused on Orc's at the time.  

this warg was based roughly off a Nick Keller design  :)

There's plenty more and please check out the Art of books which document the concept's, design, and production by the talented Dan Falconer and team!  Looking forward to sharing more as we're able  :)  A film like this is only made on the backs of all the talented people that collaborate to make such an amazing looking film!  It was and will always be the biggest education I ever had working on this film and really was among the best company to get me through!  My art has progressed heaps since working at Weta and love the continuing learning curve!  :)

The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey pt1

A few years ago I remember the impact that the Lord of the Rings films had on me, and so many people around the world.  To say I was captivated is a gross understatement.  I remember getting the art of books and just studying them religiously.  The work of Alan Lee, John Howe, Jamie Beswarick, Mike Asquith and Gino Acevedo to name a few were particular driving points for me to get off my arse and become something.  I never would have realized that some day I might feature in one of those types of books.

Working on the Hobbit has been the realization of a long term goal, and coming from South Africa, a little town called King Williams Town, with NO connection to the entertainment industry in anyway, it seemed like a fools dream.  My parent's were the best support any kid could ask for, and they did nothing but encourage my determination.  To have ended up with the Lead Creature Designer credit for the movie is incredibly fortunate for me and I rest on the shoulders of the giants that lay the foundation for this world and the awesome team I worked with, namely Greg Tozer, Jamie Beswarick, Dave Meng, Nick Keller, Paul Tobin and Gus Hunter (there were many others as well).  Led by our amazing boss, Sir Richard Taylor.  My partner Lindsey who helped design some of the dwarves and does collectibles as well was my inspiration and an amazing artist herself!  Could not have done it without her.

Featured in this book you will see SOME of the fruits of our labor.  I wish I could share more but unfortunately, this is all I'm able to show now, and please, go out and get the book if you're interested!  I hope the work inside inspires as it did me years ago.  Many thanks to the talented Daniel Falconer for putting this masterpiece together!

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 Goblin King - Creature and costume design illustration.

 The ComiCon statues of the Trolls.  I designed these characters and was able to use the Zbrush files to create the life sized versions for the display.

 Some Goblin Designs.

A collection of what I could find online that has been released.  But there is plenty more in the upcoming books!