In a groundbreaking fusion of traditional and digital art, animator Zach Mulligan has created a mesmerizing animation that reimagines the Marvel Comics character Venom in the distinctive style of the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This unique project showcases the power of blending old-school techniques with cutting-edge technology.
Mulligan’s vision was to capture Venom’s essence as if the symbiote had spilled onto the pages of a Spider-Verse comic. Rather than relying solely on digital effects, Zach embarked on an ambitious journey to hand-paint each frame, resulting in a visually striking and tactile interpretation of the iconic character.
The Artistic Process
Hand-Painted Frames
Using a mixed-media pad, India ink, and a standard paintbrush, Mulligan meticulously created approximately 90 hand-painted frames. He carefully aligned each new frame with the previous one using painter’s tape and a flashlight for tracing, ensuring fluid motion in the final animation.
Digital Previsualization
Mulligan leveraged the Wacom Cintiq Pro 22 and created a dynamic previsualization in Blender. This step was crucial for mapping out the animation and exploring creative possibilities before committing to the hand-painted frames.
Blending Techniques
After scanning the hand-painted frames, Mulligan incorporated them as layers in his final digital composition. This seamless integration of traditional and modern techniques resulted in a unique aesthetic that stands out in digital animation.
The Power of the Wacom Cintiq Pro 22
The Cintiq Pro 22 played a pivotal role in Mulligan’s creative process:
- Precise Pen Control: Enabled intuitive artwork creation
- 4K Resolution: Provided high-fidelity visualization
- Customizable ExpressKeys streamlined the workflow
- Ergonomic Design: Reduced fatigue during long creative sessions
A Return to Tangible Art
Mulligan’s project serves as a reminder of the value of physical art creation in our increasingly digital world. By combining hand-painted frames with digital tools, he demonstrates how artists can push the boundaries of their craft and rediscover the joy of creating tangible art.
Zach Mulligan’s Venom animation is not just a visual treat; it inspires artists to explore mixed-media projects and reconnect with the physical aspects of art creation. As the animation industry continues to evolve, experiments like this showcase the endless possibilities when tradition meets innovation.
About the artist
Zach Mulligan, known online as No The Robot, is an animator, artist, musician, writer, and director based in Los Angeles, CA, and is the founder of ZOP Studios. To learn more about his work, visit his website, his YouTube channel, or check him out on social media on Instagram, X (Twitter), or Tik Tok. You can also support his work on Patreon.
