Meet the artist behind this ethereal baboon.
Artist Sam Nielson joins us for a fun conversation. Take a moment as he “guides” us through the fun of bringing glimmers to life.
We are so happy we could feature you, Sam. Start by telling us your process for reinterpreting a Disney character.
Sam: I always try to look first at the core personality of the character. The role the character fills may change in Disney Lorcana, but the core of who the character is and what they’re all about should not change. So, understanding the heart of the character—what they want, what their personality is, how they respond to the world around them—is essential. Once I understand this, it becomes much easier to find poses, expressions, and costume decisions that are consistent with the character.
How long does it take you to get to the final artwork?
Sam: Each piece varies—some require extensive concept designs up front, like Rafiki – Ethereal Guide; others have a clearer idea of where the character should go, like the enchanted Goofy – Super Goof card I did. A single concept drawing in color takes about two hours, but you usually have to do a lot of different versions to get a character approved. A card illustration takes between 15 and 20 hours, depending on the approval process for things like poses, details, and color.
You are on a deserted island. What is the one Disney film you bring with you?
Sam: If we’re talking about Disney Animated Feature films, then I’d take Tangled—the animation, design, and technical aspects of the film make it so fun to watch every time.
If you could visit one Disney location, which one would it be?
Sam: I love the bayou as depicted in Princess and the Frog. I don’t think I’d want to live there, but definitely visit and spend some time exploring and sketching.
Follow along with Sam’s other artistic adventures @artsammich.
