Pixar’s next big film is “Cars 3.” I’ve seen a couple extended previews of the film and while I can’t say much at this point, I can tell you the movie follows Lightning McQueen as he moves from being king of the racetrack to being threatened with obsolescence thanks to new younger and faster models, and the adventures he has trying to regain top form. Along the way he meets a couple of important new characters in the film – Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm. What happens next may be some of the most emotionally powerful storytelling from Pixar yet.
The fine folks at Pixar Animation Studios recently sat down for a couple of lessons on how to draw the new “Cars 3” characters like an animation artist would.
Here Garret Taylor, an animation artist at Pixar, draws Cruz Ramirez, the car that is helping Lightning McQueen recover from an accident:
You can pre-order the book Taylor illustrated, Cars 3 Lead the Way, now from Amazon.
We are treated to a lesson from Mike Wu, another animator at Pixar, as he shows us how to draw Jackson Storm:
Mike started at Walt Disney Animation Studios working on films like Hercules, Tarzan, Atlantis, and Mulan before moving to Pixar. He has also illustrated books, which you can find on Amazon.
Cars 3 is delightfully not just a sequel being made for the sake of selling more toys, although as you can tell from the designs of Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm and some of the other characters, it will definitely do that. It’s an emotional story about growth and finding your place in the world when the one thing you think you’re good at is taken away from you. Something we’ve all experienced.
About the film
Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.