September 19, 2009

The Art of Christophe Vacher

Christophe Vacher (1966 - present) is a French artist who has provided backgrounds, visual development, and art direction for Walt Disney feature animation films and the animation industry since 1989. Prior to joining Disney’s Paris-based animation unit, Vacher worked in several different animation studios. He has painted backgrounds for such films as "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Runaway Brain" and he served as the head background artist for the 1995 feature, "A Goofy Movie".

 

(Vacher, Christophe. Spirit Rising. oil on canvas.)

He attended Fine Arts school in his native France, where he studied medieval architecture. Vacher grew up in a remote central area of France that looks very much like Ireland and it is famous for its Celtic/Roman shady past, its sorcery (still practiced nowadays), and its dark legends.

 

(Vacher, Christophe. Spring. oil on canvas.)

After relocating to California in 1996, he continued his association with Disney. He also provided concept artwork and painting for Dreamworks' "Shark Tale". In 2004, he got into Art Direction, first on a CG animated short movie for Studio Arts in Los Angeles, then for the animated segment of Disney's live-action movie "Enchanted". He is currently directing art for the CG feature film "9", produced by Tim Burton and directed by Shane Acker.

 

(Vacher, Christophe. The Long Sleep. oil on canvas.)

Vacher says, “Aesthetics is very important in my work. It’s all about the natural elegance and the composition of the images. I am a perfectionist, but sometimes, I push it too much, and I should let the work go a little looser.”

 

(Vacher, Christophe. Mistress of the Winds. oil on canvas.)

Vacher now shares his time between personal artwork for galleries, covers for books, CDs, video games, and movie studio work. His personal work paintings immerse the observer in a realm of fantasy, which effortlessly takes them on a journey to another world that is both soothing and relaxed. He is a multi-talented artist and his work is much appreciated here! 

Enjoy :)