Today we’d like to introduce you to Baptiste Lucas.
Hi Baptiste, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the south suburb of Paris in 1978 and grew up there until the age of 15. I come from a family of artists as my mom is a painter, my dad is a jazz musician and my grandfather was a well-known sculptor, but no one was into drawing so I guess I took the spot!
I spent my childhood dreaming of being a comic book Artist but when I entered Emile Cohl a fine art school in Lyon, France, I felt like working in animation could combine art and teamwork. After graduation in 2004, I started my career as a background artist in the French animation industry and soon became a lead artist and started working for French feature and TV shows. In 2010, I created a TV show for kids with my wife Marion Billet (a famous children’s book illustrator) called Paprika. The show was bought in many parts on the world and boosted my career.
I started working as a concept artist /production designer for many studios like DreamWorks TV, Netflix and Disney TV animation as a free-lance from Paris. In 2020 Disney TV animation offered me an Art Director position in development and I moved with wife and daughter and here I am now!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The French animation industry in Paris is quite small and being an artist isn’t as romantic as people think it is! I was doing a lot of work on a side, like in commercials or illustrations to make a good living. Sometimes you meet some jealous people that want to discourage you from dreaming big but thanks to my wife and family hard work and passion would pay. So being in LA iw and being surrounded by amazing talent is definitely a blessing!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My specialty in animation is art direction and concept art. Basically, I love setting up the look of a show and training other artists for a TV show or a feature. I come from background design and I have always enjoyed creating stylized environments; I’m known for being the co-creator of Paprika and the reboot of Mister Magoo, being nominated at the Annie Awards for production design for my work on “Dawn of the Croods” for DreamWorks TV and for Art Directed “Incredible Ant” for Wildseed Studio.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When I was working in Europe, Animation Artists don’t have mentors. So I have to admit it’s quite new to me. But I definitely met professionals that helped me along my career. I always encourage artists to go to festivals and identify the places they’d love to work for. You don’t show the same portfolio to a studio executive or a lead artist. Things have changed these days, but sometimes I could take a 6 hours train across Europe for lunch. Artists aren’t just a portfolio. By meeting a professional in person, you also increase your chances Instagram isn’t enough!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baptistelucas_art/
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/baptiste-lucas-93209b4
