Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1061165
E Michele Moen Key Concept Artist Coming from a painting background, I thoroughly enjoyed working on The Nutcracker. Guy constantly supplied and inspired me with reference images of paintings depicting Victorian era interiors, architectural details, fashions and fabrics, lighting and mood. Each illustration captured not only the physical details of the scene and the set; it also conveyed the emotion and gesture that told a story. Children gather, holding hands around the ribboned and candle-lit Christmas tree. The richness of detail portrays a cozy, cluttered and warm family parlor. As a specific design choice, the color red was not used in this family scene. The full impact of red was to be saved for Drosselmeyer's party announcing the arrival of true Christmas. A B C D A. THE FAIRGROUND ENTRYWAY. DIGITAL ART BY DEAN SHERRIFF. B. CLARA ENTERS THE MAGICAL WORLD THROUGH A FALLEN TREE TRUNK. C. THE STAHLBAUM FAMILY RESIDENCE. THIS STAIRCASE LINKED ALL THE SETS THROUGHOUT CLARA'S FAMILY HOME. PHOTOS BY LINUS SANDGREN D. THE STAHLBAUM FAMILY PARLOR. DIGITAL ART BY MICHELE MOEN.