Ethan Simpson

BFA Animation

Roadside Japanese shrine on a grassy hill — I’m sentimental toward this piece because it’s when I started to appreciate environmental lighting and how it affects surfaces in all sorts of ways. I was heavily inspired by Ghibli backgrounds, as I still am.

Layout design for French Mediterranean cityscape — Layout design for a spinoff project for the show Miraculous, taking place across the coast of the Mediterranean.

Red moped design for Ladybug — Ladybug is old enough to drive, and chose a cute moped personally customized by Cat Noir.

Green homemade motorcycle design for Cat Noir — Despite not owning a license, Cat Noir figured he can outrun any cop who has a problem with him and his homemade motorcycle.

B&W scene of a cozy yet slightly grimy diner — This jukebox is certainly not haunted.

Painterly and psychedelic mountain scape — A troubled young artist recedes to her imagination in an attempt to push through her artist’s block.

Traditional gouache painting of two LA houses — I enjoy getting away from the screen to explore real-life lighting and color with gouache.

Ethan Simpson 2024

BFA Animation

I’m an illustrator who focuses on background layouts and paintings for animation. I moved to LA from small town Maryland to connect with other artists and find my place in the industry. I love creating stories and emotion through colorful environments, primarily using programs like Photoshop and Blender. I also enjoy plein air painting with gouache, and always look for unexpected settings to convey through my projects and studies.

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Ethan Simpson

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