Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
STORYBOARDS & ANIMATICS
"Zinc's Test Flight - Transformation Sequence"
"Arirang" (Test Animatic)
"Strangest Dream"
(Select Shots - Fully animated shots with progress found here.)
"Against the Wind" (Test Animatic)
Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
OBJECT & LIFE STUDIES
mannequin study ; charcoal
figure study ; charcoal
protest study ; charcoal
lighting study ; graphite pencil
skull studies ; charcoal
pattern + fabric study ; graphite pencil
cross-hatching ; pen & ink
botanical study ; gouache & colored pencil
model study ; charcoal (vine)
fabric study ; ink wash
hand + foot study ; graphite pencil
model study ; charcoal
arm study ; charcoal
color study ; acrylic
athletic foot study ; charcoal
model study ; charcoal (vine)
Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
ANIMATION
Demo Reel
2024 - 2025
"Strangest Dream"
"Hope World"
HIGHLIGHTS
final animation
animatic
roughs
Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
ILLUSTRATION
DIGITAL ILLUSTRATIONS
once upon a dream
"Chapter Thirteen"
"Try, Try, Try Again"
bullseye
DRAGONSINGER
PHYSICAL ILLUSTRATIONS
MAZE - paper cutouts w/ gouache & ink
MOOD - graphite (inspired by "Mood" - DPR IAN)
"QUIET DOWN" - gouache
greenhousing - gouache & ink
THEATRE OF THE MIND - gouache
RUNNING 20K LEAGUES - gouache & ink bound with textured paper
RUNNING 20K LEAGUES - left view
RUNNING 20K LEAGUES - right view
RUNNING 20K LEAGUES - korean lyric from Hope World: "20k leagues under the sea" (back panel)
SUMAYAW, SUMUNOD ("dance, follow") - gouache & ink bound by satin tape
binasuan panel (left)
tinikling panel (middle)
sayaw sa banko panel (right)
baybayin title & spanish colonial-era framework (front cover)
OUTTA MY HEAD - gouache & ink framed by wood (inspired by "The Wolf" - SIAMES)
OUTTA MY HEAD - left view
OUTTA MY HEAD - right view
Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
CHARACTER DESIGN
Sass
bust turnaround
drafts (1)
drafts (2)
"Iris Valor"
iris - drafts
iris - old design
"Lavender Valor"
lavender - drafts
lavender - old design
"Violet Valor"
violet - drafts
violet - original design
height chart
character tests - violet
Rotoscope Reference: Jungkook (BTS)
Final Animation
Skeleton Test
Roughs, pt. 1
Roughs, pt. 2
Dane Zalsos
2d animator, Story Artist
SKETCHBOOK
ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Dane Zalsos! I'm an animator, storyboard artist, and writer based in the city of Glendale, California. I fell in love with both animated and live-action films of all eras growing up in LA as a kid, and ever since I've been enamored by culture, and appreciative of history.I go by "Renn," as an online moniker, an artist name, and a nickname to friends. This name means a lot of things, but first and foremost it is inspired by the word "Renaissance." I strive to tell the world how I see it in my eyes, and what I see is diversity, culture, and community. I'm inspired by all things pop culture and ancient/historical. Wherever I find a through line that connects people to one another - dreams, family, romance - I also find a new but familiar story to tell.I specialize in 2D animation, specifically 2D VFX animation, character animation, and storyboarding/animatic work. I've always found these particular lines of work satisfying and fulfilling in my artistic career; otherwise, I love to do almost anything and everything, from concept art to scriptwriting. Whether it's my own work or the project of a peer, I'm always willing to exercise my skills during a production and gain new ones along the way.My hands are always working even when my mind isn't, and I'm more than just a digital artist. In my free time, I use video games and animated shows as sources of both inspiration and escapism (Final Fantasy, ILY), and I write fantasy when the idea strikes me. When I can, I like to sit down at my piano or with my guitar. I also love to make small trinkets such as makeshift art books, decorative bag charms, and dangly earrings.
My video game personas! :D