The B&W Thomas has continued to be used on licensed products however. But it was so nice to see it make a brief comeback in the 80th year on books and clothing.
I used to be obsessed with the 2000s promotional illustrations from the moment I got the Magnetic Album. A vibrant and cartoony back-to-basics update of the 90s illustrations with versatile scenic assets and an alternative to live-action TV stills photography of varying qualities
By the late 2000s, there were fewer uses of this art, with beefed up designs and unique packaging styles becoming more prevalent. Following a brief period being used around the Hero of the Rails marketing, this style was replaced by a recreation of the CG TV series art style.
I like how Clarabel has a unique face in the Down the Mine pilot. Considering how besides that one shot in Thomas' Christmas Party, every other close-up or different expression needed in the first series just ended up repurposing Annie.
I'm the owner of the tin can seen in The Diseasel from the stop-motion series! As we know, cans clearly can't be in Thomas as they are real life objects. It was a result of a crew member carelessly leaving their lunch on set. Thanks to the help of Greg (everyone knows who he is!)