Part 2 of classic Disney Vis Dev art begins with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and ends with The Rescuers. The films that followed were drawn by a new generation of animators, classic Disney ends right here in my opinion.
Mary Blair, the first lady of visual development, still dominated color and staging during the early 1950s. After that artists like Don DaGradi, Eyvind Earle, Walt Peregoy and Ken Anderson put their mark on the look of the films.
And there were politics. Mary Blair had been a favorite of Walt, to the dismay of several artists. Eyvind Earle was fed up with animators, who felt that his backgrounds out staged their characters. He left right after Sleeping Beauty. Ken Anderson and Peregoy disappointed Walt with their graphic visions of Dalmatians and Sword in the Stone.
In those days it wasn't always easy to put forward your own creative efforts without offending the rest of the crew or the boss himself.
Wow, those pictures are wonderful. Indeed, when there are so many creative people working together, ideas are surely to collide. One question, who made the Aristocats one, it seems so inspired in Ronald Searle's work. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteIncredible and aspiring but there's one picture gonna question, the last one from the Rescuers sees Madame Medusa looking like Cruella DeVil from 101 Dalmatians.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this earlier post, it explains why Cruella is in the scene:
Deletehttp://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2013/08/cruella-as-medusa.html
Great lighting on that Rescuers scene. I'm surprised they didn't replicate that in the final film.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Tinkerbell design here!! I love it just as much as Marc Davis' final design!!
ReplyDeleteI noticed a significant difference in design for Robin Hood- he kinda has a more cartoony look to him, very similar to Honest John, I feel, but it's also really cool!
I'd also love to see some Vis Dev for "The Fox and the Hound", "The Black Cauldron", "The Great Mouse Detective", "Oliver & Company" in particular as well, if you plan on doing a third one. Thanks for yet, another AWESOME post, Andreas!
Hello I was wondering are you going to be at the CTN expo?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'll be around at CTN.
DeleteAgain, so stunning! I'm sad to hear 101 Dalmatians wasn't a favorite.
ReplyDeleteVis Dev III, please? :D
that last Rescuers one is astounding
ReplyDeleteit is true that after Rescuers the classic Disney era had ended. But You and your fellow animators' generation brought back the classic style and methods by the late 1980's and in the 1990's. You kept the tradition, and we kids had a GREAT time back then. I am happy when I see films like Beauty and the Beast and Lion King being re-released in the cinemas, at least today's kids have some experience with films that entertained not only visually (beautiful art!) but emotionally as well. Value was still important, not only money...
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's so sad that there isn't a major 2d feature film in production right now. And it's kind of funny how a lot of the feature films from the late 80's and early 90's had stronger stories than the films being made now
DeleteYes, yes, YES! Bring back 2-D animation with well developed characters, gripping plots and maybe even some awesome songs! :-) BTW, I just re-watched Princess and the Frog and I LOVE it, so for anyone who wasn't a fan initially, it is a GREAT film!
DeleteThe fact is that I like computer generated films as well, but they still lack (and presumably will always lack) the appeal and the "magic" of pencil-and-paper based cartoons. Digital technology should enhance and help traditional animation, not destroy it.
DeleteI was just wondering what you thought of Mary Blair's (and the other Vis Dev artists) work? I know she is particularly "trendy" today and I do love aspects of her style. Just wondering what you thought about her influence on the films...
ReplyDeleteThe Jungle Book one is amazing. Wish it could have been on the movie.
ReplyDeleteIt's from the earlier Bill Peet's version right? Despite I absolutely adore Woolie's version, I'd love to read the script someday.
Thank you so much for sharing, Andreas! Your work and everything you post here is an inspiration for all us drawing and animation students!
Love that Sleepy Hollow one.
ReplyDeleteEven though you see it throughout the film, looking at the 'Isle of Namboobu' illustration really is effective when seeing its original artwork.
ReplyDeleteWas that Don DaGradi's illustration on the book cover in 'Bedknobs'?