Friday, January 17, 2014

John Lounsbery Characters


There certainly isn't enough art by animator John Lounsbery shown on this blog.
This unassuming man never gave any filmed interviews, he never wrote a book, as a matter of fact, he just wasn't into self-promotion. Lounsbery just focused on his work (and raising a family outside of Los Angeles). His contributions to Disney Animation were enormous. His amazing performance of Ben Ali Gator in Fantasia's Dance of the Hours sequence made him a break out animator at the studio.
The photo shows him animating Willie the Giant from Mickey and the Beanstalk, around 1947. 
Here are just a few examples of characters who came to life through Lounsbery's touch.

A great key drawing of the policeman arguing with the professor in front of the zoo's entrance from the film Lady & the Tramp. Look at how Lounsbery feels that strong pull. Every line defining the professor helps to support that pull. Amazing!



Jasper from 101 Dalmatians threatens to kill the puppies. Beautiful definition of fabric in his jacket, and great feeling of stretched skin on his face.








A few key drawings of Sir Pelinore's dainty walk from The Sword in the Stone.
Frank and Ollie said that Louns could come closer to Milt Kahl's type of drawing than anybody else.
I think this sheet proves that point.



A couple of key drawings from The Aristocats, involving the mouse Roquefort, Scat Cat and Italian Cat. Great staging in both of them.




More on John Lounsbery in this earlier post:
http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2011/06/john-lounsbery.html

23 comments:

  1. -B-
    Great post, Andreas.
    Love Lounsbery's work!

    By the way, check this out:

    Pencil test by Mark Henn - Anna on Frozen©Disney:
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=684631594922684

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  2. He has always been my FAVORITE Disney animator...hands down!!
    Rudy Agresta

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  3. Love John Lounsbery's stuff on Ben Ali Gator! But, you actually misquoted what he did on "Fantasia". It was from "Dance of the Hours", not the "Pastoral Symphony". I might even think of doing a character with the name of Lounsbery.

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  4. Those Jasper drawings are quite masterful. His anatomy and posture are so unique. I love the way he moves and his facial expressions. Jasper and Horace are so fun to watch.

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  5. My dream is to meet you in person Andreas!!! Someday I'll make this Dream come true!!!

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  6. Hello Andreas!

    It's always good to see great art. Thanks:)

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  7. I met Johnny in 1973 when I first came to the Disney Studio and he was not only an amazing talent but extremely generous with his time to talk to a kid like me. He answered all of my questions about his work no matter how ignorant my enquiries must have been at the time.

    Thanks for posting yet another wonderful tribute to a Disney artist who hasn't gotten the recognition he deserved Andy.

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    Replies
    1. I sooo would have loved to meet Lounsbery !!

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    2. I actually want to meet him to. I wish I could have seen him. It's just good to know he is a late family member that gave me his talent.

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  8. Andreas! Lounsbery was my favorite of the Nine Old Men. He was SO versatile and could do ANYTHING!!! The humor he always put in his scenes is a HUGE inspiration to me!! Thank you for posting this!!!!

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  9. Sir Pelinore. He had that great mustache twitch. Thank you for posting.

    Britni

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  10. are these drawings all done from mind or from references?

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    Replies
    1. I imagine the scene with Jasper was somewhat based on live action reference, but Lounsbery made it his own.

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  11. The mirror image of Milt Kahl. John was one of the quietest animators at Disney.

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  12. It was a pleasure to run into you last year at CTN! Thanks for posting these drawings and keeping the appreciation and passion for classical animation alive.

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  13. Come to think of it, John Lounsbery directed Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!, in which Don Bluth, Gary Goldman and John Pomeroy had been working on when they met in 1973, the year Robin Hood was finished

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  14. I actually still can't believe that he created all this and his blood is in my veins. I mostly got his drawing hand also. :)

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  15. His son John jr great football player, good sailor too

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