In My Studio...

 

The New York Times 1996

I remember the day after this article appeared in the New York Times (almost 30 years ago), several colleagues at the studio pointed out to me what a big deal it was to be published "above the fold". I had never heard the term.

Having your photo at the top of the page was a major deal. Following the massive success of The Lion King, Disney animators had become crucial company assets, sparking intense media and public interest in the artists behind the animated hit films. 

As I mentioned numerous times before, it was a tremendous honor to be a part of Disney Animation during the Renaissance era. As animators we were respected and celebrated, and we all appreciated this very much.

Student Sketches

More sketches I drew as a student at the Zoo Duisburg in Germany, around 1978. My art university did not offer any animal drawing classes, so I was on my own. But I really enjoyed sketching at the zoo. Of course you have to get used to comments from by-standing kids like: Are you an artist?  Or: My uncle draws much better than you.

These are all Indian elephants, except for one sketch, which depicts an African one. You better spot it and let me know.....

 

Prophetic?

 

I've been looking through some work I did during my time as an art student. I remember once having had a dream about a crazy cartoon rabbit. In the morning I drew these poses.

Years later.....Roger Rabbit.

And these sketches from imagination remind me of "you know who".....

King Hubert and Prince Philip

As I am working on the Milt Kahl book, I started to select images of drawings that I feel are important to be included. There will be a large chapter on Milt's work for Sleeping Beauty. And I do have drawings that have not appeared yet on my blog or elsewhere online. 

I am looking for Milt's rough animation of the scene pictured here. Hubert is frustrated upon finding out that his son doesn't want to marry the princess, but a girl he had just met in the forest.

This is a long scene, and Milt gives a masterful performance of Hubert's outrage.

Many rough drawings and scenes from this film have been made available over the past two decades or so, and  I have been lucky to acquire a nice inventory. But I have not yet seen any offerings from this scene. Let me know if you are the owner of some of the key drawings. I would love to include them in the book.

I would need scans, and you'll get a free copy of the book.

The World is talking about....

Animal Artists

I always get excited when I come across an animal artist (from the past or from the present) that I never knew anything about. Other artists' styles and points of view can really inspire and make you think about your own approach toward animals.

I am wondering if you have any favorites in the world of animal art. Let me know, it might be somebody I haven't discovered yet. 

Here are three great artists whose work I found out about not so long ago.  

Eugen Bracht

Arthur Wardle

Elsie Marian Henderson

Peter Moehrle on MUSHKA

Here are just a few examples of production designs by the extraordinary Peter Moehle. Previoudly I had worked with Peter at Disney's Orlando Studio on Lilo and Stitch. On that film Peter created concept art as well as finished background paintings in watercolor.

For MUSHKA I wanted rough suggestions for several of the film's locations. He nailed the style immediately, and Background supervisor Natalie Franscioni-Karp used his ideas in her settings to great effect. 

Merry Christmas

 Get MUSHKA on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and Youtube.

Zebras 1983

As I am organizing my archive, I came across this old wildlife sketch from way back. In 1983 I was animating on The Black Cauldron. But on weekends there was still time for personal art.

Let's see what else might surface as I try and get organized...

 

MUSHKA Streaming Launch Party

 Yes, we had a party.....

MUSHKA is streaming NOW

 

Just in time for the holidays, my animated film MUSHKA is now available for VOD streaming on such platforms as Apple, Google and Amazon.

You can imagine this is a big day for me and my crew. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy the film with family and friends during this holiday season and beyond.

Walt Disney died on December 15, so let this little film be a celebration of his amazing life.

Rose and Arvilla

Here are a couple of character layouts featuring Rose and Arvilla Tugthistle from the unproduced Disney film My Peoples. 

Arvilla is a character who acts as confidant to Rose. I remember animating a test scene in which she remarks that Rose "needs a man". And that she found somebody for her. 

His name was Herbert Hollingshed, and I will post some of my drawings of him soon.

Both characters are a little overdrawn here, but I was still searching for the right stylistic approach in terms of character design.

Ken O'Connor Flowers

More beautiful art by Ken O'Connor available currently at Heritage Auctions. It is about time to give LOTS of credit to Ken for his immense artistic contributions to Disney animated films, which are ALL classics now. I've had the pleasure of having a couple of conversations with this soft spoken Aussie. 

Here are some of his designs for the flowers in Alice in Wonderland. Giving personalities to animated people or anthropomorphic animals is one thing. But flowers? What a challenge. 

Ken also worked out business involving Alice and the flowers. BRILLIANT!

Rose from My Peoples

Earlier I posted my character designs for the character of Rose. She was the female lead in the unproduced animated feature My Peoples. At the time actress Ashley Judd was the voice, and I had fun doing some test animation. 

Here Rose is sitting in front of a mirror as she says her lines. I don't remember exactly what the dialogue was, but she is talking to her aunt (off stage), about not being able to go to an event..."and look at my hair!"

This was animated without live action reference. Maybe somebody can turn these key drawings into a pencil test. The timing for each drawing should be maintained.