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Shere Khan and Kaa II
I talked about this sequence from the Jungle Book before. Here Shere Khan interrogates Kaa, the python, about the man cub. The storyboards were drawn by Vance Gerry and Floyd Norman.Again I am utterly...
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About Scar
 The Lion King turned 30 last month, and I have been speaking frequently to people who had questions about what it was like to work on the film. As some of you might know, I had already animated two...
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MUSHKA Music Video
We made a music video featuring Richard Sherman's "Mushka's Lullaby". The wonderful Holly Sedillos is featured during her actual recording. The amazing Synchron Stage Orchestra Vienna is playing the...
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Long Lost Model Sheets
I just re-discovered these model sheets. Drawings and notes (with typos) were meant for my animation crew, animators as well as clean up artists. These sheets date back to July of 1996. The hand...
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Elsie Henderson
 Elsie Henderson was an English painter and sculptor who lived from 1880 - 1967. She was terrific depicting animals, particularly big cats. Since July 29 is World Tiger Day, here are a few sketches...
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An Olympic Chanteuse
These days the world is talking about the return of Celine Dion. Ever since her song for Beauty & the Beast (with Peabo Bryson) I have been a fan of hers. In 2011 I had the great pleasure of...
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Early Hercules
As mentioned in my previous Hercules post, I recently re-discovered early character designs which I thought had been lost. These marker drawings are less stylized than the final version, and Herc has...
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Jessica Rabbit Roughs
Russel Hall animated most key scenes with Jessica. His take on the character is unique as you can see in these two spectacular rough drawings. Her sensual qualities could have been portrayed in a...
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Henn/Deja Sequences
Congratulations to Mark Henn for receiving the Disney Legend Award!I worked with Mark on the same sequences from time to time. Here are a few of my favorites.King Triton argues with his daughter Ariel....
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The Horned King
I have written plenty about The Black Cauldron over the years. This was my first project at Disney when I started there in August of 1980. The studio was finishing The Fox and the Hound, and I was...
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John Lounsbery's Robin Hood
I have written before about John Lounsbery's involvement in the character of Robin Hood. He started him off by animating a few scenes, before Milt Kahl took over Robin. Early designs by Ken Anderson...
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New Busch Originals
I am thrilled to add these two relatively small original drawings to my modest Wilhelm M Busch collection. Two centaurs, ball pen, and a circus backstage scene, pencil and color pencil.Pure...
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King Triton Moments
These are various bits and pieces from scenes that show my first rough animation pass. After approval I redrew the animation in light blue and graphite for a more detailed version that would help clean...
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Cinderella's King and Duke
I am not sure who the actors are who provided live action reference scenes for the animators here. But I do know Milt Kahl animated this section of the film. When asked about working on the two...
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Eric Larson, Post 1500
 Today is Eric Larson's birthday. This is also post # 1500. I am re-posting the first blog image from June 6, 2011. The pic was taken by Hans Bacher (I believe in 1980) as I am paying attention to...
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A Frank Thomas Birthday
 Yesterday was Frank Thomas' 112th birthday. His work and the films he worked on have become timeless masterpieces. When reflecting on his animation career Frank said that he always felt lucky to have...
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Jungle Book Color Sketch
I believe Al Dempster painted both of these visuals for the Counsel Rock scene from the Jungle Book. First the color sketch, then the final background (with the characters cel overlay).Both absolutely...
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More Heinrich Kley
I just discovered these two Kley drawings online. It is unusual to see his sequential work, or in this case A, B illustrations. I suppose the first image might say: Come check this out! And the second...
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Marc Davis Art
A few highlights from the recent Heritage Auction, featuring the art of Marc Davis. From gag drawings and personal notes to Picasso-esque art. This man expressed himself in a multitude of ways.The...
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Fritz Hug Animals
 This is not the first time I post beautiful animal drawings by Swiss artist Fritz Hug (1921 - 1989). Especially his loose, sketchy work is very inspiring to me. Many more images here at the new Fritz...
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A Maleficent Color Issue
  A beautiful color design for Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent by animator Marc Davis. You may notice that her main colors here are black and red. Marc told me that red to him represented fire, and he...
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Hercules Mall Tour
Back in 1997, I had the privilege to help kick off a Hercules Mega Mall Tour as a promotional effort for the release of the film. It was a lot of fun, and I remember flying to Atlanta, Georgia with Roy...
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The Rescuers by Ollie Johnston
To be honest with you, Bernard and Bianca aren't my favorite designs for Disney mice, but when Ollie Johnston draws them...how can you not love these characters?!Just like his mentor Fred Moore,...
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Disney in 1949
These are pages from a booklet that show what kind of character merchandise Walt Disney Productions was offering in 1949. As you know revenues from these products were essential in keeping the company...
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O'Malley in Stripes
 I posted this image of Milt Kahl drawings before. Here is Thomas O'Malley, the alley cat from The Aristocats, drawn with stripes. It is hard to imagine that during a time of tight budgets at Disney...
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