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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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Villains
I suppose I should have posted this image for Halloween. I drew this sketch while I was working at Disney's Orlando Studio, quite a few years ago. It is a rough layout for an illustration I never...
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More Marc Davis Art
A few stunning pieces by Marc Davis currently offered at Heritage Auctions. Mid Century American Modern at its best. (Or as Richard Williams called them: California Picassos).
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The Real Roger Rabbit
 Each time a character is drawn by several animators, different looking versions will appear on the screen. Even after clean up artists try to bring that character "on model" by re-drawing him. For...
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Glorious Disney Colors
I have talked and posted before on Disney's color model department. These talented artists created the most appealing and intriguing color concepts for all of those fantastic characters.Particularly...
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Christmas Party
 We had a wonderful Christmas Party at my house. Special guests were the voices of BAMBI:Here we have me, Donnie Dunagan (Bambi), Holly Sedillos (singer of MUSHKA's Lullaby) and film composer...
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Bambi Reunion
 Next to me, Peter Behn (Thumper), Stan Alexander (Flower) and Donnie Dunagan (Bambi). What an honor it was to celebrate these gentlemen at our Christmas Party!
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Happy New Year
I adore this Christmas themed illustration by the great TS Sullivant! I hope you had a nice holiday, and I wish you all the very best for 2025! May your creativity soar to new and unexpected heights.
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Painting Milt Kahl Cels
 Many years ago, after I had started at Disney, I toured the studio's Ink & Paint department. At that time here was still a large group of artists who painted cels for productions like The Black...
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John Macallan Swan
John Macallan Swan (1846-1910) was a British painter and sculptor. He is particularly known for his exquisite depiction of wild animals. His drawings and paintings with big cats are outstanding....
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Runaway Brain at 30
Later on in the year the short film Runaway Brain is turning 30. It premiered on August 11, 1995. A few things come to mind when I reflect on the film's production:At the time the French animation crew...
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