Team Disney

Here is a heck of an assembly of top Disney talent.

The photo was taken during the early 1950ies on a soundstage at the studio. 

Walt Disney is getting his miniature train fired up with animation personal looking on.

Standing from left to right are Walt Disney, unknown, producer Harry Tytle, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Ham Luske, Eric Larson, Ollie Johnston and John Lounsbery.

Let me know when they invent time travel, because I'd love to be in on this gathering.

Sir Ector

Frank and Ollie said in their book "Illusion of Life" that the humans in Sword and the Stone were animated without the benefit of live action reference, and the results are beautiful.

For the most part Sir Ector , Wart's foster-father, was animated by Milt Kahl. 

John Lounsbery and Eric Larson also did key scenes with the character.

In the scene pictured below, Ector has a few words of warning for young Wart, who claims  to have pulled the sword in the stone: "You're making a fool of us, boy! Now tell the truth!"

This could have been a very ordinary continuity scene, but Milt found ways to add subtle personality touches.

After the crowds laugh in disbelief of Wart's statement, Ector turns his head toward camera, gathers his thoughts for a brief moment before addressing the young boy, who is staged off screen right.

On "Tell the truth" Milt uses a strong head nod, which causes Ector's hat to follow through on the main action. The result is slightly comedic and helps to turn this into a personality scene. 

The way his moustache overlaps during dialogue is pretty nifty, too.

These are key drawings from an earlier close up scene in the film. They show a wide range of rich expressions for this boorish and pompous character.

Kimball Hooks

Who knows why Ward Kimball is drawing and grimacing Captain Hook, a character animated by Frank Thomas and also Woolie Reitherman. 

But it would be very interesting to see what his own take on this villain might have been. In "Peter Pan" Kimball was of course responsible for the brilliant animation of the Indian Chief as well as The Lost Boys.

Most of you have seen Ward's caricatures of some of his fellow animators posing as Captain Hook (including himself).

These were published in Frank & Ollie's "Illusion of Life".

If you want to find out who Clarke Mallery was go to this cartoon brew post:

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/classic/meet-clarke-mallery-a-healthy-animator-45489.html

I came across Ward's rough sketches for Frank, Milt and Ollie, they were probably his first pass before he inked them later. Cranky Milt is a favorite along with Ollie holding a corkscrew.

Liu Jiyou 2

Some more art by fabulous Chinese painter Liu Jiyou.

His style evolved over the years from realistically rendered illustrations to bold brush strokes later on in his life.  There isn't an animal he couldn't draw or paint extremely well, from insects to birds to big cats. Jiyou obviously spent a lot of time observing his objects at the zoo.

And in my book there is no time better spent for an artist than doing just that. 

It takes years to be able to portray specific animal characteristics on such a high artistic level. But it sure is a lot of fun being on that journey, knowing that the more you observe the better you will get.

If you haven't already, take a look at my first Liu Jiyou post a while back:

http://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/search?q=liu+jiyou

I believe this first bold image is based on a Chinese folktale. Spectacular, beautiful economy of lines particularly on the rabbit.

Milt Kahl talks Robin Hood

Here is a special treat for you!

Very little footage exists of Walt Disney's animators talking about their craft or even promoting their movies.

Before Robin Hood was released, Woolie Reitherman and Milt Kahl went on tour to talk about the new Disney Feature. This clip shows Milt  answering questions during a TV show in Dallas in 1973.

You've got to admire Milt's patience with the interviewer, who seems to know very little about animation, and who Milt Kahl really was.

On his blog Chris Sobieniak posted some great printed material featuring Milt's visit to Dallas.
Check it out:

http://sobieniak.blogspot.com/2012/11/disneys-robin-hood-golden-press-1973-pt_7.html

Fred's Flair

I found out that whenever your drawings become stiff and overworked looking, it's a very good idea to take a look at some of Fred Moore's work.

Did this man ever struggle? Sure doesn't look like it.

There is an absolute appeal in the way Fred drew, and you can feel the fun he had animating his characters.

You would call his style cartoony, but there is plenty of realistic believability.

Look at this cover illustration for the Three Caballeros Souvenir Album.

Solid weight distribution on Donald's and Panchito's right legs. Jose Carioca puts his weight on the little umbrella, which perfectly counter angles his body.

Jose's left hand resting on his hip shows just the right amount of foreshortening.

Marc Davis used to say "In those early days Fred Moore WAS Disney drawing."

He was the right guy at the right time in the right place!

The first few images show Fred's poses that were inked by another artist.

These are Fred's rough layouts for publicity illustrations.

Maid Marian

Isn't this a beautiful drawing of Maid Marian by Milt Kahl?

Look at the care and the dedication in this sketch.

Milt came up with this appealing design for Robin Hood's love interest after studying Ken Anderson's  early concept work.

Below are some of Ken's sketches of the character, and as usual they provide a teriffic starting point for any future development.

The thing with Ken's concepts is that graphically hey can be taken in a hundred different directions when it comes to finalizing them for animation. It just depends on who and what artist follows Ken's work to put his own spin on to the designs.

Milt would always add sophisticated draughtsmanship and appeal. His stuff is rooted in realism, even when it comes to anthropomorphic, talking foxes.

Here is an interesting quote from John Grant's book Encyclopedia of Disney's Animated Characters:

"What is intriguing, however, is that the animators have succeeded in making a vixen have the screen presence of an attractive woman. In part this must be due to her voice, supplied by Monica Evans,  but this cannot be a total explanation. One must simply applaud the skill of the Disney animators."

Indeed! Milt had a way with designing appealing female animal characters such as Lady from Lady & the Tramp and Maid Marian.

Frank Thomas animated her beautifully during the archery tournament with sensitive, feminine acting.

Milt's sketches below were done for those Thomas scenes in order to maintain model consistency.

A cel from one of Milt's own scenes.

Happy 100th Birthday, Ollie Johnston

When I think about Ollie, certain things come to mind:

Many great conversations, stimulating inspiration and my sincere admiration for him and his art.

Ollie's animation touched so many of us. 

Pinocchio, Bambi, Alice, Mr. Smee, the dogs from Lady & the Tramp, the Three Fairies in Sleeping Beauty, Pongo & Perdi, Archimedes, Baloo & Mowgli, Duchesse & the Kittens, Prince John & Sir Hiss, Penny & Rufus and many short films. 

For The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Ollie animated the hilarious sequence where Brom Bones and Ichabod fight for Katrina's affection. Absolute Genius. Fantastic timing. Watch it again on DVD!

Ollie Johnston, one of a kind !!

Happy Halloween, everybody !!!