IN A NUTSHELL (1949)

Here's the title card and a digitally recontructed pan background from IN A NUTSHELL (1949).

Disney sure makes perfection look easy!

More TOY TINKERERS: and more presents!

Donald has his hands full, waging war against Chip and Dale. Here are two wonderful recreated B/Gs.

The first B/G, his present barricade, shows an orderly stack of gifts leading all the way to the Christmas tree.

The second B/G shows the shattered remnants of the presents after an explosion. Donald's foot and hand (included) remain stationary throughout this scene. These bodyparts are either included in the B/G or on a non-animated cel layer. Donald's face and other arm are animated, but were digitally removed to reveal the B/G.

The Presents Are Wrapped...

...and serving as a barricade in TOY TINKERERS.

The Stockings Are Hung By The ChimneyWith Care

Re-created pan B/G from THE TOY TINKERERS

PLUTO'S CHRISTMAS TREE

Background art attributed to Thelma Wittmer.

Isn't this utterly fantastic??!!!

TOY TINKERERS part two

PLUTO'S CHRISTMAS TREE part two

This is the interior of the pine tree Mickey chooses, then chops down, little knowing Chip and Dale are inside!

This is a beautifully composed B/G. Note the the dark splay of needles on the edges, and the bright "lighting" at the center, all contributing to a beautiful stage for the animation to play out.

Then there's the "background within a background," with its delicate palette of yellows and greens.

Lovely!

And there's more to come...

PLUTO'S CHRISTMAS TREE (1952)

The holiday short PLUTO'S CHRISTMAS TREE has incredible backgrounds credited to artist Thelma Witmer. This first installment is a pan background of Mickey Mouse's living room. Pluto chases past the couch when he discovers Chip and Dale inside the Christmas tree.

This is just a teaser, actually, with just a few presents and the edge of the Christmas tree. Wait 'til you see the forthcoming, dazzling interior shots of the trimmed tree!

CHIP AND DALE: Winter Approaches!

As Fall fades into Winter, I thought these backgrounds from "Working For Peanuts" seemed an appropriate choice. Time for apple cider!

You can almost feel the wintery chill in this artwork.

Coming soon, in December... holiday backgrounds from classic Disney films. Can't wait!!!

Chip and Dale: WORKING FOR PEANUTS (1953)

This shows how modern Disney could get in the 1950s. Very clean graphics... refreshing and stylistic.

CHIP AND DALE: Chip an' Dale (1947)

Here is a re-created pan background from "Chip an' Dale" (1947). One chipmunk couldn't be edited out as he never leaves that spot! Just think of him as today's "guest star." I've included some additional B/Gs from the same film. As it was 100 degrees in Los Angeles today (Al Gore might be right), thinking of snow is a refreshing idea!

Marvelous textures are created in the snow (icy shades of blue), wood grains, and brickwork in front of the fireplace.

Chill...

CHICKEN IN THE ROUGH (1951)

Isn't it amazing? The "modern" style of THREE FOR BREAKFAST predates these backgrounds from CHICKEN IN THE ROUGH by several years. But these are in the the early Disney watercolor style. Go figure! Can you imagine making a chicken coop look this gorgeous?

DRAGON AROUND (1954)

Don't you love the modern style of these backgrounds? Fresh, colorful and exciting.

CHIP 'n' DALE:Two Chips and A Miss

Here's a look at four wonderful backgrounds by an unsung Disney artist named Ray Huffine. The opening features a bird's-eye view of a Manhattanesque skyline. Second, the same skyline seen from a nearby park, with Chip 'n' Dale's penthouse at the top of the tree on the right. Third is the entrance to the Acorn Club, and finally, the interior of the nightclub. Floor show, anyone?