Sleeping Beauty

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Sleeping Beauty (1959)  original production animation drawing pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5" x 3.5" This pretty rough animation drawing of Princess Aurora as Briar Rose was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in Walt Disney's Technirama animated feature. It is an animator’s extreme drawing with grid drawn at lower right. Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of this scene in the woodcutter's cottage after Aurora reveals to Flora, Fauna and Merryweather that she has met "someone" during her walk in the forest: "Oh, he's not a stranger. We've met before..." The animator wrote the designation "31" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Pinocchio

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Pinocchio (1940)  original production animation drawing red, green, blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8" x 6" This original final animation drawing of Stromboli, the imposing and unscrupulous Italian puppeteer, was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the classic animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. In this scene supervised by Vladimir Tytla, one of Walt Disney's greatest animator of the 1930s and early-1940s, Stromboli introduces the sensational new performer in his marionette show, Pinocchio: "and by special permission of the management - that's-a me, too - questalonoche - is presenting to you..." The drawing shows the animator's construction of the powerful figure of Stromboli in the colored pencil lines. The animator wrote the studio designation “101” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; studio stamp denoting production, sequence and scene numbers appears at lower right.

WALTER LANTZ STUDIO The Zoo

WALTER LANTZ STUDIO
The Zoo (1933)
original production animation drawing
pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 4.5" x 3.5"

This original final animation drawing of the mean-tempered peg-legged Bear Zookeeper was created by a Lantz Studio animator in production of the animated Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon, and a cel painting was made directly from it. In this scene the zookeeper holds a lyre snatched from the back of a musical bird before crushing it underfoot. Fred "Tex" Avery was an animator on this cartoon directed by Walter Lantz and Bill Nolan; he contributed a gag in which moths chew up a bear's fur coat, and, instead of hiding or blushing the bear looks to the audience and says: "Well, imagine that!" The animator wrote the studio designation “82” at upper right to indicate this original's place in the scene. 

The Fox and the Hound

WALT DISNEY STUDIO / GLEN KEANE
The Fox and the Hound (1981) 
original production animation drawing
blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.5" x 12.75"

This impressive rough animation drawing of the film's ferocious bear was created by Disney animator Glen Keane in development of a scene in the animated feature. It is from a scene in the movie's climactic "bear fight" sequence in which Tod bravely defends a helpless Amos Slade from the enraged bear. It is the first drawing in the scene and an animator's extreme by Glen Keane, with grid at upper right. Mr. Keane joined the Disney Studio in 1974 and has been a supervising animator since the making of The Great Mouse Detective (1986). In 35+ years with Disney Feature Animation he has been the supervising animator of numerous unforgettable characters; his powerful work designing and animating the bear fight sequence brought him to the forefront of a new generation of Disney animators. The animator wrote the designation "1" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene. 

101 Dalmatians (1960s)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO 101 Dalmatians (1960s)  studio animation model sheet photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14" Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "Jasper from 101 Dalmatians Prod. 2110" was made at the Disney Studio in the 1960s after production 101 Dalmatians was completed. It is a good quality second-generation print made from a model sheet for reference and future use by artists at the studio.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (circa 1937) 
original production animation model sheet
photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14" + 1" strip at left

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "FI / Snow White" at lower right and "Chart of Relative Fields to Dwarf Eyes" at upper right was made at the Disney Studio, likely soon after production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is a second-generation print, made from a photostat for reference and future use; a strip of two punch holes was added at left, and it was kept in a studio binder. "Library of the Walt Disney Studio" is reproduced in the model sheet at upper center.

The Big Bad Wolf

WALT DISNEY STUDIO The Big Bad Wolf (1934) original production animation drawing red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5" x 6.5" This lively final animation drawing of the Big Bad Wolf was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the Silly Symphony cartoon, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Burt Gillett directed this follow-up to the enormously popular Three Little Pigs (1933). The Wolf traps Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandma in a chest of drawers when Practical Pig comes up from behind him and pours "Un-popped Pop Corn" into his overalls, followed by a shovelful of hot coals from the fireplace. Fifer and Fiddler Pig close out the cartoon with a round of "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" and "He's a great big sissy!" The animator wrote the studio designation “85” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) 
original production animation model sheet
photostat on paper, dimensions: 14" x 11"

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film.

This photostat model sheet titled "Wind in the Willows" was made at the Disney Studio during production of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and it was issued to animators in 1946 for their use in drawing Ratty, J. Thaddeus Toad's stern, yet stalwart, friend. The drawings shown are likely those of Frank Thomas, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, who supervised scenes of Rat and other lead characters; his "OK FT" is reproduced at upper left. This particular model sheet has the year "1946" written in blue ink at upper left, and the studio's "Return This Material to Art Props Dept." stamp in green ink appears at lower left. It is unusual to find individually stamped model sheets; in most cases, the "Art Props" stamp was placed only on the original and reproduced in making the photostatic prints.

Cinderella (1950)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Cinderella (1950) 
original production animation drawing
red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.5" x 4.5"

This pretty, rough animation drawing of Cinderella wearing the dress made by her bird and mouse friends was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in the animated feature. Marc Davis, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of this scene in which Cinderella apprehensively awaits the approach of Lady Tremaine, who remarks: "My word...hm." By the making of Cinderella Marc Davis had emerged as the lead animator of the main female characters in Walt Disney's feature films; throughout the decade he supervised the animation, and contributed to the design, of Cinderella, Alice, Wendy, Tinker Bell, Aurora, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil. The animator wrote the designation "2" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Atlantis The Lost Empire

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Atlantis The Lost Empire (2001) original production animation drawing pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 7.5" x 7" This expressive rough animation drawing of Princess Kidagakash "Kida" Nedakh of Atlantis was created by Disney animator John Pomeroy in development of a scene in the animated feature. John Pomeroy was the supervising animator of Milo Thatch, and he created this drawing for a scene in which Kida and Milo appear together. Mr. Pomeroy signed his drawing at the center of the sheet. The animator wrote the designation "K-10" at upper center to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)  original production animation drawing red, blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, Sneezy image size: 4.5" x 3.5", 4.5" x 8.25" with sketched-in arms This splendid final animation drawing of Sneezy, with Happy and Dopey's arms sketched in, was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of Walt Disney's first animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Walt Disney's great animator Fred Moore supervised the animation of Sneezy in this scene in the Dwarfs' bedroom. Sneezy begins to sneeze, Happy and Dopey reach in from the sides to place fingers under his nose, and offscreen Snow White declares: "And you're Sneezy!" The action of Happy and Dopey is sketched in red pencil. The Seven Dwarfs were named for their individual characteristics, and it is particularly nice for a drawing to portray one of those traits so clearly. The animator wrote the studio designation “44” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; handwritten note at lower left identifies this drawing's place in the film: "sc. 18A of Seq 5A."

The Little Mermaid (1989)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO The Little Mermaid (1989)  original production animation drawing blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.25" x 8" This original rough animation drawing of Ursula the Sea Witch was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in the animated feature. The animator wrote the designation "142" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Robin Hood (1973)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Robin Hood (1973) 
original production animation drawing
blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 7.75" x 5.75" including signature

This lively rough animation drawing of Skippy, the proud and determined boy rabbit who joins in the film's climactic final battle in the prison courtyard, was created by great Disney animator Frank Thomas in development of a scene in the animated feature. It is one of Mr. Thomas' extreme drawings with grid at lower right. Master Animator Frank Thomas, one of Walt Disney's Nine Old Men, was a directing animator on this and many other Disney films, and he signed his drawing in pencil below the image. The animator wrote the designation "C-33" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene. 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 
original production animation drawing
green, purple and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 9" x 8.5"

This excellent final animation drawing of the wicked Queen as the Old Witch was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. After poisoning Snow White with the apple, the Witch flees up a rocky slope; in this scene the Witch laughs as she clutches the dead tree limb with which she tries to pry loose and roll an enormous boulder onto the pursuing Seven Dwarfs. It is her final moment of triumph, and it turns out as hollow as her attempt to have Snow White "buried alive."

Walt Disney's outstanding animator Norm Ferguson was the Witch's main animator throughout the film, and he supervised the animation of the Witch in the crucial scenes of this sequence. The animator wrote the studio designation “421” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; studio stamp denoting production, sequence and scene numbers appears at lower left. The initials "KOB" are written at lower right; likely those of Mr. Ferguson's assistant animator Ken O'Brien.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 
original production animation drawing
red, blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, Sneezy image size: 4.5" x 3.5", 4.5" x 8.25" with sketched-in arms

This splendid final animation drawing of Sneezy, with Happy and Dopey's arms sketched in, was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of Walt Disney's first animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Walt Disney's great animator Fred Moore supervised the animation of Sneezy in this scene in the Dwarfs' bedroom. Sneezy begins to sneeze, Happy and Dopey reach in from the sides to place fingers under his nose, and offscreen Snow White declares: "And you're Sneezy!" The action of Happy and Dopey is sketched in red pencil. The Seven Dwarfs were named for their individual characteristics, and it is particularly nice for a drawing to portray one of those traits so clearly. The animator wrote the studio designation “44” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; handwritten note at lower left identifies this drawing's place in the film: "sc. 18A of Seq 5A."

The Little Mermaid

WALT DISNEY STUDIO The Little Mermaid (1989)  original production animation character drawing pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 9" x 8.5" This original animation character drawing of Ariel was created by a Disney artist in development of the title character in Disney's animated feature. This is an early version of Ariel, quite different from her appearance in the released film

Pinocchio (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Pinocchio (1940) 
original production animation model sheet
photostatic reproduction on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14"

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "Revised Coachman Model Pinocchio" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Pinocchio, and it was issued to animators "1-30-39" for use in drawing the wicked Coachman and his accouterments. This character, J. Worthington Foulfellow, and Stromboli formed a remarkable trio of menacing villains.

WARNER BROS. STUDIO

WARNER BROS. STUDIO 
Two (2) Animation Drawings (1930s)
two (2) original production animation drawings 
orange, red, blue and black pencil on two (2) untrimmed animation sheets, image size: 4.25" x 4.75" and 3.25" x 2.5"

These (2) original final animation drawings of a duck wearing top hat and tuxedo with a stethoscope around his neck were created by a Warner Bros. Studio animator in production of an unidentified animated cartoon of the 1930s, and cel paintings were made directly from them. The animator wrote the studio designations “551” and "564" at upper right to indicate each original's place in the scene.

Peter Pan

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Peter Pan (1953)  original production animation drawing pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 7" x 4.25" This original rough animation drawing of John and Michael Darling was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in Walt Disney's animated feature of J.M. Barrie's classic story. Disney animator Hal King supervised the animation of this scene, and this is undoubtedly one of his drawings. Michael and John duel as Peter Pan and Captain Hook in this early scene set in the Darling family nursery. The animator wrote the circled number "36" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

The Nifty Nineties

WALT DISNEY STUDIO The Nifty Nineties (1941) original production animation drawing red, green, brown and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5" x 4.5" This original final animation drawing of a vaudeville comedian, a self-caricature by Disney animator Ward Kimball, was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the cartoon, and a cel painting was made directly from it. This Mickey Mouse and Minnie cartoon directed by Riley Thompson is set in the 1890s, and the couple visits a theatre where they enjoy the antics of a comedy duo. Ward Kimball animated the scenes of the comedians, and he styled them after himself and Fred Moore; the brown pencil underdrawing is undoubtedly Mr. Kimball's work. The animator wrote the studio designation “44” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)  original production animation model sheet photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14" + 1" strip at left Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "2nd Snow White Models — Production FI / Snow White" was made at the Disney Studio, likely soon after production ofSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It is a second-generation print, made from a photostat for reference and future use; a strip of two punch holes was added at left, and it was kept in a studio binder. "Library of the Walt Disney Studio" is reproduced in the model sheet at center; date of issue "12-11-36" is reproduced at upper right

The Fox and the Hound

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
The Fox and the Hound (1981) 
original production animation drawing
red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 6.5" x 5.25"

This original rough animation drawing of Amos Slade, the film's villain and owner of Copper and Chief, was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in the animated feature. Amos Slade is one of the few Disney villains who finds a measure of redemption at film's end, as Copper prevents him from shooting Tod and one glimpses a better man in the old hunter's countenance. The animator wrote the designation "210" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene. 

Brave Little Tailor (1938)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Brave Little Tailor (1938)
original production animation drawing
red, green and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 4.5" x 2.75"

This original final animation drawing of Mickey Mouse in the title role was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated cartoon directed by Bill Roberts, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Frank Thomas, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of all of Mickey's scenes at the King's court. Mickey reacts after the King has named him "Royal High Killer of the Giant" and raised his offer to "two million pazoozas." The animator wrote the studio designation “11” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene

Bambi (1942)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Bambi (1942) 
original production animation model sheet
photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14"

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "Bambi's Mother / For Proportions Only" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Bambi, and it was issued to animators "5-31-40" for use in drawing the central character's mother, who falls to a hunter's shot. Bambi was in development and production for nearly five years, and enormous time and talent went into making the setting and animation of the characters believable. This model sheet was issued over two years before release of the film and provides a glimpse of the artists' meticulous work.

Pinocchio (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Pinocchio (1940) 
original production animation model sheet
photostat on paper, dimensions: 11" x 14"

Since the early 1930s the Disney Studio has produced model sheets of its animated characters and/or atmosphere and concept art for circulation among artists and animators working in production of an animated film. Before the 1970s they were reproduced by a photostatic or printing process. They were made when a character or setting was in development and to help animators maintain a consistent look to the character throughout the film. This photostat model sheet titled "Revised Fox Models Pinocchio" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Pinocchio, and it was issued to animators "12-23-38" for use in drawing J. Worthington Foulfellow, the fox who is one of the film's three principal villains. 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
original production animation drawing
red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 7.5" x 9.5"

This scarce rough animation drawing of Quasimodo, the title character, was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated feature based on the story by Victor Hugo. The drawing is undoubtedly from one of Quasimodo's songs. It is finished yet retains the animator's red-pencil construction lines. The animator wrote the studio designation “424” at upper right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Atlantis (2001)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Atlantis (2001)
original production animation character drawing
pencil and india ink on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 10" x 7.5" including signature

This original animation character drawing of Preston Whitmore was created by Disney artist John Pomeroy in development of the character in the animated feature. Preston Whitmore is the eccentric millionaire who funds Milo's expedition to find Atlantis. Mr. Pomeroy was the supervising animator of Milo, the film's lead, and he also contributed to the design and animation of other characters. Shawn Keller is credited as supervising animator of Preston Whitmore. John Pomeroy signed his drawing to the right of the image and "Preston Whitmore" is written at lower right. A good article by Rhett Wickham on Mr. Pomeroy's career can be found at: http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID210070.asp