The Reluctant Dragon (1941)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
The Reluctant Dragon (1941)
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 "Dragon & Knight Suggestions / 'The Reluctant Dragon'" was made at the Disney Studio during production of The Reluctant Dragon, and it was issued to animators "5-16-40" for their use in development of the main character of the animated title sequence based on the story by Kenneth Grahame. The drawings shown are the work of Martin Provensen, an artist in Joe Grant's Character Model Department who received screen credit on Pinocchio (1940),Fantasia (1940), and Dumbo (1941). His initials appear as part of the Model Department stamp reproduced in the model sheet below the title.