Song of the South

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Song of the South (late-1940s-60s) 
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 "Uncle Remus Bear Model" was made at the Disney Studio sometime in the late-1940s through 1960s after production of Song of the South was completed. It shows details of Brer Bear, including one image and note referring to the bald spot atop his head that is seen only in the "Tar Baby" sequence after Brer Fox removes the tar baby's head, and some fur, from atop Brer Bear's head. It is a good quality second-generation print made from a model sheet for reference and future use by artists at the studio. "Jaxon," the approval of cartoon director Wilfred Jackson, is seen below the title.

Sleeping Beauty (1959)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Sleeping Beauty (1959)  original production animation story drawing black lithographic crayon and white opaque watercolor on 4" x 8.5" paper, image size: 4" x 8.5" This dramatic animation story drawing of Maleficent, Mistress of All Evil, was created by a Disney artist in development of a scene in the animated feature. Her evil intent is focused on the orb at the end of her scepter, bringing forth brilliant flares of energy. The number "17" is written in pencil on the back.

Cinderella (1950)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Cinderella (1950)  original production animation drawing red, blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.25" x 5.75" It doesn't get any better. This spectacular rough animation drawing of Cinderella was created by Disney animator Marc Davis in development of a scene in the animated feature. It is an animator's extreme drawing, with grid at right, from the scene in the garden in which Cinderella's ragged dress becomes her ball gown. Perhaps it will be best to simply quote the studio's description of this scene as it appears in the script draft. "Magic enters scene. MLS - Cinderella. Torn dress becomes a beautiful gown. Cinderella admires it, shows it to horses, coachman and footman — starts toward Godmother." And offscreen the Fairy Godmother sings: "Bibbidi Bobbidi — Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo." Marc Davis supervised the animation of Cinderella and George Rowley the magic effects. By the time this film was in production Marc Davis had emerged as the lead animator of the main female characters in Walt Disney's feature films; throughout the decade he would supervise the animation and contribute to the design of Cinderella, Alice, Wendy, Tinker Bell, Aurora, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil. This drawing clearly shows his unsurpassed genius. The animator wrote the circled number "236" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; Seq 3 - Sc 41" is written at upper right.

Fantasia (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Fantasia (1940) 
original production animation model sheet
lithography 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 printed model sheet titled "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Fantasia, and it was issued to animators for their use in drawing Mickey Mouse, his master's hat, the broom he brings to life and buckets it carries. This is the classic model sheet of Mickey Mouse in one of his most important roles, depicted in numerous drawings by supervising animator Fred Moore. The box reproduced in the model sheet beneath the title includes the signatures of initials of director James Algar, story men Perce Pearce, and Philip Dike, animator Fred Moore, layout men Thomas Codrick and Charles Philippi.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (circa 1937)  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 "Grumpy Model Sheet" at upper left 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 center right. This is an early version of Grumpy, and the date "2-21-36" is reproduced in the model sheet below the title.

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 of two rough animation drawings of Geppetto was made at the Disney Studio during production of Pinocchio, and it was circulated to animators for their use in the animation of Pinocchio's "father." "Return to Character Model Dept." is stamped on the sheet at lower right corner; the date "May 21 1938" and "Return to Grizzly Flats R.R. Co." are reproduced in the sheet at lower right, the latter indicating the original came from the desk of animator Ward Kimball (principal animator of Jiminy Cricket).

Hercules (1997)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Hercules (1997) 
original production animation drawing
red pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.5" x 4.75"

This handsome rough animation drawing of Megara, the film's female lead, was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in the animated feature directed by John Musker and Ron Clements. The animator wrote the designation "51" 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 and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 2.75" x 2.25" This original final animation drawing of Mickey Mouse and Minnie was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated cartoon, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Riley Thompson directed this charming cartoon, and this drawing is from a scene in the couple's drive through the country as Mickey's automobile struggles to crest a hill, then races down to a humorous encounter with a cow. The animator wrote the studio designation "31" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Hold That Pose (1950)

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

This original final animation drawing of Goofy the nature photographer was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated cartoon directed by Jack Kinney, and a cel painting was made directly from it. It is an animator?s extreme drawing with grid drawn at right.

Goofy takes up photography as a hobby and sets out to film "wildlife in its native habitat," so he visits the local zoo. In this scene he vaults over the railing to visit the sleeping bear, ignoring the attached "Keep Out" and "Bear Beware" signs. Humphrey debuted in Hold That Pose and went on to become a featured character in seven shorts of the 1950s with Donald Duck and J. Audubon Woodlore.

The animator wrote the studio designation ?13? 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
red, green and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5" x 2.75"

This outstanding final animation drawing of Grumpy 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. Vladimir Tytla, one of Walt Disney's best animators of the 1930s and early-1940s, supervised the animation of this scene. Grumpy walks away from the cottage after he has received an off-to-work kiss from Snow White on his bald head; within a few steps the kiss' impact sinks in and causes him to pause, blush, and smile. This drawing captures that moment of understanding; note that it causes his eyes to cross. The animator wrote ?111? 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 of Tytla's assistant, Robert W. Carlson, appear at upper right.