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.