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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Peter Pan (1953)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Peter Pan (1953)  original production animation drawing red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 8.25" x 5.25" This original rough animation drawing of Captain Hook was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in Walt Disney's animated feature of J.M. Barrie's classic story. Wolfgang Reitherman, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of Captain Hook in this scene set in Skull Rock, and the red pencil underdrawing is certainly his work. After Peter Pan has impersonated the Captain and ordered Mr. Smee "to release the Princess and take her back to her people," Hook spies his first mate rowing away and asks: "And just what do you think you are doing, Mr. Smee?" Much of Captain Hook's personality is expressed in this single drawing. The animator wrote the designation "201" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; anticipating Hook's next scene the animator boxed in the upper body and wrote "Finish" at the right.

Mickey's Christmas Carol

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) 
original production animation drawing
blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5.25" x 8"

This original rough animation drawing of Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge was created by Disney animator David Pacheco in development of a scene in the animated featurette. Disney's version of Charles Dickens' famous Christmas tale marked the return to theatrical animation of Mickey Mouse after a 30-year absence. In this scene Ebenezer Scrooge denies Mickey the burning of a small lump of coal: "Bah, you used a piece last week." Scrooge McDuck was cast in the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge, and many classic cartoon characters made up the supporting cast, including Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, J. Thaddeus Toad, Jiminy Cricket, Goofy, Ratty and Moley.

David Pacheco, longtime art director for Disney Publishing and the Walt Disney Classics Collection, joined the studio in 1980 as an animator. He worked on many Disney films of the 1980s including The Fox and the Hound (1981), Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983), The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), and The Little Mermaid (1989). The animator wrote the designation "37" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene, and he wrote his name "D. Pacheco" below the number.

Bambi (1942)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Bambi (1942) 
original production animation drawing
red, blue and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5" x 5"

This original final animation drawing of Bambi's mother was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated feature based on the story by Felix Salten, and a cel painting was made directly from it. The scene is set on the meadow as Bambi's mother nudges the young prince toward Faline to "say hello" and make friends. The animator wrote the studio designation "58" to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Melody Time (1948)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Melody Time (1948) 
original production animation drawing
blue, red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 7.5" x 6.5"

What a fabulous drawing! This original final animation drawing of Pecos Bill and Widowmaker was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Directed by Clyde Geronimi,Pecos Bill is a standout segment of the film, sung and narrated by Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers to Luana Patten and Bobby Driscoll.

Milt Kahl supervised the animation of this scene, and he certainly worked on this original. It is an animator's extreme drawing with grid drawn at right. Pecos Bill and Widowmaker are seen riding through the West "a-buttin' heads with the buffalo." Alas, "Poor Bill. Yeah, happy as a hawg in a turnip patch. And then..." he spies Slue Foot Sue and goes into this wonderful take. The animator wrote the studio designation "191" 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.

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 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.