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 "Production F1 'Snow White' Prince Models" at center 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 right. All three notes refer to the rotoscope process by which the studio used its live-action film of an actor as the Prince for reference in animating the character.

Fantasia (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Fantasia (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 "Cricket Violinists Used in Bug Orchestra for 'Nutcracker Suite'" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Fantasia, and it was issued to artists "11-1-38" for their use in developing these characters for the film. They were superseded by the live-action orchestra and do not appear in the film. Interestingly, the shadow of a human hand appears in one of the images, indicating that Leopold Stokowski would have conducted the bug orchestra.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Lady and the Tramp (1955) 
original production animation drawing
red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 5.75" x 6.25"

This handsome rough animation drawing of Tramp, one of the film's title characters, was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in Walt Disney's CinemaScope animated feature. Milt Kahl, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of eleven (11) consecutive scenes of Tramp, Lady and the Beaver in the zoo during the removal of Lady's muzzle. Beaver wonders "how ya get the consarned thing off, Sonny?" and Tramp steps forward to explain "to remove it simply place the strap between your teeth." The red pencil drawing in Tramp's head and face is undoubtedly Mr. Kahl's work. The animator wrote the designation "65" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene. 

Pinocchio (1940)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Pinocchio (1940) 
original production animation drawing
red, green and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 4.75" x 4"

This original final animation drawing of Pinocchio was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated feature, and a cel painting was made directly from it. Wolfgang Reitherman, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of Pinoke in this scene during his performance in Stromboli's marionette show. Initially taken aback by the ferocity of the anarchist Russian marionettes, Pinoke soon finds himself imitating their dance and kicking himself in the fanny in time with the music. The animator wrote the circled number “146” at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene; studio stamp denoting production, sequence, and scene numbers also appears at lower right.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) 
two (2) original production animation drawings
red, blue and black pencil on two (2) untrimmed animation sheets, image size: 3.75" x 4.25" (Happy), 4" x 3.5" (Dopey)

These two (2) splendid final animation drawings of Happy and Dopey were created by a Disney Studio animator in production of Walt Disney's first animated feature, and cel paintings were made directly from them. The two drawings are a matched set; "Reg to #210" is written in red pencil next to the drawing of Dopey. Happy and Dopey are seen hanging on Grumpy's words as he asserts that the Queen "can even make herself invisible! Might be in this room...right now!"

Animation of this scene was supervised by Fred Moore, Walt Disney's brilliant and admired animator of the 1930s and early-1940s who was responsible for the Seven Dwarfs throughout the sequence in which they meet Snow White. The animator wrote the studio designations “210” and "6" at lower right to indicate each original's place in the scene; studio stamp denoting production, sequence and scene numbers appears at lower left. 

Alice in Wonderland

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Alice in Wonderland (1951) 
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 "Dee & Dum Seq. 05.0" was made at the Disney Studio during production of Alice in Wonderland, and it was issued to animators for their use in developing their animation of the madcap twins Alice meets in Wonderland. The images shown in the model sheet are story or character drawings and were likely intended to suggest expressions, antics and visual gags.

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.

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.

Photograph of Donald Duck Animators

WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS
Photograph of Donald Duck Animators (1930s)
photograph, 8" x 10"

This is an original black-and-white glossy photograph produced by Disney of four animators at work on a Donald Duckcartoon of the 1930s at the Studio on Hyperion Avenue in Hollywood. Jack Hannah is seated at far left, and two of the other three men are Nicholas George and Ted Bonnicksen. Mr. Hannah began his career at Disney as an animator, teamed with Carl Barks in the story department in the 1930s, and directed more than fifty (50) Donald Duck cartoons from the 1940s through the 1960s. This is an original photograph produced by Disney; it is not a reprint or computer-generated print. There is a good discussion of this photograph and others at http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Home%20Page/WhatsNewArchivesJuly11.htm.

Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)  original production animation story drawing yellow and black pencil on 5.5" x 8" animation story sheet, image size: 5.5" x 8" This original animation story drawing of Jack Skellington was created by a Disney artist in development of a scene in the stop-motion animated feature. This scene appears in the film's "This Is Halloween" opening musical sequence. Jack Skellington rides in on a wooden horse, takes a burning torch, swallows it, and bursts into flame as the chorus sings "Our man Jack is the King of the Pumpkin Patch / Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King now!" A label bearing the handwritten designation "4B" was applied to the sheet during production of the film to indicate the drawing's place in the sequence.

Alice in Wonderland

WALT DISNEY STUDIO
Alice in Wonderland (1951) 
original production animation drawing
red and black pencil on untrimmed animation sheet, image size: 3" x 3"

This polished rough animation drawing of Alice was created by a Disney animator in development of a scene in Walt Disney's animated feature based on the stories by Lewis Carroll. During her trial before the King and Queen of Hearts, Alice eats part of a mushroom, grows to a great height, then shrinks back to normal proportions. The Cheshire Cat quotes Alice's description of the Queen as "a fat, pompous, bad-tempered, old tyrant," so the Queen once again yells: "Off with her head!" Animator Harvey Toombs supervised the animation of Alice standing in the prisoner's dock as the cards swarm overhead, and this is undoubtedly one of his drawings. Mr. Toombs' first animated for Disney on Pinocchio (1940) (uncredited) and for the next 20 years served as character animator on shorts and features through 1959's Sleeping Beautyand How to Have an Accident in the Home with Donald Duck. The animator wrote the designation "11" at lower right to indicate this original's place in the scene.

Mickey's Man Friday

WALT DISNEY STUDIO Mickey's Man Friday (1935) original production animation model drawing red, green, yellow and black pencil on 9.5" x 24" pan animation sheet, image size: 5.25" x 13.5" This animation model drawing of native warriors using a coconut tree as a battering ram was created by a Disney Studio animator in production of the animated cartoon directed by David Hand. It was used in the studio's Ink-and-Paint Department as a guide to painting cels for this scene. Mickey lands on a remote island where he rescues a native from the cooking pot, and together they build a fort to defend themselves from the local tribe of cannibals. The natives attack and attempt to batter down the gates with this tree, but it collapses like a telescope upon impact. Handwritten note to animator Clyde "Gerry" Geronomi at lower right reads: "Gerry / Scene 45, U.M. 29 / Cell #2 Drwg. #X / Model Only".

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 (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.

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