Fall has arrived!

 

Autumn Leaves & Fantasia Fairy

Well it is official .....Fall has arrived according to the calendar with the passing of the Autumnal Equinox this past Thursday at 5:03 pm.  However, Fall has been arriving in our northern latitude of Alaska for the last couple of weeks now.  I love this time of year up north.  The Birch, Aspen, Mountain Ash and Cottonwood trees are at their color changing peak now.  It is wonderful sight and magical time with the leaves changing in my front yard of my Anchorage home.

So, this morning I thought I would share a wonderful production piece of the Autumn Fairy working her magic on a leaf from one of my favorite films, Fantasia.  This courvoisier setup consists of three cel levels set against a watercolor background as prepared at the Disney studio back in the 1940's.  I love the detail that was painted on the cel of the leaf and the delicate transparent painting of the fairy's wings.   The Nutcracker sequence from Fantasia is one my favorite segments in Fantasia and with Disney animation in general.  The artistry that was employed and work that went into this segment is truly amazing.  Happy Autumn!

            Original Courvoisier Cel Setup, gouache on trimmed acetate, watercolor on paper 

            Artist: Various Studio, unknown

            Acquired:  September 14, 2007

 

More on Bambi

 

Bambi - A Voice from the Golden Age

Released:  August 9, 1942

Image Courtesy of the BBC

As a follow on to recognizing Bambi's 80th anniversary release last month, I found this wonderful posting by the BBC who had interviewed Donnie Dunagon, the voice of Bambi.  This was previously shared by Andreas Deja on his blog and I really enjoyed hearing this story.  Donnie Dunagon shares his unique story about how he got the role in Hollywood and what came of him afterwards.  A fun story! 

So to commemorate, I am sharing a wonderful production drawing of Bambi from my collection.  A very large and expressive image of Bambi that also served as a color model drawing.  If you hadn't noticed, drawings of Bambi are quite rare to find.  It is far easier to find a cel than a production drawing.  

      

Original Production Drawing, graphite & colored pencil on trimmed animation paper

Acquired:  August 11, 2017

Artist:  Studio, Unknown

Jungle Book, The Exhibit (Part 3)

 

The Making of a Masterpiece

The Jungle Book Exhibit - Part 3

Exhibition Catalog & Book

September 11, 2022

Just a few weeks ago, I received my copy of Andreas Deja's latest book showcasing the new Walt Disney Family Museum's special exhibit on the making of the Jungle Book.  Following up from my previous postings in July, this is part three of the exhibit shares some insights from the exhibition catalog/book.  

What a wonderful splendor for the eyes of any animation art fan and especially those who love art from the Jungle Book.  The exhibition and the book showcases artwork straight from Andreas Deja's personal animation collection.  Lavishly displaying all types of animation artwork, one will find beautiful concept pieces, layout drawings, production backgrounds, key masters setups and much more.

  

 

Lately, I have been enjoying production drawings in sequence.  I love to collect groups of animation drawings that you can hold in your hand flip to recreate the magic of animation.   It is quite a thrill to hold the original artist work and make characters come to life.  Of particular note, I especially loved seeing a number of double-page spreads, where Andreas shares sequential drawings from a number of Jungle Book characters:

•  Kaa, pages 48-49
•  Baloo, pages 84-85, 92
•  Mowgli, pages 88-89 
•  Baloo & King Louie,  pages 116-117 
•  King Louie, pages 122-123
•  Shere Khan & Kaa, pages 138-139 

While many of these sequences were some of my favorites in the book, many of them sadly didn't make it into the actual exhibition.  I would have loved to seen more of these drawings in person!  Additionally, throughout the book there are many other sequences showcasing other minor sequences that were fun as well.

Another favorite section of art showcased was the section on Shere Khan.  During the exhibition, I had never seen some many Shere Khan key masters in one place before.  It was a delight to see them all and wonderful again to see many of the them up close in the book.  

However, I again noticed that the booked did not include many of the images on display during the exhibit.  I had to reference back to my exhibit photos to refresh my memory and I noticed several of the Shere Khan pieces did not make it into the book.  Sadly, final frames from the film were instead included in numerous places throughout.   So, to get the full context of the exhibit, you just need to go and visit the exhibition before it closes!

Overall, I enjoyed book immensely and would recommend any animation art collector to add this to there library.  Much of the exhibition artwork is on display in the book along with many pieces from Andreas' collection that did not make it to the museum.  So, add the book you will get a more rounded perspective on his collection.   The book is not available on Amazon until later this fall, however, if you call the Walt Disney Family Museum website you can get a copy of the book sent to you much sooner!  

Additionally, if you are lucky enough to be a museum member, the latest newsletter booklet has a wonderful story on the new exhibit and features two articles that have conversations with Andreas Deja and Bruce Reitherman.  If you have any questions, leave me a comment!

 

 

Saludos Amigos!

Happy 79th Anniversary!

Released: August 24, 1943

This past week was the 79th anniversary of Walt Disney's seventh animated feature film, "Saludos Amigos."   The film had its world premiere on August 24, 1943 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with the a subsequent release starting in Boston and the rest of the US later on February 6, 1943.  To commemorate the film, I thought I would share my only piece of animation art from the film, a wonderful production background an the Andean mountain landscape and village from the intro to the Penguin sequence.  I love this 12 field background because of the train theme and painting's overall subject.  It really stands out on its own as a wonderful little storybook painting.  If you watch the film, you will notice that the train was not originally in the painting and was added later by the studio for when they gave the painting away.  This painting reminds me of the scene from Dumbo when Casey Junior is singing & traveling in the film.   I love all things with trains!

Original Production Background, gouache on 12 field heavyweight paper

Artist: Various Studio, unknown

Acquired:  November 12, 2006

More wonderful details are also revealed on the backside of the painting.  Complete with production markings, the backgrounds appears to be filmed for the intro sequence on September 4, 1942.  I have never been able to make out the signatures, but it might suggest that studio artist, Art Riley had a hand in this painting somehow.  Art Riley is credited with layout and background on this film and it is very likely that he worked on this scene.  More research will have to be done to determine that!

So happy 79th anniversary to Saludos Amigos!