From Conception to Animation

In the Walt Disney Studios' Art of Animation area of the park, you can see some beautiful pieces of artwork, as well as create some of your own.

One of the largest displays in this attraction, however, is the interesting display dedicated to the conception of animation.

Be sure to have a closer look at this part, as you can see some conceptual drawings and artwork on Ursula...

The Beast...

and Tinkerbell!

Animation of Britain

Today's featured Animator, from the Walt Disney Studios, Paris' Art of Animation exhibit, comes direct from the United Kingdom.

Gerald Scarfe, an English artist, was a production designer on the 1997 feature film Hercules.

We can see some of his artwork below.

A Double Of Animation

We take another visit to the Art of Animation area of Walt Disney Studios, to have a look at work by two European Disney Animators: Ferdinand Huszti Horvath and Albert Hurter.

Ferdinand Huszti Horvath (1891-1973 Hungary)

As background painter:

The Old Mill (short, 1937)

The Band Concert (short, 1935)

The Cookie Carnival (short, 1934)

As an inspirational artist (partial list)

The Practical Pig (short, 1939)

The Moth and the Flame (short, 1938)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Clock Cleaners (short, 1937)

Woodland Cafe (short, 1936)

Thru the Mirror (short, 1936)

Three Mousketeers (short, 1936)

Mickey's Circus (short, 1936)

Mickey's Garden (short, 1935)

Old King Cole (short, 1935)

Father Noah's Ark (short, 1933)

Albert Hurter (1883-1942 Switzerland)

As inspirational artist (partial list)

Lady and the Tramp (1955, release posthumously)

Peter Pan (1953, release posthumously)

The Reluctant Dragon (1941)

Dumbo (1941)

Fantasia (1940)

Pinocchio (1940)

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Water Babies (short, 1935)

Music Land (short, 1935)

Peculiar Penguins (short, 1934)

Goddess of Spring (short, 1934)

Three Little Pigs (short, 1933)

Building a Building (short, 1933)

Babes in the Woods (short, 1933)

 

Neilsen of Animation

The world of Disney animation has plenty of European animators who have played major parts in Walt Disney movies over the years. We look at another animator featured in the Art of Animation in Disneyland Paris today.

Kay Neilsen (1886-1957) was a Danish animator who worked as an 'inspirational sketch artist'.

Some of her featured work includes The Little Mermaid (1989, released posthumously), as well as Fantasia sequences:

Fantasia Second Edition "Ride of the Valkyries" and "Swan of Tuonela" sequences (unproduced)

Fantasia "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence (1940)

The Bacher of Animation

Heading back over to the Art of Animation in the Walt Disney Studios, Paris, let's have a look at another European artist.

Hans Bacher comes from Germany, born in 1948, and has worked on some infamous Disney productions.

As you can see, he was a Production Designer on Mulan (1998), but also worked as an animator on Dinosaur (2000), Fantasia 2000 (1999), Hercules (1997), The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992), Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988).

Halls of Animation

The next Animator that we are going to look at, from the walls of the Art of Animation in Walt Disney Studios is David S. Hall (1905-1964).

Born in Ireland, Hall is probably most famed for some of his artwork based on Alice in Wonderland.

As inspirational sketch artist

Peter Pan (1953)

Alice in Wonderland (1951)

Bambi (1942)

Hans Off

Apologies for the pun on this blog post title! But today we head back to the Walt Disney Studios Animation area and have a look at some artwork by another timeless European Disney Animator.

Hans Bacher, born in Germany 1948, has worked on some of the following Disney animations:

As Production Designer

Mulan (1998)

As Animator

Dinosaur (2000)

Fantasia 2000 (1999)

Hercules (1997)

The Lion King (1994)

Aladdin (1992)

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

You can read Hans' weblog here, where you can see some beautiful artwork from his 40+ years in the industry.

Animation of Brizzi

Last month we looked at the animation of Gustaf in the Art of Disney Animation at the Studios, Paris. Today, we'll head back to the Studios and have a look at the art of Paul and Gaetan Brizzi.

As we can see from the images, they have worked on some Disney classics.

As directors

Fantasia 2000 "The Firebird Suite" sequence (1999)

Duck Tales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)

As storyboard artists

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Animation Of Gustaf

Wondering through the Art of Disney Animation in Walt Disney Studios, we come across the works of Gustaf Tenggran.

Tenggran was a Swedish-American illustrator, and the chief illustrator of the Walt Disney Company in the 1930s.

Gustaf was actually the chief illustrator on the feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hired in 1936 especially for this purpose. The artwork shown in Walt Disney Studios highlights his work on Pinocchio, but also references his work on Bambi and The Old Mill.

He remained with the Walt Disney Company until 1940.

Sea of Colours

In the Art of Disney Animation, in Walt Disney Studios, Paris, there is plenty to see and do. With so many years of experience in the medium of Animation, this part of the Studios has far too much to take in for the average Disney fan!

One of the displays takes into account the effects and the spectrum of colour:

(In English) A Feeling for Colour

Artists have long understood the power and eloquence of colour to express emotion. Artists use passionate reds, tranquil blues, or muted yellows and oranges to heighten the emotional quality of a scene.

The wall displays some of your favourite Disney animated movies in a spectrum of colour.

A Magical Experience

Continuing our look around the Walt Disney Studios, I thought we should have a look at an attraction that is very similar to one at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida and California Adventure in Anaheim: The Art of Disney Animation.

Located on the edge of the new Toon Studio in Animation Courtyard (below picture), the exterior of the building encompasses a giant Sorcerer's Hat - although, not as large, grand or 'in your face' as the one in Orlando. Around the top of the hat you can see Peter Pan and Wendy flying, reminding us of some of the Disney Classics. There are also 12 golden statues around the building, similar to those around the Castle Hub in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, featuring Disney characters such as Chip and Dale (or Tic n' Tac, in French) and Pinocchio.

When you enter the building you are greeted with walls full of Disney classic films, drawings, pictures and photos. You can also look at some of the early stages of animation, including the fantastic Zoetrope which helps create an illusion of movement from a series of static pictures.

The main attraction of this show is the 'Drawn to Animation' show, featuring Mushu from Mulan (as you have probably seen at the Disney's Hollywood Studios version). The true treasures, however, are the shows beforehand. The first small feature you are introduced to is Walt Disney, the man himself, paying tribute to some of the European animators that influenced him. Roy Disney soon takes over, talking about the relevance of history in animation. Straight after this, you enter a large theatre in which we are taken on a whirlwind tour of Disney animation, with clips of famous Disney Classics and music to accompany. The second feature never fails to bring a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye. Yes, I'm a sap, but I am a Princess - I believe in Prince Charming and Happily Ever Afters!

After you have seen the 'Drawn to Animation' show, you enter an area where you can voice your own Disney characters, find out which Disney character you are, and even have a go at drawing your own character! Can't you see how much fun mum and I are having?

You can also browse the beautiful Disney Gallery, and figure out how much you could spend on Disney animation merchandise!