Friday, September 26, 2008

SNOW WHITE

These scary trees are located in the forest area just outside the dwarfs' cottage...

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

LADY AND THE TRAMP

OK, after a pleasant diversion, we return to the Disney Studios background art, today from LADY AND THE TRAMP.

Up the street...

In front of the house...

Up the steps...

On the front porch...
Wait, let's turn right, and head to the side of the house...
and the backyard...
Finally, a beautiful interior...

Monday, September 22, 2008

KANGAROO CATCHERS (Cambria, year unknown)

Since my colleague Jerry Beck at the CARTOON BREW blog got a kick out of a recent post of background art from THE NEW THREE STOOGES, I've recreated a couple more. Produced at the now-defunct Cambria Studios in nearby West Hollywood. the background artists were talented - as I mentioned before, the artwork is lean, but actually quite charming and unashamedly cartoon-ey.

GOLDRIGGERS OF '49 (Cambria, year unknown)



Thursday, September 18, 2008

The DISNEY TCHOTCHKIES blog

I simply couldn't resist. My passion for all things Disney, coupled with years of collecting has prompted me to start a blog in which I can document my collection and share it with other Disneyphiles. As time permits I'll be adding lots of interesting curiousities here. Many were gifts from friends, all have a story. Consider this my personal invitation to stop by and have a look!

http://disneytchotchkies.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Marketplace

Here's a wonderful background from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. It was very complicated to create. There is a lot of activity in the few seconds this is on the screen. The butcher and his wife pop up in the kiosk. There's also a wagon that drives across the background. As the late Billy DeWolf used to say "busy, busy, busy!"

Imagine my dismay when I had this nearly finished only to find a tiny area in the background was never revealed.

The rest of the background is so terrific, I decided to just airbrush some color across the small unfinished area and share this with you anyway.

It's 99% finished and original... I hope you'll enjoy it "as is!"

Monday, September 15, 2008

SNOW WHITE: Dwarfs' Doors

It's intriguing comparing different views of the same area, in background art. Disney's attention to detail has always set them above and apart from all other studios.

The first view of the dwarfs' cottage doorway is when the animals and Snow White first enter. Note the cobweb left and above the door. (The door itself was intentionally removed to uncover as much B/G art as possible.)


This second view is at night, cel overlay of the door intact and closed. Note the warmth of the light, and many subtle differences between these two renderings.

Here are two views of the bedroom door:

Friday, September 12, 2008

SNOW WHITE: Grumpy Stomps Out

Today's post gives us a look at the interplay of background art pieces within a scene.

Snow White says to Grumpy: "Well, aren't you going to wash?"

He turns his back, stubborn...

Snow White, sweetly teasing says "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"

At which point Grumpy sticks his tongue out at Snow White, then stomps off and walks right into the door.

When he stomps off we see Snow White at the left, with most of the shot's background art revealed.

In particular, note the wood bench and the wonderful pillar.

This recreated pan is the entire length of the scene. Once again, pay attention to the bench and pillar, and the different perspective. Disney was a masterful cinematographer. He understood the dramatic impact of pans, zooms, fades, and camera angles. The B/G art played a pivotal role in heightening these camera techniques.

In a tighter shot within the scene, we see the same area, with the nearly identical but definitely different background art, with subtle but noticeable variances in lighting and details. Notice the difference in the fruit bowl and the different draping of the fabric hanging out of the cupboard drawer. Intriguing continuity anomalies...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

A COWBOY NEEDS A HORSE (Disney, 1956)



Disney goes 1950's modern with a vengeance!

Isn't this huge recreated pan background terrific?


Disney goes 1950's modern with a vengeance!