Treasures of Disney Animation Art

by John Canemaker (Introduction), Robert E. Abrams (Preface), Walton Rawls (Editor)

A fascinating array of character sketches, storyboards and animation cels, reproduced in facsimile-quality illustrations, show the enormous wealth of imagination, talent and industry behind the world's greatest animation studio.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

John Canemaker (born 1943) is an Academy Award-winning independent animator, animation historian, teacher, lecturer, and author perhaps best known for his many books about the Disney studio, including Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation.In 1980, he began teaching and developing the animation program at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts', Kanbar Institute of Film and Television Department. Since 1988 he has directed the program and is currently a tenured full professor. From 2001-2002 he was Acting Chair of the NYU Undergraduate Film and Television Department. In 2006, his film The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation, a 28-minute animated piece about Canemaker's relationship with his father, won the Academy Award for best animated short. In 2007 the same piece picked up an Emmy award for its graphic and artistic design.


His first book, The Animated Raggedy Ann and Andy, detailing the making of an animated feature based on Johnny Gruelle’s storybook characters, was published in 1977. Eight more books followed: Treasures of Disney Animation Art (1982),Winsor McCay: His Life and Art (1987), Felix: The Twisted Tale of the World’s Most Famous Cat (1991), Tex Avery: The MGM Years (1996), Before the Animation Begins: The Art and Lives of Disney Inspirational Sketch Artists (1996), Paper Dreams: The Art and Artists of Disney Storyboards (1999), Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation (2001), The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (2003), and a revised and updated edition of Winsor McCay (2005).

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say how wonderful this oversized volume is. The sheer amount of concept work presented was unprecedented at the time of publication. I was mesmerized by this book as a child- the size gave it import, the illustrations within gave it a magical quality. There have been books since that have attempted to give a taste of behind the scenes at disney animation studios, but there seems to be an awareness in newer volumes of their image and every imagined critique- so much so that there is no character to the selections. Anyways, a beautiful book- hints at a bunch of lost projects and little known artists. Gorgeous. The full size edition is all the better, for detail.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and colourful little book, but I suspect its larger hardback cousin (which was what I meant to buy) would better display the artwork on offer here. I'll have to compare once I can get a copy of the larger volume.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning collection of incredible artwork from The Skeleton Dance through The Black Cauldron.

[Vimacone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of Disney art. Concept drawings, layout, backgrounds, animation drawings, cel set ups from the early days of the studio up to The Rescuers. Nice to see some art from Song of the South as well. There's even art from a couple unfinished films.
Just one thing, why does this book use the some cover art that was used for The Illusion Of Life?
If you can get this, get the hardcover version (avoid the paperback); you won't be disappointed.

[Ashley]

I have an older version of this book that I plan to read soon.