Search ResultsFor "alice in wonderland"



Books &Commentary &Illustration 16 Sep 2013 07:45 am

More of Steadman’s Alice

Here are a few more pages of Ralph Steadman‘s Alice In Wonderland. This takes us up to Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Major scanning coming up, so I had to break here.

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alice13 2

alice12 3

alice14 4

alice16 5

Daily post 15 Sep 2013 08:57 am

New York ad Art

In the past couple of weeks I’ve taken advantage of the new marvelous book by Tod Polson, a stunning publication for Chronicle Books on the design work done for animation. The Noble Approach, Maurice Noble and the Zen of Animation Design.

Nobleapproach

I gave some of the book’s many illustrations center stage and have enjoyed doing that. One day, I even posted art that came from J. B. Kaufman‘s two books on Snow White, The Fairest of them all and The Creation of Snow White and the 7 Dwarves. Can there be two more beautiful works of animation art than the throne on which the wicked Queen sits?

In the up coming week I hope to continue on through the Noble book, to take a deeper look at the book while more thoroughly giving critical attention to the films. I’ve barely touched on the work he did for WB, bypassing the tentative approach to the dominating final work. At the same time, I hope to look at Chuck Jones’ artwork and his dependence on others while allowing himself to break through a number of strong animation barriers. It will be fun for me – that is, until it isn’t.

Once we get to MGM and Tower 12 Productions things have changed and Noble spent a lot of time bringing those films to life. The two did dominate a wing of the studio with the Road Runner films making some of them among the great films of history.

I’d also started a series of posts on others. There’s one ongoing series featuring Ralph Steadman and over-sized material in his book. Steadman has such a large output of brilliant work it was purely by chance that we went to Alice. My wife, Heidi, is currently directing a theatrical production of Alice in Wonderland. Her research has forced open quite a few books on Dodgson’s thinking process. Top of the heap, open to a sublime image, I found myself an acolyte standing in a master’s garden wholly helpless in improving to match this genius of an artist.

So, I did start to post Alice images from that one book (and that’s the only well from which I’ll draw from. There’s a lot there, all in the raw waiting to be seen by you.

The Chronical book, Sketchbook of the Independents Animators it is also entirely encouraging and improvisational. However, I’m not sure that meets my needs for animation art. I see it more as a way of getting back to the drawing board. Unfortunately, I don’t find these artists as great as many others though there is brilliance among the mundane, I will try not to miss any if that great work.

I had started to write about The Quay Brothers. These twins come from Philadelphia and have worked out of Europe. There life’s work is on display at the Museum of Modern Art, and it is greatness desplayed in all its glory.

Finally, there is Sassek. Bill Peckmann sent me a book he did, and then another. Both were overloaded children’s which made for some fin multi-post selections. I loved Paris and had to reveal some wonderful pieces. What a treat. It feels as though Sassek was inspired by the earnest, brilliant artist, Ben Shahn. Recently, critics have taken apart Shahn’s work – he’s suddenly too political. That, to me, is the backbone and cause célèbre of Shahn’s paintings. Someone not demanding, along the whims of many others all fits together and helps create the 20th Century in Art.

Perhaps a couple of small posts I can offer will give some indication of that art. I hope it all will work as a schema. I think it will. Starting with some of the work I’ve already offered. Now to the meat.

Illustration &repeated posts 07 Sep 2013 11:50 pm

Emergency Mouse – repost

- Have I mentioned more that a dozen times in the last few weeks, that I’m a fan of Ralph Steadman’s artwork. Here we take a short break from Ralph Steadman‘s Alice in Wonderland to post something original from him, Emergency Mouse. The guy’s a real artist. Here’s a few pages from the book:

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– I’ve been a Ralph Steadman fan/collector for most of my life. I love the guy’s work and would give anything to be able to do anything remotely as well as he does.

His versatility with pen and ink, dyes and watercolors doesn’t quite hide the magnificent draftsmanship behind his illustrations. Many try to copy his style and none have come close – though Gerald Scarfe has made a nice living off of a similar style – though a bit sweeter. Others, more academically inclined, those who swear by the Bauhaus rules, tend to turn their noses up at his work. I like to think of Steadman as the Jim Tyer of illustration.

Regardless, the work is brilliant. His art always has an amazing intelligence carrying it to the highest pinnacle. It breaks the rules and makes new ones. Illustration comes damn close to Art.

Not too many people have focused on his children’s books, and there are many. Not least is the series of “Mouse” books he’s done with Bernard Stone. Here is Emergency Mouse, a good example. I’ve not lifted the script but am merely showcasing the illustrations. Unfortunately, this also takes a bit away from the book design which is unique on its own. The type is well placed to balance off the different sized illustration.

If you want to read the story, you’ll have to get the book from the library – or buy it.


(Click any image to enlarge.) This is the inner cover.

1 2

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4 5

6 7

8 9

10

13____14

15

16

17

Animation &Commentary &Daily post 29 Aug 2013 01:47 am

Noblesse Oblige

I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have received the biography of master designer, Maurice Noble by author, Tod Polson. The book has been one I’ve anticipated of for quite some time. I must admit a bit of disappointment in the number of illustrations throughout, but there’s still plenty there to write about, and I will take two posts combined to review this important book.

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Late Nite Mystery


While in the hospital a week ago, I didn’t sleep very much. One channel in NYC, CBS, has been replaced by Time Warner and they’re predominantly showing older children’s fare late night. A number of the Pixar features including Cars, A Bug’s Story and a few other unimportant pieces were shown along with several independently produced odd films.

Only one feature really stood out for me. It looked like a Mexican version of Alice in Wonderland almost as though it were drawn by Bunuel and combined with some eccentric live action. It blended very eccentric cg animation with live action, and 2d art that was beautifully drawn and felt purely original. At one point a screen full of characters that looked as though they’d been drawn by the early Picasso, moved across the frame. The black line art was almost blown out by the overexposed whites, and it certainly was purposefully done.

Small groups of simply dressed people move through the screen, and they all looked like poor Mexicans.

I’ve searched to find the title of the movie, but haven’t had any luck. I’m sure it had a French title. If this sounds at all familiar, let me know. I’d like to own a copy and would like to write more coherently about the movie.

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Almond Milk

I’ve really taken to a couple of simply drawn animated spots by Blacklist / Studio AKA. The art directors are: Lindsey Butterwick, Danica Conneely, and Michael Fiore. The spot seems to be be cgi trying to cover the look of 2D animation, and they’re very successful, to me. Gently composed commercials that always feel positive and happy.


They also seem to there no matter what channel you turn to.

Daily post &Illustration 27 Aug 2013 07:44 am

Rose Painting

Here are some for Ralph Steadman’s rose painters. from his unique Alice in Wonderland illustrated.

7bMadTea

8Croquet

13

22

last rose

quadrille 14

quadrille 16

roses

Books &Illustration &Models 16 Jul 2013 05:15 am

Alice Via Steadman – 2

smAliceSteadman1
The book’s cover

As I’ve pointed out in this series, Alice in Wonderland is my favorite children’s book. and Ralph Steadman one of my favorite illustrators. His work is so intelligent; his art so British and sophisticated, these two were the perfect pair. I think Charles Dodgson would have selected Steadman, himself, had his art been discovered back then.

Here then is part 2 of some illustrations taken from Steadman’s book:

sm1 1

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sm2 2

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sm3 3

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sm4 4

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sm6 5

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sm11 6

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sm12 7

2-13

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Art Art &Books &Commentary &Illustration &Layout & Design &Theater 02 Jul 2013 05:05 am

Alice via Steadman – 1

streepI am one of those insane people who is in love with Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. I also am devoted to Ralph Steadman as probably my favorite illustrator. Steadman has published a glorious version of Alice, and I need no more than show some of the illustrations. Here’s the first in a series of posts of Alice by way of this original artist. Truly different from anyone else’s version.

The rumor was that Steadman had seen Meryl Streep performing as the lead on stage in New York, as part of the Joe Papp’s NY Shakespeare Festival, and he’d never been able to get that image out of his head.

I can quite understand since I also saw that very odd and interesting production and still remember it well.
I hope you enjoy this art as much I enjoyed working these images. There’s a lot more, and it will come in parts.

smAliceSteadman1
The book’s cover

smAliceSteadman2 1 smAliceSteadman3 2

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Daily post 02 Jul 2013 12:38 am

Alice via Steadman 2

smAliceSteadman1
The book’s cover

As I’ve pointed out in this series, Alice in Wonderland is my favorite children’s book. and Ralph Steadman one of my favorite illustrators. His work is so intelligent; his art so British and sophisticated, these two were the perfect pair. I think Charles Dodgson would have selected Steadman, himself, had his art been discovered back then.

Here then is part 2 of some illustrations taken from Steadman’s book:

sm1 1

___________

sm2 2

___________

sm3 3

___________

sm4 4

___________

sm6 5

___________

sm11 6

___________

sm12 7

Articles on Animation &Books &Commentary &Disney &Illustration &John Canemaker &Layout & Design &Story & Storyboards 01 Jul 2013 07:29 am

Alice Boards

John Canemaker‘s book Paper Dreams: The Art & Artists of Disney Storyboards, is a brilliant work. As an example, take a look at this short piece for Alice In Wonderland.
The animated feature went through a long, slow birth.

The first board, for this sequence, was by David Hall and was done in 1939, the late Thirties. Hall was originally a production artist for Cecil B. DeMille at Paramount Pictures; he worked as an illustrator who was called in to make many delicate watercolors. There was one sequence from the Carroll original which was kept for the final film. In it, Alice gets trapped within a house when, having bitten into a cracker, she suddenly starts getting larger and larger until she fills the white rabbit’s home with her head and overgrown body parts. Many a creature try to pull her from the house.

Here are some of the Hall watercolor images:


Hall1 1

Hall2 2

Hall3 3

Hall4 4

Hall5 5

Hall6 6

Hall7 7

Hall8 8


Following his version, there was an attempt at a script by novelist Aldous Huxley. Done in 1945, this was ultimately abandoned when storyboard continuity artist, Joe RInaldi, came in to make some more cohesive and funny drawings in 1950.

Here’s the full sequence, Rinaldi’s version.

RinaldiBd

The following is Rinaldi‘s board enlarged for the sake of legibility:

AliceBd1 1

AliceBd2 2

AliceBd3 3

AliceBd4 4

AliceBd5 5

AliceBd6 6

AliceBd7 7

AliceBd8 8

AliceBd9 9

AliceBd10 10

AliceBd11 11

AliceBd12 12

AliceBd13 13

AliceBd14 14

AliceBd15 15

AliceBd16 16

AliceBd17 17

AliceBd18 18

AliceBd19 19

AliceBd20 20

AliceBd21 21

AliceBd22 22

AliceBd23 23

AliceBd24 24

AliceBd25 25

I have to give John Canemaker many thanks for allowing me to post these images. His book is a treasure. to those who appreciate the storyboard.

Animation &Animation Artifacts &Books &Comic Art &Layout & Design &SpornFilms &Story & Storyboards 28 Jun 2013 05:40 am

Jabberwock – repost

- To me, Lewis Carroll‘s nonsense poem, Jabberwocky, is one of the most brilliant pieces ever written. It’s always been important to me, and I’ve collected many versions of it in illustrated versions. Now that I mention it, let me confess that I’m a Lewis Carroll addict, and Jabberwocky is one of my favorites among his many poems.

In film, you have the one live action feature by Terry Gilliam; it’s a good film with a clunky monster in the end. In animation, professionally, I know of only two versions completed. One was by Jan Svankmajer done in 1974. I did a version of it in 1989. Mine, of course, sticks closer to the poem even though it is pretty “arty”.

Apparently, there was also a version Disney was preparing as part of Alice In Wonderland. A book was published, credited to the “Disney Archives,” with illustrations from the preparatory drawings of this sequence. It’s obvious that the final versions of these drawings were done by one person, but there’s no record in the book of who did the finals. I’d read somewhere that Marc Davis had a lot to do with it, at one point. Though he obviously was most involved with Alice, herself.

I’m not in love with the images in the book. I like the technique used, but I find the images too cute. Though, it’s amazing how current they look.
(Click on any image to enlarge.)

I’m going to give you a number of the book’s pages today and, in comparison, will follow it up with images from my version tomorrow.


‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;


All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.


“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!”


“Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”


He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought -
So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.


And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,


Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!


One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!


He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.


“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.

Jim Hill talks a bit about this book on his site in a letter response. here.

For amusement, you might check out this site for translations of this poem into 58 other languages, 23 parodies of the poem, and 10 explanations trying to define what Carroll meant by it.

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I’d like to post here a few of the images from my short adaptation of the Lewis Carroll poem, Jabberwocky. In doing the film, I tried to mimic a style I’d used in my oil paintings and felt it was a bit successful. I don’t think the filmed version is all it could be – it was rushed to complete a package which included the 19 min. film, The Hunting of the Snark, as well as an animated documentary done about Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poems. Of course, the video package wouldn’t have made sense without including Jabberwocky.


(click any image to enlarge.)

But I’ve scanned these images from the actual artwork and realize how well they’ve held up. I’d like to redo the film digitally someday and see where I can go with it.

Here are some of the images:



‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves,
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.


“Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!”


“Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!”


He took his vorpal sword in hand;
Long time the manxome foe he sought -


So rested he by the Tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought.


And as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,


Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!


One, two! One, two! And through and through


The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!


He left it dead, and with its head


He went galumphing back.


“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!”
He chortled in his joy.


‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;


All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

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