"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - David Hall Watercolor Sketches

[Edited based on comment]

This is the end of the series -- the last "Alice In Wonderland" item in the collection that I wanted to post...

This is not a very good image of what I believe to be a wonderful piece of art. The colors are fantastic. The sheer number of characters on the page are unusual. One of the reasons I like the piece is that it is a window into the flow of the creative process of character development. You can see the morphing of the character as you move across the page and as difference scenes are sketched.

David Hall Watercolor Sketches

Matt, at his site, has some great Alice material and some fantastic items drawn by David Hall. Be sure and check it out!

I thought this was an interesting comment on the Disney Archives site:

This animated feature had been on Walt's mind since 1933, when he considered a live-action version starring Mary Pickford. He shelved the project after Paramount made a version, but later had artist David Hall, a Hollywood artist and designer, create some concepts for an all-animated film. World War II intervened, and it was not until the late 1940s that work began again in earnest. One of Walt's big problems with this film was that here he was dealing with a highly regarded classic, and what was charming and appropriately bizarre in book form seemed oddly out of place on the motion picture screen. Walt's feeling, expressed in later years, was that "Alice" had no "heart."

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice In Wonderland” (1951). A watercolor color model sheet by artist David Hall. Hall did the concept work after Disney bought the rights to “Alice In Wonderland” and “Peter Pan.” SeqID-1947

Seller's Notes: "Alice in Wonderland" Original artwork painted in 1939. This Disney Studio artwork is a watercolor painting on Studio peg hole board and was created as a Character Model of 'Alice' for the film and has multiple images of her styled by the Disney artist David Hall. This Conceptual artwork was used in the creation of the animated film version of "Alice in Wonderland" which was released by the Studio in 1951. David Hall is a very well known artist and reference can be found on him in a number of Disney related art books, such as "Before the Animation Begins" , "Paper Dreams" and "The Treasury of Disney Animation" all by author John Canemaker. This Original artwork is in Mint Condition. Size: 10" x 12"

"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - Mary Blair Concept

Over the past few years, a number of Mary Blair items have entered the market. This is one of those and I thought it was pretty interesting -- a watercolor concept of Alice at the Tea Party. It's a significant scene in the film (which fits one of my criteria). In addition, I look for art that summarizes a character and this image which is both whimsical and pensive mood fits.

There is no mistaking Mary Blair. Her style was as much of a departure from the "norm" as was Gustaf Tenggren. For better or worse, "It's A Small World" is Mary Blair's playground. My big mistake was video taping the entire "It's A Small World" attraction when we visited Disneyland 20+ years ago. Our daughter played that tape non-stop for months (at least that's what I remember)! The song was burned into my mind and I would wake up in the middle of the night with visions of those expressionless eyes bouncing left and right in a never-ending dance through the darkness. But I digress...

Mary Blair Watercolor Concept

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice In Wonderland” (1951). A Mary Blair concept watercolor of Alice at the Tea Party. Excellent, vivid piece, large. [Framed: 15.5”W x 13.5”H; Item: 8”W x 6”H] SeqID-1946

"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - Cel of White Rabbit

The White Rabbit is a wonderful character to find. No one in the film (other than the Walrus) represents the Business World any better than the White Rabbit -- where speed of completion is far more important than substance.

From my perspective, this is a classic representation of the character -- the harried look, the hand on the head, legs spread, face in disbelief. Again, if you are going to buy art try to find images that give you the best feel for the character, the best representation of a scene or a classic unforgettable moment in the film.

We put this in a round frame to highlight the angle and roundness of the character. And it tends to break up a will filled with square and rectangular views...

Cel of the White Rabbit

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice in Wonderland” (1951). A great cel of the White Rabbit running for an appointment. [Frame: 13.75"W x 14.25"H; Image: 8" diameter] SeqID-0224 7/27/2005

"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - Tulgey Wood Cel

I thought these were very nice. The Mother Bird was very nice, but I've always liked the Hammer Bird and the Horn Bird. These "acid trip" characters were a novel departure from the normal characters and still fit it with the wacky world of Alice's special reality.

In this cel grouping, we have the Mother, the baby Hammer Bird, the somewhat dim adult Horn Bird and the smaller baby Horn Bird. A very nice grouping. The black background works for these characters and the frame picks up the general coloring of the Mother Bird.

Tulgey Wood Characters

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice in Wonderland” (1951). Cel of Nesting Mother Bird, Bulb-Horn Bird and Hammer Bird creatures in Tulgey Woods. These are very rare. [Frame: 12.5"W x 10.5"H; Image: 9.25"W x 7.25"H] SeqID-0222

"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - Dog and Caterpillar Cels

[Following has been edited after correction by reader.]

Here are two interesting cels: a Dog and Caterpillar. They are one the screen for a very short period of time, but they make a lasting impression.

Like the previous post, when we picked these up we didn't know much about finding backgrounds. Nor was the option available to pull an image from a DVD. Maybe in the future, I'll construct a background for these guys... Notice the frame picks up the leaf motif...

Dog and Caterpillar

In looking over the new book, "Disney Dogs," there is a page devoted to this character...

Page from "Disney Dogs"

Framed Cels

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice in Wonderland” (1951). Two Cels. Dog and caterpillar standing. An interesting piece since they are only on the screen for a few seconds. [Frame: 21.5"W x 25.25"H; Image: 11.25”W x 15.25”H] SeqID 0021

Disney Editions. “Disney Dogs.” New York: Disney Enterprises, 2008. Page 143. ISBN: 978-14231-0920-4. [8”W x 8”H] Acquired 2009. SeqID-1952

"Alice In Wonderland" (1951) [Series] - Dinah Cel

This is the start of a fairly short posting of items in the "Alice In Wonderland" holdings.

Earlier, I posted one of the Black & White cels we have from a Hudson Motors commercial. You may want to check it out...

Dinah, the cat, is a continuation of Disney's cat characters. In "Alice," Dinah has a slightly different character. More of a house cat. A little over-fed. Somewhat less comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. This cel of Dinah is a nice example of Dinah's character. I especially enjoyed the sense of wonderment in her eyes...

Dinah Cel

We framed Dinah to pick out her colors. We didn't have anything that really worked behind Dinah, so we let the cel stand on its own. After seeing some of Rob Richards' work on creating backgrounds from DVD, I've given some thought to re-creating the actual background. I'll put that on my "To Do" list...


----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Alice in Wonderland” (1951). A very good Dinah cel from Alice in Wonderland. Looking up into the frame. Full figure. Excellent color. [Frame: 17.5”W x 17.25”H; Image: 9"W x 9"H] SeqID-0020
Reference: Image in Encyc of WD Animated Characters pg 225.