Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation

Noted film historian John Canemaker brings to life the team whose combined individual genius defined the art of character animation. Published by the premium art preservation curators at Disney Editions, Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation is a highly sought-after, out-of-print (OOP) deluxe hardcover biographical and production chronicle. This massive coffee-table tome serves as the definitive retrospective compilation tracking the legendary animation cells, character turnaround blueprints, and creative breakthroughs engineered by Walt's core inner circle.

Spanning a monumental 304 pages of vivid, high-contrast visual layouts and full-color heavyweight archival paper stock, this comprehensive chronicle presents an unmatched look inside the creative engines of Walt Disney Animation Studios from the 1930s to the 1970s. Think of your favorite moments and characters in Disney films from the thirties to the seventies and chances are most were animated by one of Walt Disney's "Nine Old Men." Through the span of their careers, these nine highly skilled animators exhibited an unparalleled loyalty to their employer. This book explores their artistic breakthroughs, failures, and rivalries, and their individual relationships with each other and with Walt. Get an inside look at the classic hand-drawn filmmaking process packed with a wealth of production extras, including rare studio sketches, flipped pencil animatics, character model sheets, and personal workspace photography. Every reference page acts as an educational masterclass in golden-age character anatomy, squash-and-stretch physics, and theatrical pacing.

Individual chapters compile spectacular visual layouts, character designs, and biographical portfolios:

Masterfully researched and written by Academy Award-winning animation historian John Canemaker, this volume stands as the ultimate tribute to the architects of modern animation. This essential reference manual is an absolute crown jewel addition for digital painters, storyboard artists, illustration historians, and dedicated collectors of premium investment-tier Disney books.