Herman Model Sheet

Here’s an early model sheet of Herman from Famous Studios.

Hank Ketcham

Here’s a couple of comics from Hank Ketcham. These can be found in the book “Where’s Dennis? The Magazine Cartoon Art of Hank Ketcham.”

Bruce Timm-Conan

I’ve been spending some time reading loads of old comics. Green Lantern and The Flash, some Justice League, but mostly, John Buscema’s Conan and Silver Surfer. It reminded me of Cary Nord’s run on Conan for Dark Horse and this really short story from Conan #18 drawn by Bruce Timm. I’d give my right nut, maybe even the left one too, for a Conan graphic novel by Timm. As long as no one else touches the art. Well, if Shane Glines inked it I’d have no problem with that. Oh well, one can dream.

Disney – "A Cowboy Needs A Horse"

I’m posting this one mostly just for the backgrounds, it’s worth the effort just for the first two shots of the apartment. As for the cartoon, meh. Not much going on in this one. The indian chief’s design is pretty cool, along with the train conductor, but the kids are rather generic.

A Cowboy Needs a Horse

Uploaded by klangley

Jim Tyer – "A Merry Chase"

Here’s some screen shots of some amazing Jim Tyer animation from the Heckle & Jeckle short “A Merry Chase”. I’ve also posted the cartoon itself and a clip of just Tyer’s animation that has been slowed down so we can see each drawing in action. For the really wild animation I slowed it down to about 10% of the original speed. Check out the ass whoopin’ Dimwit lays upon the bulldog near the end of the clip. Awesome!

Jim Tyer – A Merry Chase (Varying Speeds)

Uploaded by klangley

A Merry Chase

Uploaded by klangley

"Gerald McBoing Boing’s Symphony"

Though the original Gerald McBoing Boing short is by far the best I do enjoy this one as well. The story doesn’t quite getting the handling that the original had but there’s still great designs and animation. I particularly like the station owner’s design.

Gerald McBoing Boing’s Symphony

Uploaded by klangley

"Keep It Cool Baby"

I came across this cartoon on Youtube written by Shamus Culhane and Ruth Kneitel (Max Fleischer’s daugther) and rather enjoyed it. I didn’t know what to expect as I’m really unfamiliar with the cartoons made at Paramount when Culhane was running the studio. I’m not too fond of the overly simple character designs but the voice acting is great.

Baby Huey Comic

So, the other day I actually got off my ass and left my office during lunch to take a short trip up to the Museum Of Comics and Cartoon Art to check out he Harvey Comics exhibit. Not as large of an exhibit as I thought but the original art they had was amazing. A couple of pieces by Howie Post stood out immediately and a strip from Johnny Gentilella. I had my phone with me and snapped a couple of pics. Here they are along with a Baby Huey comic from Paramount Animated Comics #4.

I didn’t notice how bad this Gentilella pic came out until after I left. Damn.

Art Lozzi

I was watching some Yogi shorts last week that Art Lozzi had painted backgrounds for and noticed that even though different layout artists, Tony Rivera and Ernest Nordli, worked on the shorts the backgrounds were very similar in design. Below are some examples. This got me wondering how much leeway the background artist had when painting the backgrounds. I asked Art this very question and he was kind enough (as always) to respond. Here’ what Art had to say.

Hey Kevin,

Great hearing from you, nice to close the gap.
It’s a steady amazement to me that you, John K and others are still interested in backgrounds that I painted more than 45 years ago. Yes, I recognize the ones you attached, and swift memories shot by. I’ll try to explain the routine.
Keep in mind that Hanna and Barbera was still a new company then. There were the old-timers from MGM who worked very close to eachother and followed strict patterns: layouts, and then backgrounds (usually Bob Gentle and what’s-her-name who married Ollie Hanson, -Vera Ohman). The style was established and classic and Monte went in a gave them a hand occasionally.
At the new H-B studio there was not enough time to draw and redraw the layouts. They were being done fast, and by a lot of guys, to get it all done in time. It was a grind. I liked it because we -Monte and I- were given a wide leeway as to style. This is where I began using and developing my own. ..esp with the Flintstones, etc.
I still like the Yogi ones you sent me. Thanks.

Here in Greece, they don’t show the HB cartoons. I have seen only about a dozen since I’ve lived here. They don’t even know who Yogi Bear is. So I’ve been totally out of the picture and in the dark.
The answer to your question is Yes, I was able to exert more control -practically total- over the backgrounds, etc. The layout guys did not establish or instist on a particular style. They more or less sketched what had to be shown… fast, fast, fast… and left the rest up to us. Thank God for Ed Benedict however, who set the first Flintstones styles. Me, I stuck to it more or less. Great stuff, and great person. But the colors and painting techniques were mine.

Also, here’s one of the shorts I was watching, “A Wooin’ Bruin”.

A Wooin’ Bruin

Uploaded by klangley

Another Mickey Model Sheet

Here’s another model sheet of Mickey that I copy from in what seems to be my eternal quest to draw Mickey properly. Just can’t do it. Maybe someday. I’ll try and post more often but I’ve had little time to spare for blogging lately.