in the early days of production disney’s ROGER ALLERS directed inka-version of THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES was titled – KINGDOM OF THE SUN. after major story problems MARK DINDALL took over and the piece was called THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, what doesn’t mean the story improved. unfortunately the beautiful preproduction artwork done by PAUL FELIX, COLIN STIMPSON and JOHN WATKISS is not reflected in the final 2000 released film. below some more of JOHN WATKISS huge acrylic-paintings.
© disney enterprises, inc / john watkiss
my name is hans bacher, – I work as production designer in the animation film industry. for the last 40 years I lived and worked in duesseldorf, london, paris, los angeles, manila and tokyo. now I am professor for film-design at the nanyang techn. university in singapore.
Thanks for the huge scans. Watkiss is a remarkable artist. I enjoy his comic work also. Too bad the film was changed by management, these concepts are intriguing.
Interesting but I prefer the light and gay design of the final version
When I bought the “Tarzan” book, one of the things that impacted me was the work of JOHN WATKISS. I don´t know why, but it recalls me the works of Frazetta.
wonderful paintings
Lord this guys work is awful. Unfocused, bland, and doesn’t communicate well at all.
I am a friend of John watkiss and I am looking to get in touch with him. My Los Angeles phone number is 818 400 8323.
These are wonderful! Many thanks for sharing. I was wondering his process. Did he paint straight onto canvas & work it out as he went or did he look at references to help him with clothes etc. Love to know. Great blog!
from hans -
from what I saw john did a sketch in a smaller size first where he worked out the basic composition. I don’t know how much reference he used, but I guess he had to get at least some information about costume, architecture and other things he was not too familiar with. go to his website and ask him.