The Little Mermaid: The Sketchbook Series

This digital edition of The Little Mermaid collects concept art and character studies from the beloved Disney animated feature. It is available as a PDF download, so you can start exploring the artwork right after purchase. The sketchbook celebrates the artists at The Walt Disney Studios who shaped Ariel and her world.

Produced by Applewood Books in 1997 as a limited edition, this volume offers a rare look into the creative process behind the 1989 film. The drawings and reflections inside come from Mark Henn, Glen Keane, Ruben Aquino, Andreas Deja, Dan Haskett, and many others at the studio.

Book Overview

This sketchbook highlights the work of the artists who supplied concepts, inspiration, and character studies for The Little Mermaid. It is an art-centered volume with a clear connection to Disney animation history.

The accompanying text explains that The Little Mermaid was the first fairy tale attempted by The Walt Disney Studios since Sleeping Beauty thirty years earlier. It was animated by a new generation of artists who hoped to make films that would stand alongside the best of Disney’s past.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Concept drawings and character studies from The Little Mermaid.
• Creative contributions by Mark Henn, Glen Keane, Ruben Aquino, Andreas Deja, and Dan Haskett.
• Visual exploration of underwater movement, hair, and character performance.
• Reflections on the film as Disney’s first fairy tale in thirty years.
• A glimpse of the collaborative process at The Walt Disney Studios.

Why This Book Matters

The Little Mermaid marked a turning point for Disney animation, and this sketchbook captures that moment from the artists’ perspective. It preserves working drawings and design ideas that helped define Ariel, Ursula, and the underwater world. For animation students, film historians, and Disney enthusiasts, the volume offers a direct view of how a new generation approached feature animation.

As a limited-edition publication from Applewood Books, it also represents a distinct era in Disney publishing and the tradition of sharing production art with audiences.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so no physical item will be shipped. Access is available after purchase through your download link. The PDF works with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and standard reading apps.

FAQ

When will I receive the book? You will receive instant access to the PDF download after completing your purchase.

Is there a physical copy? No, this is a digital-only edition. No physical book will be shipped.

What devices are supported? The PDF works with Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, and mobile reading apps.

Add this digital sketchbook to your collection and explore the artistry that brought The Little Mermaid to life.

Verified Bibliographic Details