They Drew as They Pleased: The Hidden Art of Disney’s Musical Years

They Drew as They Pleased is a digital book about the artists and visual development work behind Disney animation during the studio’s musical years. This PDF edition is available as an instant download after purchase.

Written by Didier Ghez, the volume presents artwork, correspondence, recollections, interviews, and archival research concerning artists whose contributions have often remained less familiar.

The book includes 186 pages in PDF format and features work associated with the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, unless otherwise noted in the captions.

Book Overview

They Drew as They Pleased: The Hidden Art of Disney’s Musical Years explores the creative work of Walt Scott, Kay Nielsen, Sylvia Holland, Retta Scott, and David Hall.

Its narrative considers their designs, studio careers, unrealized projects, and contributions to Disney productions. The book also places their work within the difficult studio conditions of the 1940s, including wartime pressures, declining revenues, the Disney strike, and subsequent layoffs.

The volume is intended for readers interested in Disney animation, visual development, animation history, and archival art.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• Character studies by Walt Scott for the abandoned bug orchestra sequence created for Fantasia.
• Kay Nielsen’s designs for Night on Bald Mountain, The Ride of the Valkyries, and a proposed version of The Little Mermaid.
• Sylvia Holland’s work on winged horses, dancing flowers, April Shower, ballets, and a swan.
• Retta Scott’s role as Disney’s first female animator and her work as a story artist.
• David Hall’s designs connected with Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.
• Correspondence, memories from colleagues and family members, and words from the artists themselves.

Why This Book Matters

This book documents the creative contributions of visual development artists who helped shape Disney films during a major period in animation history.

It gives particular attention to women such as Retta Scott and Sylvia Holland, while also recovering the work of artists including Kay Nielsen, Walt Scott, and David Hall.

By combining reproduced artwork with personal and professional records, the volume presents an archival account of artistic careers, studio uncertainty, and projects that were completed, abandoned, or never realized.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download with no physical shipping. Access is available after purchase.

The PDF can be opened with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps. Device features may vary by application.

FAQ

When can I access the book?
Access is available after purchase as an instant digital download.

Will I receive a physical copy?
No. This product is a digital PDF download, and no physical copy is shipped.

Which devices support the file?
The PDF works with compatible Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and reading apps.

Download the digital edition to read this archival study of Disney’s musical years and its visual development artists.