Masters of Art Helping Movie-Makers 1

    

 

     I was thinking about what to do for the next couple of posts, when it dawned on me that there is a subject that I personally think should be addressed, especially among those who wish to become directors. The subject is the fact that we can't do it alone, and I think that getting the best people, whether it be artists, editors, and so forth, is very important. However, particularly when it comes to getting artists, I have always wondered why it seems that Hollywood shys away. What better people to ask for inspiration in the visual medium than professional, or well-known, artists (whether living or dead). It seems to me that we should remember to ask for their help, as they can often lend something to our films that typical movie artists might not be able to. Therefore my next couple of posts will be on this subject, starting today with Eyvind Earle, a well-known figure in the art community, who passed away recently.

 

     The reason I chose him is that, although on first viewing most people might not have noticed, the art design of Disney's Sleeping Beauty is his work almost entirely. He designed the backgrounds, which set the tone for the design in the rest of the movie. For those that did not notice, or have not seen the film, it is truly unlike anything else, in terms of style, that Disney had done before, or has done since. His style used almost entirely with horizontal or vertical lines, which is meant to give the paintings a primitive style. But the amount of detail is far from primitive, and lends them a quality that is one of the most unique I have ever seen.

 

 

     I must give credit to Walt Disney for letting Earle be such a huge part of a film, and allowing him to help create something unique in the Disney pantheon. Unfortunately, Earle did not work with the studio following Sleeping Beauty, but he did continue to create art. I myself do not much care for more modern or "odd" styles of art, preferring the Renaissance style. However, Eyvind Earle was truly a master of his medium, and his contribution to movies is something beautifully unique. I highly recommend looking at his online gallery, as their are some truly stunning works just waiting to be seen by those ready for something a little different.