How It's Done: Re-creating Digital B/Gs

I get emails from all over the world asking how I digitally recreate animation backgrounds.I was looking at MARY POPPINS (yes, again) and found a perfect, simple scene with which I can demonstrate the process.The first shot is Bert and Mary Poppins together. Most of the B/G is obscured.In the last shot of the scene, Mary rides off, giving us nearly 2/3 of the entire B/G.In Photoshop, I take this,

JOLLY HOLIDAY Part 2

Happy Valentine's Day!I am posting the POPPINS B/Gs in consecutive order as they appeared in the film. Since today is all about love, including movies we love, I am sharing three new POPPINS B/Gs. While they are all impressive, the last is one of my very favorites.Looking at these re-created B/Gs, it dawns on me that there is a radiant, Technicolor "Wizard Of Oz" vibe about them. Did you know

MARY POPPINS

Here's a surprise! I thought I'd digitally reconstructed just about every possible MARY POPPINS background... until this afternoon.I had a rare four days off this week. So, with the luxury of some unstructured time on my hands, out came the 1964 Disney classic.Here for your pleasure (and five hours of obsessive Photoshopping later): a wonderful POPPINS pan B/G from the chalk drawings (fox hunt)

POPPINS Reprise

In a final installment of previously unposted MARY POPPINS background art, we pick up where we left off, during the carousel horse sequence as JOLLY HOLIDAY segues into the fox hunt. The first two backgrounds are less spectacular than some others, but still impeccably done and worth a look.The texture of this one reminds me of Van Gogh:The little red fox gives the hunting dogs a run for their

MARY POPPINS: Across The Pond

Originally, hospitable animated turtles ferry a wobbly Bert and the always composed Mary Poppins across the pond.It's another amazing treat for the eyes. The rich greens of the trees are beautifully played against the aquamarine water. Note the texture of the stones, and wildflowers in the grass and along the water's edge.Just wonderful!

Poppins Returns: The Penguin Restaurant

After a brief look at SNOW WHITE backgrounds, we return to MARY POPPINS. With Mary and Bert seated and ready for afternoon tea, our little penguin friends appear to extend their special aviarian hospitality. They are certainly not the only actors/singers/dancers in show biz waiting tables, either!The restaurant from which they emerge is beautifully designed and realized, amidst the lush foliage

Are You Ready for a JOLLY HOLIDAY?

Even when a day goes by that I don't post, you can bet I am at work digitally replicating background art!I have some real treats coming up for you. I had reason to take a look at MARY POPPINS again this week. What an amazing movie. Practically perfect in every way!I started in at the very beginning of the animated JOLLY HOLIDAY segment. Way at the beginning... in the park!Technically, these do