With the advent of computer animation, fewer and fewer artists are involved in the traditional methods of creating animated films. The Academy’s new exhibition “Ink & Paint” highlights the work of numerous artists who have devoted decades of their lives to creating the characters, storyboards, color keys, backgrounds, layouts, cels and thousands of other process artworks that are needed to assemble a traditional animated film.

The magic of an animated film depends on the ability to bring to life not only animated characters, but the worlds they inhabit. Encompassing all stages of the filmmaking process, this exhibition showcases artwork mainly from the 1950s through the 1990s and features such animated classics as Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, Gay Purr-ee, Charlotte’s Web, The Secret of NIMH, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Lion King, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame as well as from Oscar®-winning shorts starring such timeless characters as Mr. Magoo, Winnie the Pooh and the Pink Panther.

While exploring the creative process of pre-computer animation, “Ink & Paint” also celebrates the artists whose genius spawned the screwball characters of Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes cartoons, the classic fairytale environments of Disney animated features and the Academy Award®-winning shorts of UPA, whose stylized look and simple lines approach modern art.

Artists whose work is represented include Álvaro Arce (The Prince and the Pauper), Kelly Asbury (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Mary Blair (Cinderella), Paul Carlson (Gay Purr-ee), Bob Clampett (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Tweety), Ron Dias (The Secret of NIMH), Eyvind Earle (Sleeping Beauty), Michael Giaimo (Pocahontas), Ann Guenther (Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Too), Michael Humphries (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Art Leonardi (Pink Panther), Abe Levitow (1001 Arabian Nights), Maurice Noble (What’s Opera, Doc?), Walt Peregoy (101 Dalmatians), Bill Perkins (Aladdin), Bob Singer (Charlotte's Web), Iwao Takamoto (Charlotte's Web), and Gloria Wood (Gay Purr-ee).