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Marc Davis: Walt Disney's Renaissance Man (Disney Editions Deluxe) Hardcover – October 7, 2014

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings


Walt Disney once said of Marc Davis, “Marc can do story, he can do character, he can animate, he can design shows for me. All I have to do is tell him what I want and it’s there! He’s my Renaissance man.” As such, Davis touched nearly every aspect of The Walt Disney Company during his tenure. He began as an animator, whose supporting work on
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Bambi inspired Walt to promote him to full animator.

In the ensuing years, Davis breathed life into a bevy of iconic Disney characters, including Cinderella, Alice (in Wonderland), Tinker Bell, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil. Then, in 1962, Walt Disney transferred the versatile Davis to the Imagineering department to help plan and design attractions for Disneyland and the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair. While at Imagineering, Davis conceived of designs for such classic attractions as Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion.

As Davis had so many talents and hats, it is only fitting that this tribute be composed by a multitude of talented writers. Experts in fine art, animation, Imagineering, and filmmaking have come together to honor Davis's contributions to their realms. Each chapter is accompanied by a wealth of artwork, much of which was offered up by Alice Davis exclusively for this book. This volume is both the biography and the portfolio of a man who was, on any given day, animator, Imagineer, world traveler, philanthropist, husband, and teacher.
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About the Author

Contributing writers: John Canemaker, Bob Kurtz, Andreas Deja, Glen Keane, Pete Docter, Charles Solomon, Marty Sklar, Don Hahn, Paula Sigman Lowery, Mindy Johnson, Randy Haberkamp



Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Disney Editions (October 7, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1423184181
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1423184188
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.82 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.38 x 0.75 x 12.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
104 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the artwork in the book divine and lively, with clear designs. They appreciate the introduction to the artist as an artist and his work. The book provides insight and inspiration with interesting texts from leaders in the animation field. It's a must-have for Disney fans.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

11 customers mention "Art style"11 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the lively and clear artwork of Marc. They appreciate his watercolor, oil, and hand-drawn sketches, concept art for Disney films and parks, personal paintings, and animal sketches. The pictures are high-quality and cover many different aspects of his work.

"...and to the critics. you can't please everyone. The book is beautiful!" Read more

"...If you are a fan of Disney imagineers then this is a must. Great illustrations and descriptions." Read more

"...Marc's sketches, watercolor and oil paintings and beautiful two-page examples of his fine art. I am happy to add this to my collection." Read more

"...Besides the pencil sketches, there are also coloured design drawings he did for Disney theme parks...." Read more

10 customers mention "Art history"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's art history. They find it an introduction to the artist and a tribute to his work. The book includes hundreds of examples of Marc's sketches, watercolors, and oil paintings. Readers mention it covers many different aspects of his work, including sketches and concept art. The text is written by legendary artists and historians, providing insight and inspiration. Overall, customers describe the book as a fine tribute to a talented man and a retrospective of his work and influence on other artists.

"...Written by legendary artists and historians, it leaves you with insight and inspiration...." Read more

"...Great illustrations and descriptions." Read more

"...It shows Marc Davis' masterful versatility, be it as an animator, illustrator, painter, imagineer, concept artist, draftsman, anatomy expert...." Read more

"...The book has hundreds of examples of Marc's sketches, watercolor and oil paintings and beautiful two-page examples of his fine art...." Read more

7 customers mention "Inspiration"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring. They appreciate the insightful and interesting texts, illustrations, and artwork. The book provides an engaging experience with its insights, illustrations, animal sketches, imaginative works, and fine art.

"...Written by legendary artists and historians, it leaves you with insight and inspiration...." Read more

"...The work in the book is phenomenal and just interesting. ♥" Read more

"...various examples of what he did from animation, animal sketches, imagineering, and fine art, each preceded with an intro by a well known historian..." Read more

"...Informative and inspirational." Read more

4 customers mention "Animation content"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's animation content. They find it informative and a must-have for fans of Marc Davis' work. The illustrations are beautiful, making it a great choice for Disney enthusiasts.

"...Book is well-written & contains beautiful illustrations Great for the Disney lover--and aren't we all Disney lovers!" Read more

"...Fabulous book with numerous illustrations and informed text by leaders in animation field." Read more

"The greatest animator of all time is presented here in a wonderful book with one magnificent page afterf another of photos of the Disney masterpieces." Read more

"Amazing book on Marc Davis' animation and drawings. I always loved his style of art. This is one for the collectors!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
    Back in 1967 I was five years old, went on pirates of the caribbean. my parents bought my brother and I a booklet about the making of the attraction with drawings paintings. Later I would learn they were drawn by marc, and that was the begining of my fascination with, who I would later learn was marc davis. I was reluctant to buying the book, because some have been critical. Well, 8 or 9 months later, I decided to get it, and now I wish I had bought it sooner! and to the critics. you can't please everyone. The book is beautiful!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2014
    For a relatively short read, this book is well edited and curated to celebrate a modern master. Written by legendary artists and historians, it leaves you with insight and inspiration. Although it's heavily covered with images of Marc's artwork, it's hard to just call it a picture book, not even a coffee table book, but I would still say it belongs right next to The Illusion of Life on your bookshelf!

    Side Note: This is not a big book, and is not an anthology to cover all the best work he's done, namely for the Disney work he's known for. It is essentially an introduction to the man as an artist.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2015
    I recently went to the Disney Family Museum and learned about Marc Davis. I then saw this book was coming out and HAD to have it. If you are a fan of Disney imagineers then this is a must. Great illustrations and descriptions.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2014
    Obviously the artwork printed in the book only scratches the surface of Davis' immense talent and contribution. Much of the artwork was contributed from Davis' own art collection by his wife Alice. It shows Marc Davis' masterful versatility, be it as an animator, illustrator, painter, imagineer, concept artist, draftsman, anatomy expert. The book also features insightful essays by people who knew him and were inspired in their own fields by him. As a long-time admirer of Davis' artwork I truly love this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014
    This is a nicely made book with a good cross section of Marc Davis's artwork. The book has hundreds of examples of Marc's sketches, watercolor and oil paintings and beautiful two-page examples of his fine art. I am happy to add this to my collection.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2014
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    Marc Davis is certainly one of the master animator and draftsman Disney has ever hired. He has worked on iconic characters such as Cinderella, Alice (in Wonderland), Tinker Bell, Maleficent and Cruella De Vil.

    This book is a retrospect of his work and the influence he has over other artists. I was actually expecting some sort of biography but there's only a short two-page worth of text on his life and career written by veteran animation writer John Canemaker. The rest of the text are essays from Davis peers and those who know him, such as Andreas Deja, Glen Keane, Pete Docter, Charles Solomon, Don Hahn and others. Reading about Marc Davis through the account of other animators and artists is still every bit as engaging.

    There's also a chapter written by Marc Davis himself based on excerpts of his notes for an unpublished books. This chapter talks about anatomy of motion and provides some drawing tips.

    The pictures in the book is a mixture of photographs of Davis and his family, him at work, personal sketches, animation artworks from Disney and his paintings. His sketches are lively and the designs are always clear. The characters have their characteristic stance that really brings out their personalities.

    Besides the pencil sketches, there are also coloured design drawings he did for Disney theme parks. The back portion of the book features his paintings which are not too animation-looking like, but gives us an idea of his personal expression. Last chapter is on his wife Alice Davis with some accompanying artworks from her as well.

    This book has been getting some flak from other reviewers who commented on the lack of more pictures. I wasn't familiar with Marc Davis' work beforehand but after a quick search online, I can see many of his artworks, but I can also say that many of those in this book are not available online.

    It's a good book.

    (See more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
    37 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2018
    I've always known Marc Davis as a great character designer and responsible for many awesome ideas for Disneyland! The work in the book is phenomenal and just interesting. ♥
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2015
    Item arrived on time for Christmas gift-giving. Perfect condition. Book is well-written & contains beautiful illustrations Great for the Disney lover--and aren't we all Disney lovers!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • francesco buzzi
    5.0 out of 5 stars UNIVERSO DAVIS
    Reviewed in Italy on February 20, 2020
    Marc Davis fu uno dei leggendari "Nine Old Men" della scuderia Disney. Personalità eclettica, grande innovatore, artista geniale a tutto tondo, animatore, inventore, pittore, scenografo e creatore di molte tra le celebri attrazioni dei parchi a tema Disney. Questo libro esplora in maniera esaustiva la sua caleidoscopica personalità artistica e ci porta a comprendere l'importanza del suo fondamentale contributo al mondo dell'animazione e all'evoluzione moderna del "Disney Style".
    Splendido artbook, quindi, consigliatissimo ai fedeli "seguaci della casa del Topolino" e a tutti gli artisti che amano esplorare nuove strade e mettersi continuamente in gioco.
  • MCFW31
    5.0 out of 5 stars Muy buen libro informativo
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 1, 2017
    Marc Davis es uno de los "Disney's Nine Old Men", uno de los animadores más importantes de Disney y animador principal de personajes como Blanca Nieves, Cenicienta, Alicia, Aurora, Maléfica, entre otras. En el libro, se puede apreciar el proceso que tomó crear dichos personajes. Un gran libro sobre el arte en la era dorada de Disney.
  • Jorge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso!
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 30, 2016
    Marc Davis foi um os melhores animadores da Disney. Este livro nos traz um panorama da carreira dele; vastidões de desenhos e pinturas, além de textos muitíssimo informativos. Indispensável para qualquer fã de animação.
  • Colin E. A. Wyatt
    5.0 out of 5 stars ... was a Disney artist for many years and was fortunate to meet Marc a few years before he died
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2015
    I was a Disney artist for many years and was fortunate to meet Marc a few years before he died. This book is a wonderful testament to a very talented man, and you don't have to be a Disney fan to appreciate his great artwork.
  • WIHLM AMANN Isabelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Une merveille
    Reviewed in France on November 13, 2014
    Livre magnifique !!! 8 semaines d attente pour l avoir.....mais ça vaut le coup d attendre !!! Toute la magie de Disney est au rendre vous.