Ink & Paint

By Mindy Johnson,

Book cover of Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation

Book description

From the earliest origins of animated imagery, the colorful link between paper and screen was created by legions of female artists working on the slick surface of celluloid sheets.

With calligraphic precision and Rembrandtesque mastery, these women painstakingly brought pencil drawings to vibrant, dimensional life. Yet perhaps as a reflection…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Ink & Paint as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

For years, I was frustrated to see Disney historians focus primarily on the role that male artists played at the Walt Disney Studio. I always felt that someone should, one day, write a full book about the many women artists who worked at Disney.

When historian Mindy Johnson filled this important gap, she did it with this massive (and beautifully illustrated) volume, which immediately became one of the most important reference books about Disney history that I own (and I own hundreds). It is a huge book, which is also an easy read!

From Didier's list on Disney history.

A treasure trove of artwork, photos, and most of all, a record of the women of Disney history. Expertly and lovingly researched.

This book chronicles Disney animation behind-the-scenes throughout its entire run, decade by decade. Sometimes arduous, sometimes creative, but generally positive. Who would have thought that among the women of the Ink & Paint department were actual chemists mixing colors?! These women have been widely unsung, making them the true underdogs of Disney animation. And I’m always a sucker for an underdog.

Not to mention the few women early on who rose through the ranks to become designers and…

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