In "4 Artists Paint 1 Tree," the Disney documentary discusses four artists and their various methodologies in constructing the painting of a tree. Through interviews and commentary by Disney himself, the documentary provides a significant understanding to that of the animated world and all that it encompasses. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the differences, and similarities, if applicable, between the four artists and their techniques.
Initial Observations
Davis comments in the video that "the object [of animation] is not to select the best drawing, but to arrive at the drawing that would look best in motion" ("4 Artists" 1958). Davis goes on to state that he worked on Sleeping Beauty and the various individuals who he worked with to ensure that the story was conveyed in a way that harmonized and flowed to the audience. The styling, music and tone of the film needed to align with the scenes of the animated movie ("4 Artists," 1958). The essential idea behind Davis' commentary about working on the film is that he offers a consistency in his animation. He tends to ensure that when working on a Disney movie with a team that there is an individualistic approach executed, but in the end it fits like a puzzle with the other team members so that the consistency can be observed not only be them.
The Tree
As the documentary progresses, the audience is shown the four different artists and given narration of how they view the tree and subsequently, drawing it. The four artists are Walt Peregoy, Eyvind Earle, Joshua Meador and the aforementioned Marc Davis. First, Peregoy speaks noting that he views "the tree as a structure and plans to reproduce it like that" ("4 Artists," 1958). Peregoy's observations about the tree are that it is like a strong architecture. The idea is to illustrate it as it is constructed. Peregoy relies on the tree and how it stands to provide him with the specific characteristics that will be incorporated into the illustration. It is a kind of straightforward interpretation of the tree with minimum variance. According to the film, Meador sees the tree as "a living thing, full of personality. [There is a] tremendous vitality to the tree" (p.1). Essentially, Meador's conception of the tree is that it must be captured immediately rather than something that structurally like Peregoy. The tree has a personality that speaks to him as he paints it on the canvas.
Eyvind Earle views the tree as a richness of the variety of nature. He does not think illustrating the tree in its entirety is necessary. The necessary aspects of the tree that must be captured on canvas is the trunk. "I am not going to paint the whole tree. What I am looking for is in the trunk [and] to use casein to do it [to ensure] fine details" ("4 Artists," 1958). Earle's understanding or rather assessment of the tree is that everything can be found in the trunk where the roots are. This essentially is a conveyance of the fact that everything in life is based in its initial foundation. The tree like art cannot flourish effectively and successfully without having a base and strong roots to accompany it.
The final artist, Marc Davis, states that he is interested in the bursting and explosive aspects of the tree. To illustrate this, he uses charcoal to initially construct the outline of the tree growth on grey paper ("4 Artists," 1958). One of the interesting elements of the differences between each of the artists is probably with Meador's technique. The film expresses that he first "uses a paint brush, then a pilot knife to smooth out the rest of the tree drawing" ("4 Artists," 1958). It is an interesting technique as this instrument is not usually used in the way in which he is using it. Meador comments in the film that through the use of the pilot knife, "the colors mingle on the palette" ("4 Artists," 1958). This aligns with his vision of the tree, which is that it has personality and is a living, breathing entity.
Concluding Thoughts
Serendip Studio (2010) and Becker (2015) write that based on personal experiences and cultural identity that each individual artist tends to perceive the objects and things in their world differently. One individual may see an object as being more logical, while another views it in an expressive, human like quantity. Specifically, Serendip Studio (2010) considers that each individual’s perception of their environment can cause them to animate and inanimate objects and situations in order to arrive at certain conclusions about their reality (p.1). This helps to explain the differences in perspectives that each of the artists had about the tree, and why they chose the various mediums they did. For example, Meador considers the tree to be some animated seemingly like the Walt Disney films and the individuals that have accompanied him on his journey to draw the tree.
Conversely, Peregoy sees the tree as inanimate, and more like the architectural structures that individuals around the world have come to enjoy and delight in. He likens the tree to a skyscraper rather than a physical human entity. Earle is more concerned with the tree’s foundation, principally revealing the importance of each artist having roots in what they do and conceive on canvas regardless of the subject matter that they are painting. Davis wants to bring life to the inanimate. He sees the tree as an inanimate object that he through the use of art can bring it to life. The art will breathe life and subsequently, explosive qualities in the tree itself.
Ultimately, the documentary explains the importance of working with different personalities on a team, and understanding that each individual has a different opinion on a particular matter. It becomes necessary for the writer to listen to the opinions of others and their perspectives on objects and situations like the four artists in the documentary did, acknowledging the similarities between others, but also respecting the differences in one's approach to art and life.
References
Becker, J. (2015). 9 Ways Generous People See the World Differently. Retrieved from https://www.becomingminimalist.com/more-generosity/
Culture shaping our perception. (2010, May 7). Retrieved from Serendip Studio website: http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/7344
Disney, W. (Director). (1958). 4 Artists [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JK9uQNBDxQ&spfreload=10
