Before photography, it was up to illustrators to accurately record plants and animals. In the 19th century, artist John Gould set out to capture all of the known species of hummingbirds at the time, which meant traveling to different continents to observe their appearances. Ultimately, these efforts culminated in A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-Birds, a five volume series of 360 hand-colored lithographic plates. While each of these illustrations is stunning on their own, Nicholas Rougeux took it upon himself to make a new way to enjoy Gould's magnum opus, by meticulously restoring each lithograph and artfully arranging them into a dynamic poster.

“The monograph is considered one of the finest examples of ornithological illustration ever produced, as well as a scientific masterpiece. Included in the lengthy introduction was also a complete list of 416 species,” Rougeux explains. After finding high-quality scans of the project via the Internet Archive, he set out to bring the lithographs back to their original vibrant state. “A key goal I had for this project was to find an interesting way to introduce the subject of hummingbirds to new visitors,” Rougeux writes. “I wanted to highlight the large variety of hummingbirds in Gould’s monograph on the home page as a way to engage visitors, so I planned to create a murmuration that included a hummingbird from each illustration. Ironically, hummingbirds travel alone and not in flocks, but displaying them in a murmuration still felt like a fun design exercise.”

Rougeux painstakingly arranged each hummingbird in the murmuration to ensure that each one was evenly spaced. He also wanted to display the group according to color, so that it starts with blue birds at the top and shifts into the brighter, warmer colored species. Additionally, while the original lithographs included a simple background with plants, Rougeux isolated each bird to fit into the mumuration. However, he still wanted to add some sort of setting for the hummingbirds, and created a watercolor mountain and cloud background in AI. “I have mixed feelings about AI-generated imagery but generating these images for this purpose felt like an interesting experiment that worked out well,” he says. The collage is enhanced by text labels which identify each species on the poster.

You can purchase this poster via Zazzle with a white or dark background.

Nicholas Rougeux restored John Gould's A Monograph of the Trochilidæ, or Family of Humming-Birds and transformed the art into a poster.

Each of the hummingbirds is from Gould's original hand-colored lithographs from the 19th century.

Rougeux used the scans of all 360 plates from the Internet Archive and spent over 150 hours restoring them to their original colors.

It includes all of the hummingbird species that were known at the time.

Nicholas Rougeux: Website

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nicholas Rougeux.

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There are many ways that families show their love. It can be in the smallest moments, like a mother brushing her daughter's hair, or a father letting his child sit on his lap. Artist Soosh captures these tender fleeting moments in her beautiful watercolor illustrations.

Using a delicate color palette, she renders a variety of family dynamics, including siblings, parents and children, as well as grandparents. Her scenes are always domestic and full of love. The moments are small ones that everyone can relate to, like a baby's bath or dressing up in costumes. When asked about her inspirations, Soodh told My Modern Met, “People, for sure! I am a child before all. Since childhood, I tend to notice the smallest details about everything around me: still life, movements, tiniest of gestures. All of these give me ideas.”

The figures in Soosh's paintings always possess very warm, clear expressions. It is easy to feel the emotion of the unfolding scene just from a glimpse. And almost always, the message in these illustrations is an uplifting one about love and family. “Small and big acts of kindness that I have seen or done or become a recipient of boost my creativity and I am eager to capture glimpses of them on paper,” Soosh adds.

Soosh has two books available for purchase: Mermaid and Me and Dad By My Side. You can also purchase prints of her art via FineArtAmerica.

Artist Soosh depicts warm family moments in watercolor illustrations.

She captures the beauty of small moments between family members.

Her scenes are always domestic and full of love.

Soosh: Website | Instagram | YouTube

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Soosh.

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READ: Artist Captures Warm Family Moments in Beautiful Watercolor Illustrations

‘Friends'
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In some of TV's most iconic sitcoms, the place where the story unfolds is so unique that it almost feels like an additional character. Despite how often we see them, it can sometimes be hard to make sense of the layout of these places. Thankfully, interior-designer-turned-illustrator Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has devoted his time and skill to recreating the floor plans of some of TV's most famous locations, like Gilmore Girls‘ family home and Dunder Mifflin's building from The Office. Now, his works have been compiled in a book titled Behind the Screens: Illustrated Floor Plans and Scenes from the Best TV Shows of All Time, published by Chronicle Books.

Aliste Lizarralde began illustrating floor plans from TV locations almost 15 years ago. The first one he created was Frasier‘s fictitious apartment in Seattle. “Many years ago I made the floor plan of Frasier as a personal treat,” the artist tells My Modern Met. “I really liked the show and his elegant apartment, so I wanted to see it modeled.” He decided to to share it on social media for other fans to enjoy, but that was as far as he expected it to go.

“A couple of years, later a friend told me that I should do the Friends floor plan, so I did it,” Aliste Lizarralde recalls. “She was also a big fan of Sex & the City so she then asked me to draw Carrie Bradshaw's apartment. And then I made another, and then another… until now.” So far, he has made 150 floor plans, of which around 80 are from TV shows and the rest are from movies, including some updated versions or makeovers.

The artist explains that movie floor plans are usually easier to draw, as they have more coherent and stable sets than sitcoms and shows with multiple seasons. “In long-running series, it is common for the sets to change and adapt according to the plot,” he explains. He lists The Simpsons house as an example, as the rooms and features can switch places from one episode to another. Despite his vast portfolio, he has ditched some TV floor plans as it was impossible to create a coherent layout. He says, “I could cheat and come up with a lot of shortcuts by betraying what was shown on the screen, but surely the fans of that show would not accept or forgive it… and neither would I.”

Aliste Lizarralde creates each detailed floor plan on paper with color pencils and markers. “For my work as an interior designer I have used design software for both the plans and rendering, but for this project, I prefer to keep it old school.” On top of the actual time it takes him to draw, there are hours upon hours of research, from rewatching the series, to taking notes and establishing the measurements of each element. “It's something very similar to making a puzzle, since there are usually empty areas that must be located and interconnected, fitting them within other spaces.”

Ultimately, his work has paid off, as the book is a testament to the great locations that have shaped our favorite stories throughout the years. You can find Behind the Screens: Illustrated Floor Plans and Scenes from the Best TV Shows of All Time on Bookshop and Amazon. To stay up to date with Aliste Lizarralde, you can follow him on Instagram.

Interior-designer-turned-illustrator Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde has created the floor plans of some of TV's most famous locations, like Gilmore Girls‘ family home and Dunder Mifflin's building from The Office.

‘Gilmore Girls'

Now, his works have been compiled in a book titled Behind the Screens: Illustrated Floor Plans and Scenes from the Best TV Shows of All Time.

‘Gilmore Girls'

Aliste Lizarralde creates each detailed floor plan on paper with color pencils and markers.

‘The Simpsons'

On top of the actual time it takes him to draw, there are hours upon hours of research, from rewatching the series, to taking notes and establishing the measurements of each element.

‘The Simpsons'

Ultimately, his work has paid off, as the book is a testament to the great locations that have shaped our favorite stories throughout the years.

‘The Office'

Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde: Instagram | Tumblr | Facebook | Etsy

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Chronicle Books.

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READ: Illustrator Draws Floor Plans of Iconic Locations From Dozens of Beloved TV Series

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If you're someone who frequently stays at hotels, you likely take note of the different design choices in each place. One artist has turned her hobby of chronicling different hotel layouts into an illustrated book. Japanese artist Kei Endo frequently visits various hotels in the Tokyo area (and sometimes beyond). Every place she stays at gets transformed into a colorful series of paintings documenting the layout and interiors, highlighting the similarities and differences at these numerous accommodations.

The book, titled Tokyo Hotel Sketch, features a large selection of these watercolor layouts from different corners of the Japanese metropolis. Endo's thorough investigation of these spaces notes the measurements of the rooms, the placement of furniture, as well as the color schemes. Not only that, but she also takes a look at the smaller details, including the complimentary toiletry kits and coffee mugs.

After examining so many hotels, Endo's illustrations reveal common themes in the lodgings and where they differ. The way the beds are prepared, for instance, seems to be the same across the board; however, the dining nook varies from room to room. For those who can read Japanese, Endo's jottings offer more information. However, even without understanding the notes, the artwork still provides plenty of insight into the way hotels are designed.

You can purchase Endo's book for ¥2,750 (about $18.69). Scroll down to see more fascinating drawings by Endo, and follow the artist on Instagram to make sure you never miss an update.

Japanese artist Kei Endo documents the architecture and design of different hotels in the Tokyo area in a series of illustrations.

Endo's illustrations were collected into a book called Tokyo Hotel Sketch.

It includes numerous depictions of hotel interiors and layouts from across Japan.

Each of these works is carefully rendered in delicate colors with added descriptions.

In systematically recording all of these hotel rooms, Endo highlights what these accommodations have in common and what makes each of them unique.

Some appear to be more typical in appearance, whereas others stand out for more unique design choices.

Watch this video for more insight into Endo's creative process:

Kei Endo: Website | Instagram | Twitter

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Kei Endo.

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READ: Artist Documents Her Stays At Different Japanese Hotels in Carefully Rendered Illustrations

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Using just ink and colored pencils, Demi Lang transforms architecture into works of fine art. Her detailed architectural illustrations capture the spirit of great monuments, as well as the everyday charm of corner shops and bistros. Based in the UK, Lang lets herself be inspired by the old-world architecture of Europe. And, thanks to her willingness to share her creative process, brings joy to her fans by sharing videos that show how she draws these stunning creations.

My Modern Met Academy is lucky enough to host Lang's masterclass, which shares the secrets of her architectural illustrations. In the online class, she takes students step by step through her creative process and, at the same time, gives them the necessary tools to tackle any architectural drawing.

Whether she is creating small studies of architectural elements like columns or creating large-scale drawings that will transform into wallpaper, Lang is always pushing herself to do more. And, in fact, she'll soon be able to add published author to her list of accomplishments. Her book Drawing and Illustrating Architecture: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Art of Drawing and Illustrating Beautiful Buildings, due out in February 2024, gives an overview of her process and takes you through five different projects.

Take a look at some of Lang's most recent work, and if you are ready to take the plunge, sign up for her online drawing class, Architectural Illustration for Everyone. The three-hour course is available on its own or as part of the Academy's special October Drawing Challenge bundle of classes. In the bundle, only available in October 2023, students will receive three of popular drawing courses at a discounted price.

Demi Lang is known for her stunning architectural illustrations.

Created with ink and colored pencil, they are ripe with rich detail.

Lang is inspired by European architecture, from famous monuments to ordinary shops.

Whether working on a small study or a large-scale image, she often shows her creative process on Instagram.

Through My Modern Met Academy, she offers an architectural illustration course where students will follow her as she creates this drawing.

Demi Lang: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Etsy

All images via Demi Lang.

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READ: Stunning Ink and Colored Pencil Architecture Drawings Inspired by Old-World Europe

When creating a portrait, Florian Nicolle looks beyond the physical appearance of his model and works to capture their spirit. His mixed media portraits often focus on a singular part of the face, asking viewers to examine certain features closely, while others fade into the background. The results are mysterious and dynamic illustrations that dive into the soul of each person.

Nicolle's illustrations, which combine colored inks and pencil with digital enhancements, are a fresh take on traditional portraits. He spends a lot of time working for clients like Puma, Nike, and the NBA, creating sports illustrations. But his personal work and commissions show a different, more intimate side to the artist.

“I try to convey the mood of the person by drawing as few elements as possible,” he tells My Modern Met. “My lifelong quest is also to find the perfect balance between spontaneity and realism. That is to say that I want the illustration to grade as much as possible the freshness of the first brushstroke while having some important areas of the very realistic illustration.”

This balance makes Nicolle's work stand apart, giving his illustrations a painterly feel. Though they are thoroughly modern, the touch of realism he adds grounds each portrait and allows the viewer to connect with the picture. Scroll down for some of our recent favorites and discover the magic of Nicolle's artwork.

Illustrator Florian Nicolle is known for his evocative mixed-media portraits.

Each drawing mixes realism with spontaneity for a fresh take on portraiture.

“I try to draw the spirit of a person before their physical appearance.”

Florian Nicolle: Behance | Instagram | Facebook 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Florian Nicolle.

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READ: Surreal “Incomplete” Portraits Capture the Evocative Spirit of Different People

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

For many artists, sketchbooks are important tools to document their ideas and creative progress. Toronto-based artist Dmitry Bondarenko kept a hard-wearing journal for 10 years, using it to illustrate trips back home to Russia and practice painting in gouache and acrylic, among other things. That is why, when he noticed it missing after his bike ride, he was rightly devastated.

“I only realized what this little book meant to me when it was gone,” Bondarenko writes. “It was with me for over a decade, and documented trips to Russia, isolation with neighbors during the pandemic, a terrible bike accident, and demos for students from the start of my teaching experience, alongside various tangential explorations.”

The OCAD University teacher simply couldn't abandon hope for his sketchbook. He took to social media and posted about it on a Facebook page called “Weird Toronto,” in addition to posting 7o fliers along the street he rode his bike. Two days passed with no response. In the meantime, someone from “Weird Toronto” shared the message with another group called “I Am a Leslievillian!” There, it finally reached the person who came across the precious journal.

A 75-year-old man named Chris Ellam was cycling on the same pathway when he noticed the blue-covered sketchbook lying on the ground. At first, he thought it was litter and picked it up to dispose of it. Once he peeked inside, however, he noticed that it was no ordinary journal and that it contained beautiful portraits and other paintings.

“How did somebody lose this?” Ellam wondered. “I was just stunned.” Since there was no name or number inside the book, he brought it with him to protect it from the rain. That was when he saw the message posted on the “I Am a Leslievillian” page and was connected to a variety of different people until he reached Bondarenko.

Ellam refused any reward for returning the sketchbook. “And then I lectured him like an old man,” said Ellam. “I told him, ‘Put your name and number in it!’” Suffice it to say, Bondarenko was over the moon with the turn of events and was warmed to see such a beautiful display of humanity.

You can see more of Bondarenko's art by following him on Instagram.

Artist Dmitry Bondarenko was devastated when he realized that his sketchbook was missing.

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

It contained 10 years' worth of artwork that held significant sentimental value.

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

It included illustrations made from “documented trips to Russia, isolation with neighbors during the pandemic, a terrible bike accident, and demos for students from the start of my teaching experience.”

Photo: @handdrawndmitry | Dmitry Bondarenko

So, Bondarenko asked people for help in a post on Facebook to find the visual journal.

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

Fortunately, 75-year-old Chris Ellam discovered the sketchbook before it could be damaged by the elements.

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

The two were able to meet up and Bondarenko was given back his sketchbook.

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

“And then I lectured him like an old man,” Ellam said. “I told him, ‘Put your name and number in it!’”

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

Photo: @handdrawndmitry / Dmitry Bondarenko

 

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Dmitry Bondarenko: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Good News Network]

All images via Dmitry Bondarenko.

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Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

It's hard to imagine the history of an entire music genre contained in one poster. However, Dorothy specializes in prints that are as educational as they are beautiful to look at. The UK-based studio produced a mesmerizing tribute to the development of hip-hop music in the Inside Information: Boombox poster. This amazing piece of design is especially significant as we approach the 50th anniversary of the genre.

The three-color litho print celebrates 100 of the greatest moments in the history of hip-hop in the form of a JVC RC-M90 boombox, starting with DJ Kool Herc's Back to School Jam in the Bronx on August 11, 1973. This project was a collaboration between James Quail and Malik Thomas. “We both love hip-hop and we started by listing out all our favorite stories that we wanted to show, from classic moments like DJ Kool Herc’s Back to School Jam, to stories like Grand Wizzard Theodore inventing scratching (when his mum came into his room to tell him to turn the music down he tried to stop a record spinning and accidentally moved it backward and forwards and invented the scratching technique),” Quail tells My Modern Met. “Or Boogie Down Productions and The Juice Crew feuding over the true birthplace of hip-hop in Bridge Wars, or Sylvia Robinson meeting Big Bank Hank at the Pizzeria through to views of artists and label-mates just hanging out together and we tried to surround them with little clues and easter eggs to their inspirations and influences, so there are nods to films that the artists list as influences or things they’ve sampled.”

There are cameos of over 350 hip-hop artists in the poster, including Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lil Wayne. “Malik who illustrated it is a massive hip-hop head and it really was a labor of love for him, so it spiraled out of control as we just added more and more references and it was quite hard to know when to stop as there’s just always more amazing things to hear and discover or stories that we'd remember,” Quail adds. “But I think we’ve crammed a lot of what we love in there, hopefully, the people can feel our love for the subject through it.”

You can purchase the Inside Information: Boombox poster via Dorothy's website for £30 (approximately $38.34).

UK-based studio Dorothy explores the history of hip-hop music in their Inside Information: Boombox poster.

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

This three-color litho print was a collaboration between James Quail and Malik Thomas.

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

It features iconic moments from hip-hop history, such as DJ Kool Herc at his Back to School Jam and the rap battle between Kool Moe Dee and Busy Bee at Harlem World in 1981.

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

The poster features over 350 hip-hop artists, including Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and Lil Wayne.

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Photo: Dorothy | $38.34

Find more of Dorothy's clever posters at My Modern Met Store!

Dorothy: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Dorothy.

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In an era that’s known as the Golden Age of illustration, illustrator Newell Convers Wyeth (aka N.C. Wyeth) was one of its superstars. The American painter contributed illustrations to over 100 books and painted over 4,000 images.

His realistically rendered pictures visualized classic tales like Treasure Island, The Last of the Mohicans, and Robinson Crusoe. Wyeth also created illustrations for advertising campaigns such as Coca-Cola and Kellogg’s Foods. While considered one of the most successful illustrators of his time, Wyeth also had a thriving studio practice that included murals and private commissions—though it was commercial illustrations where he found the most fame.

Wyeth was a prolific artist and illustrator whose studio and residence in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, can still be viewed today. Read to learn more about his background, notable works, and the tragedy that ended his life at the age of 62.

N. C. Wyeth, ca. 1920. Charles Scribner's Sons Art Reference Department records, 1839-1962. (Photo: Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution)

Who Was N.C. Wyeth?

Early Life and Education

N.C. Wyeth was born in Needham, Massachusetts, in 1882. He was interested in art from an early age and was encouraged by his parents to pursue his drawing. He enrolled in art schools during his youth and attended private classes taught by artists. When Wyeth was 20 years old, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware, and began to study with Howard Pyle.

Pyle himself was one of the most famous illustrators of the 19th century, and near the end of his career, he began teaching. He took Wyeth on as a student in 1901 and encouraged him, along with his other students, to “jump into their paintings to know the place.”

For Wyeth, that meant heading West on three trips between 1904 and 1906. He spent that time working as a field hand and being a mail carrier. He depicted the experiences in drawings that dramatized the Old West. The illustrations appeared in prominent magazines at the time including Harper’s Monthly, Ladies’ Home Journal, McClure’s, and Scribner Classics.

Wyeth’s American Illustration Career

In 1903, when Wyeth was 21 years old, he had his first illustration commission sold to the Saturday Evening Post. It would be eight more years before he’d take on his first book: Treasure Island for the renowned publisher Charles Scribner’s Sons. The commission included 17 paintings that are still lauded today as a pinnacle of illustration during the early 20th century. These images, which were created at a much larger scale, showcase Wyeth’s ability to convey character and action that support the narrative—and even add to—the story.

The success of Treasure Island kept Wyeth illustrating with Scribner’s. He created imagery for “boy’s adventure tales” that included The Boy's King Arthur (1917), The Mysterious Island (1918), and The Last of the Mohicans (1919). Beyond Scribner’s, he illustrated titles including Robin Hood for David McKay in 1917, Robinson Crusoe for Cosmopolitan in 1920, and Rip Van Winkle for David McKay in 1921.

Advertising was also part of Wyeth’s portfolio. His clients included Cream of Wheat, Coca-Cola, and General Electric. During WWI and WWII, he did his part and illustrated patriotic images for the government and the American Red Cross.

In addition to working with printed matter, Wyeth was nationally recognized as a muralist. His commissions included a Civil War battle scene at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, completed in 1920. This began the first of many murals done in the 1920s and 1930s that often depicted historical events. Wyeth’s work could be seen in the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, the Hotel Roosevelt and Franklin Savings Bank in New York City, the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., and more.

Wyeth as Fine Arts Painter

Before the widespread adoption of cameras in magazines and other publications around 1920, illustration was the means by which pictures were paired with the printed word. They were important, and well-known illustrators (like Wyeth) were legitimately famous—and making a lot of money.

But despite the rock-star success that illustrators could have, the field was not as highly regarded as fine art painting. Illustrations, after all, were produced en mass for readers of all kinds. Because of their accessibility and often ephemeral nature, they weren’t seen as precious as paintings. The subject matter wasn’t considered high-brow like a work shown in a gallery.

Wyeth felt this friction and attempted to escape it by cultivating a painting practice outside of his illustration career. Although he had some traction, he never achieved the level of success in painting that he had with illustration.

Wyeth’s Family and Untimely Death

In 1906, Wyeth married Carolyn Brenneman Bockius. They lived in Wilmington, Delaware, before moving to Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in 1908. This place was special to Wyeth, as it had been the place where Howard Pyle had his summer school. In 1911, Wyeth purchased 18 acres of property where he built a house and studio.

Wyeth and Carolyn would go on to raise five children. Andrew Wyeth, one of his kids, became a well-known painter most famous for his work titled Christina’s World. His grandson, Andrew’s son, is Jamie Wyeth who has followed in his footsteps as a painter.

Wyeth met a tragic death at a railroad crossing in Chadds Ford in 1945 when an oncoming train his car. He was 62 years old. The collision killed both him and his young grandson who was nearly 4 when he died.

Visiting Wyeth’s Studio

Wyeth House in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania (Photo: Dmadeo, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

You can see where Wyeth lived and worked. His estate in Chadds Ford was restored to its original appearance around the time of his death. It’s now managed by the Brandywine River Museum, and you can take a tour of his home and studio.

Photo: Sara Barnes / My Modern Met

Frequently Asked Questions

What was N.C. Wyeth known for?

N.C. Wyeth was known for illustrating many adventure books and advertisements in the 20th century.

Was N.C. Wyeth related to Andrew Wyeth?

Yes, N.C. Wyeth was Andrew Wyeth's father.

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READ: Who Was N.C. Wyeth? Learn About the 20th Century Illustrator Responsible for Over 100 Books

 

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If you’ve watched a Walt Disney animated classic or read a vintage Golden Book, then you’ve likely interacted with the art of Mary Blair. The illustrator and animator left her mark on the visual culture of the mid-20th century in ways that are still celebrated today.

As a concept artist for Disney, she created stylized designs that informed the look of films such as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. As an illustrator, she created images for children’s books, some of the most well-known being published by Golden Books that are still available today.

Aside from her imitable style, Blair’s work was groundbreaking because she was one of the few women working in the animation industry at the time. Her work was celebrated by Walt Disney himself, and her legacy lives on today—particularly through the artists and illustrators who find inspiration in her work.

Mary Blair’s Life and Work

 

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Mary Blair (1911–1978) was born in Oklahoma and moved to Texas as a young child.  Eventually, her family relocated to Morgan Hill, California, in the early 1920s. She remained in California throughout her life, attending college at San José State University and then later Chouinard Art Institute, a professional art school in Los Angeles that would be a “breeding ground” for Disney artists. (It would eventually become CalArts.) There, she learned animation and met her husband, fellow animator Lee Everett Blair.

Blair’s first job in the animation industry was working at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and later the Ub Iwerks studio before going to Disney in 1940. Once at Disney, her vibrant illustrations were the concept art for some of the company’s most beloved animated films: Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and more.

 

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Concept Art and Working At Disney

Concept art is a vital part of an animated film. It builds the foundation of an animation project by conveying its visual aesthetic. A concept artist’s designs are a form of reference in the animation, similar to a style guide that’s seen in graphic design.

Without Blair’s stylized renderings, we might not have iconic scenes such as Peter Pan and the children flying over London's Big Ben or Alice sitting at the impossibly long table with Mad Hatter.

 

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Blair is known for her use of bright colors, which came after she “talked her way” onto a 10-week trip that Walt Disney and the members of his studio went on in 1941. They visited Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Chile, and Mexico as part of a government-funded “Good Neighbor trip” that was meant to fight the spread of Nazism and fascism in Latin and South America.

The culture Blair witnessed in her travels set the stage for the style that’s so memorable today. Her aesthetic was celebrated at the time, particularly by Disney himself. Blair became one of his favorite artists at the studio, and she was known as an “inspirational sketch artist” who came at the early stage of a film.

 

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Leaving Disney and Striking Out on Her Own

Blair left Disney for good in 1953. She and the company parted on good terms, as she wanted to strike out on her own. This culminated in children’s books, with some of her most popular being Baby’s House (1950) and I Can Fly (1951), which were both published by Golden Books.

 

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Blair’s style was tailor-made for picture books, and she employed the same bright colors that were in her Disney concept art. But the illustrations in her books were more precise than her sketch art. She utilized the dry brush technique to add texture (and visual interest) to her images, and tight shape design was at the forefront of every composition. Offset by lyrical linework, the dazzling illustrations are still admired today.

In addition to books, Blair created scarves, illustrations for advertisements, and more. The year 1963 saw a large—and enduring—commission that came from Walt Disney. He was working on a boat ride for the UN Children’s Fund pavilion to be at the 1964 World’s Fair. It was known as “It’s a Small World” and included animated figures of children from 26 countries. The stylized sights included changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the windmills in Holland.

After the World’s Fair was over, Blair helped adapt the ride for Disneyland in California and eventually a second iteration for Disney World in Florida.

End of Life

Although a prolific and successful creative, Blair was not without her troubles. She is said to have become a recluse later in life as her freelance work ebbed. She died in 1974 at the age of 66. The cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage, likely caused by acute alcoholism.

Mary Blair's Legacy

Blair's illustration style continues to influence and inspires artists and designers today. Her use of color and shape design is of a very specific time—mid-century modern—but they are still relevant today. Aside from aesthetics, Blair's place in the animation industry was groundbreaking; she was one of the few women in the industry at the time.

Lorelay Bové, the associate production designer for the beloved Disney film Encanto, shares what Blair's work means to her.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Mary Blair important?

Mary Blair's imaginative concept art brought stories to life through Disney films. She was working as an animator at a time when there weren't many women in the industry and paved the way for others.

When did Mary Blair leave Disney?

She left in 1953 to pursue her own freelance opportunities.

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READ: Learn About the Magic of Mary Blair, an Illustrator Who Helped Define Early Disney Films