From our Friends at D23
The full scope of the artwork created for this book is breathtaking in its own right. And while the illustrations are adapted for literary format, our art collection allows us to appreciate the artists’ initial vision.
Diving deeper into our publishing art collection, we present original illustrations from How to Draw The Little Mermaid from Walter Foster Publishing. This book, also published in 1992, offers artists of all ages the chance to make a splash with easy-to-follow instructions for drawing their favorite characters in a variety of poses.
Two pieces from the collection are highlighted here: a completed illustration of Flounder (above) and the beautifully designed background that complements it (below). Seeing the entire scene offers a glimpse into the artist’s fully rendered concept—truly a “fin-tastic” way to appreciate the artwork!
Our staff also explored a collection of home entertainment artwork to uncover this next piece. During the Company’s early tide of home video releases, Disney fans had the chance to reel in their favorite films, often accompanied by beautifully designed packaging, such as this Little Mermaid VHS cover. Below, you can see an early example of home video art featuring Flounder and some of Ariel’s “Under the Sea” friends alongside designated spaces for product text. The artwork is vibrant and inviting, making it even more tempting to take off the shelf and enjoy!
Along those same towlines, additional supplemental art was crafted for individual Walt Disney Home Video stories featuring Ariel, much like the piece showcased below. This VHS cover artwork was designed for the 1995 release Princess Collection: Ariel’s Songs and Stories, which featured two episodes from the popular animated TV series Disney’s The Little Mermaid: “Wish Upon a Starfish” and “Metal Fish.” A close look at this original artwork offers a detailed glimpse beyond what ultimately made it onto the final product.
We hope this unique glimpse into the Walt Disney Archives collection inspires you to have your own artistic celebration honoring this milestone anniversary of The Little Mermaid, a timeless classic that continues to enchant audiences and shape the ocean of animation.
