Although Chuck Jones’ film credits identified him for more than six decades as a director of Warner Bros. animated pictures, his stature as a graphic artist is little recognized by the public. In addition to the trying requirements of any director unifying story, layouts, animation, music, dialogue, etc. into a finished pictured, he was also personally instrumental in the graphic styling of his pictures.
Dedicated as he was to animation as the new graphic medium of his time, Jones had never forgotten that drawing the land and people around him was imperative to assure new ideas as to shape and color and design. For many years, he drew and painted the human figure and the landscape in search for new gesture and new expression. This study is reflected in the freshness of his professional work.
Steeped in an awareness of the importance of dramatics, humor, action and rhythm in telling an animated story, he managed to instill into his still drawings and paintings these same qualities.
Although many artists skilled in making still drawings have enriched animation, seldom has an expert in animation contributed so much to the great tradition of the still drawing. Here, caricature, an essential factor in all great art, has been exploited on a high level. Penetrating observation reveals new and daring aspects of ordinary people and their actions. Each drawing is a statement of an experience and a venture into new graphic structure. Here, content and form are balanced to insure the intrinsic value of each drawing and painting as a work of art.
As a classically trained artist at Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, Chuck Jones studied numerous techniques from graphite to oil paint. Throughout his life he continued his classic arts education with drawing and painting masters classes; each contributing to the evolution of his craft. He was passionate about drawing and painting, whether it be of the famous characters he created and loved or a landscape, street scene, or beautiful rendition of man, woman, or child.
In the late 1950’s and early 1960s he had opportunity to travel Europe with his wife Dorothy. During these visits he captured street scenes, whimsical anecdotes, and memorable experiences through his mastery of the watercolor technique that stand as some of the most remarkable creations of his extensive career.
These photographs were taken at Chuck Jones' home on Tareco Drive in the Hollywood Hills, circa 1960. To view art from the Chuck Jones Incognito collection, please click here.
It's Very interesting having this introspeciton of the life of this great man at his home! and I would add, the way the house is furnished, with all his paints on the walls, really mirrors a lot the personality of Chuck to me!
Posted by: Silvia Liz | June 08, 2010 at 02:20 AM
Awesome to see Chuck's work space! Love the wolf piece!
Posted by: Bryon | June 09, 2010 at 12:03 AM
I love that piece too!!!
Posted by: Silvia Liz | June 10, 2010 at 03:12 AM