Soapbox time: Ariel - a lesson in Design - (ok & Belle)

            Well, I've said elsewhere that I've seen Little Mermaid so many times I think I can tell the difference in which animator did a particular scene judging by what I think is their own personal style. BatB is my second favourite film so there's even a guest appearance of Belle.

Top Row: KEANE; high forehead, large eyes, pointed chin, longer face, defined jawline, long slender fingers & hands, NO FISH LIPS = look at the subtle cupids bow and how it diminishes naturally when Ariel smiles.

2nd Row: HENN; high forehead, huge expressive eyes, big hair, ability to express subtle emotion, look also at (what I think is his) Belle, see the larger eyes? No wonder when it came to designing his creation “She's got these eyes that just...and this hair, wow...and her smile.” (Also I would be that upset on seeing the Ariel that followed.)

Bottom row: Inset top left - Keane's Ariel in the grotto. Now look at the sequence when Ariel fawns over Eric's statue and is confronted by King Triton (especially when she confesses she loves Eric). Look how dramatically she has changed - small eyes & face - Ariel is off model! I heard BAXTER had also apologised to Keane for his work on Ariel - I think he was right to do so judging by the look of this. To be fair he had only just come off working on Who Framed Roger Rabbit? so didn't have enough time to get to grips with Ariel. Baxter is a brilliant animator you only have to look at his Belle (see the smaller eyes & that nose?) and the ballroom sequence - he did both characters in that scene!

Ironically I think the Ariel in current artwork uses the off model as a base - cue Ursula's favourite repeated word - !!!! 

Character Designer / Animator (sticking to these three only)
Ariel: Glen Keane / Mark Henn / James Baxter
Belle: James Baxter / Mark Henn
Jasmine: Mark Henn / Glen Keane (few scenes with Aladdin, same with Henn for Aladdin - possibly A Whole New World?)

Mark Henn was the co-supervising animator on Ariel, I think he animated more scenes!
He's also animated the most heroines in the renaissance & after: Ariel, Belle, Jasmine (design), Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana (design).

Personally I prefer the blend of Keane & Henn. If only this would be the basis for the DS LE doll!

My own views; agree to disagree! Lol.

Please also credit and provide a direct link to my post if you wish to use this - let me know!

Taken on: November 28, 2012

Tags:

Disney

Ariel

Jasmine

Design

Animation « less

Sets appears in: • Other

Stats: 2,178 views / 10 comments

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