Select delivery location
See All Buying Options
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Mindy Johnson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney's Animation (Disney Editions Deluxe) Hardcover – Illustrated, September 5, 2017

by Mindy Johnson (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 256 ratings
See all formats and editions
From the earliest origins of animated imagery, the colorful link between paper and screen was created by legions of female artists working on the slick surface of celluloid sheets.




With calligraphic precision and Rembrandtesque mastery, these women painstakingly brought pencil drawings to vibrant, dimensional life. Yet perhaps as a reflection of the transparent canvas they created on, the contributions and history of these animation artists have remained virtually invisible and largely undocumented, until now.




Walt Disney's pioneering efforts in animation transformed novelty cartoons into visual masterpieces, establishing many "firsts" for women within the entertainment industry along the way. Focusing on talent, Disney sought female story specialists and concept artists to expand the scope and sensibility of his storytelling. Upon establishing the first animation-training program for women, ink pens were traded for pencils as ladies made their way into the male-laden halls of animation. World War II further opened roles traditionally held by men, and women quickly progressed into virtually every discipline within animation production. Disney's later development of the Xerox process and eventual digital evolution once again placed women at the forefront of technological advancements applied to animated storytelling.




In her landmark book, Ink & Paint, author Mindy Johnson pulls back the celluloid curtain on the nearly vanished world of ink pens, paintbrushes, pigments, and tea. From the earliest black-and-white Alice Comedies to the advent of CAPS and digital animation, meet the pioneering women who brought hand-rendered animated stories to vibrant, multicolored life at Walt Disney Studios and beyond.




Extensively researched with the full support of the entire Walt Disney Studios archival resources, plus a multitude of private collections, firsthand accounts, newly discovered materials, and production documentation, as well as never-before-seen photography and artwork, this essential volume redefines the collective history of animation.




Searching for that perfect gift for the animation fan in your life? Explore more behind-the-scenes stories from Disney Editions:

  • The Art of Mulan: A Disney Editions Classic
  • Walt Disney's Ultimate Inventor: The Genius of Ub Iwerks
  • One Day at Disney: Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe
  • The Walt Disney Studios: A Lot to Remember
  • From All of Us to All of You: The Disney Christmas Card
  • Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: The Search for the Lost Disney Cartoons, Revised Special Edition
  • Disney Villains: Delightfully Evil - The Creation, The Inspiration, The Fascination
  • The Art and Flair of Mary Blair: An Appreciation, Updated Edition
  • Illusion of Life: Disney Animation (By Disney Legends Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston)
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Disney Editions
  4. Publication date
    September 5, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    10.29 x 1.56 x 13.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1484727819
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1484727812
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"Award-winning historian Johnson chronicles the invaluable role women have played in animation history, especially in the creation and duration of Walt Disney Studios. Chapters―arranged chronologically by decade from the 1920s to the 1980s―begin with time lines that contextualize the evolution of Disney within world events. Johnson details the creative process behind every Disney feature―how it deviated from its predecessors; how animation techniques advanced; and how it relied on the amazing, often-overlooked work done by women."―American Library Association Booklist, Starred Review

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"Here’s A Book About The Hundreds Of Women Artists Who Helped Create The Disney Classics."―Cartoon Brew

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"Mindy Johnson tells, for the first time, a complete and detailed history of the women who made a significant contribution to the success of The Walt Disney Company and in the field of animation. At 384 pages, it’s an extensively detailed book filled with photographs, diagrams, drawings and artwork―many of which have never been seen before now."―Huffington Post

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"Mindy Johnson’s new book, Ink Paint, is a game changer. It’s a major book that tells the history of animation from the point of view of the women who were part of its birth, its decades of production, and its long term success. It’s published by Disney Editions―and the Disney studio story is a major part of its focus. But Johnson learned, while doing her research, that women played an important part in animation before (think Margaret Winkler), during (think Fleischer’s Lillian Friedman or Lantz’s LaVerne Harding) and in present day (think Brenda Chapman, among many others) well beyond Disney."―Cartoon Research

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"No serious scholar of Disney animation should be without this authoritative volume."―Brian Sibley, writer, broadcaster, and Disney scholar

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"Setting the record straight, Johnson has produced an encyclopedic, well-researched and fascinating account of women in the film industry. It encompasses everything from the invention of celluloid, to the silent film genius Georges Méliès’ staff hand coloring of film footage, to Disney studio’s Ink Paint department."―New York Journal of Books

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
"The size and weight of this volume is matched only by its scope. Disney scholar Johnson, whose previous book detailed the history of Tinker Bell, has outdone herself this time around."―Leonard Maltin, film critic and historian

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
One of "19 great coffee table books for Disney fans"―Business Insider

PRAISE FOR INK PAINT
One of "20 Books Every True Disney Fan Should Have in Their Collection"―POPSUGAR

PRAISE FOR PENCILS, PENS BRUSHES: A GREAT GIRLS' GUIDE TO DISNEY ANIMATION

"In this inspiring picture book, Johnson celebrates the many talented women who worked for Walt Disney Studios: writers, dancers, singers, chemists, pilots, and―of course―artists. Some of these women achieved
greatness while working at Disney, such as Dorothy Ann Blank, one of the credited writers for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Others found fame later in life: Mildred Rossi, who did the special effects for Chernabog
in Fantasia, also designed many famous Hollywood monsters. Some studied under Nelbert Murphy Chouinard, who agreed to teach Disney animators how to draw realistically when no man would. Bové channels
Disney legend Mary Blair through her bright, playful illustrations. These career-oriented women are pictured hard at work―and happy! Their inkwells, sketches, and diplomas fly off their desks in a whimsical frenzy. Flowers and paintbrushes swirl around their smiling faces. . ."―American Library Association Booklist

PRAISE FOR TINKER BELL: AN EVOLUTION

One of "47 Incredibly Unique Books To Buy Everyone On Your List . . . #15. For Disney obsessives."―BuzzFeed

About the Author

Award-winning author and historian Mindy Johnson once again takes readers on an epic journey into the unexplored realms of our shared past. Her critically acclaimed debut title, Tinker Bell: An Evolution, which chronicled the development of everyone’s favorite fairy, was honored with consecutive Family Choice Awards. A contributing writer for The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921–1968 (Taschen Publishing) and the celebrated book Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man (Disney Editions), Mindy is a frequent speaker and writer on early cinema, animation, women’s history, and creativity. She’s also an award-winning playwright, songwriter, musician, and contributing artist on several internationally acclaimed recordings. Mindy continues to teach, write, and consult for various entertainment entities . . . between tea breaks.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Disney Editions; Illustrated edition (September 5, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1484727819
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1484727812
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.95 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.29 x 1.56 x 13.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 256 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Mindy Johnson

Mindy Johnson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Mindy Johnson, a leading expert on the history of women within early animation and film, is an award-winning author, animation/film historian, musician, and educator. Her books continue to challenge and reframe the universal understanding of our collected past.

Recipient of the 2019 FILM SCHOLAR AWARD from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences/OSCARS.org, Mindy's latest book PENCILS, PENS & BRUSHES - A Great Girls' Guide to Disney Animation, brings the inspirational stories of twenty unsung women within early Disney animation. Illustrated by renowned artist Lorelay Bove', this timeless treasure for all ages is an expansion on Mindy's game-changing volume: INK & PAINT - THE WOMEN OF WALT DISNEY'S ANIMATION, which balances the history of America's greatest art form with focus on the remarkable number of unknown female artists who brought Walt Disney's animation to vividly animated life. From animators, to conceptual artists, editors to chemists, background artist to fine artists, Mindy pulls back the celluloid curtain to reveal the vast numbers of talented artists (who happened to be women) throughout Disney animation and beyond.

Johnson's debut volume, the multi award-winning and critically acclaimed tome to everyone's favorite fairy: TINKER BELL - AN EVOLUTION, sets the record start on the epic story of this tiny icon. Mindy has also contrib­uted to several noted volumes on animation history, including: THE WALT DISNEY FILM ARCHIVES - THE ANIMATED MOVIES 1921-1968 from TASCHEN Publishing, and the critically acclaimed celebration of one of Walt Disney's legendary animators: MARC DAVIS - WALT DISNEY'S RENAISSANCE MAN.

Johnson continues to write, lecture and creatively consult for major studios and independent production entities. An educator at CalArts Character Animation Department, Mindy also teaches film and animation courses in Los Angeles and is a frequent speaker, panelist and lecturer at various festivals, museums and universities around the world. Beyond her work in film and animation, Mindy is an award-winning playwright, Grammy-nominated songwriter, and a contributing musician/vocalist on several internationally acclaimed recordings.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
256 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book design outstanding, with large glossy pictures. They describe the information content as fascinating, engrossing, and detailed. Readers praise the writing quality as wonderful, detailed, and well-researched.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Book designInformation contentWriting quality
19 customers mention "Book design"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book design outstanding and the pictures large. They say the selection of artwork brings back fond memories. Readers also mention the book is well-written and an excellent piece to own.

"...She is a true Disney nerd and loves everything about Disney. This book is beautiful!..." Read more

"This beautiful, full-color book is an intriguing look at what went on behind the scenes in producing the great Disney animated features, going back..." Read more

"...Such fascinating history and great pictures of these lady pioneers...." Read more

"I absolutely enjoying this book - it itself is real piece of an artwork - so well published, with great information and inspiring stories!..." Read more

12 customers mention "Information content"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the information in the book fascinating, engrossing, and detailed. They say the author is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about women. Readers also mention the book is scholarly and masterful at researching and compiling data about unsung heroines of Disney.

"...Educational , historical and easy read." Read more

"...Mindy Johnson has done a masterful job of researching and compiling data about the unsung heroines of the world of Disney animation, the women of..." Read more

"Wonderful. A huge feast of information about the days that women silently did amazing things at the Disney workbench...." Read more

"...it itself is real piece of an artwork - so well published, with great information and inspiring stories!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing quality of the book wonderful, detailed, and excellent. They appreciate the historical and interesting articles. Readers also mention the stories and photographs are happy.

"...Educational , historical and easy read." Read more

"...Such fascinating history and great pictures of these lady pioneers...." Read more

"...enjoying this book - it itself is real piece of an artwork - so well published, with great information and inspiring stories!..." Read more

"...It has now become a staple in our home that is enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history into the women in Disney’s animation including wonderful..." Read more

The book looks amazing and I can't wait to read it
4 out of 5 stars
The book looks amazing and I can't wait to read it
The book looks amazing and I can't wait to read it. It is a very large coffee table, heavy book. I was expecting something smaller. I received the first copy yesterday and the binding was ripped. Immediately contacted Amazon and they shipped a new copy. Just received it and it too has a badly damaged binding. Sadly returning both copies and hoping to get a third but I will wait a bit till they figure out a better packing solution.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

patti57
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this book for my daughter for her birthday! She is turning 40 and has been wanting this book for sometime now, but didn't want to spend the money on herself, so I purchased it for her. And I am very happy that I did! I know without a doubt that she will LOVE it! She is a true Disney nerd and loves everything about Disney. This book is beautiful! Well worth the money, in fact after receiving the book it is more than reasonable. It is large yes, but that just means that there's even more to explore, appreciate, and read about. Such an interesting book that reminds us that back in the day women were just as much a part of this field as men were. The only negative thing I have to comment about is that the cover jacket was torn in the front when I received the book and I could not find an option just to replace the cover jacket alone. Only option was to return the book, and if I had, it would not have arrived in time for her birthday. Except for that issue, this is one of the BEST purchases that I have made on Amazon.
Helpful
 Report
Asap Physicians Services, Ltd
5.0 out of 5 stars The best of history about Disney and the women who shaped the animation industry
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is a must for those who truly want an honest in depth history of Walt Disney. Educational , historical and easy read.
Helpful
 Report
Saskia Raevouri
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing look behind the scenes of Disney's I&P department
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
This beautiful, full-color book is an intriguing look at what went on behind the scenes in producing the great Disney animated features, going back to the very beginnings of the studio. For decades only men were hired to do the creative work of drawing the characters, while women took it from there to trace and color their work to produce what we see on the screen. Mindy Johnson has done a masterful job of researching and compiling data about the unsung heroines of the world of Disney animation, the women of Ink & Paint as well as those who eventually managed to break the gender barrier and find positions in animation, editing, story, production, camera, writing, and research. As a painter and final checker in Disney's I&P department from 1981 to 2005, I learned much that I never knew about my forerunners, ladies who laid the foundations for the skills, production methods, and workplace traditions we "latecomers" were trained to take over. Mindy has truly captured the spirit of the times I remember working in! Disney buffs and historians will not want to miss out on this treasure of a book!
13 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
K.L.Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing and enlightening detailed history.
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wonderful. A huge feast of information about the days that women silently did amazing things at the Disney workbench. Such fascinating history and great pictures of these lady pioneers. I do have it on my coffee table and when people come over that is the first book they pick up, sit together looking it over. We are all Disney freaks here and this is the book they are talking about. I have to keep an eye one them because they want to take it with them when they leave. A very fine treasure. Thank you Mindy.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Superpopcorngirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Revolutionary tale of the females at Disney that created magic and amazing art!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
It is a must read if you are a female artist, a female comic reader, a female who wants to learn about women artists, or love Disney history!!! I was encapsulated by this book and enchanted by the stories, the tales, and the history of amazing women that made the world of Disney come to life not only in the cartoons, but the animated features, the films, and the theme parks. Inspirational and a good quality read if you are looking for female empowerment stories. Great gift for young female artists...
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Alexey Medvedev
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent print about historical figures
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
I absolutely enjoying this book - it itself is real piece of an artwork - so well published, with great information and inspiring stories!
I recommend it for all Disney fans and art lovers.
Helpful
 Report
LoMo
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully written history based on thorough research and interviews.
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
Wonderfully detailed book! Purchased as the textbook for my daughter’s college class “Women in Animation” with author, Mindy Johnson.
It has now become a staple in our home that is enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history into the women in Disney’s animation including wonderful studio photos bringing the history to life.
Helpful
 Report
K Dubs
5.0 out of 5 stars Large & Wonderful Coffee Book
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
I somehow missed the dimensions section and wasn't expecting such a large coffee table book--but it is beautiful and packed with information. I'm still working through it but it's a great addition to anyone interested in Disney history, art, and the effort to advance women's career opportunities in the workplace!
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Cliente de Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Gran libro
Reviewed in Mexico on April 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
Es un gran trabajo de investigación
Report
Carolina
4.0 out of 5 stars Es una joya de colección
Reviewed in Spain on June 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
El libro es fantástico. Buscaba un buen desarrollo sobre la historia de la compañía Disney y este libro, dándole protagonismo a las mujeres, lo hace doblemente valioso.
Muchas de ellas tuvieron un papel muy trascendente y contar su historia es algo necesario.

Tuve que hacer una devolución con el primer ejemplar que me llegó a casa.
Es un libro muy grande y pesado y no viene con la protección ni el embalaje adecuado.
La caja llegó rota y el libro llegó deteriorado.
Amazon aceptó mi devolución de inmediato y a la semana siguiente tenia en casa un nuevo ejemplar.
En ese sentido, un diez.

De lo contrario, debo decir que la caja de embalaje vino en las mismas pésimas condiciones que con el primer libro, pero por suerte, el interior esta vez no estaba dañado. Pero sí que vino con algunas marcas en la portada y ligeros dobleces en el canto. Cosas sin demasiada importancia.

Simplemente aconsejo que este libro se empaquete de una forma más correcta para que no sufra daños, ya que no es barato y es un libro valioso. Es la razón por la que pongo 4*

Por lo demás, muy contenta.
Lo recomiendo si eres amante de la historia de la compañía
Report
Jt
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Nice and big, great pictures and informative. Much of the content wasn't new to me as I've read quite a few books on
the Walt Disney Studios but it's always nice to see some new pictures and stories I haven't heard before.
Great book to thumb through on a rainy day.
Report
Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars superbe livre
Reviewed in France on August 14, 2020
Verified Purchase
Superbe livre 5 étoiles, mais qui, pour un poids de plus de 3kg est relié d'une façon très très légère et se déboitant et déchirant de ses pages de garde très facilement de ses beaux plats cartonnés noir, 1 étoile pour la reliure : Obligé de l'emmener chez le relieur pour renforcement efficace. Cordialement. M.D.
Report
Mirko Bordelot
5.0 out of 5 stars Meraviglioso e ampiamente illustrato
Reviewed in Italy on November 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
Un libro imponente ,interessantissimo e ampiamente illustrato .Per chi vuole conoscere le bravissime artiste Disney del reparto " Inchiostro e pittura " e scoprire così anche i retroscena produttivi della grande animazione Disney.La prefazione è scritta dalla grande "Voce " americana dell'animazione June Forey.
Report