U.S Acres - Booker Study

Booker! Another U.S Acres character study from the Garfield and Friends show. All marker. Booker was voiced by Frank Welker (he’s also the voice of Megatron.) Booker is the more wiser chick, unlike his brother Sheldon who is still in his egg and won’t come out. 😆 They are the comedy duo of the show. This is day two of the ToonTober Garfield days 19-21! #ToonTober2024

U.S Acres - Roy Rooster Study

What better way to spend the first cold rainy day in Arizona than to watch and draw Garfield and Friends! First up is Roy Rooster, the wisecracking prankster! Happy ToonTober Garfield and Friends days 19-22! #TOONTOBER2024

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Another Dr. Seuss study! This time from One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. A book I read a lot when I was a kid. Well, I read most of the Dr. Seuss books, however I don’t think I’ve read them all. I drew him with a marker then painted digitally. #Toontober2024

Horton Hears A Who!

Horton Hears A Who! Originally published in 1954. Probably Dr. Seuss’s most lovable character in my opinion. Here is my quick study for ToonTober Dr. Seuss Days 16-18. #ToonTober2024

The Lorax!

The Lorax! Drawing something completely different this time. The Dr. Seuss style is very hard. When you look at it, it seems simple but it’s definitely not! The fur especially, trying to figure out the rhyme and reason, lol! I drew him with marker on paper, then colored him in photoshop. Happy ToonTober Dr. Seuss Days 16-18! #ToonTober2024

The Grand Duke - Study

"You Imbecile! That's not an adequate pipe. It's an aqueduct pipe! It leads straight to the city!" 🤪🐓 Another Christopher Plummer voiced character, The Grand Duke! Here is my first time drawing this sinister character, he has a lot of line mileage. I’ve probably seen Rock-a-Doodle the most out of Don’s movies, definitely my favorite! #ToonTober2024

Fievel Mousekewitz Study!

Mousekewitz Monday! I know I’ve studied this little guy a lot, but I can’t help it! Fievel is probably my favorite character to draw. ALSO! On Saturday, I got to hang out with Phillip Glasser who was the voice of Fievel. I gave Phillip lessons on how to draw Fievel so he can draw him when he signs stuff for fans. He just needs a little more practice. I’ll keep drilling him! 😆 He, Don and Gary were signing all the Funko Pops for fans. (See picture.) I wish I got more pictures, but they had me working the whole time. I had a blast though! #ToonTober2024

Rasputin - Throwback Study!

Rasputin! This is one of my studies from 15 years ago, when I first started being mentored by Don Bluth. One thing I can say I’m real proud of is that I never gave up drawing. Even till this day. Drawing and animating is my happy place. If you don’t have a happy place, I hope one day you find one, or two or even three! 🙏 FUN FACT! Christopher Lloyd was the voice of Rasputin in Anastasia, however the singing voice was the talented Jim Cummings! And! I have met both of them and shook their hands! 🎉🤝👍 Happy Don Bluth ToonTober Days 13-15! #Toontober2024

Winnie the Pooh - Gopher Study

I felt inspired with this one. Gopher first appeared in the 1966 Disney animated film Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree. He was designed/created by John Lounsbery who was Don Bluth’s main mentor at Disney. I was wondering why I had so much fun drawing him! 😆 Almost felt like I drew him before! #ToonTober2024

Piglet Bounce - Pencil Test

Piglet Bounce! 🐽 Wow! It feels really good to animate, if I could I would be animating all day everyday! Lately, I’ve taken on more of a producer role. I animated this as fast as I could for today’s Winnie the Pooh prompt! I am sure the more I stare at it, I’ll discover little fixes I should make. The curse of being a perfectionist! lol 😆 #ToonTober2024

Piglet Study!

Piglet! Everyone needs a Piglet in their life. A voice of reason, compassion and friendship. ❤️ It’s been awhile since I studied him, it really brought a smile to my face. Glad we have Winnie the Pooh prompts this year! I have a surprise animation coming tomorrow! 🐽 #ToonTober2024

Cool World - Nails Study

Nails pondering his next move! Nails is Frank Harris’s (Brad Pitt) sidekick and partner in Ralph Bakshi’s Cool World. I really enjoyed watching this movie again last night. Brad Pitt is so young in this movie. I think he was younger than I am now. *googles* Yup he was only 29! 😆 #ToonTober2024

Cool World - Bob Study

The Goons! Probably the funniest characters in Ralph Bakshi's Cool World! My favorite Goon is Bob. The all over you kind of Goon and the only female member of the crew. I love her impersonation of Eartha Kitt. Bob should have her own show or a show called “The Goons”, I’d watch that! She was voiced by the talented Candi Milo. I watched Fritz the Cat last night, tonight Im going to watch Cool World for the hundredth time! 😎🌎📺🍿🎉 #ToonTober2024

Fritz the Cat - Study

Fritz the Cat! I’m really going to enjoy the next 3 days drawing Ralph Bakshi’s characters! Thank you Mr. Bakshi for making such great films! I already have Fritz the Cat on dvd, but recently bought the Blu-ray, I plan on watching it tonight in high resolution! 😼😺🙀😻🐈‍⬛ #Toontober2024

Grammi Gummy - Study

Grammi Gummy who was played by the ever so talented June Foray! I’ll be completely honest, this wasn’t my favorite Disney Afternoon show as a kid. I was really into Ducktales, Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck the most. However, over time I have come to really appreciate this show and the writing. Today is the last day in the ToonTober days 4-6, the Disney Afternoon prompt! What better way to end it than with Grammi! Now if only I could get my hands on some Gummiberry Juice! 🧃🧃🧃🧃 #Toontober2024

Baloo - TaleSpin Study

🎶 Oh-ee-yeah (Tale Spin) Oh-ee-yoh (Tale Spin) Friends for life, through thick and thin With another tale to spin 🎶 My favorite TaleSpin memory is playing and trying to beat the video game. The TurboGrafx-16 game had way better graphics than the NES game (see comments). The TG16 Darkwing Duck game too. So much nostalgia doing these ToonTober prompts! Day 4-6, Disney Afternoon days! This was drawn with pencil, then colored digitally. #ToonTober2024

Bonkers - Study

Bonkers day! Loved this show, sadly it only had one season in 1993. Back then though, one season meant 61 episodes! 🤩 Not like today’s Netflix seasons of 8-10 episodes. 😒 This is my entry into Toontober 4-6 days, the Disney Afternoon prompts! #ToonTober2024

The Black Cauldron - Tim Burton Study

A concept study from one of Disney’s most obscure 2D animated films, The Black Cauldron! I have really enjoyed studying Tim Burton for the last 3 days, his style has really opened my creative mind. At times I thought to myself, how, why and huh?? 😆 For this one, I even busted out my Prisma markers! Surprised they weren’t all dried up. 🌵🌵🌵🌵 It’s been awhile, lol. #ToonTober2024

Jonah from Family Dog - Pencil Test

3,000 FOLLOWERS!! WOW!! 🤯 Thank you everyone for being part of my animation adventure! What better way to celebrate than to do a new animation test! This time it’s a cute walk cycle of Jonah, the Bull Terrier from Family Dog. I love Tim Burtons horror style so much. If his style teaches you anything, it’s that you can break some anatomy rules and still make a good drawing. This pencil test is also for the ToonTober event! (Days 1-3: Tim Burton prompts) 🐕🐾🐕🐾🐕 #ToonTober2024

The Monster Across the Street - Beetlejuice Study

The Monster Across the Street (his actual name, lol) pencil drawing and colored digitally. For the first ToonTober prompt! Days 1-3, Tim Burton days! He is from the Beetlejuice cartoon, one of my favorite cartoons ever! #ToonTober2024

Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986 by Stephen Anderson Interview

 Check out my interview with Steve Anderson on his new book, “Disney In-Between: The Lost Years 1966-1986.” Steve is one of the greatest humans I have ever met! Be sure to pick up his awesome book and support this great man!

Click Here for the Interview

Denver FanExpo Panel about “The History of Animation” with Don Bluth!

 Back from Denver Fan Expo! Had a great time on the panel about “The History of Animation!”

Spreading the love for 2D! Also got to meet Mr. Access Hollywood himself Mario Lopez, The Maxx and a punching Peep! lol

The Land Before Time Cosplay!

Just met the whole cast of The Land Before Time! Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike and Sharptooth! I made sure I got their DINOGRAPHS!  

My Honor Meeting Priscilla Presley!

I never thought I would say this… but… I got to meet Priscilla Presley! Wow!  Even had lunch with her and we did a story session. 

I just met Kathleen Herles the voice of Dora the Explorer!

 Denver Fan Expo this weekend! It’s not every day you get to meet Kathleen Herles the voice of Dora the Explorer! She was super nice!

Don Bluth University - Student Masterclass June 2024

Don Bluth University Masterclass Week! While waiting on down shooting student’s work, I’m doodling some Fievel Mousekewitz!

Meeting Megatron!

 Dallas I had the honor of meeting Frank Welker in Dallas! I love being deep in the heart of Texas!

“I Do This Only For The Benefit Of My Decepticons." - Megatron

Meeting the Artist Behind the Goosebumps Books!

The main reason I bought any Goosebumps books as a kid was because of the art Tim Jacobus. It drew me in and meeting him was an amazing experience. If I could I would hire him on the spot! As an added bonus! Here I am photobombing Don and Daphne lol

Seeing Guy Gilchrist Again!

Saw Guy Gilchrist again! This time I asked for a picture! I am a big fan of his work and he tells the best stories of his time working for Jim Henson. Such a nice and funny man.

I’m looking forward to his book!

Tony Cannoli - Short Film by Lavalle Lee

IT’S HERE!! My first live-action short film TONY CANNOLI is on YouTube! I hope you enjoy!

“Meet Tony Cannoli, a loving father, husband and mobster. Find out what happens when a young man tries to date one of his beautiful daughters. What's a father to do?” 

You can also watch it here on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/TonyCannoli

My First Short Film Will Be Playing at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood!

I have some exciting news! My first live-action short film “Tony Cannoli” is going to be playing at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood during the Golden State Film Festival! And it will be on Roku for the length of the festival too! Glad I waited before putting the short on YouTube. (PLAYING: THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29TH - THEATER 3 - TONY CANNOLI - 3:36 PM)