I'm Done with Watching Cartoons

I felt like I stopped watching countless amount of cartoons when I started this blog which was August of last year. For the first few months, I decided to focus on newer experiences like watching musicals, and exploring various other artists instead of watching every cartoon to see if it appealed to me or inspired me which rarely happens nowadays. 

The only reason why I loved short subject cartoons was how straightforward and comedic they were, but now I realize that it's just the same thing over and over again especially when it comes to rare animation studios going for the style of Warner Bros. like the Lantz cartoons, and Noveltoons. While I loved the look of the cartoons, I was never able to live with these characters since they mostly did the same antics and have the same dull unoriginal personalities. 

Now I still appreciate that these cartoons try to have a source of entertainment and humor but all I see in myself when I watch them is a neutral expression on my face.

Now does that mean I'm starting to avoid watching cartoons for the rest of entirity? Heck no. I'm still wanting to experience a short film that I never seen before a chance, but it just isn't as fun and exciting as it used to be since most of these cartoons aim for the same plot, energy and scenarios. It's in over thousands of cartoons. You see many cartoons that were made only to be run for a 7 minute runtime, to me that is way too quick and kinda ruins others artistic ability.

There's still exceptions. 

I still love a bunch of the Looney Tunes shorts like the ones directed by Robert McKimson, and Chuck Jones, I still love almost all of Tex Avery's MGM cartoons, I still enjoy Tom and Jerry, even though I'm more prone to only watch the 1940s era, some of the Disney shorts are still highly watchable, especially with the Silly Symphonies technicolor cartoons, and the early 30s Fleischer musical shorts, heck the 3 technicolor Popeye cartoons are ok, even though I dislike the actual series. But otherwise, I'm not on the minority of liking or having any interest in the other animation studios from the theatrical era. 

They were once my hugest inspirations for making characters and stories, but nowadays I see myself stepping away short films and focus more on the tone-down, serious and sometimes cynical style of films. I've been more obsessed with the beauty of the old Disney stuff because I relate alot more to the characters, than the usual comedic forced Mickey and Friends stuff, I also want to experience more of the other animation studios like Don Bluth, Studio Ghibli, and what I'm focusing on now, Pixar. I just seem to move forward to a more logical understanding and truthful real side taken in an animation perspective, I guess because I'm not in school anymore, and I'm knowing more about life.

Luckily, this helped and I was able to express myself and understand more deeper elements of comprehension and it honestly made me a better person. 

My favorite films tend to be still easily amusing and wacky at times, but at least it has intelligence, and it isn't the same typical irritating actions and premises. I'm on the minority of exploring more depth of real characters and real situations. 

I'm wanting to watch a movie that might really interest me and relates to what I said, and that's a movie called It's A Wonderful Life (1946). I watched a few minutes of it, and I was immediately invested in it like crazy, I'm loving it already, James Stewart is a great actor, and this is a movie I definitely want to add onto my list. It's probably meant to be a Christmas movie, but whenever I have the time to check it out, I'll definitely give it a chance.  

Like I said earlier, I'm happy that I can accept to change how I experience things and gain better interests. This is an exploration blog after all, and I still enjoy looking back at my past self remembering the times where I wasn't fully alright with my opinions on something, or knowing someone completely new that's now been a tool for influence.

Great Vintage Stuff 2

 

I was a little proud for making the first post last month, so here's a sequel. Enjoy these pictures, they represent warmth and passion also a little inspiration. 

Here's a rare Japanese theatre release poster of Guys and Dolls (1955) this is so unusual but pleasurable. I kinda like the abstract dot patterns. 

Here's some outstanding Song of The South artwork from record covers. 

I miss this era of Disney. Imagine if Walt Disney Records would've continued making records in a style like this with their Renaissance and modern movies. Unfortunately that died out, but I do believe that Disney is still trying at least when it comes to their animation studio.

I'm a fan of the old Collier's magazines, particularly the ones illustrated by Vernon Grant, but here's one of my favorites so far designed by Wilson Cutler. Love the woman's facial expression.

Now here's some fun stuff. A Disneyland coloring book from 1955. This is too good! I could look at this all day, don't entirely know who designed it, but they sure know how to impress viewers.

J.C Leyendecker still continues to be one of my all-time favorite artists. His art is just so fresh and creative. I also admire the casual fashion, they don't directly advise stuff like this anymore. 

To me, it just isn't the same. The magic is quite gone. The magazines I'm seeing are actual real photographs, it's fine but not exactly what I prefer to invest.

Richard Scarry's Golden Book era is my favorite, his design of Smokey The Bear is literally the cutest I ever seen. I discussed about his other art before in previous posts click this link if you have the chance. 

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/07/richard-scarrys-i-am-bunny.html?m=1

I have alot to say about this. I love the color scheme, just like with the Disneyland cover, I appreciate the coloring books where the cover art has a train, they are really difficult to draw, this is very cute. Illustrated by Pete Hawley, he's probably a new favorite of mine.

Finally, I bring you some autumn art, this is a 1946 The New Yorker magazine cover that I really like. The color scheme is perfection, it's naturally accurate to the actual palettes to the fall season. Those trees remind me of the backgrounds from Disney's Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. 

Part 1

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/09/great-vintage-stuff.html?m=1

Autumn Drawings

 

Hey! You guys missed me? 

Anyways if you didn't notice, I took a long 4 day hiatus. I wanted to take a break, I was too busy drawing so I have a handful of art that I did in a course of a week. Enjoy!

When I'm using social media apps like Instagram, I don't focus too much on recent news, and issues unless if their highly important. I actually follow some cool pages that resemble the classic hollywood feel and other inspirational stuff like animation and musical sequences from movies.

I wanted to get silly and decided to draw Donald as Jed Potter (Fred Astaire) from Blue Skies (1946), the movie looks handsome, I definitely will add the movie onto my watch list. 

In the Artmania universe, there's gotta be a music group. This is one of the members. I actually remember drawing this cool chicken below a couple years ago. 

Here's more Donald Duck drawings. Inspired by my love for old fashioned magazine covers and hollywood portraits. 

A recent character to add to the mix. This is the first Asian character I ever made and to me that's an accomplishment, since I love to create characters from different race and cultures, I named her Amimi Yokana. She's a talented dancer.

A few more drawings.

I love drawing characters that resemble actors, these men above for instance. That reminds me, have you heard about the news lately about the A.I actress that's humiliating real talents in Hollywood? The Tily Norwood stuff? It's irritating as heck.

I have only two highlight hand-drawn sketches.

Animation Announcement/What's Next?

 ANNOUNCEMENT 💥

I've always been surrounded by creativity and artistic experience, and after watching some of the most iconic and important animated films and short films, I feel kinda proud that I had a pleasent experience watching them, because in my honest opinion, they have had a tint of influence on me.

While I loved alot of the characters, the animation, and the energy the Disney movies obtained, what secretly captured me the most about them was the storyline, these movies mastered that accomplishment until probably about the end of the Renaissance era. As far as other animation studios go, there's not a whole lot to talk about. I just missed when films in general weren't afraid to show darker more subtle themes and the scenes were less crowded and complex.

My first Disney movie I ever watched was Zootopia (2016), it was one of the first films I ever saw in the movie theater, it was different compared to other Disney movies, but I loved the concept, and the characters were all memorable and lively. I especially loved it when I first saw it when I was 8, and I didn't want it to end, until now we get the sequel. Hopefully it's going to be decent as I did enjoy the sequels to Frozen, Moana and Wreck It Ralph. 

Reasons as to why I wasn't fully aware of the other Disney movies was that they either didn't air too much on TV, I wasn't prone to the older films or I was just fully invested in other cartoons.

Then, I watched Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (1937). I noticed how calmer and mellow it was. I was starting to become a fan of old theatrical animation and discovered other cartoons whether I'd like 'em or dislike 'em, but with Disney I felt like I had to keep going and know more about the other animated films. From there I watched Aladdin, and The Lion King. I loved both of them. I understood the appeal these movies had. 

I also liked the different messages, and quotes. I return to many of these movies not just because their fun and the animation is great, it's because of the motivation. I definitely think that is why these movies were so impactful. Sometimes I might forget and not focus too much on the movie until a second re-watch or experiencing more behind-the-scenes. 

There's a bunch of movies that inspire me, I remember how chilling the Pleasure Island scene in Pinocchio was, the 2 Winnie The Pooh movies were peaceful and calm, I wish for a place like The Hundred Acre Wood, and the tragedy of Bambi's mother, even if you dislike it or find it deeply saddening, I loved that scene and it made me realize how you can make a scene so emotional and well-crafted into art itself.

 I wasn't aware that I would've liked these movies until I fully became mature and understood the art medium. 

I had a few years of watching ol' silly cartoons like Looney Tunes, Tex Avery's MGM cartoons, Tom and Jerry, and Spongebob, until I started to watch more movies and the toned-down stuff.

Now that doesn't mean I don't watch them anymore, I'm just not into them as much now. I started to lose my interest with most of the Looney Tunes characters, and I'm not a fan when characters just accept what randomly goes on like with Porky In Wackyland or other surreal and awkward scenarios.

It's time for me to focus on something more natural, and heartwarming and I watched all of the current 63 Disney movies, so what's next? Is there any other animation studio I might be interested in? Something similar to Disney's best hits? Where there's memorable cast of characters and emotional but fun stories particularly not in vain of traditional 2D animation?

What about Pixar?

Yes. I'm finally going to do it. I want to experience other animation studios. Pixar is well known for having iconic movies, so I'll definitely check out some timeless movies alongside other studios like Ghibli, Don Bluth and Warner Bros. This will be interesting.

Thanks to everyone who read this announcement. Have a good day. 

Bonjour Paris Scene In Funny Face (1957) + Art-Mania Tour

 

Funny Face (1957) is one of my favorite movies. After re-watching a few moments, my favorite is easily the musical sequence titled Bonjour Paris. It's a beautiful song that has a ton of gorgeous and massive camera angles. 

I missed when movies had more of an unlimited approach at showing nature, and different areas to explore. Nowadays what I'm seeing is movies that barely show us atmosphere and natural schemes, plus overwhelming bored characters and cashgrab sequels and remakes, not saying that all movies have that but it's been more common.

I know that the 30s-50s movies were not perfect either, alot of the trends would be predictable love stories or other over-used genres, but when some movies are good and creative, they go a long way to become masterpieces like Singin' In The Rain, and the overlooked Hellzapoppin'.

But what I think is missing from that excellence of creativity is expression not limitation. I never believed that creating something will lead to restrictions until I was fully grown to critques and reviewers on YouTube.

I imagined Art-Mania to be an entire universe. I listed land areas and locations, giving you more information about what it truly holds. 

Lonesome Ghosts (1937)

 

It's October! 🎃 

Let's start this month off with a cartoon, Disney's Lonesome Ghosts (1937). It's a near perfect film that captures the spookiness and mysterious genre of films decently. 

There's some great backgrounds at the start. My guess is that Bill Herwig did some of the scenes because I researched into the original layouts and sketches and noticed his signature in one of the drawings like the haunted house.

This is the best way to start a cartoon in my opinion. We get to see what's inside and meet the zany and mischievous ghosts. 

I also loved how Mickey, Donald and Goofy looked back in the late 30s when they paired together. In my opinion this their best designs. I miss the simple oval eyes for Mickey and the white sailor hat for Donald. 

I love this few second scene of the trio walking in the snow. Backgrounds also are warm and calming. Animated by the legendary Milt Kahl!

Both Bob Wickersham and Izzie Klein animated my favorite moments of the film where Mickey tries to chase after a ghost and he dashes rapidly in drybrush frames. 

Alot of the shorts from this time period also remind me of The Three Stooges, and watching the other films, like Mickey's Service Station and Boat Builders, I can tell there's obvious tints of inspiration.

I also think the old Disney movies were at their best with camera angles and where to face the character in different circumstances and situations. Like with the multiplane camera, they knew how to make their films even their short subjects cinematic. 

Here's more great backgrounds, smart color scheme too.

I love this cartoon, I would highly recommend it now that Halloween is coming. Here's a few bonus treats for ya. 

Some ink publicity drawings. 

I would also like to credit the animators. 

Izzie Klein, Ed Love, Milt Kahl, Marvin Woodward, Rex Cox, Bob Wickersham, Gerry Geronimi, Dick Heumer, and Roy Williams.

Thanks to Mark Mayerson for the mosaics, feel free to experience his blog, he's done other mosaics and highly check those out.

https://mayersononanimation.blogspot.com/search/label/Mosaics?m=0

It's beautifully remastered on Disney+, but you can also experience it on Toontales if you don't have the app. Your choice. 

https://www.toontales.net/short/lonesome-ghosts/