"Bambi" artist Tyrus Wong
Pictured: Visual development artwork for “Bambi” (1942) by Tyrus Wong.
The Chinese-American artist, who died on December 30, 2016 at age 106, was renowned for creating the exquisite settings for the Walt Disney animation classic.
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan
Tyrus Wong
Tyrus Wong at home in Sunland, California in 2004. In the rear is his mural c. 1955.
Tyrus Wong
Born in Taishan, Guangdong, China, Tyrus Wong was brought to the U.S. by his father in 1920 when he was 9 years old. As he recalled to CBS News’ Tracy Smith, his father said, “I’m going to take you to America. I think there are better opportunities there.”
“Self‐Portrait”
When Wong was in junior high, one of his teachers noticed he was more interested in art than arithmetic - and so did his dad. At a time when employment opportunities for Chinese-Americans were limited, Tyrus’ father borrowed to get his son through the first year of art school. He graduated from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles.
Pictured: “Self‐Portrait” (c. 1930) by Tyrus Wong. Watercolor on paper.
Silk Scarf
Horse on silk scarf, c. 1935, by Tyrus Wong. Paint on silk.
“Newsboy”
“Newsboy” (c. 1940) by Tyrus Wong. Chinese ink and watercolor on paper.
"Bambi"
Wong was working a tedious, entry-level job at Disney in 1938, when he heard about the studio’s plans to adapt Felix Salten’s book into a movie. He spent weekends at home doing hundreds of drawings in the style of Chinese scroll paintings.
Walt Disney himself decided that the look of the film would be based on Wong’s artwork.
"Bambi"
Visual development artwork for “Bambi” (1942) by Tyrus Wong. Pastel on paper.
"Bambi"
“He basically created the look of the film,” said Michael Labrie, director of collections at the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, and curator of an exhibition of Wong’s work in 2013. According to Labrie, other artists at Disney “were trained to draw like Tyrus for that film.”
"Bambi"
Visual development painting for “Bambi” (1942), by Tyrus Wong. Watercolor on paper.
"Bambi"
Visual development painting for “Bambi” (1942), by Tyrus Wong. Watercolor on paper.
Wong was let go before “Bambi” was finished, when many Disney animators walked out on strike.
"Edge of Gorge"
Wong then spent 26 years at Warner Brothers, where he helped create the look of dozens of films, such as “Sands of Iwo Jima,” “Calamity Jane,” “Rebel Without a Cause,” “Around the World in 80 Days” and “The Green Berets.”
Pictured: A 1958 preproduction illustration by Tyrus Wong for Warner Brothers’ adventure set in the Alaskan wilderness, “Ice Palace.” Opaque watercolor on board.
"Harper"
1966 preproduction illustration by Tyrus Wong for Warner Brothers’ “Harper.” Opaque watercolor on board.
"The Wild Bunch"
1969 preproduction illustration by Tyrus Wong for Warner Brothers’ western, “The Wild Bunch.” Opaque watercolor and ink on board.
Christmas Card
Tyrus also painted holiday cards, including “Christmas Elf” for California Artists (1955).
“Boy With Yo-Yo”
Between 1960 to 1980, Wong also created a series of “Big Sky” paintings which communicated, Wong said, “loneliness, and a little sadness. Isolation.”
One example was “Boy With Yo-Yo” (c. 1970). Acrylic on masonite.
“Boy Flying Kite”
“Boy Flying Kite” (c. 1968) by Tyrus Wong. Opaque watercolor on paperboard.
Reader's Digest
Reader’s Digest cover art for February 1970 issue by Tyrus Wong. Opaque watercolor on paper.
Go fly a kite!
When Tyrus retired, he took to creating and flying colorful kites at the Santa Monica beach.
Mini‐centipede Kite
Mini‐centipede kite, c. 1990, by Tyrus Wong. Wire, ripstop nylon, thread, rattan, opaque watercolor.
Kite Head
Kite head, c. 1970, by Tyrus Wong. Colored paper, bamboo, rattan, opaque watercolor.
Tyrus Wong with Kites
Tyrus Wong with a pair of kites.
Butterfly Kite
Butterfly kite, c. 1995, by Tyrus Wong. Bamboo, silk thread, tissue paper and watercolor.
Tyrus Wong
Flying a kite on Santa Monica Beach, 1987.
Tyrus Wong died on December 30, 2016. He was 106 years old.
For more info:
“Tyrus” (Official site)
“Tyrus” by Pamela Tom (Facebook)
Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
“Flights of Fancy” by Erik Friedl (YouTube)
“Water to Paper, Paint to Sky: The Art of Tyrus Wong” by Tyrus Wong and Michael Labrie (Amazon)
“Go Fly a Kite: Saturdays at the Beach with Tyrus Wong” – Photographs by Sara Jane Boyer (Issuu)
sarajaneboyersphoto.com