The first image in my Disney Dreams Collection will recreate that pivotal moment in the film when Snow White stumbles upon the seven Dwarfs’ cottage in the forest. My goal in this image is to imaginatively expand upon what is actually depicted in the feature itself. I have tried to step into the world created by the film and “wander around” in my imagination, searching for new vistas. For the Snow White image I went back to the early design work for the film and discovered many great concept sketches of the cottage and the surrounding landscape that are largely unknown today - one of which I've shown here. For example, there was originally a waterfall envisioned near the cottage, so I included a dramatic cascade in my painting. One or two scenes reference the Prince’s castle in the distance – for my composition I have included a reveal of the castle at the right of the composition. I also couldn’t help throwing in animal details. These range from squirrels and rabbits to the gentle deer that help guide Snow White to the safe haven of the cottage. A wise tortoise observes the scene from the banks of the stream, and a curious squirrel sits atop a tree stump.

I hope your experience of my “Snow White Discovers the Cottage” equals the exhilaration and pure joy I had creating it. Look for Snow White, and the launch of my Disney Dreams Collection in galleries by the beginning of August. Pinocchio Wishes Upon a Star will be the February 2009 release.  Watch for Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, and many other timeless Disney characters to come later.  What other images would you like to see in this collection?

 

~ Thomas Kinkade