Workshops

It is widely accepted that we are our own worst critics, and artists are no exception. Even the most experienced artists can be unsatisfied with a piece of work and start to doubt their skill. When embraced, self-doubt can actually be an important part of the artistic process as it motivates the...

It is widely accepted that we are our own worst critics, and artists are no exception. Even the most experienced artists can be unsatisfied with a piece of work and start to doubt their skill. When embraced, self-doubt can actually be an important part of the artistic process as it motivates the...

When Disneyland first opened its gates 65 years ago, one of the attractions that opened with the Park was Mad Tea Party. On this dizzying ride, guests sit in oversized teacups which spin wildly to the accompaniment of jaunty music. Each teacup features a unique painted design that is simple, yet...

Before Walt and other early animators produced hand-drawn animated short films, innovators in the 19th century created optical toys like the zoetrope. By spinning a zoetrope and peering through the viewing slits, one could watch the images inside move and appear to come to life. Inventions like the...

The moment a piece of art comes together just right can be a thrilling and uplifting experience which fills the artist with confidence in their artistic ability. Confidence is key for encouraging artists and animators to keep going even as the work gets difficult and they encounter unexpected...

The moment a piece of art comes together just right can be a thrilling and uplifting experience which fills the artist with confidence in their artistic ability. Confidence is key for encouraging artists and animators to keep going even as the work gets difficult and they encounter unexpected...

Traditional hand-drawn animation requires an incredibly high number of individual drawings for each piece of movement. It has been estimated that classic animators like Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men were able to complete from 14–24 seconds of animation per week. If each second of animation requires 24...

Traditional hand-drawn animation requires an incredibly high number of individual drawings for each piece of movement. It has been estimated that classic animators like Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men were able to complete from 14–24 seconds of animation per week. If each second of animation requires 24...

Before he started producing his own Laugh-O-gram films, Walt Disney worked for the Kansas City Film Ad Company producing stop-motion commercials using paper cutout animation. Join us and learn more about the history of stop-motion animation, learn techniques of how to create hinged paper puppets...

Animation often involves long hours of work hunched over a light table or computer, which is not always good for an artist’s posture. After spending a long time working on a piece of animation while bent over in an uncomfortable pose, the artist’s back might start to hurt. In this installment of our...

Animation often involves long hours of work hunched over a light table or computer, which is not always good for an artist’s posture. After spending a long time working on a piece of animation while bent over in an uncomfortable pose, the artist’s back might start to hurt. In this installment of our...

As Cinderella (1950) celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, join us to create a little magic of your own as you transform a hollow craft pumpkin into your own miniature carriage.

Animating facial expressions, whether realistic or exaggerated, is a difficult skill to master. To enhance believability, animators often use themselves as a model for their own poses and expressions. Many classic animators even kept a small mirror by their desks so they could use their reflections...

Animating facial expressions, whether realistic or exaggerated, is a difficult skill to master. To enhance believability, animators often use themselves as a model for their own poses and expressions. Many classic animators even kept a small mirror by their desks so they could use their reflections...

In this delightfully spooky workshop, channel your inner mad (toy) scientist as you combine recycled parts to create something unique. Choose your favorite pieces from an array of stuffed toys and stitch them all together to create a new friend.

Animation can be hard and tiring work. After many hours, even days, of working away at a light table or computer, few animators can resist the urge to let out a long yawn. In this workshop, use facial expressions and exaggeration to create an animation of a sleepy animator yawning.

Animation can be hard and tiring work. After many hours, even days, of working away at a light table or computer, few animators can resist the urge to let out a long yawn. In this workshop, use facial expressions and exaggeration to create an animation of a sleepy animator yawning.

In celebration of Fantasia's (1940) 80th anniversary, join us to experiment creating a musically-inspired piece of art. Use color theory, shapes, lines, and patterns to represent the mood of a piece of music in an abstract painting.

After many long hours spent drawing, tired animators might start to find themselves nodding off. In this workshop, use anticipation and timing to create a short animation of a drowsy animator who gradually falls asleep.

After many long hours spent drawing, tired animators might start to find themselves nodding off. In this workshop, use anticipation and timing to create a short animation of a drowsy animator who gradually falls asleep.

Outside of their work at The Walt Disney Studios, many of Walt’s artists used their individual creative talents to make original, personalized greeting cards for their families and loved ones. Using paper and various art supplies, make your own unique greeting card for that special person during the...

In the early days of animation, artists struggled to make characters move in an interesting way while also keeping them simple enough to draw quickly and repeatedly. As a solution, Walt and other animators in the 1920s and 30s adopted a drawing style which gave the characters “rubber hose” limbs...

In the early days of animation, artists struggled to make characters move in an interesting way while also keeping them simple enough to draw quickly and repeatedly. As a solution, Walt and other animators in the 1920s and 30s adopted a drawing style which gave the characters “rubber hose” limbs...

For many, the holiday season is a time of generosity, which means finding the perfect wrapping paper to suit an intended recipient. To ease your paper-finding woes, join us to learn how to use pattern and elements of design to create your own custom wrapping paper with repeating imagery.

Walt Disney always encouraged his animators to remain students and to continually learn and improve their craft with every project. Bring your art and join us for this informative workshop about how to build a well-rounded portfolio or demo-reel and catering these items to the job or internship you...

Before cel animation came to prominence as the most popular style for cartoons in the 1920s, some early animators experimented with clay. Since then, animators have used clay to animate everything from films and television shows to video games. Join us and get creative with clay as you learn how to...

Before cel animation came to prominence as the most popular style for cartoons in the 1920s, some early animators experimented with clay. Since then, animators have used clay to animate everything from films and television shows to video games. Join us and get creative with clay as you learn how to...

Since the early years of The Walt Disney Studios, children and adults from around the world have connected with Disney characters through branded merchandise. The museum’s galleries contain many examples of branded toys from throughout the past century. Today toys range from mass-produced to...