anton loeb -drawings,pencil tests,animation art

[pete 560]

I am so happy I found this site. the people posting have a world of knowledge. I hope some of you can help.I know very little about your art community accept what I have recently read. I recently inherited a array of artwork from a relative. it included, oil paintings etchings drawings and other collectibles. most of it is easily identifiable. I have not been able to find much info on Anton Loeb. I know he worked at fleischer studios,paramount, and was a senic artist for many animated films. yet because of his extensive career and some of these drawings are not signed,I cant tell if all the work is his. in the collection is a very cool hand written resume,I think in charcoal by anton loeb.a large drawing of an indian chief in pastels. there is a popeye and donald duck and 4 other character drawings,what I think are pencil tests. I thought he was a senic artist? there are 8 colored drawings are all signed by Anton Loeb. are these from cartoons or from his later advertising days.Is there any substantial value to this collection? there are a lot of drawings,sketches pencil tests? I dont think I can post them all.

I will post what I can. and if anyone is interested I can email more to them. Please any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Ken Layton]

I have a copy of his obituary in my scrapbooks somewhere.

[pete 560]

along with all the art there is a copy of his obituary an article and some of the books he illustrated in. it seems he was a very talented artist and very well liked in his profession.

[Ken Layton]

Here is Anton Loeb's obituary from the show business 'bible', VARIETY.

[pete 560]

I just found a 1933 popeye cartoon on youtube called I yam what I yam. can the popeye drawing I posted be a production drawing or pencil test from that cartoon? again I must state, I know very little about the whole industry. I am just trying to research the animation I have . Thanks

[Ray Pointer]

Yes, Anton Loeb was certainly a key background artist at Fleischer and Famous Studios, as was Robert Little. They came in under Eric Schenk at Fleischer Studios. With reference to your use of the term "Pencil Tests," this was a process of photographing animation drawings to evaluated the action for timing and staging of action. It became a tool in the production of feature animation as it not only served as a source of approval for scenes before going to final color photography, it was also used as a rough representation of the film used as a guide for the writing of music and recording the score, depending upon how close to finish certain scenes were.

For the sake of historical accuracy at Fleischer Studios, they did not use Pencil Tests on their animation until they began feature animation in Miami. This was a west coast practice that was introduced, and once exposed to it, this was realized for the great tool it was for these reasons. It was also the means for their realizing greater personality animation as they moved into the 1940s.

[pete 560]

so the popeye and the donald duck drawings are preliminary sketches fo a cartoon? do you have any idea if the colored drawings are cartoon characters or were produced later in anton loebs career for use in advertising. I have several drawings that are done on what I would call tracing paper. forgive me,I really should research the correct terms. what are they used for?

[Ray Pointer]

Drawings such as in images #1 and #2 would be considered layout drawings for promotional art such as theatrical posters, advertising, or some other related merchandise.

[Ken Layton]

Ray that looks about right. #1 sure does look like generic artwork for a Popeye cartoon poster/lobby card/insert.

[Bobby Bickert]

Popeye didn't start wearing the "Dixie cup" hat with his original comic strip costume until sometime in 1963 (in the comic books and strip), so I would guess that the Popeye drawing is no older than that.

[pete 560]

I just want to thank you all. the info that has been posted and emailed to me is very helpful. I also appreciate you dealing with a newbie and a layman of your industry. and I promise to learn the correct terms for future posting haha..

I had some inquiry about sale of these drawings. once I figure out the value, I will post them for sale.


To all, have a very happy holidays.

[Ray Pointer]

Ray that looks about right. #1 sure does look like generic artwork for a Popeye cartoon poster/lobby card/insert.

About right? Indeed! Perhaps you could be more specific about something that happened before either of us was born?