Disney Animation, Blue Sky, Pixar, Studio Ghibli: each of these animation companies created wondrous new worlds, awesome characters and beloved stories that have lasted with us for years. Animated movies invited us into their new worlds to escape just for a little bit from our childhoods through to our adulthoods. Many artists have taken their inspiration and love for animation and turned it into their own artwork. From working with big named companies to working on their own personal work to freelancing, there are so many artists whose artwork we can appreciate on social media and support in their creative endeavors.
These are the 10 Instagram accounts to follow for the love of animation.
1. Brittney Lee
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Lee’s artwork is bright, vibrant and joyous as she works in a variety of mediums including paint, paper and digital, among others. Skimming through her Instagram account, Lee’s subjects are usually whimsical and magical featuring mermaids to travel destinations. Beloved Disney characters such as Ariel from The Little Mermaid to Anna and Elsa from Frozen pop up in her posts with her time working for the Walt Disney Company and Disney Animation.
2. Tom Bancroft
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Bancroft’s Instagram is filled with sketches of Disney characters, superheroes and crossovers of a variety of characters. It is enjoyable to see what the former Disney Animator comes up with next especially with Mushu, the dragon he created while working on Disney’s Mulan. Bancroft is also the creator of #MerMay, one of the monthly trends on Instagram where artists create mermaids in a variety of mediums during the month of May.
3. Hannah Alexander Artwork
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Alexander takes Disney Princesses and characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender and Sailor Moon and transforms them into Art Nouveau goddesses. Her artwork can be found on a variety of platforms including YouTube to watch her drawing in action, but her Instagram is also great because of seeing people’s cosplay take on her work.
4. Ann Shen
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Shen has worked with clients from Disney to Anthropologie to book publishing house HarperCollins to greeting card company Papyrus. She is also the author and illustrator of Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed The World which features role models including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Malala Yousafzai and Cleopatra.
5. Jerrod Maruyama
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Maruyama is known for his “cute” freelance work especially for the Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Some favorites include his Hipster Mickey and Minnie Mouse and cute—almost chibi style—versions of characters that can be found on Disney merchandise and art prints.
6. Joey Chou
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Chou’s work is colorful and vibrant and spans from Disney characters to current events. Some of his awesome work has been used for book illustrations and as decoration at the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel. From the Disney WonderGround Gallery to the Little Golden Books, Chou’s work is fun and can be appreciated by adults and children alike.
7. Neysa Bové
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Bové’s Instagram is filled with watercolor and ink illustrations to her products (like whimsical cell phone covers) to traveling pictures. As a Visual Development Artist Costume Designer for Disney Animation, sometimes concept art such as from Moana can be found. Bové’s artwork is filled with some really great illustrated outfits that can be inspiring for any wardrobe.
8. Sunmee Joh
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Joh is a story artist for Disney Animation and her paint and ink work is very expressive. The facial expressions of her illustrations—such as with Moana—are so detailed with emotion and her paint work is so smooth. Joh’s Instagram is very beautiful and dreamy just like her artwork.
9. Nathanna Érica
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Érica’s work features paper and paint and is at once multi-layered and detailed yet flows so well. Her work stretches from Disney Animation to Game of Thrones to Sherlock to Downton Abbey. Bright, colorful and at times sparkly, Érica’s Instagram is filled with pieces that are always exciting and curious.
10. Joey Quintin
2px); width:calc(100% 2px);”>
Quintin’s artwork is super engaging with his different takes on Disney characters. Besides drawing characters from Disney movies, some interesting mashups include characters working at the Disney parks in different cast member costumes and superheroes. Another one great thing about following Quintin on Instagram is seeing the buttons he creates and often hands out at unofficial Disney events like Dapper Day.
Marena Galluccio is a freelance writer based in Athens, Georgia. She can be found writing creative work and planning her next trip to Walt Disney World. You can find more of her writing at here.