Carl Barks 1935 Job-Submission Drawings

Renowned artist Carl Barks first applied for a position with the Disney Studio in late 1935. He would go on to have a long career and great success with his Donald Duck comics. Yet back in the beginning, he was young and unknown. With hopes of landing a job, he submitted two drawings to demonstrate his ability--both were Snow White-themed--though nothing like what would eventually be seen in the motion picture. Medium: ink and blue watercolor over graphite. Image areas 11.25" x 8".

Snow White with the dwarfs.

Images and info via Heritage Auctions.

Snow White caught by a giant; five of the dwarfs look to save her.

The two illustrations did the trick! He landing a job as an "in-betweener" in the animation department. In an earlier Archive entry, see the drawings he created for gag suggestions to be used in the Snow White film.

Carl Barks and Snow White

Artist Carl Barks was best known for his work on the Donald Duck comics. However when he started his Disney career in 1935, the Studio was in full swing on the production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It's well known that Walt Disney offered extra money ($1 to $5 bonuses) to any staff who came up with good gags to be used in the film. Carl had a couple.

These original drawings are his gag suggestions which he submitted. Graphite and colored pencil, four panels per page, with numerous production notes in the margins. Each panel measures approximately 4" x 5"; on 10" x 12" animation paper.

This next gag takes place over three pages.

Gag images via Profiles in History.

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An article on Carl appeared in the 1992 periodical, Comics Scene Yearbook, and it featured a painting by him of a a toy room scene. The focus was on the ducks, of course, but Snow White makes an appearance too.

Comic Scene Yearbook image scans courtesy of Dan Alexander Dizmentia.

Carl passed away in the year 2000 at the age of 99.