(Walt Disney Studios, 1985) Original concept painting of color stylist James Coleman of The Horned King for The Black Cauldron, which depicts the evil skeletal king seated on his castle throne, a large chalice pictured to his left, and his red robe flowing between the throne’s great stone arms. Accomplished in gouache on 17 x 12 artist board, which is signed in black ballpoint by Coleman, who also signs on the reverse in blue artist pencil. Total image measures 15 x 10. In fine condition. A gorgeous and atmospheric rendering of the dark king of Prydain.
James Coleman began his career with Walt Disney Studios in 1969, starting in the mailroom before moving to the Disney Art Department to pursue background painting. His first project, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too, sparked his passion for background design and color styling, and after completing The Rescuers, his first feature film, he was promoted to Background Department Supervisor—a role he held for nearly seventeen years.
During his tenure, Coleman hired and trained a select group of artists and contributed to twelve feature films and more than thirty short subjects, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol, The Fox and the Hound, The Great Mouse Detective, The Black Cauldron, The Little Mermaid, and the Academy Award–winning Beauty and the Beast. His distinctive background art brought these Disney classics vividly to life.
