Al Dempster

It is only in more recent years, with the increased study of the animation art form, that the skill of the background artist has been celebrated. Far more than a simple backdrop for character action, a good background involves the combination of several talents—staging, color styling, and lighting—while maintaining a visual “anonymity” with the viewing audience. Disney has had several superstar background artists: Sam Armstrong, Maurice Noble, Claude Coats, Walt Peregoy, Ralph Hulett, Thelma Witmer, Eyvind Earle, Frank Armitage… and Al Dempster. Albert Taylor Dempster was born on July 23, 1911, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He studied for four and a half years at the Art Center School in downtown Los Angeles, shortly after that institution’s founding. Al joined the staff of the Walt Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue as a layout trainee in March 1939, and within a few months transferred to the Background Department. It was here, over the next several years, that Al contributed his art to the creation of the Disney animated features Fantasia, Dumbo,Saludos Amigos, Victory Through Air Power, The Three Caballeros, Make Mine Music, and Song of the South. Al left the Studio in 1945, but by 1952 had returned to work on Peter Pan. He continued to bring his artistry to the features Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Robin Hood, and The Rescuers, as well as all the Winnie the Pooh featurettes. Al was the father of five and grandfather of 14. He retired to Los Osos, California in July of 1973, where he passed away on June 28, 2001 at the age of 89. -https://d23.