October 2003

Familial talent is an understatement when one mentions McKimson brothers Tom, Robert and Charles. A true animation family, the three brothers worked extensively at Warner Bros., Robert’s stay existing the longest as his career with the studio spanned over four decades. 

Although Tom and Charles were important in their own right as animators, it was Robert who ascended the ranks to become a director for Warner Bros. Hitting the ground running, McKimson’s first effort was the 1946 classic, “Daffy Doodles,” which met with critical acclaim. But it was his second short, “Walky Talky Hawky,” for which McKimson was nominated for an Academy Award. McKimson’s work from then until the closing of Warner Bros. Animation in the early 1960s, became known for a consistency and an attention to detail, all of which was accomplished with so-called junior animators. 

As brothers Tom and Charles migrated into publishing where they animated for Whitman/Dell Publishing, Robert McKimson went on to establish some of the most memorable cartoon characters to ever come out of Warner Bros., including Speedy Gonzales, Foghorn Leghorn, Sylvester Jr., Hippety Hopper, and of course the infamous Tasmanian Devil. 

Clampett Studio Collections proudly presents, in accordance with Robert McKimson Jr., “Art of the McKimson Brothers.” This special release of original production animation artwork has been hand-picked by Robert McKimson Jr., son of the famed Warner Bros. director. They comprise 35 works from Robert McKimson as well as Tom and Charles McKimson. Included in this release are pencil drawings, watercolors, pen and ink efforts and even mixed media. Each effort by Tom and Charles McKimson has been hand-signed, and all work within this release is accompanied by a letter of authenticity written and signed by Robert McKimson Jr. 

Without a doubt, there is something very special about this art. Rarity aside, these are technical masterpieces that reveal the important contribution the McKimson name has made to classic animation.