Recreating Classic Disney 1930s Style Animation with Midjourney AI
If you’ve ever found yourself mesmerized by the timeless beauty of Disney classics like Snow White or Bambi (or you just can’t resist a good ol’ singalong with forest animals), you’re not alone.
These films were more than just animated features — they were a visual revolution. Lucky for us, in 2024, we don’t need to painstakingly hand-paint each animation cell (shout out to the OG animators for their dedication).
Nope, now we have AI, specifically Midjourney, to recreate those same magical visuals with a single, carefully crafted prompt.
But there’s a secret sauce to nailing that signature 1930s Disney look — an influence that came from none other than Gustaf Tenggren, the creative powerhouse who worked behind the scenes to craft those unforgettable fairy-tale landscapes and characters.
And today, I’m spilling the beans (or should I say “magic apples”) on how you can replicate this with just the right AI prompt!
The Timeless Appeal of Classic Disney Animation
You’ve seen it: the wide-eyed princesses, the lush enchanted forests, the cute animal sidekicks who are oddly good at life advice.
That’s Disney’s signature style from the late 1930s, and it’s stood the test of time. The animation style from films like Snow White and Bambi is characterized by its flat colors, gentle shading, and fairy-tale quality.
It’s retro, it’s charming, and it makes you wish you could dance with a prince or befriend a talking deer (don’t worry, we all feel that way sometimes).
And while we tip our hats to Walt Disney, much of the credit goes to Gustaf Tenggren, a Swedish artist who brought his rich, European storybook style into Disney’s world. He helped create those lush, storybook visuals that still make us feel like we’re stepping into a whimsical dream.
But enough nostalgia! Let’s get to the fun part — how you can recreate this timeless style using Midjourney AI.
Recreating Disney’s Retro Magic with Midjourney AI
If you’re new to Midjourney, imagine it as your magical, AI-powered fairy godmother — except instead of turning pumpkins into carriages, it transforms text prompts into stunning visual art. And today, I’m giving you the exact prompts you’ll need to conjure up that 1930s Disney aesthetic.
First, a few important tips:
- Midjourney has different versions or “models” (think of them like the different styles your fairy godmother might use). The versions we’ll be talking about are v5.1, v5.2, and v6.1, each bringing subtle variations to your creations.
- Don’t be discouraged if the first prompt doesn’t get it quite right. You might need to rerun it a couple of times to get that chef’s kiss version of the image.
Now, let’s unlock the secret sauce with some prompts.
Prompt 1: Beautiful Princess in a Fairytale Forest
Picture this: a beautiful princess, with a flowing red dress, standing gracefully in a magical forest. No, this isn’t your weekend dream. It’s what Midjourney can create!
Prompt:
“Beautiful Princess in a fairytale forest, red flowing dress, style of Gustaf Tenggren, disney classic animated feature 1937, flat color, focus on face — ar 3:4 — style raw — v 5.2”
Tip: You can experiment by changing her dress color or adding a more specific background — maybe some talking birds or the odd dancing rabbit. Who doesn’t need more animal choreography in their lives?
Prompt 2: Cute Frog on a Lily Pad
There’s something about cute animals in classic Disney films that tugs at our heartstrings (even when they’re singing about their existential crises). This prompt will help you generate your very own frog, perched confidently on a lily pad.
Prompt:
“Cute frog on a lily pad, Gustaf Tenggren style animation, disney classic animated feature film, cell shaded color — ar 3:4 — style raw — stylize 50 — v 6.1”
Tip: Adjust the “stylize” value to add a bit more drama to your frog. Maybe he’s contemplating life? Maybe he’s just vibing? Who knows, it’s your frog.
Prompt 3: Cute Fox with a Smiling Face
Foxes have a special place in Disney lore — cute but often mischievous. Let’s create a friendly one, shall we? Here’s your go-to prompt to get that happy, playful Disney fox.
Prompt:
“Cute fox with smiling face, Gustaf Tenggren style animation, disney classic animated feature film, cell shaded color — ar 3:4 — style raw — stylize 50 — v 6.1”
Tip: Tinker with the fox’s pose or background if you’re feeling creative. Does your fox have a best friend, maybe a skunk or a squirrel? The possibilities are endless!
Prompt 4: Snow White Holding a Red Apple
Ah yes, Snow White — everyone’s favorite forest-living, apple-loving princess. (Side note: Maybe skip the apple next time, Snow.) Recreate the iconic scene where she’s holding the infamous fruit with this prompt.
Prompt:
“Snow White holding a red apple in the forest, sun beams shine between the trees, Gustaf Tenggren style animation, disney classic animated feature film, cell shaded color — ar 3:4 — style raw — stylize 50 — v 6.1”
Tip: Be patient with this one — it’s worth rerunning the prompt a few times to get the lighting just right. Sunbeams can be temperamental, even in AI.
Prompt 5: Beautiful Evil Queen in a Castle
We all love a good villain (and if you say you don’t, I’m calling your bluff). The Evil Queen is one of Disney’s most iconic baddies, and with this prompt, you can capture her sinister elegance.
Prompt:
“Beautiful evil queen in a castle, black flowing dress, style of Gustaf Tenggren, disney classic animated feature 1937, cell shaded color, focus on face — ar 3:4 — v 5.2”
Tip: Lean into the drama! This one looks fantastic with high contrast between light and shadow. The queen’s gotta make an entrance, right?
Experimenting with Midjourney Models for Best Results
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to play around with different models for the same prompt. Running a prompt through v5.2 might give you a wonderfully nostalgic charming feel, while using v6.1 could give your characters a little extra depth and detail. The magic is in the experimentation!
Gustaf Tenggren: The Man Behind the Magic
Now that you’ve got the tools to create your own Disney-inspired masterpieces, it’s time to give credit where it’s due — let’s talk about the creative genius behind much of this style, Gustaf Tenggren.
Tenggren was a Swedish artist who brought a unique blend of European storybook illustration and American animation to Disney’s films in the 1930s. His art was characterized by its rich, detailed landscapes and whimsical characters that seemed to leap off the page (or screen). He had a knack for creating deeply atmospheric scenes that pulled you into a fairytale world.
Fun Fact: Tenggren was one of the key artists behind Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. His illustrations helped shape the look of the film, from the lush forests to the iconic characters. His use of soft, flat colors and subtle shading is what gives these early Disney films their dream-like quality.
Before his time at Disney, Tenggren worked on illustrating children’s books, which is where he developed his distinctive style — his combination of bold colors, intricate detailing, and enchanting scenes became a perfect fit for Disney’s emerging animation studio.
Why His Style Matters: Tenggren’s influence can still be felt today in the way modern animations blend detailed environments with simple, expressive characters. His ability to tell a deep, emotional story through whimsical imagery was groundbreaking, and thanks to AI, we can now carry on that legacy and bring it into the 21st century — without the need for hand cramps from endless sketching.
Wrapping It Up
So, whether you’re creating a charming princess, a mischievous fox, or an evil queen with killer eyeliner, you now have the magic formula to channel that classic 1930s Disney animation style using Midjourney AI. Thanks to the influence of Gustaf Tenggren and the power of AI, you can step back in time (or at least your art can) and recreate the magic of those early animated films that captured our hearts.
One Last Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun! Midjourney is all about finding that perfect blend of creativity and technical wizardry. Run your prompts a few times, tweak them, and see what magical worlds you can conjure. After all, in the words of a certain famous mouse, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Now, go ahead — bring some retro Disney magic into the world with just a few words and a dash of AI pixie dust.
