“4 Imagineers Paint…” Returns for Epcot’s Festival of the Arts 2025. 4 Imagineers Paint 1 Purple Dragon is a tribute to a Walt Disney original short film called “4 Artists Paint 1 Tree” which aired as part of ‘Adventure in Art, An‘ on April 30, 1958. You can read a summary of the documentary below. At the 2024 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, Walt Disney Imagineers paid tribute to the original short with Drawing on Inspiration: 4 Imagineers Paint Spaceship Earth (image below).
This year the tribute is to Figment – Drawing on Inspiration: 4 Imagineers Paint 1 Purple Dragon!
In the 1958 featurette 4 Artists Paint 1 Tree, four Disney artists use varying techniques and methods to depict a single oak tree. With results as different as the creators themselves, the final paintings showcase each artist’s one-of-a-kind approach and point of view.
In the spirit of this classic film, four current Walt Disney Imagineers have used their diverse artistic talents to paint one of EPCOT’s most beloved characters, Figment!
May these works encourage you to find the artist within – and inspire you to celebrate your unique perspective.
The four artists are Disney Imagineers and are as follows. Ron Cohee a Senior Concept Designer at Walt Disney Imagineering drew the brownish Figment holding a Star in Robes (yes I know, worst title I ever gave something). David Buckey is the artist behind Painter Figment. David is a Disney artist and Imagineer.
In the second set of images, we have Todd Bright, Figment on his airship over top of Spaceship Earth. Todd Bright is a senior concept designer with Disney Imagineering. Finally, we have Dapper Figment, painted by Remi Jeffrey-Coker concept designer and illustrator at Disney Imagineering.
“4 Artists Paint 1 Tree” is a fascinating 1958 short film narrated by Walt Disney himself. It follows four legendary Disney artists – Marc Davis, Eyvind Earle, Joshua Meador, and Walt Peregoy – as they each paint the same California oak tree. Despite observing the same subject, each artist approaches the task with their unique style and perspective, resulting in four vastly different interpretations. The film provides a captivating glimpse into the creative processes of these talented individuals, showcasing their distinct artistic voices and the diverse ways in which they translate reality onto canvas.
This short film offers a valuable lesson in artistic expression. It demonstrates that there is no single “correct” way to depict a subject and that individual interpretations can be equally valid and beautiful. By observing these master artists at work, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the nuances of artistic style, the importance of personal vision, and the endless possibilities that exist within the realm of creative expression.
Above you can see the 2024 and the 2025 versions of 4 Artists Paint… …do you have a favorite? We will find a good video of ‘Adventure in Art, An‘ if Disney ever releases it.
“4 Imagineers Paint…” Returns for Epcot’s Festival of the Arts 2025
