Description
Book SynopsisBy following the lessons in Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair, you can make any character—person, animal, or object—come to life through animated movement! While animators must first know how to draw, the animation process involves much more than just good drawing skills. In this new edition, acclaimed cartoon animator Preston Blair shares his vast practical knowledge to explain and demonstrate the many techniques of cartoon animation. Learn the
knowledge and skills animators must have, including:
- How to construct original cartoon characters by developing a character’s shape, personality, features, and mannerisms
- How to animate movements such as running, walking, dancing, posing, skipping, and more
- How to create realistic-looking mouth movements during dialogue, as well as body movements and facial expressions while the character is speaking
- The finer points of animating a character, including drawing key character poses and in-betweens
Full of expert advice from animation pioneer Preston Blair, and packed with
helpful drawings and diagrams, the new edition of
Cartoon Animation with Preston Blair is a book no animation enthusiast should be without.
THIS REVISED EDITION INCLUDES:
Chapter 1: Getting Started Tools & Materials
Drawing Basics
Animation Methods
Chapter 2: Cartoon Construction Parts of a Cartoon Character
The Body
The Head
Facial Expressions
The Hands
Chapter 3: Character Design & Development Cartoon Examples
The Cute Character
The Screwball Type
The “Pugnacious” Character
More Animal Characters
Fictional People
Children
Chapter 4: Basic Character Movement Comics to Life
Line of Action
Rhythm & Design
Basic Movement
Chapter 5: Animation Principles
Beyond Simple Movements
Rough Sketches
Balance
Paths of Action
Animation Effects
Chapter 6: Animated Acting Expressing an Attitude
Three Rules for Actors
Body Language
Dialogue
The Collector’s Series offers a broad range of projects across a variety of mediums and genres, such as drawing, oil, acrylic, watercolor, cartooning, calligraphy, and others. This series is suitable for beginning to intermediate artists, and each title features in-depth instruction about how to work with the tools of the trade, master techniques, and use newfound skills in practical application.
Trade Review“Profusely illustrated throughout and comprehensively covering all of the fundamentals of cartoon animation…ideal and unreservedly recommended.” * Midwest Book Review *
"This is the holy grail of all art books." * Sandbox World *
"A treasure trove of samples and guidelines to inspire an artist at any level." * Comics Grinder *
Table of ContentsFrom the Editors
Introduction from Preston Blair
Chapter 1: Getting Started Tools & Materials
Drawing Basics
Animation Methods
Chapter 2: Cartoon Construction Parts of a Cartoon Character
The Body
The Head
Facial Expressions
The Hands
Chapter 3: Character Design & Development Cartoon Examples
The Cute Character
The Screwball Type
The “Pugnacious” Character
More Animal Characters
Fictional People
Children
Chapter 4: Basic Character Movement Comic to Life
Line of Action
Rhythm & Design
Basic Movement
Chapter 5: Animation Principles Beyond Simple Movements
Rough Sketches
Balance
Paths of Action
Animation Effects
Chapter 6: Animated Acting Expressing an Attitude
Three Rules for Actors
Body Language
Dialogue
About Preston Blair
