Cartoon Animation (How to Draw and Paint series #26)

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Source Book
Review: If you've ever considered drawing animation for a living, or for a hobby, this is definately one of the books you should have in your library. A must have for any aspiring cartoonist/animator whether you're doing traditional art or computer art. Many of the lessons learned in this book are used in both mediums!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Source Book
Review: If you've ever considered drawing animation for a living, or for a hobby, this is definately one of the books you should have in your library. A must have for any aspiring cartoonist/animator whether you're doing traditional art or computer art. Many of the lessons learned in this book are used in both mediums!

Rating:
Summary: The best animation book.
Review: What more can I say about the Preston Blair book? Only that the trade paperback version is long overdue. This edition combines the two paperback versions into one and though it could have used some editing, you have everything at your fingertips. Blair's 1980 update of his 1942 classic was the better of the two books, and readers should be aware that some information in the book is contradictory, but otherwise this is without question still the best textbook on character animation yet published.

There are some weak spots. Be aware that Blair's 'guide to lipsync' has misled generations of animators and should not be taken as gospel. Synchronizing mouth action has more to do with the type of character you are working with and the type of acting you are performing; there are no 'formulas'. Once you know this, you can follow the instructions in theory without imitating the grossly overstated mouth actions in this book.

Layout and scene planning are handled cursorilly, though there is more information in the newer section. Teachers should supplement this work with other volumes. I have found it the best for Animation I students, with the more advanced ones proceeding to Shamus Culhane's ANIMATION FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN.

Generations of artists have learned animation acting and timing from Preston Blair. It makes no difference if you use a computer or a pencil. If you are trying to create a living, believable character on screen, this is the best place to learn the basics.