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Don't look for techniques in CGI like Maya and Blender or for 2D animation using Photoshop or Toonz or Anime Studio or ToonBoom Animate. Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step lives up to its title. It's a good introduction to the concepts and techniques in animation "old school" style. This is "nuts and bolts" take out the pencil and paper and draw. Liked the book - relatively inexpensive and the lessons were good and straightforward.
It's a lot wider and taller than I expected and it's a little thinner than I expected.I really don't know what I was expecting though come to think of it =) But it's a very easy quick read and even though i also bought Cartoon Animation (also by same guy) and this book seems like a summary of that bigger book I still liked it and will refer a lot I'm sure to this and his other book.My only complaint is that it doesn't really fit on my book shelf unless it's on its side XD
You wouldn't believe how it makes the images pop out, and how much easier it is to draw them from different perspectives all the while keeping your characters consistent. (almost all comic strips nowadays look flat too, so people just accept that it's how they are supposed to be). I have been drawing cartoons and doodling for years and could never figure out why my flat drawings didn't look as good as the masters from the "golden age". Other techniques are how to draw cartoon hands, facial expressions, and body positioning. Well taking the advice from John K's blog, I bought this book and basically started over from scratch. The basis of Preston Blair's technique is starting with an egg or circle with 2 lines in it and making the characters face from there. If you are an amateur cartoonist looking to refine your work, buy this book now. Best 8 dollar investment you will ever spend.
If you are looking for a small, comprehensive analysis of how to do animation, this is your book. Walter Foster is one of the best companies out there on drawing books, though I wouldn't recommend them all. I highly recommend this one. :)
This is a great way to see how animation starts. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to choose Animation as a career. I am taking Web design and Animation.
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