Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step (Cartooning, Book 1) [Paperback]

Preston J. Blair (Author)

Book Description

Let world-renowned animator Preston Blair introduce you to the magical world of cartooning and animation! Whether youÆre creating traditional or computer art, you'll find valuable information in this book, which covers the most important aspects of cartooning, such as working out layouts, planning scenes, and synchronizing mouth action. It also provides instruction on drawing a variety of believable animated characters, with tips on using lines of action to create realistic motion. Widely considered one of the best cartooning references available, this book is an essential library addition for every aspiring animator.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Dear Art Enthusiast,

Today may be your fist time using a Walter Foster art book, or it may be the continuation of a long-term relationship with our products. Either way, this book will delight you.

Like all of our art books, this title was written with careful attention to detail. It includes detailed illustrations that will bring you a satisfying learning experience and hours of enjoyment. Walter Foster Publishing knows that artists are eager to learn, sharpen their skills and talents, and experience new artistic horizons. And while you may not be in a position to take private lessons, Walter Foster offers you the next best thing--step-by-step, do-it-yourself art instruction books that are entertaining and affordable.

Our books are authored by some of the best artists in America, and you can be sure our quality standards and color presentations are at the highest possible levels. For 80 years, Walter Foster Publishing has been providing instructional art books and products to million of enthusiastic artists who enjoy the rewards of learning to draw and paint. Most of all, we hope you have fun in the process!

About the Author

Preston Blair was a native Californian from Redlands. He attended Pomona College, then studied art at the Otis Art Institute and illustration under Pruett Carter at Chouinard Art Institute (now California Institute of the Arts). He exhibited widely as a member of the California Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society in New York.

Blair was one of the fine artists of animation. With the Disney Studio, he designed and animated the hippos in "The Dance of the Hours" and animated Mickey Mouse in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" (both in Fantasia), parts of Pinocchio, and the segment in Bambi when the owl tell about love in the "tiwitterpatted" speech.

At MGM, Blair directed Barney Bear shorts, and is well known as the animator and designer of Red Hot Riding Hood in the Tex Avery epic shorts. Later, Blair moved to Connecticut and produced television commercials, educational films, and half-hour cartoon episodes (including the Flinstones) for West Coast producers. More recently, he was an inventor of interactive TV systems using animation methods to teach reading or to provide full-figure game action that simulates reality--for example, playing tennis with an animated opponent.

Blair died in April 1995 at the age of 85.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walter Foster (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929261518
• ISBN-13: 978-0929261515
• Product Dimensions: 13.6 x 10.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Movies > Direction & Production
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Cartooning
  • #19 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > General

More About the Author

Preston Blair was a native Californian from Redlands. He attended Pomona College, then studied art at the Otis Art Institute and illustration under Pruett Carter at Chouinard Art Institute (now California Institute of the Arts). He exhibited widely as a member of the California Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society in New York.

Blair was one of the fine artists of animation. With the Disney Studio, he designed and animated the hippos in "The Dance of the Hours" and animated Mickey Mouse in the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" (both in Fantasia), parts of Pinocchio, and the segment in Bambi when the owl tell about love in the "tiwitterpatted" speech.

At MGM, Blair directed Barney Bear shorts, and is well known as the animator and designer of Red Hot Riding Hood in the Tex Avery epic shorts. Later, Blair moved to Connecticut and produced television commercials, educational films, and half-hour cartoon episodes (including the Flinstones) for West Coast producers. More recently, he was an inventor of interactive TV systems using animation methods to teach reading or to provide full-figure game action that simulates reality--for example, playing tennis with an animated opponent.

Blair died in April 1995 at the age of 85.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best animation book., January 2, 2001

By 

Nancy Beiman "Northernexpress" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step (Cartooning, Book 1) (Paperback)

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.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid foundation for cartooning like the Golden Age, September 11, 2008

By 

Jesse Cline - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step (Cartooning, Book 1) (Paperback)

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". (almost all comic strips nowadays look flat too, so people just accept that it's how they are supposed to be). 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. 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. Other techniques are how to draw cartoon hands, facial expressions, and body positioning. If you are an amateur cartoonist looking to refine your work, buy this book now. Best 8 dollar investment you will ever spend.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must-have!, February 3, 2008

By 

Richard Black - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animation 1: Learn to Animate Cartoons Step by Step (Cartooning, Book 1) (Paperback)

The book is arranged like this: Drawing principles, character design, then animation. The principles are about constructing forms and wrapping guidelines & features around them properly, facial expressions, building a simple skeletal foundation, how bodies can be drawn, and hands!

The character design section is small, but brilliant. There are great example drawings to work from and trust me when I say the characters are pleasing to look at.

As for the animation section, it's got the essentials for walks, runs, understanding squash & stretch and line of action in movements. It might not have enough movements as one may want, but really, using what you learn here to analyze actions from life will enable you to learn how any movement can be strengthened for animation. I actually haven't started animating yet (still doing the drawing sections), but I know I'll be perfectly fine with just this. Harold Whitaker's "Timing For Animation" does seem like it could be a perfect supplement to this though, so you might wanna check that out as well.

Other pages include things about dialogue phonemes, takes (when's the last time anyone's seen a Tex-Avery-style reaction in a cartoon? learn this and bring it back!) pointers on animation, and, best of all, TONS of characters to practice from.

The book is only eight bucks and, being from Preston Blair, a genius from the golden-age era of animation, you can't go wrong. Buy it, follow everything that he says, draw from each drawing in the book until the concepts seep in, and make some cartoons. Even if you wanna draw comic strips and/or comic books, get this now!