Cartooning: Character Design (HT291) (How to Draw & Paint/Art Instruction Program) [Paperback]

Editors Of Walter Foster (Editor), Sherm Cohen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: How to Draw & Paint/Art Instruction Program | Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Learn the art of cartooning step by step.

This addition to the Cartooning category of our How to Draw and Paint series features the guidance of accomplished cartoonist Sherm Cohen -- a co-director of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. The book teaches artists the basics of creating cartoon characters, from using basic shapes and conveying age and mood to adding props and costumes and much more. It also brings the artistic process up to date by touching on the use of computers in cartooning. Featuring step-by-step instructions and a wealth of original images, this book is a must-have resource for any aspiring cartoonist!

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The History of Walter T. Foster

More than 80 years ago, Mr. Walter T. Foster proved you can accomplish anything you can dream! Having painted signs, sold hog medicine, performed in a stage act -- and invented the postage-stamp vending machine -- Mr. Foster turned to publishing. The "how to" art books he wrote, illustrated, printed, bound, packaged, and shipped on his own soon grew in popularity, and Mr. Foster became well known for proving that anyone can learn to draw. Today the Walter Foster Publishing company carries on the tradition, developing books and kits that encourage creativity and spark imaginations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walter Foster (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156010967X
• ISBN-13: 978-1560109679
• Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 9.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Cartooning
  • #83 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > General
  • #92 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > Drawing

More About the Author

After starting out as a small press comic book artist and magazine gag
cartoonist, Sherm entered the animation field as a character layout
artist for The Ren & Stimpy Show.

Sherm went from Storyboard
Revisionist to Storyboard Artist and director on Hey Arnold over the
course of the first three seasons.
For the first four seasons of SpongeBob SquarePants, Sherm served as writer, director, storyboard artist and Storyboard Supervisor. He was
also Lead Storyboard Artist and Character Designer for the SpongeBob
SquarePants Movie.

His newest book, "Cartooning: Designing Characters"
is published by Walter Foster Publications. Sherm is currently teaching his "Storyboard Strategies" course at The Entertainment Art Academy in Pasadena and
storyboarding at The Walt Disney Studios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Industry Professional's Perspective, July 7, 2006

By 

Daniel Povenmire (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartooning: Character Design (HT291) (How to Draw & Paint/Art Instruction Program) (Paperback)

When I am training young artists starting into the animation industry there are a few books that I tell them to get and study. "Character Design" the new Walter Foster Cartooning book by Sherm Cohen is now on my list. To anyone contemplating a career in comics or animation- or anyone who just likes to draw, this book communicates simply and concisely everything you need to know to get started. Mr. Cohen's clear explanations make complicated concepts easy to grasp, and the joy of drawing evident in his charming art is truly contagious.

Anyone who plans on picking up a pencil to do more than just your checkbook should get this book.

Sincerely,

Dan Povenmire
Director/Storyboard Supervisor
Family Guy
Fox TV Animation

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Belongs on the same shelf with Preston Blair and Burne Hogarth., November 4, 2006

By 

Jay Lender "Jay Lender" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartooning: Character Design (HT291) (How to Draw & Paint/Art Instruction Program) (Paperback)

In "Character Design," Sherm Cohen offers up a century of cartoon design wisdom in such a clear and simple fashion that you'll think you already knew all about it.

Jam-packed with Sherm's incredibly clear drawing and elegant line, "Character Design" uses hundreds of illustrations to explain key cartooning concepts, from "line of action" to "when's the right time to draw a cauliflower ear." No kidding! You need to know the rules before you can break them correctly...and THESE are the rules.

This is essential reading for experts and beginners. Buy two copies; one for your bookshelf, and one to keep under your pillow.

Jay Lender
Former Writer/Storyboard Director
SpongeBob SquarePants
Nicktoons

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for animators and cartoonists., October 17, 2006

By 

Chong S. Lee "Chong Lee" (Burbank, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cartooning: Character Design (HT291) (How to Draw & Paint/Art Instruction Program) (Paperback)

This book is essential for beginners and professionals for cartooning/animators. As a professional animation artist and a college professor, I found this book to be one of the best book on character design out there. I highly recommend it to my students and colleague alike. For it is extremely informative and deceivingly simple. On the same level with the Preston Blair animation books (also published by Walter Foster), this book does a great job in introducing the artist the wonderful fun that is character designing. Great job artist Sherm Cohen. Hope to see more in the series.