Customer Reviews

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

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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

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

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.

There are things in this book that too many animators and artists are missing today. This should be a must read for anyone creating art. No, I will not list what they are, because I think people should buy the book.

One of the areas it does cover that is a must is faces/heads, and how to properly get the portions right for the character you're creating.

If you are an artist trying to sell their work and finding that you are constantly turned down, then it's time to pick up this book and become refreshed with some basics. Trust me, it will be of benefit.

Don't waste your time with the other "How to draw Cartoon Characters" books: go directly to Mr.Cohen's Character design offering.It contains such all-important theories such as line of action, varying shapes, graphic vs traditional, drawing through your design, silhouettes, drawing children and there's even a section on props/costumes!
While bookshelves are heavy with "How to Draw" books from other well known animators/artists this book is written by the guy who was there to witness the birth of SPONGEBOB! That's like getting info from Moses himself just as he stepped off the mountain!
While we're at it pick up his other animation treasure: Storyboard Elements by Sherm Cohen on DVD. Between both products you should be able to jump-start your animation career or use them to avoid paying tons of $ for those overpriced art schools. Trust me guys I've been in this business twenty years and this item is extremely USEFUL!

Joe
Emmy Winning Storyboard Artist

If you're learning character design, or just brushing up- this is the best book I've seen on it.
Thank you Sherm!

The moment I found out about this book I bought it immediately!
Sherm makes everything quite clear and fun to look at. It's presented well and is crammed with goodies.
I especially liked the sections.... "Get Graphic" and "Find Your Own Style".

Great job Sherm!

I've been a syndicated cartoonist for over 12 years, and wish I'd found this a long time ago. This book is fantastic. Short, concise, and not a wasted line in the entire book. Each page has a valuable tip or lesson. And the drawings themselves are inspirational. Made me want to start creating new characters immediately. (And draw them correctly this time.) When asked about cartooning anymore, this will be my first recommendation.
Todd Clark
Creator of syndicated strip LOLA

Sherm Cohen's "Character Design" book went over the basics of head and body shapes, how to do original characters instead of stock characters everyone has done, and addressed the different types of cartooning in comic strips vs. television. I started doing cartooning as a hobby, but I was in a rut and this book pointed out some common mistakes of novice cartoonists. It is also a great guide for expert cartoonists to stay focused on what works and cumbersome errors to avoid.

Everyone who wants to be a cartoonist should start with this book so they can avoid months and years of trial and error in technique, and focus on the creativity within.

Seriously, if you are looking for a quick reference on how to draw cartoons... this is A MUST!