From Snow White to Shrek, from Fred Flintstone to SpongeBob SquarePants, the design of a character conveys personality before a single word of dialogue is spoken. Designing Characters with Personality shows artists how to create a distinctive character, then place that character in context within a script, establish hierarchy, and maximize the impact of pose and expression. Practical exercises help readers put everything together to make their new characters sparkle. Lessons from the author, who designed the dragon Mushu (voiced by Eddie Murphy) in Disney's Mulan—plus big-name experts in film, TV, video games, and graphic novels—make a complex subject accessible to every artist.
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Tom Bancroft has been an animator
for more than fifteen years, working
for Disney and Big Idea Productions
(producers of Veggie Tales). Most recently, he contributed to Disney’s Brother Bear. He lives in Franklin, TN.
for more than fifteen years, working
for Disney and Big Idea Productions
(producers of Veggie Tales). Most recently, he contributed to Disney’s Brother Bear. He lives in Franklin, TN.
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More About the Author
Tom Bancroft is a veteran Disney and Big Idea director. At Disney, he helped create the animation for many memorable characters including: Roger Rabbit, Young Simba, Jafar and Iago, Pocahontas, Rutt and Tuke and for the film MULAN he designed the character "Mushu", the dragon. While with Big Idea, he designed and directed the LarryBoy 2D series of videos. Tom still keeps his hands in animation, but he also enjoys creating comics, children's books, and characters for all forms of media.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 72 people found the following review helpful
By L. West
Format:Paperback
I've been a professional Illustrator for 4 years now, and before then an avid student of art. But during all that time, I've bought piles and piles of "How To Draw" books, namely by Christopher Hart. I was in the book store one day and saw this one and almost just bi-passed it as just another amaturise attempt at trying to make a "How to Draw Cartoon" book, the cover being the main turn-off.
In my 8+ years of buying these types of books, this is the first time I was simply astonished by what they were presenting; MOVEMENT!
It is rare that anyone write's these books with any mention on how an artist can try to achieve a sense of force and movement, and that is why I so highly recommend this book. The incoporation of how to apply the knowledge to comic book work was also great, not to mention the fact that Tom Bancroft also had the "Assignements" in the book which gives you a real look into what can go into creating charachters.
From novice to seasoned professional, this truley is a great book!
In my 8+ years of buying these types of books, this is the first time I was simply astonished by what they were presenting; MOVEMENT!
It is rare that anyone write's these books with any mention on how an artist can try to achieve a sense of force and movement, and that is why I so highly recommend this book. The incoporation of how to apply the knowledge to comic book work was also great, not to mention the fact that Tom Bancroft also had the "Assignements" in the book which gives you a real look into what can go into creating charachters.
From novice to seasoned professional, this truley is a great book!
42 of 46 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is the best book you'll find on understanding how character design works.
October 12, 2006
Format:Paperback
"I'm stumped, all my characters come out looking the same! What am I missing?"
"I'm drawing the same character as Seth, but his pictures are coming out better than mine. Why?"
"Ok, there's been a change of plans and our target audience is no longer going to be for kids in kindergarten but now 11 to 14 year old boys."
"Ok, the client is for a Honda dealership that primarily serves the Mexican market and we need a superhero mascot that appeals to these customers but doesn't turn off the other people who would be buying cars from them."
If you're researching this book chances are that you've already got some experience reading art and animation how-to books or know somebody who has. There are many books on cartooning and animation but there has been a frustrating lack of material that really digs into the meat of the creative process behind character design. Most books fall into categories that either narrowly focus on concept art from specific productions, or they discuss all facets of animation and cartooning and relegate character design to a single chapter and / or style. This book recognizes that educational void and happily is helmed by a man who not only can draw, but can explain the REASONS behind the stylistic choices employed by the best designers out there.
The REASONING is an important point that cannot be stressed highly enough and is what pushes this book beyond just another how-to-draw endeavor and becomes something that should be mandatory study material for anyone involved in the character creation process, from cartoonists, animators, sculptors, and 3D modelers, to storytellers, marketers, and producers. Tom Bancroft explains the esthetics of design appeal and allows you to better understand how your choices affect the audience's psychological response to the character's look. Going further you'll learn how to take that design awareness and modify your efforts to fit a wide range of stylistic applications so that your romanticly-loveable-yet-monstrous-and-scary frankenstein character can be drawn for an action-drama scenario or a slapstick-sendup. You'll still have to figure out for yourself however what the boss means when he asks for you to make your work "more hip and edgy!".
This book is filled to the brim with excellent and inspiring artwork and text which is both easy to comprehend and is satisfyingly complete. When you're finished going over this book I guarantee you'll either have learned something useful or you'll be applauding Bancroft for finally delivering the goods on a topic so many of us love but haven't seen explored to this extent outside of the studio or classroom.
Bravo, Tom, and thank you!
"I'm drawing the same character as Seth, but his pictures are coming out better than mine. Why?"
"Ok, there's been a change of plans and our target audience is no longer going to be for kids in kindergarten but now 11 to 14 year old boys."
"Ok, the client is for a Honda dealership that primarily serves the Mexican market and we need a superhero mascot that appeals to these customers but doesn't turn off the other people who would be buying cars from them."
If you're researching this book chances are that you've already got some experience reading art and animation how-to books or know somebody who has. There are many books on cartooning and animation but there has been a frustrating lack of material that really digs into the meat of the creative process behind character design. Most books fall into categories that either narrowly focus on concept art from specific productions, or they discuss all facets of animation and cartooning and relegate character design to a single chapter and / or style. This book recognizes that educational void and happily is helmed by a man who not only can draw, but can explain the REASONS behind the stylistic choices employed by the best designers out there.
The REASONING is an important point that cannot be stressed highly enough and is what pushes this book beyond just another how-to-draw endeavor and becomes something that should be mandatory study material for anyone involved in the character creation process, from cartoonists, animators, sculptors, and 3D modelers, to storytellers, marketers, and producers. Tom Bancroft explains the esthetics of design appeal and allows you to better understand how your choices affect the audience's psychological response to the character's look. Going further you'll learn how to take that design awareness and modify your efforts to fit a wide range of stylistic applications so that your romanticly-loveable-yet-monstrous-and-scary frankenstein character can be drawn for an action-drama scenario or a slapstick-sendup. You'll still have to figure out for yourself however what the boss means when he asks for you to make your work "more hip and edgy!".
This book is filled to the brim with excellent and inspiring artwork and text which is both easy to comprehend and is satisfyingly complete. When you're finished going over this book I guarantee you'll either have learned something useful or you'll be applauding Bancroft for finally delivering the goods on a topic so many of us love but haven't seen explored to this extent outside of the studio or classroom.
Bravo, Tom, and thank you!
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By T. Hodge
Format:Paperback
I got a chance to peruse a pre-release copy of this book and I really liked what I saw.
Tom is a former Disney animator and does a great job of breaking down the elements of good character design. What I really like about his book is that it isn't merely a "How to draw like me" book. He teaches principles that anybody can put to use in their own style.
Not only did he ask Rob Corley to write a chapter (his business partner), but he asked several guest artists to submit their interpretations of the same character. Among the guests are Peter deSeve, Mark Henn, Bill Amend and Jack Davis... yes, the Jack Davis. A very diverse collection of styles, yet with one thing in common: they create excellent designs brimming with personality and attitude.
Tom's point in the book is that good character design, regardless of style, comes down to clarity, appeal and knowing your character inside and out.
(Oh, and Glen Keane wrote the forward for some more words of inspiration!)
Tom is a former Disney animator and does a great job of breaking down the elements of good character design. What I really like about his book is that it isn't merely a "How to draw like me" book. He teaches principles that anybody can put to use in their own style.
Not only did he ask Rob Corley to write a chapter (his business partner), but he asked several guest artists to submit their interpretations of the same character. Among the guests are Peter deSeve, Mark Henn, Bill Amend and Jack Davis... yes, the Jack Davis. A very diverse collection of styles, yet with one thing in common: they create excellent designs brimming with personality and attitude.
Tom's point in the book is that good character design, regardless of style, comes down to clarity, appeal and knowing your character inside and out.
(Oh, and Glen Keane wrote the forward for some more words of inspiration!)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Azygous Piece of Literature
I ended up buying this book, I don't know why maybe I have a thirst for knowledge. When I received it in the mail I thought, "Oh man why did I get another dumb drawing book that... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Justin R. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just what I needed
This book helped me design some of the characters for my upcoming book series. I'm so glad I decided to buy it.
Published 19 days ago by J. Lillis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Don't pass this book up!
This book covers character creation, story boarding and even script writing. The best part is that it asks successful animators and cartoonist to make characters based on a script... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fausto D Chalas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great little book!
Excellent book, loved it. Got it promptly as well, thanks! The author is really knowledgeable about his intended subject! Thanks again!
Published 1 month ago by USERREDBLACKGREEN
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very helpful
If you are at the level that you can draw what you want but you don't know how to build your own ideas, here's the book what you need!
Published 3 months ago by Kovács László
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks again!
The same child was given this book, along with different kinds of drawing supplies, including colored pencils, crayons, acrylic paint and watercolor, appropriate paper and canvas... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mary Anne Anderson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not What I Hoped For
I have read several books on how to draw characters. With this books title including the word "personality" I was expecting more in the details of of character development... Read more
Published 4 months ago by dworldmoney
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of a kind book
There are thousands of drawing books on the market, I have many myself, but this book is unique to what it focuses on. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Daniel Batts
4.0 out of 5 stars
Creating Characters Book
I thought this book was very insightful. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in animation drawing.
Published 4 months ago by Maryann M. Jackman Niner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
This book has really helped me out with my drawing. It takes you through the whole process step by step.
Published 4 months ago by Kevin P. Mcgovern
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