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Are you ready to bring your imagination to life through animation? Whether you are a budding animator or simply fascinated by the art form, just learn and grow by diving into some essential animation books. Animation is a captivating and dynamic art form. It brings characters and stories to life through motion and creativity. If you want to become a PRO animation designer, then this is the best place for you to gain knowledge.
So, in this article, we have listed 12 must-read animation books that will ignite your creativity. It will teach you the principles of animation, and guide you towards becoming a skilled animator. From classic titles to industry insights, these animation books will be your trusted companions on your animation journey.
Are you ready to unlock your potential and enrich your animation and design career? Let’s get started!
1. Animated Storytelling
If you love animation and want guidance in the world of imaginative storytelling, “The Animated Storytelling” is the perfect book for you. This animation book is written by Liz Blazer, an award-winning animator and filmmaker. This book is a complete guide for anyone who wants to learn the art of storytelling through animation. Blazer takes readers on a journey through the entire animation process, from initial concept development to final production.
However, the book covers various storytelling techniques, character development, storyboarding, and animation principles. It looks at different ways to create animations, using techniques like drawing by hand, stop motion, and digital methods. Additionally, it covers various styles and types of animation. In fact, this book explores the power of visual storytelling, highlighting how the strategic utilization of colors, composition, and sound design can significantly improve the overall impact.
2. The Animator’s Survival Kit
Step into the world of animation with your trusted companion, “The Animator’s Survival Kit” by Richard Williams. This is one of the best animation books. Hence, it’s a great book filled with animation logic. Along with that, it provides the essential principles and techniques. If you dream to be a master in animation, this book will be the best option for you. Besides it offers practical advice, and a wealth of knowledge from a true industry expert. It will teach you about all the basic principles of animation like timing and spacing,. Moreover, it will acknowledge you about parameters like weight, posing, and acting. This book is the must–have survival kit for every animator in their animation books list.
3. The Animator’s Eye
In this book, Francis Glebas takes you on a visual journey like it’s named “The Animator’s Eye”.He will uncover the artistic process behind crafting beautiful animated scenes in the book.
The Animator’s Eye will ignite your creativity and sharpen your skills as an animator. This book will train your eye to see the fine movements and gestures that bring characters to life. Besides, You will gain knowledge of mastering the fundamentals of motion, timing, and the building blocks of animation. You will not only learn technical tools and software but also tips for efficient workflow. Therefore, one should read animation books to be a Pro animator.
4. Cartoon Animation
If you are looking for cartoon-style animation books, then Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair is perfect for you. Cartoon animation was initiated in 1994 and became an excellent reference for cartoon-style animation, for example, animal animation. Preston Blair was a famous animator; who worked in big animation studios like Disney and Hanna Barbera. Additionally, the text used is very easy to understand, with step-by-step instructions and sketches. Besides, the book covers various topics like character design, movement, expressions, and timing.
5. How to make Animated films
“How to Make Animated Film” is the perfect guide to the entire process of animation. Tony White’s book helps to learn techniques of storytelling, character development, animation ideas, and editing. Throughout the book, there are no. Of sketches, examples, and exercises to hold up the concepts being taught. Furthermore, It encourages readers to experiment, practice, and promote a hands-on approach to learning animation.
6. The Illusion of Life
“The Illusion of Life” book explains the best methods of animation. It is a well-known book written in an engaging and accessible style. Additionally, it reveals how drawings can be brought to life on the screen. In addition, it emphasizes how Disney Animators’ artistic journey transformed the industry through their experiments and innovations.
The author of the book, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnstone, are animation legends. The book contains twelve principles of animation such as squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, timing, and others which can be very helpful to the readers.
7. The Nine Old Men
It’s not a book that is named after a group of nine inspiring animators who worked at Walt Disney Productions. These animators including names like Les Clark, Ollie Johnstone, and Frank Thomas, worked on Iconic films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, and The Jungle Book.
The Nine Old Men includes varieties of ideas and quick tips on sketching. We can gain knowledge of using shapes, perspective and drawing figures. However, readers also get an idea of landscapes, capturing movements, layout, and compositions.
8. The Noble Approach
The Noble Approach is a book about Maurice Noble, an influential animator known for his work on classic cartoons. He was an animation production designer and layout designer for some classic cartoons like Roin Hood Daffy and Duck Amuck.
It explores its artistic style, techniques, and contribution to animation behind-the-scenes stories, concepts artwork, and interviews.
9. Creating Animated Cartoons with Character
This is one of the best animation books.”Creating Animated Cartoons with Character” guides you on how to make animated cartoons with engaging and memorable characters. It provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips and tricks for developing characters. Readers can learn easily how to design cartoon appearances and bring them to life through animation.
This book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning the process of creating animated cartoons filled with personality and charm.
10. Timing for Animation
Very few animation books that teach you about the important aspects of timings in the art of animation, this is the one! “Timing for Animation” provides easy-to-understand explanations and examples. It can be an excellent option to grasp the concepts of timing, spacing, and flow in animation.
Moreover, this animation book explores how the timing of movements can improve storytelling, and create comedic or dramatic effects.
11. Setting the scene
Setting the Scene is a great book, it focuses on the art of setting up scenes in various forms of visual storytelling, such as film, animation, and theatre. However, It provides instructions and techniques for creating interesting and effective settings that improve the overall description.
Nevertheless, the book covers topics like composition, lighting, and color. It will teach you how to make visually engaging scenes too.
12. Sketching for Animation
This is an excellent animation book that teaches the techniques of sketching particularly for animation. Although, it covers the basic motion drawings and character designs. Along with that storyboarding is also explained in quite a simple way.
Sketching for animation provides practical tips and step-by-step exercises. Therefore it helps aspiring animators improve their sketching skills.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, it will surely improve your animation skills. In fact, it will fulfill your purpose and requirements so keep it in your animation books list.
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Conclusion:
There you have it! Our best 12 animation books that every aspiring animator should have on their shelf.
In short, you can master the principles of movement and time. You can explore character design and storytelling techniques just by reading this book once. In addition, this book provides all the readers with the key points and guidance for animation. So, grab a copy of these must-read animation books and dive into the fascinating world of animation!
FAQs:
ans: Animation books provide valuable knowledge and understanding. As a result, it will help animators to know animation principles to improve their skills and gain industry awareness.
Ans: Yes, many recommended animation books are beginner-friendly, offering step-by-step guidance on foundational concepts.
Ans: While some books may mention specific software. Undoubtedly the principles they teach can be applied to various animation software and techniques.
Ans: Certainly, these books cover both 2D and 3D animation, focusing on fundamental principles application to both mediums.
Ans: Of course, it’s beneficial. These books offer valuable guidance, teach fundamental principles, and provide industry insights that can improve animation skills and foster creativity.
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