What are some good books on traditional animation?

[FlameDragon]

I've been looking at alot of animation cels and sketches for cartoons, and it has really fascinated me. What are some good books or websites on traditional animation?

[cdejong]

These are the animation bibles.

The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston (two of the best animators to have ever lived, you've probably seen their work if you've watched any of the old Disney movies)

The Animators Survival Kit, which has essentially everything you'd ever need to know about animation, written by the animation director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit among other films. He's won two oscars for animation.

Those are the two essential books. Any animator worth his salt has them.

[Dizon]

Explore these sites. You'll find A LOT of helpful stuff.

http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/

http://www.animationarchive.org/2006/07/meta-top-ten-reasons-to-contribute-to.html#comics

http://www.animationarchive.org/

[smugbug]

Not sure if these were mentioned yet:

ANIMATION, From Script to Screen by Shamus Culhane *
Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair
Timing for Animation by Harold Whitaker
The Animator's Workbook by Tony White


*Culhane is a former Disney animator. This book is mostly text, but very useful.

[StephenJ]

Don Bluth's "Art of" books are also good.

[bleupencil]

ANIMATION, From Script to Screen by Shamus Culhane *
Thank you! I hardly ever see anyone reference this book anymore and that's such a shame. It is dated but chock full of excellent advice and practices (1 minute character sketches FTW!).

Also, Eric Goldberg's recent addition to the world of animation literature is fantastic - The Character Animation Crash Course.

And if you're interested in 2D special effects, I reckon the recent release of Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation by Joseph Gilland, would be worth a look. He was an effects animator/supervisor for Disney on films such as Lilo & Stitch, Tarzan, and Brother bear. Can't wait to get my copy shipped!

[FlameDragon]

Thanks for all the recommendations! I'll check them out, The Illustration of Life seems particularly intriguing.

[zrn19]

hmm, let me suggest some books :


1.)Drawing the heads and hands by Andrew Loomis (also check out his figure drawing book)
2.)The drawing practice and science of drawing by Harold Speed
3.)Der Nackte Mensch by Gottfried Bammes( german book, look for translation)
4.)Constructive Anatomy , The Human Machine and , Complete Guide To Drawing From Life by George Bridgman
5.)http://www.vilppustore.com/anatdvd.htm (get these dvds for figure drawing by Glen Vilppu)

P.S.In my opinion the books listed above are gold , hence i highly recommed you mastering them ,good luck!

zrn

[kev ferrara]

The animator's survival kit is by Richard Williams and its great.