Animation
June 20th, 2009 | 
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With an introduction by John Lasseter-and very little else in the way of words-this second book in The Artist Series lavishly showcases the most brilliant animation created by such luminaries as Ub Iwerks, Norm Ferguson, Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske, Dick Huemer, Grim Natwick, Art Babbitt, Fred Moore, Bill Tytla, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, John Lounsbery, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, Les Clark, Wolfgang Reitherman, John Sibley, Bill Just… More >>
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If you’re an animator, animation student, or just someone who loves animation… this book will not disappoint! The book consists of frames of rough animation drawn by great animators. Each image is huge like thy were in the Disney Archive “Story” book and showcase their line quality. It’s definately one of my prized possessions now!
Rating: 5 / 5
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2ZV78OHGYQFKV John Lasseter mentions in the introduction his first job in college was pulling animation sequences from “the morgue” – Disney’s archive of animation artworks. Well, this book is filled with those animation boards from “the morgue”. Specifically, these are boards before the clean up process — before sketchy pencil lines are removed and colours, backgrounds added.
The second book in The Archive Series is still a huge thick hardcover with the boards printed gloriously big. Compared to the first volume, every artist is now properly credited to their work. There are a couple of fold-outs which are unnecessary because the art isn’t printed across the fold anyway.
This book is primarily on the character art and animation. Artists and animators who want to give their characters life, make them act or emote, will gain a lot from this book. This is more so than the first book because here it features a lot of expressions. There’s no mistaking how the characters feel or what they are doing just by looking at their expressions and poses.
For animation sequences, well, the boards included are actually a mixture of in-sequence and standalone. You’ll probably be able to recognise the many memorable scenes, like how Dumbo swings from her mother’s trunk (sweet!), when Pinnochio takes his first step or the spaghetti-eating-to-kissing scene (classic!) in The Lady and the Tramp.
Plenty of legendary artists are included, like Ub Iwerks, Norm Ferguson, Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske, Dick Huemer, Grim Natwick, Art Babbitt, Fred Moore, Bill Tytla, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, John Lounsbery, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, Les Clark, Wolfgang Reitherman, John Sibley, Bill Justice, Clyde Geronimi, Ted Berman, Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Eric Goldberg, Mark Henn and Tony Bancroft.
This is an inspiring book highly recommended to animators.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
Rating: 5 / 5
The artists and ‘imagineers’ of the Walt Disney Studios have always been at the forefront of animation technology and set constantly rising standards of excellence for all other animation studios and artists to aspire to. Now in a illustrative 272-page compendium, that Disney flair for animation is documented with hundreds of working sketches from Disney artists ranging from Ub Iwerks, to Fred Moore, to Ward Kimball, to Tony Bancroft, and so many others. Drawn from the archives of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library, “Animation” is an informative and profusely exampled sampling of the visual magic that is the enduring and justified Disney claim to fame for the last three generations and well into the foreseeable future! “Animation” is especially recommended for personal, professional, art school, and community library Art History reference collections.
Rating: 5 / 5
I have bought many Disney books since the early 70’s are there are a few that are truly great, such as Illusion of Life. Last year the first book in the Archives Series came out with the theme of “Story” and it too was a great book. The second book in the series, “Animation”, is not just great but magical.
The book consists of animation drawings with no backgrounds and minimum text. Think of a museum experience without wearing a listening device telling you what you are seeing. Take a really close look at Jiminy Cricket by Ward Kimball. Just shadings and pencil marks. Then start pulling away and the illusion of life happens right before your eyes. Glen Keane’s beast is a swirl of pencil markings that transform into the prince. You can feel Scar’s movements, Alice’s wishing thoughts and Dr. Facilier’s plotting thoughts.
If your not convinced, find a copy of this book in a store and leaf through the pages. I hope that you have a similar or even more magical experience. If you love animation, this purchase is a no-brainer. Thank you John Lasseter and all the artists collected in this volume.
Rating: 5 / 5
Fantastic,
This is one great book! This book is front to back animation drawings with a small intro by John Lassiter. There are animation drawings from Steamboat Willie to the Princess and the Frog. Seeing these drawings before the clean up proccess gives you an appreciation and insight of the artist from the past to the present. The book is a good companion piece to the Disney treasures book done by John Canemaker years ago. Animation fans of all types cannot help but be inpressed and inspired by the artistry of the Disney animators past and present. This book gets my highest recommendation!!
Rating: 5 / 5