There are many animation online books that deserve to be read by every beginner or professional animator. It is important to know the history of animation, the principle used and how this industry has grown over time. To become a good animator you will need hard study of animation, both theory and practice.
Also, there are books written by actual members of animation industry that present the modern day techniques. These books will help you to build an education on this field and to grow in this profession. So today I decided to present you some free animation online books that you should read if you want to learn or to expand your knowledge of animation.
Image source: http://www.analogartistdigitalworld.com/2011/12/2d-animation.html
Free animation online books
Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams
Animator’s Survival Kit: A manual of methods, principles and formulas for classical, computer, games, stop motion and internet animators is a book written by the animator and director Richard Williams. This book offers information about the history of animation, traditional animation, but also many advices, tips, techniques of character animation.
Image source: http://www.theanimatorssurvivalkit.com/
Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair
In this book Preston Blair teaches you about creating cartoon-style animation. The principal topics of the book are character development, animal animation, character movement, dialogue, line of action, timing and technical topics as camera synchronization and sound.
Image source: https://semisweetdesigns.com/2013/07/29/drawing-your-own-character-cookies/
The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson
Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston were two animators that worked at Disney since the earliest days and their book is consider the animator’s Bible. Reading this book you will find out how the animation art formed, how were created the principle of animation, how they discover the best method of animation, etc.
Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney_Animation:_The_Illusion_of_Life
Timing for Animation by Harold Whitaker and John Halas
Timing is very important in any animation because it shows the mood, the power of the animation. Harold Whitaker and John Halas teach you all the necessary timing techniques you need to know to create the perfect animation: stretch and squash, overlapping, anticipation and more.
Image source: https://www.amazon.com/Timing-Animation-John-Halas/dp/0240521609
Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation by Wayne Gilbert
In this book Wayne Gilbert explain you the importance of planning your animation, starting from the basic drawing and finishing with the final animation. What is interesting about this book is that the author begins with the finished product and then goes through all steps untill the beginning.
Image source: https://www.amazon.com/Simplified-Drawing-Planning-Animation-Gilbert/dp/097134390X
Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators by Mike Mattesi
This book is addressed to animators and artists who love to draw characters. It offers many examples and tips on realistic poses, on how to create dynamic poses, how to use shape, lines, silhouettes, etc. and how to use them to bring your characters to life.
Image source: https://www.amazon.com/Force-Dynamic-Life-Drawing-Animators/dp/0240808452
Character Mentor by Tom Bancroft
Tom Bancroft is a character designer and animator with over 25 years experience in animation industry. To bring your characters to life, Tom teaches you how to pose the character and how to create facial expressions with concrete techniques. It offers many illustrated examples to demonstrate how important is acting to create credibility.
Image source: https://www.amazon.com/Character-Mentor-Example-Expressions-Characters/dp/0240820711
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