Hands-On Animation for Beginners: Animation Tutorials and Exercises from a Veteran Japanese Animator Kindle Edition

A beginner’s guide to animation – packed with practical techniques, helpful advice and easy to understand drawings and diagrams!While there are many animation and illustration books available, most focus solely on theory and lack the practical exercises needed to get started on your own. Knowledge is essential, but to bring your animations to life, hands-on experience is key. That’s why this textbook takes a unique, action-oriented approach.Written by a seasoned animator hailing from Japan, it’s designed for anyone eager to start their animation journey, no matter their experience level. With step-by-step exercises, you'll learn by doing—guiding you from your very first frame to creating your own fully-realized animations. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refresh the basics, this book will help you unlock your potential and bring your creative visions to life.Learn how to animate the Japanese anime way! A beginner animation course for those looking to take their first steps into the world of animation. From tools to character design, basic animation techniques to walk cycles and effects – this book will get you animating right away, all in one easy to understand volume. About the AuthorWritten and illustrated by Kenji Yokoyama, a seasoned animator with over 40 years of industry experience, this book offers a unique perspective from one of Japan’s animation veterans. Kenji’s impressive career includes key roles in some of the most iconic anime series, including One Piece, where he contributed as both an animation director and key animator from its very first broadcast. He has also served as the sole animation director and key animator for entire episodes.Kenji’s work spans a diverse range of beloved anime series, including Slam Dunk, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai, Hell Teacher: Jigoku Sensei Nube, Dr. Slump, and Dragon Ball Z. This book comes to you from the mind of a true master of Japanese animation. ContentsChapter 1: ToolsPrepare your tools / Use of tools / Keyframes and in-betweens / Learn the basics of the toolsChapter 2: Character CreationAbout Character Design / Create a character sheetChapter 3: Animating PeopleTips for drawing and animating people / Warm-up exercises for animatingChapter 4: Blinking and Lip SyncBlinking and lip sync / About timesheets / Draw the blinking and lip syncChapter 5: Center of GravityAbout the center of gravity / Keep the center of gravity in mind / Draw the action of liftingChapter 6: TurnaroundsTips for drawing turnarounds / Practice rotation / Draw a full-body turnaroundChapter 7: Walk CyclesAbout Walk Cycles / Draw the walk cycle keyframes / Draw the walk cycle in-betweensChapter 8: Animating with BackgroundsPerspective and backgrounds / Moving simple shapes / Create a layout / Animation with a backgroundChapter 9: EffectsHand-drawn effects / The basics of direction of movement / Drawing smoke / Drawing flames / Drawing waterChapter 10: AnimalsTips for drawing four-legged animals / Drawing the walk cycle for a cat / Animating a horse / Tips for flapping wings / Draw a flapping birdChapter 11: Other Movement TypesTry out other movement techniques / How to cue and end a movement / Squash and stretch / Expressing speed / The movement of running / Standing up and sitting down / The movement of JumpingChapter 12: Animation ProductionThe animation creation process / Drawing storyboards / Filling out a timesheet / Highlights and shadowsChapter 13: Working in AnimationPositions and Roles in Animation / Production Workflow / Positions and Roles in Animation Production Read more