How to Draw and Paint Crazy Cartoon Characters Paperback – January 1, 2007

Simple, concise, fabulous way to think about drawing and creating characters to animate.

There's something for everyone in Vincent Woodcock's "How to Draw..." book, whether you're new to cartooning, or a seasoned vet. This well-written and well-illustrated book focuses foremost on the techniques and approaches used in character design. It succeeds at its mission and then some, with sections on the fundamentals of drawing (hands, anatomy, and the importance of clear silhouettes), characterization (caricatures, action poses, acting) and professional practices (model sheets, presenting your work).Not a single page in this 128 page book is wasted. It's filled to the brim with very useful information that any cartoonist would appreciate. A wide variety of character styles are also represented, providing a more complete picture (pardon the pun) on the diversity of character design. Highly recommended.

This book demonstrates a strong understanding of design, gesture, facial expression and texture. Vincent Woodcock's book should be a staple to any and all aspiring artists looking to get into animation or character design. His techniques are complete in explanation and he walks you through the mechanics of the body and how to push the stylization. He covers silhouette importance, body types, styles types, and tools.The only reason I did not give a full 5 star rating is because there is no technical updating in it. Digital coloring is not covered, and I recommend its importance since the animation biz is mostly digital now. Aside from that, you will find it difficult to put the book down or not be inspired to create your own characters. Every page is filled with characters and styles. I highly recommend this book!

Along with Mr. Bancroft's book "Creating Characters With Personality" Creating Characters with Personality: For Film, TV, Animation, Video Games, and Graphic Novels this book also shares ideas for Character Designing. Like I said the before it's fun and easy to read which gets the creativity going. One of my top "Art Bibles" this book includes helpful words of advice which are highlighted at the lower corners of the pages.If you're a fellow cartoonist like myself in search of pointers in Character Designing then look no further!!!

Am a freelance artist. I like the abundance of pictures in this how to book. Makes for a lot of neat references. I think my favorite take away from it is making characters dynamic versus static. Cartoon illustrations demonstrate a variety of emotions, which this author demonstrates, with good examples of drawing and negative examples to compare them against. Also love the section on hands and facial features. Thanks!

I was looking for a resource book that would address visual tips that had me stymied (I am formally educated). This book gave me wonderful tips that I was able to incorporate right readily, and I am pleased with my purchase!

this guy kinda sucks.

This book has more than how to draw tough horoes and heroines, evil-looking villans and goofy anti-heroes. It goes into how to properly give color to your charactors and some information on scripting.