Advanced Animation

Advanced Animation by Preston Blair is a classic instructional guide to drawing animated cartoons. This digital edition is delivered as a PDF and is available for instant download after purchase. It offers practical, visual lessons from a veteran Disney and MGM animator.

The book focuses on the core skills used in professional animation: constructing heads, bodies, and entire characters from simple forms. It is designed for artists, students, and anyone exploring cartoon drawing.

Book Overview

Advanced Animation presents Preston Blair’s approach to creating cartoon characters that move with clarity and life. Blair worked on Pinocchio, Bambi, Fantasia, and Red Hot Riding Hood, and this book condenses his experience into clear drawing principles. The guide uses MGM cartoon characters such as Tom and Jerry to illustrate key ideas.

This PDF edition preserves the original instructional drawings and step-by-step examples. It is a practical reference for learning how to draw animated cartoons.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• How to construct cartoon heads from rounded, egg-shaped masses.
• A method for turning a head in every conceivable position with guide circles.
• How to stretch and squash heads to strengthen expressions.
• How bodies are built from rounded or circular forms.
• The skeleton foundation method for loose character construction.
• The line of action and how it improves the dramatic effect of a figure.
• Progressive steps from line of action to clean character drawing.

Why This Book Matters

Preston Blair was a respected cartoon director and animator associated with Disney and MGM. His work on Fantasia, Pinocchio, Bambi, and Anchors Aweigh helped define the look of animated film. This book captures the working methods of a professional animation artist and remains a useful study guide for cartoonists.

For students of animation and illustration, the lessons are direct and visual.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download and no physical item will be shipped. After purchase, you can access the file immediately through your account. The PDF works with compatible reading apps on tablets, desktops, and mobile devices, including Kindle apps and other PDF readers.

FAQ

How will I receive the book? This is a digital download. Access is provided after purchase, with no physical shipping.

Can I read it on my Kindle or tablet? Yes, the PDF is compatible with most Kindle apps, tablets, desktops, and mobile reading apps.

Is there a printed version included? No, this is a digital-only edition.

Add Advanced Animation to your library and study the drawing principles of a master animator.