Animation Masterclasses: From Pencils to Pixels

Today, it is commonly believed that if you learn software, you can become an animator. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Master animators are trained and not born. Software, as is the humble pencil, is merely yet another tool through which an animator can apply their knowledge. However, neither software nor pencils give you that knowledge, nor do they do the work for you. If you place a fully trained master animator on a computer, or give them a pencil, they’ll astound you with their mastery. However, if you put a nontrained animator on a computer, all you will have is a technician creating moving objects ・ as you’ll see all over YouTube and other video platforms.

This book teaches you exactly how to become a Master Animator—whether you ultimately plan to use pencils, computers, drawing tablets or rigged characters. It’s a complete course, being a collection of 48 masterclasses gleaned from the author’s 50 years of experience of top-level animating, teaching, and filmmaking. It will also train you in the value and application of observational gesture drawing. This book of masterclasses by a master of the art, Tony White, is entirely designed to be THE definitive reference book for students learning how to make things move well as well as how to create films once you know how to do so.

A book for everyone:

For home-based, self-study students

It is a perfect manual to take you from raw beginner to proven animated filmmaker.

For full-time students

It is an ideal companion to supplement your full-time educational studies, which, no doubt, is overly based on software technology.

For current animation professionals

It is a comprehensive archive of animation tips and techniques that will enable you to take your work to the next level.

For current animation educators and instructors

It is a book that can be the ultimate curriculum and study program, enabling your own students to become the master animators of today and tomorrow.

Author Biography

Tony White, renowned animator, director, professor, lecturer, and author, has been in the animation industry for over 50 years, and currently teaches 2D animation through his own “live & online” school, “2D ACADEMY”. White began his career working with legendary industry professionals like award-winning illustrator Ralph Steadman, animation gurus Ken Harris, Art Babbit (original lead animator on Pinocchio, Fantasia, and others at Disney). He also personally assisted, then directed/animated for Richard Williams (3-time Oscar winner and author of The Animator’s Survival Kit). In addition to teaching and supporting traditional and digital 2D animation in any way he can, White founded and hosts the “DRAWTASTIC Animation Festival”, through which he seeks to celebrate and honor the amazing young animation talents that are emerging from around the world. White also runs the “2D ANIMAKERS” network, and is currently working on his first-ever graphic novel, “MADA and the Magic Tree”, which is based on an animated movie story he hopes one day to make.”