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In order to animate animals well, you really have to understand them! Start
with some good animal anatomy books, get as much video reference as you can,
then go see them in real life, if possible. Our collection of animal reference
is a bit lacking at the moment, so if you know of some other really good animal
reference books, let me know!
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The Art of Animal Drawing
Ken Hultgren
This was made by a Disney animator
that worked on Bambi and it's fantastic! When it went out of print,
Colm Duggan gathered a bunch of animators and lobbied Dover to re-release
it. It worked!
Highest recommendation!
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Horses and Other Animals in Motion Eadweard Muybridge
Every animator has the Muybridge books at their desk - do you?
Highly
recommended
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Illustrated Horsewatching
Desmond Morris
Horses get the Desmond Morris treatment. I haven't got this yet because I didn't know that it existed until today! It must be good if it's from Mr. Morris! |
Dogwatching
Desmond Morris
Dogs get the Desmond Morris treatment.
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Catwatching
Desmond Morris
Another Desmond Morris book, this time with cats!
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Dog in Action
McDowell Lyon
Like the horse in motion, this book is essential if you will be animating dogs - learn it from the inside out!
Highly
recommended
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The Horse in Motion
Sarah Pilliner , Samantha Elmhurst , Zoe Davies
A fantastic book for learning how horses move and for equine anatomy!
Highly
recommended
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Principles of Animal Locomotion
R. McNeill Alexander
In depth study of the mechanics of animal movement -all kinds of animals, all kinds of movement!
Highly
recommended
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The Weatherly Guide to Drawing Animals
Joe Weatherly
Good reference to teach you how to draw animals from life.
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Balance in Movement: The Seat of the Rider
Susanne Von Dietze
Illustrated guide to riding a horse. If it's worth animating, it's worth getting the action right.
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Barron's Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds
J. Anne Helgren
Great reference for various breeds of cats.
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Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds
D. Caroline Coile , Michele Earle-Bridges
Great reference for various breeds of dogs. |
Modelling and Sculpting Animals
Edouard Lanteri
I believe that sculpting in real life is the best way to learn the
structure of any creature. Give it a try. This was originally published in 1911.
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Cat World
Desmond Morris
More on cats from Desmond Morris
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James Gurney: The World of Dinosaurs
James Gurney I find James Gurney's work to be very inspirational, which is why I have his other books in the "inspirational" section. Although this book is thin, it is still a great reference for dinosaurs, as is Dinotopia. |
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