Teaching Animation Through Key Poses


Every animator knows that life drawing is essential to success…however, how many thought that life drawing can be a way to learn how to animate? Don Duga returns with sketchbook in hand to discuss the way he developed his unique class "Drawing Key Poses for Animation," which is also an homage to revered drawing teacher and mentor Don Graham. In 1958 when Don was studying with Graham at California's Chouinard Art Institute, he remembers him saying, "Animation should have begun in the Renaissance, but didn't, because the camera wasn't invented yet." Expanding upon that Duga explains, "Life drawing couldn't have moved until we had the LunchBox." Through a series of sketches, watercolors and notes, we see his thought process as he realizes how to use the LunchBox for this special endeavor.







Comments


Don,is there to be a new Annecy sketchbook? See my new painting site at www.cassandraeinstein.com Cassandra Einstein
cassandra einstein (not verified) | Wed, 01/26/2005 - 00:00 | Permalink
The article reminded of a class I had at Art Center with Ward Kimball in the 70's. Kimball was amazing teaching ACTION ANALYSIS. He had us use a pegbar with our drawing - to capture the key poses of the model. Ward also stressed that we push the line of action (as we did with animation poses) to increase the dynamic action within a pose. I look back now and know how very fortunate I was. Thanks for the article.
Larry Lauria (not verified) | Sat, 09/28/2002 - 23:00 | Permalink
Don !!!! beatiful drawings watercolors and ideas grand for animatiion too I am going to go back and study this..YOU MUST MAKE A PUBLISHED BOOK OF THIS. It is splendid..BRAVO Again Cassandra
cassandra einstein (not verified) | Sat, 09/28/2002 - 23:00 | Permalink

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