How is gesture drawing different from figure drawing, and how can it help you become a better animator? Mark McDonnell’s new book, The Art and Feel of Making It Real: Gesture Drawing for the Animation and Entertainment Industry, will tell you.

McDonnell applies his years of knowledge as an art director at Technicolor Creative Services, whose primary client was The Walt Disney Company, to the book. From the hobbyist to the advanced professional, the book shares insider industry secrets and valuable tips that everyone can use. “The Art and Feel of Making It Real is instructional with very specific examples showing the principles discussed as they are executed today in the studio environment. The book will help you make your drawings and poses clearer and more readable,” says McDonnell.

McDonnell studied for seven years at Disney in the enrichment center in a class that was a continuation of Walt Stanchfield's teachings. When eventually a few of the people in charge came by and looked at McDonnell’s drawings, they liked what they saw and asked if he would be interested in teaching the class as there was a need for a new instructor. It was right then and there that he decided to write the book.

“It was really born out of a question that I constantly thought about: ‘Why couldn't everyone have access to industry secrets and teachings?’” McDonnell says. “[Originally] I couldn't gain access to these classes, though I eventually fought my way in. But what about everyone else that doesn’t have direct access to the industry, the studios and/or the professionals living in the area? These were the questions I continually thought about, and which, two years later, led me to creating my book.”

The Art and Feel of Making It Real was created in addition to Stanchfield's previous thoughts and practices, but is more focused on tailoring teachings and words of wisdom to the industry and how it functions today. The book applies not only to animators, but to storyboard artists, visual development artists, concept artists, and everything in between. It provides advice on how to create clear, readable storytelling concepts that are used on a day-to-day basis in the animation and entertainment industry.

The book contains a foreword by renowned animator Eric Goldberg, and contributing words by animator Andreas Deja, art director Marcelo Vignali and industry instructor Karl Gnass.

“I am proud and I feel lucky to have been able to pass on this information to the next generation of animation and entertainment artists,” McDonnell says.

To learn more about the book and Mark McDonnell, check his site: http://www.cre8tivemarks.com/

Book Samples: