Books + Periodicals and Journals

Books, Periodicals, and Journals

Periodical and Journal List:

3D Artist https://www.3dartistonline.com

3D World http://www.creativebloq.com/3d-world-magazine

Animation Magazine http://www.animationmagazine.net

Cinefex http://cinefex.com

Computer Graphics Forum http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1467-8659/issues

Computer Graphics World http://www.cgw.com

Leonardo https://www.leonardo.info/about

SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal https://www.smpte.org/publications/journal

Variety http://variety.com

Master Book List

Many more books are available for resources, but the following list are the latest listing of books I recommend for courses and reference. These are listed in order of the animation production pipeline. If you have something to add, please send me an email filling out the information on my CONTACT page

Idea Development

Ideas for the Animated Short by Karen Sullivan

https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Animated-Short-Finding-Building/dp/0240818725/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050972&sr=1-1&keywords=Ideas+for+the+Animated+Short

Story Development

Animating Short Stories by Cheryl Briggs

https://www.amazon.com/Animating-Short-Stories-Narrative-Techniques/dp/1472570154/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1621270452&sr=8-3

Animated Storytelling by Liz Blazer

https://www.amazon.com/Animated-Storytelling-Creating-Animation-Graphics/dp/013413365X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509045227&sr=1-1&keywords=Animated+Storytelling

Script Writing

The Hollywood Standard by Christopher Riley

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932907637/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Production Planning

Directing the Story by Francis Glebas
https://www.amazon.com/Directing-Story-Professional-Storytelling-Storyboarding/dp/0240810767/ref=pd_sim_14_21?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

The Animation Producer’s Handbook by Lea Milic, Yasmin McConville

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0335220363/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Visual Development

Alive Character Design by Vincent Zhao; Haitao Su

https://www.amazon.com/Alive-Character-Design-Games-Animation/dp/0956288073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509045082&sr=8-1&keywords=Alive+Character+Design

Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects by Isaac Kerlow

https://www.amazon.com/Art-3D-Computer-Animation-Effects/dp/0470084901/ref=sr_1_1?

ie=UTF8&qid=1509045591&sr=8-1&keywords=art+of+3d+computer+animation+and+effects

Art of Pixar by Amid Amidi

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Pixar-Complete-Scripts-Animation/dp/0811879631/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509045703&sr=1-11&keywords=the+art+of

Art of Pixar Short Films by Amid Amidi

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Pixar-Short-Films/dp/0811866068/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509045722&sr=1-11&keywords=the+art+of+pixar

Digital Art Masters Volume 1-9 by 3Dtotal Publishing Staff (Editor)

Digital Painting Techniques by 3Dtotal.com (Editor)

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Painting-Techniques-Practical-Masters/dp/0240521749/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509051304&sr=1-9&keywords=Digital+Art+Masters

Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation by Hans Bacher

https://www.amazon.com/Dream-Worlds-Production-Animation-2007-11-23/dp/B011T6OLVW/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509068139&sr=1-2&keywords=Dream+Worlds%3A+Production+Design+for+Animation+by+Hans+Bacher

If it’s Purple, Someone’s Gonna Die by Patti Bellantoni

https://www.amazon.com/Its-Purple-Someones-Gonna-Die/dp/0240806883/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509284674&sr=8-1&keywords=if+it%27s+purple+someone%27s+gonna+die

Impeccable scene design : for game, animation and film : scenic design course by Weiye Yin

https://www.amazon.com/Impeccable-Scene-Design-Game-Animation/dp/0956288081/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509069627&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Impeccable+scene+design+%3A+for+game%2C+animation+and+film+%3A+scenic+design+course+by+Weiye+Yin

Master the Art of Speed Painting by 3dtotal Publishing

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Art-Speed-Painting-Techniques/dp/1909414344/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509051304&sr=1-8&keywords=Digital+Art+Masters

Drawing

Drawn to Life Volume 1 by Walt Stanchfield

https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240810961/ref=pd_sim_14_18?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Drawn to Life Volume 2 by Walt Stanchfield

https://www.amazon.com/Drawn-Life-Classes-Stanchfield-Lectures/dp/0240811070/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RYN8M00ZQ77N28MSZXPX

FORCE: Animal Drawing by Mike Mattesi

https://www.amazon.com/Force-Drawing-locomotion-concepts-animators/dp/0240814355/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=511K1Q69JKKR88H13Q6X

FORCE: Drawing Human Anatomy by Mike Mattesi

https://www.amazon.com/FORCE-Drawing-Human-Anatomy-Force/dp/0415733979/ref=pd_sim_14_20?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

FORCE: Dynamic Life Drawing by Mike Mattesi

https://www.amazon.com/FORCE-Dynamic-Drawing-Anniversary-Force/dp/1138919578/ref=pd_sim_14_25?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Sketching for Animation by Peter Parr

https://www.amazon.com/Sketching-Animation-Developing-Characters-Sketchbook/dp/1474221440/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Storyboarding

Art of the Storyboard by John Hart

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Storyboard-Storyboarding-Film-Animation/dp/0240803299/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509045678&sr=1-4&keywords=the+art+of+the+storyboard

Framed INK by Marcos Mateu-Mestre

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1933492953/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3341940462&pd_rd_wg=mNNpg&pf_rd_r=1WJTD4RDVVN0NZK0BQ4F&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-bottom-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=1933492953&pd_rd_w=5VYUZ&pf_rd_i=layout+for+animation&pd_rd_r=a09a07cf-bcb9-11e7-b05f-115f4a8ce6ea&ie=UTF8&qid=1509289110&sr=3

Prepare to Board! by Nancy Beiman

https://www.amazon.com/Prepare-Creating-Characters-Animated-Features/dp/0240818784/

The Visual Story by Bruce Block

https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Story-Creating-Structure-Digital/dp/0240807790/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509199537&sr=1-1&keywords=bruce+block

Editing

In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch

https://www.amazon.com/Blink-Eye-Perspective-Film-Editing/dp/1879505622/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509287959&sr=8-2&keywords=on+film+editing

On Film Editing by Edward Dmytryk

https://www.amazon.com/Film-Editing-Introduction-Art-Construction/dp/0240517385/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509287959&sr=8-1&keywords=on+film+editing

The Technique of Film and Video Editing by Ken Dancyger
https://www.amazon.com/Technique-Film-Video-Editing-Practice/dp/0240813979/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509287981&sr=8-2&keywords=the+technique+of+film+editing

Sound Design

Designing Sound for Animation by Robin Beauchamp
https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Sound-Animation-Robin-Beauchamp/dp/0240824989/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509051271&sr=1-1&keywords=Designing+Sound+for+Animation

Modeling

Reliance on help files and online tutorials as well as https://www.pluralsight.com

Autodesk Maya 2020 Basics Guide by Kelly Murdock

https://www.amazon.com/Autodesk-Maya-2020-Basics-Guide/dp/1630572551/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=autodesk+maya+2022&qid=1621272109&s=books&sr=1-2

Mastering Autodesk Maya 2016 by Todd Palamar

https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Autodesk-Maya-2016-Official/dp/1119059828/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509068005&sr=1-1&keywords=Mastering+Autodesk+Maya+2016+by+Todd+Palamar

Character Modeling

Reliance on help files and online tutorials as well as https://www.pluralsight.com

The Pushing Points Topology Workbook: Volume 01

https://www.amazon.com/Pushing-Points-Topology-Workbook-01/dp/1987728610/ref=msx_wsirn_v1_2?pd_rd_w=vArdb&pf_rd_p=ad02864c-dd1c-47aa-98b9-1e72a1084f6a&pf_rd_r=TQNSQ1FYRZWWA8XK908N&pd_rd_r=86dcab09-c9f2-4973-b632-747e2f20b54d&pd_rd_wg=aQcvR&pd_rd_i=1987728610&psc=1

The Pushing Points Topology Workbook: Volume 02

https://www.amazon.com/Topology-Workbook-2-William-Vaughan/dp/1673568467/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/131-9117552-3207621?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1673568467&pd_rd_r=d3d673f4-35ac-4875-b380-6323d11003ba&pd_rd_w=jAmcO&pd_rd_wg=s6jHm&pf_rd_p=fd3ebcd0-c1a2-44cf-aba2-bbf4810b3732&pf_rd_r=XXTAH846A0S979Y2312H&psc=1&refRID=XXTAH846A0S979Y2312H

Maya 8.0 Character Modeling by Gary Oliverio

https://www.amazon.com/Character-Modeling-Wordware-Applications-Library/dp/1598220209/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509199663&sr=1-3&keywords=Modeling+in+Maya

ZBrush Creature Design by Scott Spencer

https://www.amazon.com/ZBrush-Creature-Design-Creating-Dynamic/dp/1118024338/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509069744&sr=1-1&keywords=ZBrush+Creature+Design+by+Scott+Spencer

ZBrush Characters and Creatures by Scott Spencer

https://www.amazon.com/ZBrush-Characters-Creatures-Kurt-Papstein/dp/1909414131/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509069744&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=ZBrush+Creature+Design+by+Scott+Spencer

Shading, Texturing and Lighting

Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting by Lee Lanier

https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Maya-Texturing-Lighting-Lanier/dp/1118983521/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509287254&sr=1-4&keywords=texturing+for+animation

Digital Lighting and Rendering by Jeremy Birn

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Lighting-Rendering-Voices-Matter/dp/0321928989/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509287381&sr=1-9&keywords=renderman

Digital Texturing and Painting by Owen Demers

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Texturing-Painting-Owen-Demers/dp/0735709181/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509287254&sr=1-5&keywords=texturing+for+animation

Lighting for Animation by Jasmine Katatikarn and Michael Tanzillo

https://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Animation-Art-Visual-Storytelling/dp/1138018678/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6BXWKQFK94363F6Q2X6V&dpID=41aagHz13eL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=detail

Maya Studio Projects Texturing and Lighting by Lee Lanier

https://www.amazon.com/Maya-Studio-Projects-Texturing-Lighting/dp/0470903279/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509287254&sr=1-12&keywords=texturing+for+animation

Rigging

An Essential Introduction to Maya Character Rigging by Cheryl Briggs

https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Introduction-Maya-Character-Rigging/dp/1138777986/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=An+Essential+Introduction+to+Maya+Character+Rigging&qid=1620827959&s=books&sr=1-1

Animation Methods - Rigging Made Easy by David Rodriguez

https://www.amazon.com/Animation-Methods-Rigging-first-Character/dp/1484127730/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509045237&sr=1-1&keywords=Animation+Methods+-+Rigging+Made+Easy

Rig it Right by Tina O’Hailey

https://www.amazon.com/Animation-Rigging-Concepts-Computers-People/dp/0240820797/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Stop Staring by Jason Osipa

https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Staring-Facial-Modeling-Animation/dp/0470609907/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=55JFW5M108Z20PPG7EGR

Layout

The Animator’s Eye by Francis Glebas

https://www.amazon.com/Animators-Eye-Adding-Animation-Timing/dp/0240817249/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509289110&sr=1-8&keywords=layout+for+animation l

Animation

Action Analysis for Animators by Chris Webster

https://www.amazon.com/Action-Analysis-Animators-Chris-Webster/dp/0240812182/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509045029&sr=8-4&keywords=Action+Analysis

Animation Methods - Becoming a 3D Character Animator by David Rodriguez

https://www.amazon.com/Animation-Methods-Only-Book-Youll/dp/148012835X/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams

https://www.amazon.com/Animators-Survival-Kit-Principles-Classical/dp/086547897X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CSSG29CHAZGEQX4P7CK2

Cartoon Animation by Preston Blair

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Animation-Collectors-Preston-Blair/dp/1560100842/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S73RARHM64FGWWYZFVV9

Cartoon Character Animation by Keith Osborn

https://www.amazon.com/Cartoon-Character-Animation-Maya-Exaggerated/dp/1472533674/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509046402&sr=8-1&keywords=cartoon+character+animation

How to Cheat in Maya 2014 by Kenny Roy

https://www.amazon.com/How-Cheat-Maya-2014-Techniques/dp/0415826594/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Illusion of Life by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas

https://www.amazon.com/Illusion-Life-Disney-Animation/dp/0786860707/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CSSG29CHAZGEQX4P7CK2

Acting

Animated Performance by Nancy Beiman

https://www.amazon.com/Animated-Performance-Bringing-Imaginary-Characters/dp/1472596404/ref=pd_sim_14_22?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6PKXEK60Q7X9T26KR7A9

Acting for Animators by Ed Hooks

https://www.amazon.com/Acting-Animators-4th-Ed-Hooks/dp/1138669121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509299509&sr=8-1&keywords=acting+for+animators+4th+edition

Effects

After Effects Apprentice by Chris Meyer; Trish Meyer

https://www.amazon.com/After-Effects-Apprentice-Real-World-Aspiring/dp/1138643084/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509045054&sr=8-1&keywords=After+Effects+Apprentice

Green Screen Handbook by Jeff Foster

https://www.amazon.com/Green-Screen-Handbook-Real-World-Production/dp/1138780332/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509199910&sr=1-1&keywords=Green+Screen+Handbook

The VES Handbook of Visual Effects by Susan Zwerman

https://www.amazon.com/VES-Handbook-Visual-Effects-Procedures/dp/0240825187/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050170&sr=1-12&keywords=Compositing+Visual+Effects

VFX Artistry by Spencer Drate and Judith Salavetz

https://www.amazon.com/VFX-Artistry-Visual-Studios-Create/dp/0240811623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1509199440&sr=8-1&keywords=vfx+artistry

Rendering

Currently, there are no updated books for any of the most used renderers: Renderman, Arnold, or Mental Ray.

Reliance on help files and online tutorials as well as https://www.pluralsight.com

Compositing

The Art and Science of Digital Compositing by Ron Brinkmann

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Science-Digital-Compositing-Second/dp/0123706386/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050170&sr=1-7&keywords=Compositing+Visual+Effects

Compositing Visual Effects by Steve Wright

https://www.amazon.com/Compositing-Visual-Effects-Essentials-Aspiring/dp/0240817818/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050170&sr=1-1&keywords=Compositing+Visual+Effects

[digital] Visual Effects and Compositing by Jon Gress

https://www.amazon.com/digital-Visual-Effects-Compositing/dp/0321984382/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050170&sr=1-2&keywords=Compositing+Visual+Effects

Digital Compositing in Nuke by Lee Lanier
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Compositing-Nuke-Lee-Lanier/dp/0240820355/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509051582&sr=1-4&keywords=Digital+Compositing

Nuke 101 by Ron Ganbar

https://www.amazon.com/Nuke-101-Professional-Compositing-Effects/dp/0321984129/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050170&sr=1-6&keywords=Compositing+Visual+Effects

HDRI Handbook 2. 0 by Christian Bloch

https://www.amazon.com/HDRI-Handbook-2-0-Dynamic-Photographers/dp/1937538168/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509069851&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=HDRI+Handbook+2.+0

Motion Design

Design for Motion by Austin Shaw

https://www.amazon.com/Design-Motion-Fundamentals-Techniques/dp/1138812099/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509050657&sr=1-1&keywords=Design+for+Motion

Career Development

Reel Success by Cheryl Cabrera

https://www.amazon.com/Reel-Success-Creating-Animation-Portfolios/dp/0240821025/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1509052781&sr=1-1&keywords=reel+success

How to Get an Animation Internship by Eric Bravo

https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Animation-Internship-Interview/dp/0692077901/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KT1HAMQN0AFN&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+get+an+animation+internship&qid=1621271984&sprefix=how+to+get+an+animation+inter%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-1

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