Early concept art for Maleficent, the “Mistress of All Evil” from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959).

Early concept art for Maleficent, the “Mistress of All Evil” from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959).

Model sheets and production artwork for Jessica Rabbit.

Model sheets for Jessica Rabbit, the drag queen from “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” The animator was Russell Hall. Great work by a great animator.

Pixar animation art for Monsters, Inc., A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, and WALL-E.

Pixar animation art for Monsters, Inc., A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, and WALL-E. Looks lovely to me, no 3D needed.

How to draw Marge Simpson: model sheets and production drawings.

“Marge should be graceful–attractive–yes, even sexy!” How to draw Marge Simpson: some production drawings and model sheets from the animated series.

How to draw Scooby-Doo and his friends.

talesfromweirdland 

How to draw Scooby-Doo and the other meddling kids: model sheets for Daphne, Fred, Shaggy, and Velma; and also one for Scooby-Doo’s various expressions.

How to draw the Disney way: drawing tips from the animators regarding Basil, the Great Mouse Detective.

How to draw the Disney way: drawing tips from the animators regarding Basil, the Great Mouse Detective.

Take note of the small drawing at the bottom of the third drawing: shapes! Animation, for a large part, is about getting the shapes of your characters right:

Various character and model sheets relating to the 1940s Superman series by the Fleischer Studios.

Various character and model sheets relating to the 1940s Superman series by the Fleischer Studios. The series had great designs, villains, and set pieces–they’re small triumphs of animation, and can all be found on YouTube in great quality: