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:

How to draw clothes and folds.

talesfromweirdland 

How to draw clothes and folds: some very useful tips and tricks here, for both men’s and women’s clothing. Save these pages for future reference!

Model sheets for The Addams Family

Model sheets for Hanna-Barbera’s 1973 animated series, The Addams Family. Pugsley, by the way, was voiced by a tiny Jodie Foster.

661 Sesame Alley (Off Sesame Street)

Meet your friends from Sesame Alley!

Jim Henson–that’s where it all started for me. Even the classic Disney animators thought he was a genius. My first drawings are of Sesame Street and Muppet characters, my first toy was the Fisher Price Sesame Street Clubhouse. Jim Henson could breathe life into any inanimate object: toasters, fruit, street lights, news desks. His designs weren’t just tasteful and appealing, they often seemed to hold an almost philosophical weight: the stern, vertical Bert versus the horizontal, carefree Ernie; the contemplative, melancholic Kermit and the world-wise Uncle Travelling Matt. He dedicated himself to creativity, quality, and never produced shoddy work. This video is my tribute to him. So salute, Jim Henson.

I almost called this video “Sesame Seedy Street” until I thought better of it. As it says though, Sesame Alley is just off Sesame Street–it leads to Spore Place, via Muesli Square. Come visit when you're in the neighborhood.