"Elemental Magic" hand-drawn effects by Joseph Gilland

See ? I said in my previous post that we're experiencing an embarrassment of riches in the amount of quality animation material being published these days : yet another great, must have book coming soon .

Elemental Magic: The Classical Art of Hand-Drawn Special Effects Animation by Joe Gilland

Michel Gagné (himself one of the top special effects animators in the world) gives the book a glowing review on his website:

Michel Gagné review of Joe Gilland's "Elemental Magic"

Create stunning animated effects such as fiery blazes, rippling water, and magical transformations either hand-drawn or digitally. Animation veteran Joseph Gilland breaks down the world of special effects animation with clear step-by-step diagrams and explanations on how to create the amazing and compelling images you see on the big screen. The author covers the tradtional hand-drawn technique while showing you how to apply the philosophy, theory, and techniques to your digital animation projects as well.


(image from Elemental Magic , Copyright © by Joseph Gilland)

Apply the theory behind effects animation to your traditional and digital animation projects.
Written by animated effects guru, Joseph Gilland, who has worked on such feature films as Lilo & Stitch,
Brother Bear, Pochahontas, Tarzan, and Mulan.

Publication Date: March 06, 2009


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By the way, this is a good time to mention again that The Academy of Art Online offers a fantastic course in traditional special effects animation, ANM 261 Introduction to Effects Animation, written and taught by Kathleen Quaife who is also one of the top traditional effects animators in the industry. (and I have it on good authority that Kathleen is also putting the finishing touches on her own book about Special Effects Animation ! The more the better ; in character animation we have both the Richard Williams book and Eric Goldberg's book , along with Frank & Ollie's "bible" The Illusion of Life, Tony White's books, and of course good old Preston Blair ... now after many years the effects animators are filling a much needed niche )