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The Simpsons Handbook: Secret Tips from the Pros

 
 
The Simpsons Handbook: Secret Tips from the Pros
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The Simpsons Handbook: Secret Tips from the Pros

Here is a rare homage to the art of classic 2–D animation and the time–honored method of hand–drawing characters that come alive on the silver screen. The creator of "The Simpsons" and "Futurama," reveals the art of brilliant character design, backgrounds, and prop art in this lavishly detailed handbook that unveils the complex secrets behind the deceptively simple and universally loved Simpsons characters. With creative insights, artists' sketches, helpful insider hints, and step–by–step instructions, enter the imagination of "master doodler" Matt Groening and receive some professional "how–to" advice from many of the animators and directors who have made "The Simpsons" the longest–running animated show and situation comedy in television history. In our technological era when animation has become increasingly digitalized, this unique handbook records the genesis of some of the most extraordinary examples of the art of hand–drawn animated characters.

SKU: 

009780061231292

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Product Details:
Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Harper Design
Publication Date: June 12, 2007
Language: English
ISBN: 0061231290
Product Length: 9.36 inches
Product Width: 11.22 inches
Product Height: 0.94 inches
Product Weight: 2.43 pounds
Package Length: 11.1 inches
Package Width: 9.13 inches
Package Height: 0.94 inches
Package Weight: 2.47 pounds
Average Customer Rating: based on 20 reviews
 
 

Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Review:5.0 ( 20 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 found the following review helpful:

5Amazing  Jun 22, 2007
By Daniel Shive
This book is something I've always wanted: a definitive, professional guide for drawing the Simpsons. It's amazing how complicated drawing these deceptively simplistic characters can be.

The book starts out with detailed guides for the five main characters, the Simpsons family. At the end of each main character's section is a page full of notes and sketches with a transparent sheet that overlaps with an "inked" version of the main character.

The book also has basic guidelines for many other characters, but not nearly as in-depth as the main cast. These secondary characters sometimes have pages that fold out and have additional tips by Simpsons artists. I would have liked more characters and more in-depth information for these secondary characters, but most of the more popular characters are there, and the book would have to be massive to go more in depth and/or add more characters. It's already considerably huge as it is.

The main characters are addressed once again with various outfits, though only single images are shown and not detailed alternate angles and such.

Select environments from the show are also shown, with notes given to perspective. This book won't really teach you drawing with perspective, but it will give some insights into both it and the terminology for it.

All in all, if you've ever wanted to draw The Simpsons "correctly" or simply love behind the scenes stuff, I highly recommend this book for you. I myself am a cartoonist and an art student, and I believe it was worth every penny (though I did order it from here for the discounted price).

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:

5Amazing book! Two yellow thumbs up!  Jul 21, 2007
By Rayne R
I am very pleased with this book. It outlines all the same "rules" (and there a lot of them!) for drawing the Simpsons' characters that all the Simpsons' animators and comic illustrators have to use to keep the look consistent. There are step by step instructions on how to draw practically every character in the show (32 of them anyway), including some cool transparency overlays of the main characters. Expressions, hands, body positions, props and backgrounds are also covered.

The book itself is a very nice bound hard cover book and every page will stay open on its own, which is a real plus when you want your hands free for drawing!

As simple as the characters may look on the show, it definitely takes skill to get them to look that way, and it turns out they are more complicated than you may think. This book, by the makers of the Simpsons, demonstrates how to do that perfectly.

Now if they would just put out a similar book for the very underrated Futurama, I could die happy!

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:

4Drawing school  Nov 25, 2008
By Morten S. Bruun
The book cover and paper is of good quality - looks and feels fine.
The content is mainly step by step drawing guides for every (?) person in the Simpsons universe and lots of examples of different moods and situations. Also includes "backgrounds" from many houses and places in Springfield.

5Simpsons Handbook for Artists  May 29, 2011
By John W. Wilder "movie lover"
This is the best quality handbook on any subject I have ever seen. It is a must for any aspiring artist. The professionals at the studio which produces The Simpsons have devulged their secrets learned over many years. (Purchased through Amazon.com)

5Must have  Sep 27, 2010
By pitayon
Definitely a must have artbook,sketches, art, tips, everything to know about for drawing this characters

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