Woolie Reitherman: From Pilot to the Most Action-Packed Director at Disney
Woolie Reitherman’s path into animation wasn’t typical. He was flying fighter planes in World War II before he ever picked up a pencil at Disney.
Blog
Les Clark: How a Cafe Waiter Became the First of Disney’s Legendary «Nine Old Men»
Learning animation starts with how to make drawings move, but grows into the why does (x) move like that. Les Clark began by learning how to make drawings move, but what set him apart was his curiosity about why they moved the way they did
How Long Gone Gulch Was Made: Five Years of Passion-Driven Animation
The story of Long Gone Gulch began in 2010, but the world didn’t learn about the project until 2016, when Tara Billinger and Zach Bellissimo launched a Kickstarter campaign.
How Zorn’s Palette Elevates Storytelling in Animation
Color is a fundamental element in animation, crucial for setting mood, guiding the viewer’s eye, and supporting storytelling. In this Animation 101 guide, we explore how the historic Zorn palette — a minimal set of colors used by Swedish painter Anders Zorn — can teach modern animators about the power of limited color palettes.
How Satina Became an Internet Phenomenon
In animation, everything begins with something small. A sketch, a doodle, one idea shared online — sometimes that’s all it takes to launch a creative universe.
The Rise of SpindleHorse and Helluva Boss
In the world of indie animation, few stories are as inspiring as that of Vivienne Medrano and her studio SpindleHorse Toons.
How to Draw Arms in Animation: Anatomy and Construction
Whether it’s an expressive gesture or a subtle movement, arms are central to conveying mood and intent. They’re key tools for communication — and when drawn well, they can elevate a scene’s emotional power.
Why Online Animation Learning Outperforms Traditional College
If you’re starting your journey in animation, you might be wondering if college is the only way to get professional training.
How to Build a Career in Animation: From Beginner to Professional
If you dream of becoming an animator and working on exciting projects in film, games, or advertising, it’s important to understand that success in this field doesn’t come overnight.
How the Indie Studio Lackadaisy Is Changing the Game
In today’s animation world, big studios have long been the only players capable of producing large-scale projects. However, the story of Lackadaisy shows that even a small indie studio, with the help of crowdfunding and a dedicated audience, can transform the industry.
How the Young Team at Sun Creature Studio Conquered the Animation World with Tales of Alethrion
What began as a student project has transformed into one of the most talked-about indie animation projects in recent years.
Why The Wind Rises is a Masterpiece of Storytelling and Visual Art
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises is a poignant and beautiful film that combines the director’s signature animation style with a deeply personal story.
Animating the Mugwhump From Niko and the Sword of Light
In the world of animation, the art of creating 2D hand-drawn characters is a meticulous and time-consuming process filled with creativity and technical skill. One standout example of this process is the creation of The Mugwhump, a devious giant toad from the animated series Niko and the Sword of Light.
How Masahito Yamashita’s Influence on Shin’ya Ohira Changed Japanese Animation
In the world of Japanese animation, Shin’ya Ohira’s name is synonymous with a unique approach that emphasizes emotional depth and expressiveness
How One Creative Becomes a Disney-Level Animator
Marat Davletshin used to sketch strangers Marat Davletshin used to sketch strangers on the subway in Saint Petersburg. Now he works at Disney. Yeah, that Disney — Zootopia, Moana, Frozen. The characters you love? He helped bring them to life.
The Legendary Career of Floyd Norman: Disney’s first Black animator
Floyd Norman is more than just a talented animator — he’s a living legend who broke barriers and opened doors.
How Childhood Memories Shaped a Masterpiece: Hayao Miyazaki’s «Spirited Away»
Hayao Miyazaki’s «Spirited Away» is more than just an animated film – it’s a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Gertie the Dinosaur: The Birth of Personality in Animation
At the dawn of the 20th century, animation was still in its infancy. Early animated films were more about spectacle than storytelling – simple motion tricks that amazed audiences but rarely left a lasting emotional impact.
