Cartoon 360°

Gr 3 Up—Going from initial sketch to inked and colored finished art, the scope of this book reaches far beyond the usual how-to-draw guide. Readers may choose to imitate the author's demonstration figures, but Hamernik's primary focus is on teaching aspiring artists how to create characters and then draw them consistently in a variety of poses. Through clearly drawn, step-by-step drawings and straightforward written instructions, he shares not only basic methods, but also tips and tricks for conveying personality, style, and emphasis. Professional techniques and vocabulary are explained throughout. Instructional language is positive and conversational, and the book is nicely put together, with plenty of white space and relevant examples. Designed for success, Cartoon 360° will be especially useful as an introduction to animation.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD