Overview
This is a guide for those wanting to learn about Design for TV animation without going into massive debt due to art school
Note: This is primarily for TV animation because thatâs what Iâm more familiar with. A lot of the same ideas can definitely translate to Feature! Also, I am a story artist so forgive me if there are any mistakes!
DM me at @ebbigal on Twitter or @ebbigal_ on Instagram if you have any other resources/feedback!
If you enjoy these resources and want to support me, hereâs my Ko-Fi!
TV Animation is very specialized so I broke this document into sections to cover each role!
Lost on which role is for you? Read this little guide on TV anim production and scroll down to design
Storyboarding more your style? I have a guide for that too!
PWUW = Pay What You Want
Color Design
Guideâs on what you do on the job:
Jess Marfisiâs guide on what a Color Designer does!
BAM Animation video on Coloring Characters the Industry Way!
Videos for better color theory
Marco Bucciâs video on Color Harmony
Blender Guruâs video on Understanding Color
Paint with Nickâs Practical Color Theory ($25)
Devin Korwinâs thread on color in painting
Laura Norwoodâs guide to quick color thumbnailing
Misc
Courtney Coffmanâs CTNX Color styling Portfolio review
MingjueChenâs Lighting presentation for WIR2
Color Designer Committee
Color Design Examples
Amphibia by Andy Garner-Flexner
Shera by Grey Chen
Steven Universe Connie by Leigh Luna
Glitch Tech colorscript by Scott Kikuta
Big City Greens colorscript by Kassandra Heller
Green Eggs and Ham by Carol Wyatt
Owl House by Mari Alizor
Background Art
Jay Kittenâs Background Advice Q and A
Devin Elle Kurtzâs Background Art Workshop
Andrea Gerstmannâs Animation Stuff: How to Paint a Farm
Laura Priceâs Day in the Life of A Disney Artist
Corinneâs Thread on learning Blender for BGS
CNS Recruiting: Art Directorâs Break down Backgrounds
BG Design
Latoya Raveneauâs Day in the life of a BG Designer
Steve Lowtwait has a bunch of threads on designing BGs!
Check out his twitter for more
Andrea Gerstmannâs Animation Stuff: Background Design Tips
BAM Animationâs Perspective Drawing in Photoshop
Matt Laskowkiâs Perspective Class
Ernest R. Norling Perspective Made Easy
Paint with Nickâs Practical Perspective class ($25)
BG Design Examples
Faith Schafferâs BG Design work
Britney Thoresonâs BG Design work
Kipo BG Design by Angela Sung
Amphibia BG Design by Joey McCormick
BG Paint
Lulusketchesâ Background Painting Tutorial video
Nicholas Kennedyâs Background Painting Walkthrough
How to Paint a âKlausâ style Background
Levon Jihanianâs BG Paint tips thread
Marco Bucciâs Painting Fundamentals
Marco Bucciâs 10 Tips for Better Painting playlist
Patrick OâKeefeâs Painted Illustration course ($165)
Downloadable BG Designs for paint practice
https://twitter.com/foxorian/status/1270112155023470593
https://twitter.com/britneythoreson/status/1288555970637963264?s=20
https://twitter.com/andrewgeorger/status/1295101802489057280?s=21&fbcli
=IwA390DhpSgpxwsF221mNqJOT4uFoVbonF3RuR5aW2FFPPmF4nZ3o7tayIhc
BG Paint Examples
Steven Universe painted by Melissa King
Part 2
Infinity Train painted by Melissa King
MaoMao painted by Yudi Chen
Props
Rick and Morty: Prop Process
Phils Design Corner Intro to Prop Design
Maaikeâs Rapid Fire tips for Prop Design
CNS Recruiting Character Design and Prop Design for TV Anim
Frank and Beckyâs Character and Prop Designs from the talk ^
Isaac Orloffâs VisDev Guidebook: Design Pipeline Fundamentals for 3D Animation ($12)
Prop Design examples
Wizards of Arcadia by Isaac Orloff
Amphibia by Steve Wolfhard
Craig of the Creek by Maaike Scherff
Character Design
Maaikeâs Character Design Portfolio Tips
Allison Perryâs tips on Character Design Portfolios
Jess Lackeyâs Portfolio Guide for Character Designers
Laura Priceâs How to Make a Character Design Portfolio
Latoya Raveneauâs Day in the life of a Character Designer
BaM Animation Character Turns like a Pro!
BaM Animation Good vs BAD Character Design Tips
Brookes Egglestonâs Letâs Design a CAST of Characters!
Amanda Jollyâs Art Q&Aâs
Toniko Pantojaâs Improve Drawing and Character Design
Ideas to Consider when Creating BIPOC Characters
Character Design Examples
Pocket from Trick Moon by Brandon Wu, Colors by Kali Ciesemier
Trickshot Character Guide by Geneva
Owl House special poses by Justin Noel
Infinity Train Character Designs and special poses by Megan Phonesavanh
Owl House predesigns by Matthieu Cousin
Anatomy/Gesture
Toniko Pantojaâs Basic Human Anatomy and Figure Invention for Animation
Sycraâs Playlist on Human Anatomy
Natalie Nourigat Figure Drawing Tips
Tonikoâs Drawing Figures Fast with Technique for Animation
Griz and Norm Tuesdayâs Tips
Natalie Norigatâs Tips on Loosening Up
Tracing to Learn
Veeâs Tutorials for Art and Animation (PWUW)
Figure Drawing Models (NSFW)
https://line-of-action.com/
https://vimeo.com/channels/1300087
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy1rwangC3k&list=PL7EWYwaF6E-H65W-hXeKvv
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https://www.deviantart.com/senshistock/gallery
MISC resources
Art of Books
Netflix Recruiter AMA art portfolios
Amber Blade Jonesâ MISC tips
https://processresource.tumblr.com/
Maaikeâs Real Quick Resume Guide (PWUW)
Maaikeâs TV Animation Basics Zine (PWUW)
Jody Prouseâs Tips on applying to companies
Advice to Illustrators looking to transfer to Animation
TAG Story Group Portfolio Website Advice
TAG on Excessive Testing
The Etherington Brothers 300 Free tutorials
Art Resources Links
Zolâs Master thread of resources
Discords
Discord servers are a great way to help build up a community of artists and connect with others without going to art school. Once you get a good group of artists, I also suggest making a storyboarding focused discord with close friends!
RAD Artists Network
https://discord.gg/TEUDrRx
Emotional Support Artists
https://discord.gg/n3H43ZB
Gestalt (Backgrounds Focused)
https://discord.com/invite/U5RZFb4
More Art Discords