Animation historian, Jerry Beck, whose excellent blog Cartoon Brew is in the bookmarks of just about everyone in the animation business, has been hunting for a first edition of Blair's landmark book for many years. He finally found a copy in a collection of material that belonged to legendary animator, Dave Tendlar. If you are familiar with the revised edition, you're in for a treat.
I put a comment about that on my site. This "book" has been freely available online for several years now. The later edition was even converted to a more web friendly format and somewhat expanded content. All freely available for download.
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On the site they compare the original version of the book with the reprint he was forced to make (After MGM changed their minds about letting him use their characters in his book). Like posters on the site, I agree that the original art was more alive. The original characters had more 'character'. The generic characters are constructed the same way (so the purpose of the book --to teach drawing animated characters-- remains fulfilled), its just that the original art is so much better, even though there is more detail in the newer characters. Its like comparing the new Saturday morning cartoons vs. the old cartoons from the '30s and '40's. Something got lost along the way.
Animation drawing fundamentals help single illutration/cartoon artist also. Every topic will help be a better artist. For a long time I never looked at these books since I wasn't interested in animating, but when I did finally look thru I realized how much valuable info there is in the principles they use. Walt Stanchfelds book opened my eyes then all other animation books helped so much.
I lusted after this book for many years. When I saw it, I wondered why. The Preston Blair book had so much more to offer. But it really is a major part of New York animation world. Tony Creazzo could draw, I can vouch for that with all the LETTERMAN episodes he did with Vinnie Bell. They had a great look and were well drawn.
For me, everything helps to understand animation. Thank you so much for posting this book, and Tissa Davis lessons and the Fleischer exercises. Learning animation on my own has been a terrific experience thanks to persons like you.
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