Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 38
 It's about more than just drawing and animation, it's about life and the spirit of creativity... May 28, 2009
Gregory Ehrbar (Orlando, FL)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The late Walt Stanchfield presented "master classes" to budding Disney artists for 20 years, and this book is an exhaustive collection -- and it's only the first volume -- of his lectures and handouts, lovingly and meticulously edited by the highly accomplished Disney animation leader, Don Hahn. There is warmth and affection on almost every page.
Despite the somewhat sparse, minimal design of its cover, this is not a dry textbook, though it can certainly stand alongside other great works on the subject. Stanchfield must have done something right, most of his students became the creators of some of the greatest animated films of the last several decades, featuring characters who have been embraced and beloved by the public.
You can sit down and read this book and be completely entertained by the unpretentious, self-effacing style of its narrative, liberally sprinkled with Disney pencil art that reminds you how remarkably talented these artists are, as well as how masterful the work is in even the lesser-heralded Disney features such as The AristoCats and The Rescuers (you can even glimpse some art from the never-produced "Chanticleer."
Stanchfield shares his philosophies of life, how to stroll through experience and take it all in, hopefully if you are an artist, with a sketch pad. I have read several self help books less substantial than here.
Walt Stanchfield must have been a neat person to know. At least this book gives an idea of what it was like.
Wonderful for anyone interested in drawing May 28, 2009
Catherine J. Morgan (Clarkesville, GA USA)
This thick, lavishly illustrated book is a bit intimidating -- at least, if drawing in a Disney classroom would probably feel that way. Working through the book is the next best thing to such a classroom. The lectures and illustrations explain concepts I've never seen anywhere else, and I've probably read every good book available on drawing cartoons.
I'd recommend this book to anyone serious about improving drawing skill -- whether the goal is humorous drawing or fine art. It's really about making drawings look alive and full of meaning. Hard to beat that as a goal.
The lectures and notes are from 20 years of Disney classes by Walt Stanchfield, who died in 2000. Blessings on editor Don Hahn, who gathered this material and made it available to us. This book is a "must have" for just about every artist.
 I'm not an artist May 28, 2009
Celeste (Louisiana)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I guess I'm a little trigger happy when it comes to all things Disney. I knew this was an art book, but I was envisioning it as more of a history/art book. I thought it would be somewhat a mix between art lessons and discussions on the history of Disney art. I was wrong. If you skip the lesson portion of the books, there is nothing left. I wish I could give a better review, but I have absolutely no artistic talent. I was a kid who couldn't even make those hand turkeys look right. This makes it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of this book. The Stanchfield illustrations are beautiful and art in their own right, but if you are looking for a coffee table book or a light read, this is not the book for you.
Simply Splendid May 24, 2009
Michael Crichlow
'Drawn to Life' is one one those rare gems that really makes you love not only art, but the process of learning as well. $20 is a steal for this item. At over 400 pages, it's "phone-book sized awesomeness". There is SO much information in here, and blows every other art book that I have (and I have quite a few) out of the water. It's a MUST HAVE for any 3D or 2D artist. I really don't know what else to say. I love it! I OWN the book, and I still want to buy it. What are you waiting for? GO buy it now!!
Interesting & Informative May 21, 2009
Andrea L. Heyart (Denton, TX USA)
I enjoyed reading and flipping through this book and watching some familiar characters come to life. I even learned a thing or too about drawing "cartoon" characters.The biggest flaw of this book though is the fact that when you see the Disney name you expect a book to be filled with lots of Disney characters you know and love, when in fact those characters are few and far between in this book. It's only a flaw though because I had an image in my head of what I wanted the book to be and it is no fault of the author.
Showing reviews 16-20 of 38
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