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Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes #2
Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes: Volume 2: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures
Discover the lessons that helped bring about a new golden age of Disney animation!
Published for the first time ever, Drawn to Life is a two volume collection of the legendary lectures from long-time Disney animator Walt Stanchfield. For over twenty years, Walt helped breathe life into the new golden age of animation with these teachings at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and influenced such talented artists as Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter. These writings represent the quintessential refresher for fine artists and film professionals, and it is a vital tutorial for students who are now poised to be part of another new generation in the art form.
* Legendary lessons from the master Disney animator who put the wiggle in Jessica Rabbit's walk!
* Packed full of illustrations from some of the top animators in the world including Brad Bird, Glen Keane and John Lasseter
* Two volumes and 800 pages of pure gold - offers in-depth advice and instruction on bringing characters to life (Click images for larger versions)
Published for the first time ever, Drawn to Life is a two volume collection of the legendary lectures from long-time Disney animator Walt Stanchfield. For over twenty years, Walt helped breathe life into the new golden age of animation with these teachings at the Walt Disney Animation Studios and influenced such talented artists as Tim Burton, Brad Bird, Glen Keane, and John Lasseter. These writings represent the quintessential refresher for fine artists and film professionals, and it is a vital tutorial for students who are now poised to be part of another new generation in the art form.
* Legendary lessons from the master Disney animator who put the wiggle in Jessica Rabbit's walk!
* Packed full of illustrations from some of the top animators in the world including Brad Bird, Glen Keane and John Lasseter
* Two volumes and 800 pages of pure gold - offers in-depth advice and instruction on bringing characters to life (Click images for larger versions)
354 pages, Paperback
First published March 23, 2009
36 people are currently reading
1203 people want to read
About the author
Walt Stanchfield
10 books18 followersWalt Stanchfield (1919–2000) was an American animator, writer and teacher. Stanchfield is known for work on a series of classic animated feature films at Walt Disney Studios and his mentoring of Disney animators.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 9, 2010
I’ve look at a lot of art books before and have never felt I’ve really learnt something like I have from these two volumes. So often publications contain plenty of pretty pictures, but little substance in terms of tutorial material and these are the complete opposite. Much of the drawings are extremely loose sketches rather than honed final pieces, but don’t dismiss them in a quick glance! Look closely and you will gain an awful lot from studying a master’s suggestions. It is very useful seeing Stanchfield’s suggestions for improvement on student’s attempts, both set side by side as you can draw some real tips on how to avoid common mistakes.
The author has the best experience in the subject of animation (where better to gain this from than working at Walt Disney?!) and it’s a privilege to feel you are receiving ‘personal’ tuition through the text. The fact that it hasn’t been edited to take away his manner of speech and presenting material gives this impression and I think it was a wise decision of the editors’. You even receive some life advice from Walt along the way, which is a definite bonus and gives refreshing breaks in the continuous focus of drawing. If there was anything bad to say about these volumes it is perhaps that it can feel a little repetitive if read in long periods, however, if that is the knowledge that needs to be conveyed, then that is the knowledge and what better to have plenty of referrals so it goes right in and is forgotten easily?! He does after all set out simple rules which can be utilised – sometimes art can feel like it’s all down to natural talent and keen observation, so it’s reassuring to have these to hold onto a keep in mind to increase the chance of producing a successful image.
The author thinks, drinks and sleeps drawing and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He is passionate about animation, which so often gets overlooked in the art world (I confess to having slightly disregarding it myself!) and treats it seriously, in doing so commanding the same respect from the reader, but although the intention of these volumes are to teach motion pictures, it is equally useful for creating stills.
Of all the art books I have read, these are definitely keepers so I can dip into them forever more! I also like the references throughout to other titles, meaning there is further reading to continue with (I won’t say after finishing these due to my last statement :D ). Memorable, they will be the first to spring to mind when recommending reading to others. This said they are not for people wishing to learn how to produce a realistic, photographic style image for which other publications would be better.
In a closing Stanchfield styley statement: To be the best, learn from the best (of which Walt is definitely one of them)!
The author has the best experience in the subject of animation (where better to gain this from than working at Walt Disney?!) and it’s a privilege to feel you are receiving ‘personal’ tuition through the text. The fact that it hasn’t been edited to take away his manner of speech and presenting material gives this impression and I think it was a wise decision of the editors’. You even receive some life advice from Walt along the way, which is a definite bonus and gives refreshing breaks in the continuous focus of drawing. If there was anything bad to say about these volumes it is perhaps that it can feel a little repetitive if read in long periods, however, if that is the knowledge that needs to be conveyed, then that is the knowledge and what better to have plenty of referrals so it goes right in and is forgotten easily?! He does after all set out simple rules which can be utilised – sometimes art can feel like it’s all down to natural talent and keen observation, so it’s reassuring to have these to hold onto a keep in mind to increase the chance of producing a successful image.
The author thinks, drinks and sleeps drawing and his enthusiasm for it is infectious. He is passionate about animation, which so often gets overlooked in the art world (I confess to having slightly disregarding it myself!) and treats it seriously, in doing so commanding the same respect from the reader, but although the intention of these volumes are to teach motion pictures, it is equally useful for creating stills.
Of all the art books I have read, these are definitely keepers so I can dip into them forever more! I also like the references throughout to other titles, meaning there is further reading to continue with (I won’t say after finishing these due to my last statement :D ). Memorable, they will be the first to spring to mind when recommending reading to others. This said they are not for people wishing to learn how to produce a realistic, photographic style image for which other publications would be better.
In a closing Stanchfield styley statement: To be the best, learn from the best (of which Walt is definitely one of them)!
November 26, 2021
Well, after I had read volume 1 and 2, I can say that both, are marvelous books. I love it all the stuff in the books, each lecture it's plenty of knowledge that have inspired me in all sense, artistically and my own life.
I highly recommended both books for all people interested in a creative life.
In the end are books about life spirit.
I highly recommended both books for all people interested in a creative life.
In the end are books about life spirit.
March 21, 2025
I’ve been reading Walt’s writing as a way to start my day, to get myself in the right artistic mindset, and reaching the end of this book is bittersweet. This book (and volume 1) are fascinating snippets into the mind of a true artist, and it’s one of the most educational books I’ve ever read.
Finishing this book, I feel like I’m taking so many lessons with me (68 to be exact), and I only wish there was more.
Finishing this book, I feel like I’m taking so many lessons with me (68 to be exact), and I only wish there was more.
September 15, 2020
This book helped me push to the next level of drawing after a long plateau (and/or “rut”). Like the first volume it is full of invaluable advice about figure drawing with tons of examples of student drawings with Stanchfield’s corrections, as well as his philosophy about drawing. Essential reading for any cartoonist or animator!
September 5, 2014
You are, from the second yoy flip over that very first page, brought back in time to attend the master classes of Walt Stanchfield. This guy taught some of the greatest animators of today, and you you truly feel like he's adressing you directly. No cheesy self-help book indeed, but a work of pure knowledge, mindfulness, honesty, and hardworking will.
The book really is a COLLECTION of master classes, you're literally being handed the handouts that were once handed out to the students now handling the animation industry. With a combination of text, image and kinesthetics this man will open your mind to the fullest. I've been sketching for days, for the first time not hating the results. Walt speaks in an easily understandable language, throwig in jokes and inspirational quotes to the point where you feel like you've actually met the guy, attended his classes.
Walt Stanchfield was the Yoda of Disney. I am grateful.
The book really is a COLLECTION of master classes, you're literally being handed the handouts that were once handed out to the students now handling the animation industry. With a combination of text, image and kinesthetics this man will open your mind to the fullest. I've been sketching for days, for the first time not hating the results. Walt speaks in an easily understandable language, throwig in jokes and inspirational quotes to the point where you feel like you've actually met the guy, attended his classes.
Walt Stanchfield was the Yoda of Disney. I am grateful.
April 1, 2011
Drawn to Life is again a great resource of information for artists in animation particularly those that draw. These days it's possible to be an animator without draughtsmanship abilities and it's kind of sad that all of this information might be useless to a new generation. A lot of the lessons and ideas from Volume 1 are recapped or reiterated in Volume 2 with more examples of Disney Artists' life drawings to support the ideas that Stanchfield is conveying. I'm guessing that each chapter is actually a handout that Stanchfield created for his students in his weekly gesture class. The chapters are organized into 3 subject categories but topics in each chapter can change in the subsequent chapter. It's not really necessary to classify or divide any of the information.
February 22, 2021
Even though I was already familiar with some of this book's concepts from my college years, there is just so much more in it that I wish I had read a decade ago. Then I would've understood what my drawings were missing at their core, and how to work on getting better at it. To me, this is a super helpful tool for visual storytellers, especially its "Expression" section lessons.
July 8, 2022
I felt like I was a lucky member of his class. The illustrations and explanations are clear and helpful. A large part of what makes this a treasure is that, like all great teachers, he tries to give his students the confidence that they can do this. Bless the hearts of the people who put his teaching handouts into this book. It must have been a tremendous amount of work. Thanks to all.
September 23, 2017
A book to keep close at hand and re-read forever...
He may say the same things over and over a hundred different ways...but that's the point.
to drill it in and make it second nature.
He may say the same things over and over a hundred different ways...but that's the point.
to drill it in and make it second nature.
February 6, 2019
5 stars is not enough, these two books are a MUST. Hilarious, envigorating, insightful, inspiring...
August 19, 2019
The writing is perfectly serviceable, though without any distinguishing characteristics. It's like those MFA bores all are.
Want to read
July 6, 2020I love reading thank you
January 6, 2022
I learned A LOT from volumes 1 and 2. Inspiration and knowledge, I love this book and I always come back for notes and wisdom.
March 20, 2013
Always a wonderful read. Walt Stanchfield had a great sense of "caricaturing life"
December 29, 2014
Not really an art instruction book so much as a story of the Disney art school. OK to read once.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews