Oh wow.. talk about a great book that every animator should get.

Amazon.com: Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes, Volume 1: The Walt Stanchfield Lectures: Walt Stanchfield, Don Hahn: Books.

As a 3d animator, I’ve had many people ask me what software they should learn, or what school they should go to, or what skills are necessary to be a “3d animator”.  I respond time and time again that the biggest thing they can learn is to observe others, and translate that observation.  Whether it’s acting it out, drawing it, or speaking about it we must be able to create a picture that represents the idea or emotion we are trying to represent.

Sketching is one of the fastest and most effective ways to communicate an idea.  I don’t sketch as often or as well as I should, but I can’t tell you how helpful it’s been to be able to draw to communicate over the years.  Even though I don’t draw my animation, I do use sketches and thumbnails to think about it.  I also will draw a quick eye pose to try and get across an idea to an animator when I’m giving them notes.

Even if you “can’t draw”, you should try and learn some of the tricks and tips that Walt Stanchfield talks about in his notes.  They’ll really help you communicate your ideas!