Art field guide
Animation reference sites, archives, and model sheets
Study how animators design characters and movement through model sheets, production art, and research archives. The board also collects learning indexes and recurring challenges where you can practice alongside other animators.
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then open the downloaded file from Files
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Start here
Open these four first.
If you have ten minutes, these do the most work. The full list follows.
- Character Design References: Art of Animation, opens in a new tab
The fastest way to see production art, model sheets, and backgrounds side by side for a title you already know.
- Animation Resources: Model Sheet Archive, opens in a new tab
Decades of model sheets for studying construction and turnaround conventions.
- Alan Becker: 12 Principles of Animation, opens in a new tab
The twelve principles in a short video, worth watching before the archives so you know what to look for.
- 11 Second Club: Competition Archive, opens in a new tab
Monthly prompts with critiqued entries, the quickest route from watching to practicing.
Public resource list
Every link in the board.
Open any source without leaving the list. External links open in a new tab, and each entry says whether it costs money or needs an account.
Archives and collections
- Academy Collection , opens in a new tab
ArchiveFreeNo account
Browse animation and production-art holdings from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
academycollection.org Permalink Report a change
- Animation Resources: Model Sheet Archive , opens in a new tab
ArchiveFreeNo account
A long-running archive of model sheets and historical animation artwork.
animationresources.org Permalink Report a change
- Animation Obsessive: Free Resources for Artists , opens in a new tab
Resource indexFreeNo account
A specialist index of layout notes, storyboard guides, model sheets, and other production resources.
animationobsessive.substack.com Permalink Report a change
- Japanese Animated Film Classics , opens in a new tab
Film archiveFreeNo account
Early Japanese animated films presented by the National Film Archive of Japan.
animation.filmarchives.jp Permalink Report a change
- Character Design References: Art of Animation , opens in a new tab
ArchiveFreeNo account
Production artwork, model sheets, backgrounds, and visual development organized by title.
characterdesignreferences.com Permalink Report a change
- Settei Dreams , opens in a new tab
ArchiveFree tierAccount optional
A browsable collection of anime production reference sheets and character settei.
setteidreams.net Permalink Report a change
Learning and research
- AnimStarter Resources , opens in a new tab
DirectoryFreeNo account
A practical directory of animation rigs, reading, training, studios, and events.
animstarter.com Permalink Report a change
- Walt Disney Animation Studios: Publications , opens in a new tab
Research papersFreeNo account
Technical papers and research from Walt Disney Animation Studios.
disneyanimation.com Permalink Report a change
- Pixar Research Library , opens in a new tab
Research papersFreeNo account
Pixar research papers on rendering, simulation, and production technology.
research.pixar.com Permalink Report a change
- Animation Career Wiki: Learning Resources , opens in a new tab
Community wikiFreeNo account
Community-maintained learning and career resources for people entering or working in animation.
reddit.com Permalink Report a change
- Alan Becker: 12 Principles of Animation , opens in a new tab
Video lessonFreeNo account
A concise visual introduction to the twelve animation principles.
youtube.com Permalink Report a change
Practice and contests
- 11 Second Club: Competition Archive , opens in a new tab
Contest archiveFreeAccount optional
Monthly character-animation prompts with archived entries and critiques.
11secondclub.com Permalink Report a change
- 24 HOURS Animation Contest for Students , opens in a new tab
ContestFreeAccount optional
A free team contest challenging students to complete a short animated film in twenty-four hours.
24hourscontest.com Permalink Report a change
- The Rookies , opens in a new tab
CommunityFreeAccount optional
A community where emerging artists can share work, enter creative challenges, and study peer projects.
therookies.co Permalink Report a change
Suggested practice path
One session with this board.
Follow the steps in order, or take the one that fits today.
Watch the 12 Principles video once, then keep it open as a checklist while you study the archives.
Pick one title in Character Design References or Settei Dreams and compare its model sheet with three finished frames.
Read one layout or storyboard guide from the Animation Obsessive index and redraw a scene from a film you know.
Take the current 11 Second Club prompt and block it out in thumbnails before opening any software.
When a technical question stops you, search the Disney and Pixar research libraries before a forum.
Use the arranged version
Take the whole collection into ArtDeck.
Rearrange the cards and add your own references. Keep the board open next to the app where you work.
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