Animation can feel magical—fluid, expressive, and alive. But other days, it feels like a slow grind. That’s when I turn to this collection of animators quotes on animation. These quotes aren’t just inspiring—they help me reset and see things from a new angle.
I pulled them from books, interviews, and panels. Some are practical, others philosophical, but all of them reflect the messy, creative process we live in as animators.
Famous Animators Quotes on Animation That Shape How I Work
I used to think I had to find my “one true style.” I spent so much time experimenting with brushes, effects, and model sheets that I lost sight of the actual movement. But reading quotes from a range of animators taught me there are many ways to approach animation. Some focus on character, some on movement, some on timing. What unites them is a sense of playful problem-solving. The most powerful quotes remind me that animation is an ongoing experiment, not a finished formula.
“Animation is not the art of drawings that move but the art of movements that are drawn.” — Norman McLaren
That quote completely changed how I looked at keyframes. It shifted my thinking from drawing poses to capturing transitions. McLaren’s experimental work, which you can explore through the history of cartoons, is a reminder that animation doesn’t have to look a certain way to feel alive. Even his abstract animations show a deep understanding of rhythm and weight.
“You’re not supposed to animate drawings, you’re supposed to animate feelings.” — Glen Keane
This one hit me hardest when I was trying to push emotional beats in a short film. If you’ve ever seen Keane’s pencil tests for The Little Mermaid or Tarzan, you know he’s serious about emotional movement. He doesn’t rely on complexity—he relies on honesty. When I’m roughing out character expressions, I often think back to this quote and check whether the emotion is readable even without dialogue or context.
“If you can’t make it convincing, make it entertaining.” — Chuck Jones
I love how forgiving this is. Animation can be polished, but it can also be weird, spontaneous, and over-the-top. This mindset is why Jones’s characters in the golden age of cartoons still feel fresh today. When a shot doesn’t work logically, I ask myself if it at least makes me smile.
Quotes That Help With the Mental Side of Animation
Animation isn’t just a technical challenge. It tests your patience, confidence, and ability to stay playful in the face of repetitive tasks. These quotes help me stay mentally sharp and emotionally grounded, especially during long solo projects or client work with tight deadlines.
“We all have 10,000 bad drawings in us. The sooner we get them out the better.” — Walt Stanchfield
This is one of the first quotes I pinned above my desk. It helped me realize that quantity leads to quality, especially when I was struggling to improve my timing and gesture. When I’m filling up a sketchbook with rough keys, I remind myself it’s not wasted work—it’s clearing space for better ideas. (If you’re curious, here’s how I use my sketchbook during the animation process.)
“Sometimes it’s the mistakes that make a scene come alive.” — Brad Bird
This quote changed how I see polish. There’s a temptation to overcorrect, to sand off all the interesting edges. But Bird’s work in The Iron Giant and The Incredibles shows how human quirks in timing or spacing can create memorable character moments. I explore this balance more in my breakdown of animation film techniques, especially when working in mixed media where happy accidents often lead to new ideas.
“A character is defined more by their actions than their design.” — Richard Williams
This is a cornerstone idea in The Animator’s Survival Kit, and it always brings me back to basics. When I’m obsessing over a turn-around or costume detail, I pause and ask: what does this character do that makes them unique? This also helps during animatics and rough passes when the visuals are still messy but the timing can already hint at personality.
Technical Tips Hidden in Quotes
Sometimes the best lessons come in short bursts. These quotes pack serious craft knowledge into a few words, especially when you’re trying to level up your fundamentals like timing, posing, or spacing.
“Timing, spacing, and weight. Get those right, and your animation will work.” — Ollie Johnston
No matter how complex the project, I come back to this checklist. These are the non-negotiables. Without them, even the most beautiful characters fall flat. Johnston and Frank Thomas, part of Disney’s Nine Old Men, developed timeless principles that apply across styles. Their work influences everything from different styles of animation to modern web shorts.
“Good animation is like good acting.” — Eric Goldberg
This helped me shift how I use reference. Rather than just copying movement, I began looking for why the movement works—the intention behind it. This mindset not only improved my keyframing but also made my storyboards more expressive. It’s the kind of thinking that shapes strong commercial work, like what I did for Capital One and Disney.
“Exaggerate. Then exaggerate more.” — Tex Avery
This quote dares you to push the envelope. It reminds me to leave subtlety for the final polish, not the first pass. Avery’s commitment to extremes in timing and expression shaped many of the visual languages we now take for granted in styles of cartoons. I use his philosophy when working on punchy, energetic scenes that need to grab attention quickly.
Using Quotes as Creative Fuel
I don’t treat quotes as sacred rules. Instead, I see them as kindling. If I’m facing a tough creative decision, reading what other animators have wrestled with reminds me I’m not alone. Some days, they pull me out of a rut. Other days, they give me a nudge to try something I’ve never done before.
Try starting your next sketch session by picking one quote and letting it guide your choices. It might change how you storyboard, pose, or even write a scene. You could even combine it with insights from the psychology of cartoons to deepen your understanding of how movement affects viewer emotions.
And if you’re teaching animation, quotes can be a great warm-up tool. I sometimes put one on the whiteboard and ask students to respond with a storyboard panel or a 3-second motion test. I share more ideas for that in how to teach animation.
For even deeper dives into the history and philosophy of animation, I recommend checking out ASIFA-Hollywood, a nonprofit that preserves the legacy of animated films and their creators. Their archive is a treasure trove for animators looking to study the roots of the medium.
Animation is hard, yes. But it’s also full of wonder. These quotes remind me why I keep going. I hope they do the same for you.
