Animation is an art that requires not only technical knowledge but also a deep understanding of movement, physics, and character expression. Edward Kurchevsky, a professional 2D animator and mentor, shares tips that will help animators of any level improve their animation skills.
Learn how to add the techniques found here to your animation by taking our Mechanics in Motion 2D Animation Course.
1. Pay Attention to Character Contact with the Surface
One of the most common mistakes made by beginner animators is the character’s feet sliding across the ground, which destroys the sense of weight and makes the movement unnatural. It’s important to remember that the feet should remain fixed at the point of contact with the surface. If the character is walking, the supporting leg should remain stable while the other moves forward.
Check your animations by fixing one point on the screen, such as the heel, and make sure it doesn’t shift unnecessarily. This will help avoid uncontrolled movements and make the animation more believable.
2. Think About the Continuity of Movements
Animation is not just about the isolated movement of body parts. All elements of a character are interconnected, and any movement is transferred through the entire skeleton. As Edward says, «A hand cannot move in isolation — everything in the body is connected.» For example, when the wrist starts to move, it affects the forearm, the shoulder, and, in turn, the torso. To achieve this, when animating movement, first establish the overall momentum in the torso, then transfer it to the limbs.
Apply the principle of overlapping action, where parts of the body move with slight delays, creating smoothness. Imagine the character’s body as a chain, where each link pulls the next one.
3. Consider Perspective
Proper perspective is crucial. When a character moves into the depth of a scene, it’s important to depict this correctly otherwise the movement will appear flat and unconvincing. To do this, you need to establish the horizon line and the vanishing point to understand how the elements of the scene diminish as they move away.
For example, the character’s front hand should be larger than the one further away. This creates a sense of volume and space, even when the character moves deeper into the scene.
4. Work with Character Expression
However, animation is not just about technique. It’s also about conveying emotions. Sometimes, a movement may be technically correct, but it will seem unconvincing without facial expressions or body language. Edward emphasizes that «a character’s reaction should be logical. For example, if they see something surprising, they will first tense up, freeze for a moment, then widen their eyes or take a sharp breath». This helps convey the character’s emotions and makes the animation more lively.
Use facial expression, working with the eyebrows, eyes, and mouth to convey the character’s state. It’s also important to add anticipatory movements before the main action to improve the readability of the animation.
5. Control Volume and Shape During Deformation
When a character moves, their body deforms, but it’s important to maintain the sense of mass. When a character is squashed or stretched, their body should change shape but not lose mass.
This is especially important when using the principles of squashing and stretching, for example, when the character’s head is squished but does not lose volume. Maintaining anatomical logic is important even if the character’s form is heavily distorted. Use a skeletal foundation to preserve proper structure, even during deformation.
6. Improve Your Skills with References
References are a key tool for improving your skills. Studying real-life references is the best way to develop your observation and understanding of movement. Record videos of your own movements or find examples in films and animated series. Slow down the videos, analyze the keyframes, and note the changes in poses and silhouettes. This will help you translate that knowledge into your animations, adapting them to your project’s style.
7. Practice – The Key to Success
Finally, the most important thing is practice. Animation is a craft that requires constant improvement, and the more you practice, the faster your skills will develop. As Edward says, «If you practice animation for at least 30 minutes a day, after a year the progress will be enormous».
Draw quick sketches of people and animals in motion and animate simple exercises like a swinging pendulum or a bouncing ball. Study the works of professionals and analyze how improve their use work animation principles.
To become a great animator, you must work on both techniques, conveying emotions, and physical movement. If you practice regularly, use the right principles, and learn from references, your progress will be noticeable in no time.
Ready to improve your 2D animation skills?
Join our 2D animation course, where you will master all the key principles, from basics to advanced techniques, under the guidance of experienced professionals. Immerse yourself in the world of animation and create stunning works that will catch the eye. Sign up now and start your journey toward excellence!
