Mechanics of Motion in Traditional 2D animation Course 2
Jump into developing dynamic character animation by building strong foundations in walk cycles, posing, and design, then progressing into action shots, perspective, and movement in space. You’ll refine weight, rhythm, and staging, and finish by assembling a polished demo reel that showcases your character in motion.
New students are required to submit animation samples for review before joining.
Start date
June 8, 2026
Duration
12 weeks
Price per month
415€/month (excl. VAT)
![Mechanics of Motion in [hl]Traditional 2D animation [/hl] Course 2](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/traditional_2d_animation_zastavka__vnutri_v4.gif)
About the course
This course is designed to take you from basic animation skills to confidently creating dynamic character action and complex movement. Building on the fundamentals learned in course 1, you’ll focus on how characters move through space, interact with environmental objects, and perform believable, high-energy actions.
You’ll learn how to animate weight lifting, walkcycles, headturns, dynamic action shots with camera movement, basic storyboarding principles, and basic character development. Through guided exercises, you’ll create dynamic scenes such as punches, chases, and action-driven shots while combining multiple animation principles into cohesive, expressive motion. All this combind will help you develop strong control over character mechanics.
What you’ll achieve
▪Animate dynamic character actions with believable weight and force behind their movements
▪Create complex shilfts in body language during scenes with clear direction and staging
▪Understand how to rotate and move characters in 3D spaces
▪Build polished animation shots suitable for your portfolio
▪Gain confidence working on action-based animation sequences
Instead of just theory, you’ll follow a structured, mentor-led step-by-step process used in real animation workflows. Each lesson includes practical assignments where you’ll apply what you learn immediately and refine your work through feedback.
Each week, you’ll meet with your mentor and peers to review your progress, receive detailed critique so you can improve faster. You’ll also stay connected through Discord, where you can ask questions, share your work, and learn alongside other students.
You won’t be learning in a vaccum! You’ll be guided every step of the way.
Follow a structured 12-week progression:
▪Start with character motion mechanics and action fundamentals
▪Develop dynamic scenes with force, impact, and timing control
▪Master character rotation, camera, and movement in space
▪Finish with polished action shots ready for your portfolio
You’ll begin by applying core principles, like archs, follow through and overlap, timing, hip and shoulder counter-motion, and shifting wight as your characters walks accress the screen from both the front and the side. From there, you’ll move into more complex animation challenges, combining multiple techniques, like squash and stretch, spacing, exaggeration, character balance, appeal and clear silhouettes, to create dynamic scenes with clear storytelling and strong visual impact.
Designed to help you succeed
By the end of the course, you’ll have completed several dynamic animation scenes that demonstrate your ability to animate action, controled movement in space, and create expressive character performances.
You’ll leave with portfolio-ready animation shots and the confidence to move into more advanced acting, storytelling, or professional-level animation work.
After the course
Upon completing this course,you’ll be able to create complex action scenes with confident control over character motion, weight, and perspective. You’ll be prepared to move into advanced animation topics such as acting, storytelling, and character performance. You are encouraged to continue your journey in mastering animation throught the Acting Course
, the final course in this beginner series.
Graduates will also have the opportunity to create impressive demo reels featuring finished battle scenes and a variety of dynamic character movements, giving them the tools they need to pursue job opportunities in 2D animation studios.
This course sets the foundation for developing professional-level animation skills and continuing toward studio-quality work.
The course is Right For You if you:
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Aim To Be A Serious 2D Animator
Whether you want to be freelance or work in a studio, you want to move beyond basics into real character motion. You’re serious about building a career in animation and ready to invest time into improving your skills. You’re looking for a structured path with guidance from an experienced mentor to develop strong character mechanics and movement.
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An Ambitious Indie Studio
You want to improve the quality of your skills to work better with your team’s animation output. Being able to produce stronger, more dynamic animation with better efficiency. This course helps you deepen your understanding of animation workflows, refine production skills, and bring stronger, more dynamic ideas into your projects.
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Graduate of Course 1 "Basics"
You already understand the 12 principles of animation and can draw confidently, but want to apply them in more complex scenes. Growing beyond simple animations. This course helps you move from fundamentals to dynamic character animation and action-based shots.
![The course is [hl]Right For You[/hl] if you:](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kartinka-554h542-fkbcf.png)
Сurriculum
Month 1: Character Movement
4 lessons
- Walk cycle. Learn to animate a believable character walk, focusing on timing, spacing, and shifting weight.
- Character design in motion. Maintain consistency while animating and refining your character’s movement.
- Posing. Improve clarity and readability of motion through strong, intentional poses.
- Model sheet & preparation. Develop your character for animation and prepare for dynamic shots.
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4 weeks (6+ hours per week for homework recommended)
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By the end of Month 1:You will understand how characters move, how to maintain design consistency while creating a complete walk cycle, which is one of the most important and challenging animation exercises.
Month 2: Dynamic Scenes & Spatial Control
4 lessons
- Dynamic shot. Begin building a complex animation scene with clear action and movement.
- Storyboard & angles. Plan your scene and define key poses to guide motion and storytelling.
- Perspective. Learn how to animate characters in space with depth and accurate perspective.
- Layout & staging. Refine character placement and composition for clarity and impact.
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4 weeks (6+ hours per week for homework recommended)
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By the end of Month 2: You will create a dynamic animation scene, understanding how to combine movement, perspective, and staging into a cohesive shot.
Month 3: Weight, Rhythm & Portfolio Creation
3 lessons
- Weight lifting. Animate force and resistance, improving overlap, arcs, and physical realism.
- Rhythm & flow. Develop smooth, believable animation by controlling timing, spacing, and movement continuity.
- Demo reel preparation. Select, refine, and present your best work for a professional portfolio.
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4 weeks (6+ hours per week for homework recommended)
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By the end of Month 3:You will have completed multiple polished animation shots and a demo reel showcasing your ability to animate dynamic character motion with control and clarity.
You will learn
Master a full character walk cycle and understand how the changes in a character gait effects motion, timing, and weight as they work together.
Work by Maria Dudina, a graduate of the course
Refine character design construction and maintain design consistency during animation
Work by Maria Kuzmenko, a graduate of the course
Plan and animate dynamic scenes with clear action and strong visual impact.
Work by course graduate Ekaterina Merkulova
Animate characters in perspective and use references to create believable motion by building on the 12 principles of animation.
Work by Maria Dudina, a graduate of the course
Draw and animate characters in action to have stong silhoughts, consistency, and clear appeal.
Work by Maria Dudina, a graduate of the course
Be able to Convey the physical properties of how heavy an object is in the hands of a character.
Work by course graduate Ekaterina Merkulova
Integrate characters into environments and animate interaction with the world around them
The work of course alumna Evgeniya Demidenko
Student
Reviews
«Traditional 2D animation. Course 2 —Mechanics of Motion» course
The course is definitely awesome!
Elina Kristalnaya
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
I'm happy with the course, I'm going to the next level)
Anastasia Azyamova
Completed grades 1 and 2 of the course “Traditional 2D Animation”
Anastasia's works can be seen in the videoI have never experienced such freedom in creativity.
Harry Talkhin
Studied all courses in traditional 2D animation
Helped me land a couple of cool projects! Highly recommend ❤️
Monica Marinho
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
Really interesting and useful tasks
Milena Chistyakova
Continues training in traditional 2D animation
How will the training go?
Jump right into animating a walkcycle , one of the most complex exerices, to begin building up your skills in character animation.
Access recorded lectures and weekly homework assignments on the learning platform, so you can learn at your own pace while staying on track.
Each lesson is designed as a step-by-step process, teaching you how natural motion works, like how body parts move along arcs and at different timings, so you can build your skills progressively without confusion.
Join live online meetings your mentor and the peers to review your work, get detailed feedback, and improve faster.
All Feedback Sessions are recorded , so you can catch up anytime if you miss a week.
Plan for ~6 hours per week to complete lessons and assignments comfortably.
Follow a clear weekly roadmap , going from walkcycles to weigh lifthing and dynamic action shots with camera movement to improve your visual storytelling.
Ask questions, share your work, and get feedback in an exclsuive Discord chat room shared with you, mentors, and other students to get inspired throughout the course.
Additional outside course activities , such as Sundays figure drawing lessons and Thrusdays film studies to help you improve your drawing skills.
Also there will be Monthly School-Wide Live Stream for additional FREE tips, tricks, and lessons from instructors, along with school updates.
You'll get lists of guides and rescourses to help you stay consistent, engage in feedback, manage your time, avoid common animation mistakes, and get the most out of the course.
Complete guided assignments that turn into finished animation pieces you can include in your portfolio.
At the end, you'll receive a personalized certificate and leave the course with completed work that shows your progress.
What software is needed for the course?
TVPaint
or any other animation software
Drawing tablet
for drawing
Zoom
to keep up with everything
Discord
to keep up with everything
![Meet Your [hl]Course Mentor[/hl]](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/edward_priglahenie.jpg)
Meet Your Course Mentor
Course author
EEdward Kurchevsky is a director and 2D animator with over 10 years of industry experience. He will guide you through the exact techniques and workflows used in a real animation production. He'll help you avoid common mistakes and improve faster through both recorded lessons and and live weekly feedback sessions to give you the best possible change to succeed in your animation journey.
Mechanics of Motion in Traditional 2D animation Course 2
Course fee
415€/month (excl. VAT)
Start
June 8, 2026
Spots left
4 spots
Frequently asked
questions
about the course
What to Expect from the AnimationClub School Courses?
In our courses, you’ll build both the knowledge and the confidence you need to succeed in animation. We’ll help you develop the skills that are essential for a professional career in the industry. By the end, you’ll have a demo reel that reflects your growth and showcases your abilities to potential employers.
How Are the Online Animation Lessons Structured?
It’s straightforward: it is a hybrid class with a mixture of recorded videos and live mentor feedback. First, we introduce you to the theory, then you get to put it into practice. Each online animation lesson is filled with video instructions, helpful visual examples, and assignments that you can work on at your own pace. You’ll have the freedom to take your time, but there is a deadline to recieve mentor feedback. So, remember to submit your work on time to get the thoughtful insights from your instructor during the live interactive mentor feedback classes. The course is designed to fit your life, so you can study from anywhere, using just your tablet or computer. Whatever your path, we’re here to help you grow and succeed, step by step.
What Time Do the Animation Classes Take Place?
The schedule will be shared with you a week before the animation class begins, but rest assured, classes are typically held no earlier than 17:00 UTC, most often on weekdays. Life can be busy, and if you can’t attend a class on a certain day, that’s okay. You’ll always have the option to watch the recording at your convenience, so you never have to miss out on the learning experience
If you're unsure whether your timezone is compatible for effective learning, please feel free to reach out to us on WhatsApp
At What Age is it Possible to Take Animation Club School Courses?
We generally accept students starting at age 16, as the course is intensive and requires a certain level of focus and understanding for completion. However, if you're passionate and dedicated, we’re open to considering students as young as 14 on an individual basis. We take into account your potential and the quality of your work, believing in your ability to rise to the challenge and succeed in the world of animation.
For anyone under the age of 18, please have your caregiver or guardian submit a portfolio on your behalf to AnimationClub.school@gmail.com or contact through WhatsApp for more information.
When Do You Need to Pay for the Animation Course? Is it Better to Pay in Advance or Wait Until the Start Day?
To secure your place in the online animation course, simply pay for the first month or the entire course upfront. Because we limit the number of students in each group, it’s important to act quickly, especially as the start of the course approaches—there are usually only a few spots left as enrollment closes early due to high demand.
We also encourage you to make your payment in advance, giving you peace of mind and allowing enough time for processing. This way, you can focus on the exciting journey ahead without any last-minute stress.
I Paid for an Animation Course, What Should I Do Next?
A week before the animation course begins, you’ll be invited to the study group, where you'll find all the essential information about the learning process. The course materials on the training platform will become available on the first day of the course. All the links will be sent to your specified email, but sometimes they can end up in your 'spam' or 'promotions' folder. We recommend checking those just in case, so you don’t miss anything important. If you have not received your starting instructions by then please reach out to use. We’re here to ensure you have everything you need to start strong!
What Should I Install and Prepare Before Starting Our Animation Course?
A week before your training begins, you'll receive emails with all the preparation details. The first step is to install Discord, where your study group will be waiting for you. Your supervisor or teacher, who will add you to the group ahead of time, will guide you through the training programs and what to expect.
To make the most of your classes, you’ll need a computer or laptop, a headset, and a webcam (the webcam is optional but recommended). Classes will take place on Zoom, so be sure to install Zoom before your classes start to make it easier to attend classes on time.
When it comes to animation software, TVPaint are industry standards, used by most professional studios. Becoming familiar with these tools will definitely give you an edge if you’re serious about breaking into the animation world. However, don’t worry if they’re out of your budget right now! You can still get started with accessible programs like Rough Animator or OpenToonz. These are fantastic tools that provide everything you need to dive into our courses. As long as you can export your work as MP4 or Image Sequence files, you’ll be able to get valuable feedback on your progress.
And when it comes to drawing in these programs, a tablet is far more effective than a mouse. There are plenty of great options available from trusted brands like Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen. Any of these will work perfectly with the software we use, setting you up for success in your animation journey.
Why Is Your Animation Courses More Effective Than Self-Study?
Well, we’ve gathered everything you need to learn animation in one place, so you don’t have to spend time searching for lessons or resources else where. Giving you the structure to create amazing animation while still being able to use your creativity. You’ll have a clear path ahead of you, every step of the way. And most importantly, you’re never alone. If you have questions or run into challenges, you can always reach out to the instructor for professional guidance. We’re here to help you, support you, and make sure you’re never stuck.
Our course is thoughtfully structured to guide you, from the basics to the more complex animations, so you can move forward with confidence—without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
What Makes Our School Stand Out Compared to Traditional Animation Universities, Schooling, or Programs?
Our courses are led by industry professionals who know exactly what today’s animation world demands. We equip you with practical skills that let you start animating from the very first lesson. Forget spending years on theory—our approach helps you gain hands-on experience right away. With a flexible schedule, you learn at your own pace, fitting your studies into your life. It’s all about making your animation dreams a reality on your terms.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of Animation Courses?
Upon successfully completing all Animation course requirements, you'll receive an electronic certificate to celebrate your achievement. While this certificate is not a state certified diploma, we place greater value on the portfolio work you’ll build throughout the courses. In the animation industry, your portfolio is your most powerful tool, showcasing your skills and creativity in a way that truly speaks to your potential.
