anatomicalart:Quickest way to improvement? Practice. It’s a simple bit of advice that rings with abs
anatomicalart:Quickest way to improvement? Practice. It’s a simple bit of advice that rings with absolute truth. Articles, tips, mentors, and study will never get you as far as rolling up your sleeves and getting down to work, be it animation or any other skill. Today we’ve compiled a list of exercises, like animation push-ups, that will get your art skills buff and toned.Maybe you still need convinced of how important the “Art of Doing” is? Look no further than the early days of animation, especially at the Disney studio. Here were a group of animators (before being an animator was even a thing) who HAD no books to read, or websites to visit, or even experienced animators to ask. They learned via the age old art of hands-on training, experimenting and discovering as they went. And some would argue they created some of the greatest animation to ever be seen. Masterpieces like the dwarfs dancing in Snow White or the terror of the Monstro scene in Pinocchio. So be like them! Get out there and do animation!Some of these exercises you may have done or seen before; some maybe not. Consider doing each of them, even if you did once previously, because returning to an old exercise to see how much you’ve progressed is a very valuable experience.Level 1 Exercises(Do not discount their simplicity! Here you have the principals of animation, which all other animation is built on. They are worth your time and effort.)Ball Bouncing in place, no decay (loop)Ball Bouncing across the screenBrick falling from a shelf onto the groundSimple character head turnCharacter head turn with anticipationCharacter blinkingCharacter thinking [tougher than it sounds!]Flour Sack waving (loop)Flour Sack jumpingFlour Sack falling (loop or hitting the ground)Flour Sack kicking a ballLevel 2 ExercisesChange in Character emotion (happy to sad, sad to angry, etc.)Character jumping over a gapStanding up (from a chair)Walk Cycle [oldie but goodie!]Character on a pogo stick (loop)LaughingSneezingReaching for an object on a shelf overheadQuick motion smear/blurTaking a deep breath [also tougher than it sounds!]A tree fallingCharacter being hit by something simple (ball, brick, book)Run CycleLevel 3 ExercisesClose up of open hand closing into fistClose up of hand picking up a small objectCharacter lifting a heavy object (with purpose!)Overlapping action (puffy hair, floppy ears, tail)Character paintingHammering a nailStirring a soup pot and tasting from a spoonCharacter blowing up a balloonCharacter juggling (loop)Scared character peering around a cornerZipping up a jacketLicking and sealing an envelopeStanding up (from the ground)Pressing an elevator button and waiting for itStarting to say something but unsure of howLevel 4 ExercisesCharacter eating a cupcakeObject falling into a body of waterTwo characters playing tug-of-warCharacter dealing a deck of cards outThe full process of brushing one’s teethA single piece of paper dropping through the airRun across screen with change in directionSleeping character startled by alarm then returning to sleepy stateOpening a cupboard and removing something insidePutting on a pair of pantsOpening the “world’s best gift” and reactingAny of the above exercises using a very heavy character/object next to a very light character/object. Enhance the differences the weight change makes!Things to keep in mind:Reading these exercises will do as much for you as reading about push-ups would do for your physical muscles: NOTHING. If you want the benefit, you must animate them. Take a deep breath and just do it.Do not forget the famous words of Ollie Johnston: “You’re not supposed to animate drawings [3D models]. You’re supposed to animate feelings.” If a character isn’t thinking, they aren’t alive, and the animation has failed.Keep it simple! There is no reason to over complicate any of these exercises. Going back to push-ups, would push-ups be harder if while doing them you also recited the Gettysburg Address? Yes. Would they be any more beneficial? No. Keep things nice and simple and clear.Do your best. There is no reason to do these exercises poorly. Give it your all. You don’t have to show anyone, these are for you. You owe it to yourself to try your very best. Something not quite right? Take the time to fix it.As always, have fun. Push ups are not fun. Animation is supposed to be. Be joyful in your work!Have any questions about the exercises above? Leave a comment below and we’ll answer them the best we can! Someone else may be wondering the exact same thing, so you’ll help them too. Likewise if someone is looking for possible exercises, why not share a link to these and give them a hand?Article featured on AnimatorIsland.com [Source]Article composed by J.K. RIKIMARCH 18, 2013Follow @AnimatorIsland on Twitter for more updates tips and tricks. -- source link