Description
#4: Simple character head turn. I spectacularly failed to keep it simple (as I quite often do) and as a result this took way longer than it should have. It was really just supposed to be the most basic head you can imagine going turning their head in one motion. Instead, I added anticipation, visible changes in thought and emotion, and probably what blew up the time spent on this more than anything else... that damn hat. I'm going to skip the next exercise (#5: Character head turn with anticipation) as I think I've already well and truly covered that with this head turn 
<- Previous Animation || Next Animation ->
After realizing just how inept I am at animating anything other than an ambiguous, amorphous blobs, I decided to go on a bit of an animation pilgrimage. I'm going to be plowing through a list of 51 animation exercises (found at the very excellent animatorisland.com) to try and get myself going. I've found it's easier to just follow a list than it is to try and think up little tasks for myself. I'll also be timing how long it takes for me to complete the exercise. I theorize that this will encourage me to stop being a lazy twit and letting myself get distracted by stuff. The list is as follows...
Level 1 ExercisesBall 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 Cycle
Level 3 Exercises
Close 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 cornerStarting to say something but unsure of howZipping up a jacketLicking and sealing an envelopeStanding up (from the ground)Pressing an elevator button and waiting for it Level 4 Exercises
Character 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
Made in Blender using the grease pencil tool.
