Animation Foundation PDF

AS2408 ANIMATION FOUNDATION After learning the basics of animation, new critical aspects have arisen. This time, you will learn about the importance of characters and how to craft them. Creating characters is a crucial part of storytelling whether in comics, ani...

AS2408 ANIMATION FOUNDATION After learning the basics of animation, new critical aspects have arisen. This time, you will learn about the importance of characters and how to craft them. Creating characters is a crucial part of storytelling whether in comics, animation, illustration, or in games. A well-designed character will bring your story to life. In this module, you will learn the essential role of character design, expression, and poses. By learning these important aspects, you can create simple, clear, and engaging characters. Character Design (ToonBoom, n.d.) Character Design is a crucial aspect of creating an engaging animation video or film. Well-crafted characters make a lasting impression and make the animated film more memorable for audiences, allowing them to have a deep connection with the protagonists and making them a life inspiration. In the film Inside Out 2, the character Anxiety left a lasting impression by leaving the audience with a message that we are in control of our emotions and not the other way around. This was symbolized by Anxiety having her own comfortable chair, representing the idea that if we let anxiety take over us, it can lead to negative consequences and diminish our happiness. Memorable characters like Woody and Buzz from Toy Story remain endlessly rooted in the hearts of children who grew up watching them. Character design aims to create characters that make a lasting impression on the audience. However, before delving into the most intricate manner of character design, it is crucial to understand its purpose, which includes: 1. Showcasing Unique Personality – Characters should demonstrate unique personalities and be visually appealing. For instance, Pete Docter, the director of "Inside Out," explains that Joy's character is inspired by a star, Sadness resembles a teardrop, Anger is depicted as a fire brick, Fear represents a raw nerve, and Disgust is modeled after broccoli. Each character was carefully designed to depict their core emotion visually and emotionally. 2. Expressing Emotions – It is crucial for characters to convey a range of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. Character concept sheets should present the character in various emotional situations and viewpoints (for example, facing forward, sideways, running, sitting, and hiding). 3. Cohesive Personality – A successful character design is not just about the actual appearance but also how they showcase a cohesive personality. Therefore, it is required that the artist has a deep understanding of the character's personality inside and out. For example, Woody’s character is designed as a cowboy with a sheriff’s badge, reflecting his leadership role and Old West roots. His confident expressions and upright posture convey his loyalty and determination when protecting his friends like Andy. However, when faced with uncertainty, such as meeting Buzz Lightyear, his expressions show doubt, and his posture may slump, highlighting his caring but sometimes jealous personality. These visual cues ensure Woody’s character design reflects his complex traits effectively. By carefully executing the process, crafted characters can captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. On the other hand, ToonBoom proposes the basic steps in crafting characters, which are: 1. Research – It is crucial to include research as part of your process. Seek character inspiration, including pictures and references, which will help you in designing your character. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 1 of 10  AS2408 2. Sketching – After researching, you may craft rough sketches of your own design. You may begin with shapes as suggested by Bill Plympton and come up with new, unique ideas. To produce a good character, it is highly recommended to sketch as many different designs and variations as possible. 3. Construction – This is the process of ensuring that the character proportions and shape are strong. This is also considered as the very basis of your character. 4. Tracing – This is considered to be the refining process as it lets you establish the final look, line of style, and features. Image retrieved from https://learn.toonboom.com/modules/character- Aside from all these steps, there are still plenty of things that you should consider when crafting your character, and that is the proportions. Ensure that you follow the various concepts below: 1. Character Nature and Visible Characteristics – Consider the nature of the character and think about how their characteristics will be made visible through their shape. For example, Sadness from Inside Out. Her nature symbolizes feelings of sorrow and melancholy. She has a slumped, drooping posture and a downcast expression. Her shape is rounded and slouched, reflecting a sense of heaviness. Her color is blue, which represents gloom and unhappiness. 2. Character Size and Proportion – A character’s size is usually measured in units of “heads.” Here are some guidelines to keep the character in proportion: A standard Images retrieved from character is usually measured at six heads high, and a short https://learn.toonboom.com/modules/character- or cartoony character is often three heads high due to a design/topic/character-proportions short body or a very large head, depending on how you exaggerate the cartoon. 3. Understanding Proportion – It is important to understand the basics of proportion correctly before executing your own style or breaking the rules. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 2 of 10  AS2408 Character Sheets On the time that the character design is complete and refined, model sheets are created to serve as a comprehensive reference guide for animators working on the character. Character sheets should typically include the following: 1. The character should be demonstrated in multiple different angles such as front, side, back, ¾ view, and others. This is crucial to illustrate their full form. 2. A variety of posed shots depicting the character in different stances and movements. 3. Expression sheets should be included as well. It is the character’s face displaying a range of emotions. This will help with defining the character’s personality. The model or character sheets become a reference material that ensures visual consistency when different animators are working on the same character. Clear guidelines are provided on how to accurately draw and animate the character from any angle, pose, or emotional state. The purpose of character sheets is to avoid guesswork and continuity errors while allowing animators to fully understand and invariably portray the character’s physical look and personality across all scenes. Image retrieved from https://learn.toonboom.com/modules/character-design/topic/character-model-sheets Character Design Preparation In every planning phase, one should always be prepared; therefore, creating a character model or sheet for an animation project requires two main reference sources, and these are: A. The Script The script provides essential details about the characters, their personalities, the props they use, the environment they are in, and the overall story world. Carefully reading the script is important as it serves as the primary reference for understanding the characters you need to model. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 3 of 10  AS2408 B. Storyboard While not the final version, the storyboard visually lays out the character’s actions, movements, and which props or environment need to be designed. Reviewing the storyboard will help you identify what the characters will be doing in different scenes, informing how the model should be built to accommodate those actions. Using these two references in tandem will give you access to fully grasp both the narrative context (from the script) and the visual or physical requirement (from the storyboard) when constructing accurate 2D or 3D character models. The script defines who the characters are and the world they inhabit, while the storyboards illustrate how they will be depicted acting and moving through that world. Studying both sources will provide a comprehensive understanding to model characters that integrate seamlessly into the story being told. Image retrieved from https://learn.toonboom.com/modules/character-design/topic/character-design-preparation Expressions According to Evan Waterman (n.d.), a famous comic artist in Vancouver, Canada, when crafting characters, there are various factors to consider, such as race, body type, hairstyle, facial features, and posture. These elements shape how the audiences will perceive your character. For fictional creatures, understanding human anatomy is crucial for creating consistently proportionate and believable drawings. It has been argued by Eggleston (2022) that when crafting your character, it is important to explore different expressions and not just focus on finalizing the character’s look so soon but explore expressions first. It will help you understand the character's capabilities, like how wide they can open their mouth and how exaggerated their eye movements can be. It can also help refine and optimize the character’s design. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 4 of 10  AS2408 There are two important animation principles, and these are squash, stretch, and exaggeration. Another proposed concept is elasticity – it is how much the character’s shapes can change while still looking believable. For example, Thanos is a realistic human character. If we apply squash and stretch with his character, the idea that Thanos is real and not a CGI Fabrication will be destroyed. See the example below. Images retrieved from https://brookeseggleston.com/blog/How%20to%20Draw%20Big%20Expressions%20for%20Simple%20Character%20Designs On the other hand, Bancroft (2012), a visual artist with 30 years of experience in the animation industry, stated that in order to create a character expression, it is broken down into a number of elements. Suppose character design has basic concepts, so as character expressions. We will focus on different elements of the face and their importance in conveying emotions. Here are the importance of facial elements: 1. Eyes – It is the most crucial element, as it is often referred to as “the window to the soul.” We naturally look into each other’s eyes for communication and emotion. 2. Eyebrows – It is almost as important as the eyes as it adds clarity to what the eyes express – acting like “curtains” to the “windows” of the eyes. 3. Mouth – It adds definition and refinements to the expression, functioning as the punctuation in a “sentence” made by the face. 4. Neck – Although it is not part of the face, the tilt and movement of the neck can significantly enhance expressions. 5. Nose – The least used for emoting, but it can add some refinement to a certain expression. In summary, all these five (5) crucial face elements have a connection with each other. Each plays a significant role when trying to craft the character’s expression. In order to understand further these important elements, let us delve into each detailed look. A. Eyes It consists of various shapes such as circular, almond, and teardrop. These shapes are essential when showing different personalities and ethnicities. Eyes are mostly round, with muscles and skin giving them their unique shape. The common problems when crafting eyes are “zombie eyes,” also known as blank stares; “walled eyes,” or pupils looking in different directions; and “crossed eyes,” or pupils turned inward. You may resolve these problems with slight adjustments and try considering the eyeball’s roundness. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 5 of 10  AS2408 B. Eyebrows It should have a strong connection with the eyes to convey the emotions effectively. A “mask” around the eyes can help position the eyebrows correctly. Eyebrows react to what the eyes are portraying; it technically enhances the overall expression. C. Mouth It works with the eyes and eyebrows to define emotions; It acts as the punctuation. Experimenting with different mouth shapes is recommended as it can convey a range of subtle emotions. The mouth and jaw work together, and opening the jaw changes the face’s shape. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 6 of 10  AS2408 D. Neck It adds dynamism and clarity to expression through head tilts. The head tilts can significantly enhance the overall expression and poses. E. Nose It is rarely used for emoting, but it can accentuate certain expressions. It is used for realistic characters more frequently. Combining all these facial elements would convey the intended expressions effectively as they will work together. As part of the practice, you may look at yourself in the mirror, conveying different expressions. By doing this, you may find unique expressions by feeling the emotion your character needs to portray. Practicing with existing character designs can reveal new subtleties in expressions. Understanding and manipulating these five elements can make your character more expressive and engaging with the audience. Pose (Bancroft, 2012) Now that you are done with crafting your very own character, we will proceed next with how you will effectively communicate your character through posing. When creating a pose for your character, it is highly recommended to avoid twinning. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 7 of 10  AS2408 Twinning occurs when a character’s limbs or features are mirrored identically on both sides, creating a symmetrical, uninteresting pose. This is generally considered a weak design. There are two things that you should remember on how you can avoid twinning. 1. Offset Poses – Slightly alter the position of the limbs or features to break symmetry. For example, in a “Ta-da!” pose, tilt the head, raise one arm slightly higher, and shift weight to one leg. 2. Refined Adjustments – Small changes can add interest. One example is in even poses where symmetry is common, like a shrug. For example, tilt the head or adjust the arms slightly in an “I don’t know” shrug. Adding perspective gives depth and dynamism to your poses, making them more engaging and lifelike. Here are the benefits of using perspective: Avoid Twinning – Perspective automatically breaks symmetry by creating size differences in shape, making the poses less symmetrical. Dynamic Poses – It adds drama and energy to a scene. Clear Silhouettes – It helps create clear, recognizable silhouettes. Strengthened Expressions and Emotions – Perspective enhances the clarity of expressions and body language. Image retrieved from https://www.21-draw.com/how-to-make-a-character-design-sheet/ Bancroft proposed a step-by-step process for creating a pose from the start to the coloring phase, and here are the steps he took that you can execute as well: 1. Quick Sketch – Create a quick sketch using a red, erasable pencil. This sketch captures the basic line of action and simple shapes to show the anatomy. The goal is to convey the overall feeling and movement. 2. Add details – Refine the sketch by adding more details like ovals for the eyes and nose, shapes for the mouth, and indications of hair and clothing movement. 3. Refine the Expression and Clothing – Add details to refine the facial expression and clothing, considering the sense of movement and drag. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 8 of 10  AS2408 4. Flip and Correct – Flip the drawing over and create a new sketch on the back of the paper. This helps identify and fix any problems, such as foot placement, chest tilt, hand positions, and head tilt. 5. Transfer Corrections – Flip the drawing back to the original side and redraw it, transferring the corrections made on the back. These minor tweaks help improve the overall drawing. 6. Final Line Drawing – Using a kneaded eraser, lighten the red underdrawing. Then, create a final, slightly loose, black line drawing with a graphite pencil, adding details like hair strands and eye highlights. 7. Scan and Color – Scan the drawing into the computer. Select the Red channel to remove the red underdrawing, leaving only the tight black line. Adjust levels and contrast as needed. The drawing is now ready for coloring. The key to creating a successful pose is clarity. Clarity dictates that the pose clearly communicates the character’s intent and emotions. Whether you are crafting a pose for a comic strip, comic book, animation, illustration, or storyboard, it is important to brainstorm about what you need to convey in order to have clear communication with the audience. By considering the message behind the pose, you can narrow down your options and focus on what is important. For example, is the character happy or scared? Are they trying to punch the other character? Are they trying to carry a heavy object? Every pose should have a purpose. If it does not, it will lack emotion and direction. To illustrate this, it is helpful to look at examples of the “right” and “wrong” ways to pose a character for different situations. A strong silhouette is crucial for clarity. You can check the silhouette value by flipping your drawing over and shading it in with a dark pencil. The white spaces between the lines (the negative space) will reveal whether the pose is clear or not. Ensuring that the hands, legs, and head are distinct from the torso will improve the silhouette. If the character is holding something, keep it away from their body for better clarity. Try to observe the example given below and examine the improvements that have been made. 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 9 of 10  AS2408 Remember that the key to a good character pose is clarity, and there are four ways how you can achieve it: (1) Think before you draw, (2) Have a purpose, (3) Use strong silhouettes, and (4) Avoid overlapping. By following these guidelines, the character’s pose will be clear and easy to understand. References: Character Design Basic Steps | Toon Boom Learn. (n.d.). Character Design Basic Steps | Toon Boom Learn. https://learn.toonboom.com/modules/character-design/topic/character-design-basic-steps The Basics of Character Design. (2021, January 18). SkillShare. https://www.skillshare.com/en/blog/the-basics-of-character-design/ Eggleston, B. (2022, August 31). How to draw big expressions for simple character designs— Character Design Forge. Character Design Forge. https://brookeseggleston.com/blog/How%20to%20Draw%20Big%20Expressions%20for%20Simple%20Character%20Designs Waterman, E. (n.d.-b). Character design. https://evanjwaterman.com/guide/drawing/character-design/ Bancroft, T. (2012). Character mentor: Learn by example to use expressions, poses, and staging to bring your characters to life. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/character-mentor-learn-by-example-to-use-expressions-poses-and-staging-to-bring-your- characters-to-life_tom-bancroft/716868/ 02 Handout 1 *Property of STI Page 10 of 10