Class Activities

In this very hands-on class, the teacher demonstrates the craft of basic cartooning and short-format animation.  Students develop unique ideas and rudimentary characters specifically intended for animation.  They then draw and test their animated two-page sequences using traditional “onion-skinning” and page-flipping techniques.   


- Circle-Character Animation

Following a demonstration from the teacher, students learn to draw very simple characters.  Using fundamental "onion-skin" tracing and page-flipping techniques students see through the paper to make tracing decisions for movements they wish to create.

Students are encouraged to move their body parts and visually act-out the kinds of basic movements they will animate.  They also learn to consider the limitations of two-page animation, and practice how to maximize simple methods to create the illusion of exaggerated movement. 


- Bounce, Bounce, Bounce!

The teacher demonstrates fundamental "squash-and-stretch" techniques to achieve the illusion of a bouncing ball and other circular shapes.  By animating a "cycle" that repeats indefinitely, students practice one of the most fundamental aspects of animation.

They also apply the lesson to create the visual illusion of "weight" or "gravity".  Students are always encouraged to use creativity and imagination to imagine other circular shapes they can bounce such as; a pizza, the moon, bicycle tires, silly cartoon heads, tomatoes, etc.


-  "Potatomations" and other (slightly) movable feasts

Animating wacky cartoon fruits and vegetables is a time-honored tradition.  The teacher will demonstrate methods for quickly and easily illustrating funny 'toon potatoes, banana, eggs, broccoli, pomegranates, etc.

These kinds of strange shapes allow for a wide variety of simple repeating animation opportunities in a repeating "flip-o-rama" format.  Students are encouraged to innovate and amplify upon these produce-based character ideas.


NOTE: This is a live class, and the instructor uses a 2-camera system to feature specific illustration styles and techniques.  Students are encouraged (within reason!) to spontaneously interact with the instructor and others during most exercises, and this workshop can be interactive and lively.