Art of Animation

or ‘Gesture-Don’t just stand there, Express something!’

What a Gesture should be

• Loose
• Fluid
• Tells a Story
• Try a red pen base to get line of Action
• Don’t be a slave to the model

7 Principles of Gestures

• Line of Action
• Shapes
• Silhouette
• Space
• Exaggeration
• Extrapolation
• Story

Line of Action

• What is the MAIN IDEA of the Pose?
• How do I represent that idea with a LINE?
• Show the main idea of the pose with 1-2 lines
• It’s a base for your drawing
• Harsher,Dynamic poses = Angles and straight lines
• Relaxed poses = curves and soft lines

Shape

• Represent the pose in a simple shape
• Dynamic pose = Obtuse Triangle, Extreme Rhombus
• Relaxed pose = Semicircle, Relaxed Peanut

Silhouette

• Needs to be clear/readable
• Should be able to tell what every part of the body is doing

Space

• The model in relation to 3D space
• Avoid always placing the feet on the same plane

Exaggeration

• Avoid a literal translation of the pose
• Push the pose
• Communicate the idea, not the pose

Extrapolation

• Draw animals from the model using the same pose
• Push past what you see for the idea/emotion

Story

• Tell a story with the pose
• What is the main idea of the Pose?
• How do I best communicate it?

[The Science of Drawing] v/s [The Soul of Drawing]

• Anatomy                                   -Emotions
• Light                                          -Feelings
• Proportion                                 -Ideas
• Technique

[Science of the Soul]

• Draftmanship vs Vitality
• Tedium =/= Sophistication
• Realism =/= Quality

How to do a Gesture drawing

• Observe the pose for 10 seconds
• Try to find the main idea/feeling of the pose
• Grab a loose basic drawing or a small thumbnail
• Push that pose
•         No one will know you changed it!
• Emphasize the pose, don’t always make it dynamic
• Use the model as a jumping off point
•         Go with your first impression

Art by: Matt Jones and Terry Song

(Source: mattjonezanimation.blogspot.com)