FRAMEBURST ACADEMY 11

SUMMARY

 

Using references is not cheating. It is one of the smartest ways to improve in animation. The key is to learn from references, not copy them directly. In this blog, you will understand how to use references properly so you can improve faster without losing your originality. This is something I learn from my ‘character design’ class, and now I am sharing it with you all.

 

🎬 How To Use References (Without Feeling Like You are Copying)

 

Today, let’s talk about something that confuses lots of beginners.

References.

At some point, you’ve probably thought:

“Wait… if I look at someone else’s work, even for motivation… isn’t that copying?”

And because of that…

A lot of people try to do everything from imagination, including me.

I started using references after I learnt how to do it in my ‘character design’ class.

Which sounds cool…

but actually makes things harder.

 

🎯 So What Are References?

 

References are simply:

-> things you look at to understand something better

That’s it.

You know, if you have seen Bluey episode ‘Stories’, Indy makes a horse look like a cow.

When she goes with Winton to meet Major Tom the horse, they realise the neck of their clay horse is too short.

And that is exactly what taking reference actually is.

It can be:

• Another animation
• A pose from a photo
• A video of someone walking
• Even your own reflection in a mirror

You’re not stealing.

You are learning.

 

⚠️ The Big Fear: ‘Am I Copying?’

 

I had this fear too for a long time. So let’s be honest.

There is a wrong way to use references.

• ❌ Tracing everything exactly
• ❌ Copying someone’s style completely
• ❌ Recreating their work and calling it yours (Plagiarising)

Yeah… that’s copying or taking credit for someone else’s work.

If for learning sake, tracing is okay.

Then, there is no way taking reference is wrong.

 

🧠 The Right Way To Use References:

 

Instead of copying…

You are trying to understand.

Ask yourself:

1.  How does this movement work?
2. Why does this pose look natural?
3. What makes this expression feel real?

Then…

You take that understanding…

and create your own version.

That’s learning.

 

🎬 Example (Simple One)

 

Let’s say you want to animate someone waving.

You can:

❌ Guess how it looks
OR
✅ Watch a real person or yourself wave

Now you notice:

1. The arm does not move perfectly straight
2. The wrist bends
3. There’s a slight pause

That’s what you use.

Not the exact drawing.

The idea behind it.

 

🧠 One Honest Truth:

 

Every animator uses references.

Even professionals.

I use many references to produce my story-time animations

If you believe it is only because I am learning, then let me tell you…

Disney brought a literal deer from the forest to let animators reference how these animals move.

They do not rely only on imagination.

They observe. They study. They learn.

So if you are using references…

You are not behind.

You’re actually doing it right.

And yeah…

I’m still learning how to use references better too.

Sometimes I look at something and think:

“Wait… that’s how it actually works?”

That’s the fun part.

 

💡 A Simple Way To Practice?

 

Try this:

1. Pick a simple action (like sitting or turning your head)
2. Watch it carefully (yourself in a mirror, video, or real life)
3. Try to recreate it in your own style

Don’t aim for perfection.

Aim for understanding.

 

🎮 Your Current Level: ‘Just Starting’

Right now, using references is not optional.

It is a necessity.

Because without references…

You’re just guessing.

And just like in math, guessing slows you down.

We do not want that.

 

Your Next Step

 

Now that you know how to learn the right way…

Next, we are going to talk about something important (and honestly underrated):

👉 How to actually enjoy making animation
👉 How to avoid turning it into stress/tension
👉 And how to stay interested while learning

Because if you are not enjoying it…

Neither would you stick with it, nor would you stay consistent.

See you until the next relive. ✨🎬