Takzicution Tales

Tag: principles of animation

  • Everything Starts with Simple Shapes

    FRAMEBURST ACADEMY 13

    🎮 Summary (TL;DR)

     

    What if drawing is not about talent or passion…

    But about construction?

    What if every character… every object…
    is merely shapes assembled together?

    Let’s explore how easy this really is.

    🎬 What Does “Construction” Mean in Animation?

    Construction means:

    You do not draw everything at once.
    You build it step by step.

    Just like building a toy with Legos.

    You do not start with the finished shape.

    You start little…

    Then slowly add more components.

    That’s how animation works as well.

    🧱 Why Animators Start with Simple Shapes

    Imagine trying to draw a person directly.

    It feels troublesome, correct?

    Too many details.

    Too confusing.

    Now envision this instead:

    • A oval for the head
    • A rectangle for the body
    • Lines for arms and legs

    All of a sudden… it feels easier.

    That is why animators, along with artists, utilize shapes.

    Shapes make things:

    • Easier to build
    • Easier to repair
    • Easier to understand

    You are no longer guessing anymore.

    You are building.

    🔷 Basic 2D Shapes:

    (Flat Shapes)

    These are basic shapes you are familiar with.

    Think of them like sheets of paper.

    ⬜ Square:

    A box with equal sides.


    Like a small tile.

    ▭ Rectangle:

    Like a door or a book.

    ⚪ Circle:

    Similar to a coin or a ball

    (from the front).

    ➖ Line:

    A simple linear line.
    Like a stick.

    🥚 Oval:

     

    Like an egg shape.

    🔺 Triangle:

    Like a slice of pizza.

    These shapes are flat.

    They lack depth.

    But they help you plan your drawing.

    🧊 Basic 3D Shapes:

    (Shapes with Depth)

    Now imagine shapes that feel more tangible.

    Like you can hold them.

    ⚽ Sphere:

    Like a ball.

    🥚 Ovoid:

    Like a stretched circle, seen at an angle.

    📦 Cube:

    Like a dice or small box.

    📦 Cuboid:

    Like a book or shoebox.

    🔺 Pyramid:

    Like a triangle standing up.

    🍦 Cone:

    Like an ice cream cone,

    But pointing upwards.

    🥫 Cylinder

    Like a Fanta can.

    These forms feel solid.

    They help you grasp volume and space.

    🧠 Everything Is Just Shapes Combined:

    Here’s the key concept:

    Nothing is complex.
    Everything is just shapes put together.

    Let’s imagine:

    👤 A Person:

     

     

    1. Head -> sphere
    2. Body -> cuboid
    3. Arms -> cylinder
    4. Legs -> cylinder

    That’s all.

    🐶 A Dog:

     

     

    • Head -> Sphere
    • Mouth -> Ovoid
    • Body -> Ovoid
    • Legs -> small cuboid
    • Ears → Pyramid

    Simple shapes… merged together.

    🚗 A Car:

     

     

    • Body -> cuboid
    • Wheels -> cylinder
    • Windows -> smaller cuboid

    Again, just forms.

    As soon as you know this…

    Drawing becomes less intimidating.

    Because you are not drawing a “person” or a “animal”

    You are just putting shapes together.

    🌱 A Final Thought

    You do not need to be perfect.

    You do not have to create astonishing artwork right away.

    Just start with shapes.

    Practice:

    1. Lines
    2. Rectangle
    3. Triangle
    4. Circles
    5. Cuboid
    6. Cone
    7. Cylinder
    8. Sphere

    Slowly mix them.

    And one day…

    You will look back and understand:

    “I can make living and non-living things I never thought I could.”

    Because you understood one simple fact:

    Everything is formed. Not magically construct.

    And you can build also.

    ⏭️What’s Your Next Step (Coming Thursday):

    Next blog: How to draw your own character using simple shapes that you just learnt?

    👉 click here: 

    Now that you comprehend shapes…

    It is time to turn them into something real.

    Your own character.

    See you until the next summon. 🎬

  • Is Using Reference in Animation Cheating?

    FRAMEBURST ACADEMY 11

    🎮 Summary (TL;DR)

     

     

    Is relying on reference… cheating?

    Or is it something every animator quietly depends on?

    Most beginners feel unsure about it.

    Let’s clarify that misunderstanding properly.

    🎬 How to Use Reference for Animation Properly?

    First and foremost, let’s understand one basic thing.

    📌 What Is a Reference?

    A reference is only:

    Something you look at to help you understand how something works.

    That’s it.

    It could be:

    • An image of a hand
    • A real person walking
    • A video of someone talking
    • A clip showing an expression

    You are not guessing.

    You’re studying via observation.

    🤔 Why Do Beginners Feel Guilty Using References?

    Many beginners believe:

    • “If I rely reference, I’m not creative”
    • “I should be able to do this from memory”
    • “This feels like cheating”

    But here’s the reality:

    You feel this way because you assume you are supposed to already know everything.

    You are not.

    You are gathering intel.

    And learning always starts with observing.

    ✅ Why Using Reference Actually Helps?

    Let’s make it easy.

    Reference aids you:

    1. Avoid making assumptions
    2. See how the universe actually operates
    3. Understand details you normally miss
    4. Improve faster

    Without reference…

    You are just guessing.

    And guesses without understanding often leads to mistakes.

    🛠️ How to Use Reference Properly:

    (Step by Step)

    Let’s break it down in the easiest way.

    👀 Step 1: Watch Real Examples

    Start by observing real life or videos.

    E.g:

    • Observe how they react
    • Notice their seating position
    • Watch how someone walks or runs

    Do not rush.

    Just watch.

    🧠 Step 2: Understand What’s Happening

    Ask yourself simple questions:

    1. What moved first?
    2. What moved next?
    3. Was it fast or slow?

    You are not copying yet.

    You are trying to understand.

    ✏️ Step 3: Try It Yourself

    Now attempt to recreate it.

    Not exactly as it is.

    Just your version of it.

    It might appear different.

    That’s alright.

    🔄 Step 4: Practice Again

    Repeat the procedure.

    Watch again.

    Give it another shot.

    Each time, you’ll understand more.

    🎨 Step 5: Make It Your Own

    Once you understand the movement…

    You do not need to follow the reference exactly.

    You can:

    1. Simplify it
    2. Alter it
    3. Adapt it to your style
    It now belongs to you.

    ⚠️ What NOT to Do?

    This section is significant.

    ❌ Don’t Just Copy Without Thinking:

    If you replicate without understanding…

    You won’t gain anything.

    You will only repeat.

    ❌ Do Not Depend on Reference Forever:

    Reference serves as a tool for learning.

    Not for constantly relying on it.

    Over time, you’ll need it less.

    ❌ Do Not Rush:

    If you quickly glance and then move on…

    You miss the whole point.

    Take your time.

    Observe carefully.

    💬 A Simple Truth:

    Citing reference is not cheating.

    It is a way you train your eyes.

    Even experienced creators use reference.

    Because no one recollect every detail of real movement perfectly.

    🌱 A Final Thought:

    Think of reference as a manual.

    It shows you the way.

    However, you still walk it yourself.

    You still do the work.

    And that’s what defines it yours.

    ⏭️ What’s Your Next Step (Coming Thursday):

    Next blog: How to really enjoy animation?

    👉 Click here -> (Insert Link Here)

    You now know how to learn better…

    But what about feeling better while engaging in the activity?

    How do you actually appreciate the process…

    Instead of feeling tired or trapped?

    We’ll explore that next.

    See you until the next summon.🎬