CHARACTER WALKING CYCLE
PROJECT LESSON LINK from ANGRY ANIMATOR
Walk Cycles are one of the most difficult tasks for an animator...because you have to understand the mechanics of motion and bring that across convincingly, but then - as if that wasn't enough? You must infuse a character and personality into that walk through your timing, spacing and poses. However difficult, though, if you can learn to master a walk cycle then you can animate just about anything. Many events are happening at the same time, and it can seem overwhelming. A single mistake on your first drawing can wreck the rest of the scene. However, the process can be broken down into a series of steps which can go some distance in simplifying the process. A walk cycle can be described by four distinct poses: Rinse-Lather-Repeat.... whoops I mean... CONTACT - RECOIL - PASSING - HIGHPOINT - repeat You can cover the cycle of a full stride in 8 frames. For your first practice walk cycle, it's best to try a stick figure. It's good practice, anyway, as a great way to build your animations is to start by drawing stick figures to get the motion down before building actual solid shapes on top of those stick figures; it can save you a lot of time, and a lot of correction work, as it's much easier to work out timelines and difficult motion issues in stick figures than in detailed forms. MECHANICS OF A WALK CYCLE: Walk cycles encapsulate all of the principles of animation. They also deal with complex issues of weight and timing, in order to be convincing. Offsets, Overlap and Follow Through on every joint are what will keep the motion natural and prevent it from looking robotic. TIMING AND PACING OF A WALK CYCLE: The timing or pacing of the walk can define the character and personality of the walk. Timing and Poses will define the weight and construction of your character and even add elements of character as well. CHARACTER, STATE OF MIND, AND PERSONALITY: Character and personality are what make the walk real and make the audience identify with it on an emotional level. Disney always said "the mind is the pilot" and that is where every motion you create must start. Before even drawing a pose, you need to establish in your mind where your character's head is at. Your final project result will be a strong example of a walking cycle using a character of your own creation. The walking cycle should have 8 poses, I will let you choose whether you want to draw in pencil/pen first, or draw directly into FLASH. |