How can you realistically stylize character animation?

2 Choose your tools

The next step to realistically stylize character animation is to choose the tools that suit your style and workflow. Depending on your skill level, budget, and preferences, you may opt for different software, hardware, and methods to create your character animation. For example, if you are working with 3D models, you may use programs like Blender, Maya, or Cinema 4D to rig, skin, and animate your characters. If you are working with 2D drawings, you may use programs like Photoshop, Toon Boom, or Adobe Animate to draw, vectorize, and tween your characters. You may also use techniques like rotoscoping, motion capture, or keyframing to generate or refine your animation.

3 Apply your principles

The third step to realistically stylize character animation is to apply the principles of animation that match your style and vision. The principles of animation are the basic rules and guidelines that animators follow to create convincing and engaging movement. Some of the most common principles are squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, follow through, overlap, ease in and out, arcs, secondary action, timing, exaggeration, solid drawing, and appeal. However, you don't have to follow all of them or follow them strictly. You can modify, break, or invent your own principles to achieve the desired effect and expression.

4 Experiment with your elements

The fourth step to realistically stylize character animation is to experiment with the elements that make up your animation. The elements of animation are the components that define the appearance, behavior, and interaction of your characters. Some of the most important elements are shape, color, texture, lighting, shadows, perspective, depth, scale, speed, direction, and sound. By playing with these elements, you can create different moods, emotions, and meanings for your characters and scenes. For example, you can use warm colors, soft shapes, and gentle lighting to create a friendly and cozy atmosphere. Or you can use cold colors, sharp shapes, and harsh lighting to create a hostile and tense atmosphere.

5 Test your results

The fifth step to realistically stylize character animation is to test your results and get feedback. Testing your results is crucial to see how your animation works in motion, in context, and in relation to other elements. You can use tools like preview, render, or export to check your animation on different devices, platforms, and formats. You can also use tools like playblast, storyboard, or animatic to check your animation in relation to the story, script, and sound. Getting feedback is also important to see how your animation is perceived, understood, and appreciated by others. You can ask for feedback from your peers, mentors, clients, or audience and use it to improve your animation.

6 Learn from your examples

The sixth and final step to realistically stylize character animation is to learn from your examples and inspirations. Learning from your examples is a great way to expand your knowledge, skills, and creativity in character animation. You can study the works of other animators, artists, and studios that have successfully stylized their character animation and analyze how they achieved their style, expression, and impact. You can also explore the works of other media, genres, and cultures that have influenced or inspired your style and see how they used different techniques, elements, and principles to create their animation. By learning from your examples, you can develop your own style and voice in character animation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?