I have decided to use to Twitter to share 100 daily animation tips.

These will mostly be for students looking to break into the industry, newer artists looking to get to the next level, or anyone looking for some animation insight.

I'm not writing these as the "Animation Commandments".
But as an animator and director these have worked for me.

If you have any animation questions along the way- ask.

1) Animators typically rush through the bouncing ball exercise. Don’t!
Every principle you will use as an animator is represented in this exercise- spacing, timing, arcs, weight...
Mastering this will improve your animation.
#daily #animation #tip

2) Animation works due to a principle called “Persistence of Vision”.

Animators get work done through their “Persistence” and “Vision”.

Keep your eye on the prize. Work hard. And most importantly... Finish it!
#daily #animation #tip

3) When animating dialogue the least important part to me is what the mouth is doing. That’s why it is usually the part I animate LAST.

Thoughtful acting, gestures and facial expressions really do the talking.
#daily #animation #tip

4) Resist the temptation to add movement in the early stages of your animation. Great animation is built on a foundation of SOLID POSES.

No amount of slick movement can save you from weak posing!
#daily #animation #tip

5) Whether animating in 2D or 3D I plan my shots with thumbnail sketches on paper.
I like using Post-Its so I can add or subtract poses, explore variations of a pose, or even rearrange the order. #daily #animation #tip

6) Finished animation school and didn’t get a job? Keep working on new shots for your reel!

It took me a years to get into animation full-time. I know it can be discouraging, but use that to motivate yourself to keep at it.
I did and never looked back.
#daily #animation #tip

7) When animating digitally the software doesn’t create the result, YOU do. Push, pull, break, cheat, draw, redraw... do whatever it takes to make it work the way you want.

Remember, you are in charge. Don’t compromise!
#daily #animation #tip

8) When reviewing demo reels I will often watch them with the sound turned off.
Make sure your animation is strong enough and clear enough that It works by the visuals alone.
#daily #animation #tip

9) As a director I love working with animators who bring solutions- not problems.

Next time you think “I don’t know what to do here” make sure you’ve explored it enough. Then bring your ideas forward as options. #daily #animation #tip

10) Animation is often about what you DON’T move.
It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping a character still can make for the most moving performance.
#daily #animation #tip

11) When starting a scene I set my brain to “Playtime”- thinking of ideas and possibilities, nothing is off limits.

Once I have a plan I switch my brain to “Worktime”. I COMMIT to the idea and every decision I make is about how to execute it on screen.
#daily #animation #tip

12) When I want feedback on how to FIX animation I show an animator.
When I want feedback to see if the animation WORKS, I show my kids.

There is no better way to know if you are hitting the mark than seeing an honest reaction to your work. #daily #animation #tip

13) The eyes tell the story.
It’s where we look to learn what a person is feeling, thinking and how they’re relating to others.

Craft thoughtful animation of your character’s eyes and create a connection with your audience.
#daily #animation #tip

14) Keep a sketchbook with you. Draw from life, doodle from your imagination, thumbnail ideas...

Regularly using a sketchbook conditions your mind to observe the world around you, giving you
endless inspiration to draw from as an animator.
#daily #animation #tip

15) I always strive to give my animation life and energy.

The best way I know how is to use a straight ahead animation pass.
I’ll plan my scene with poses- then use the poses as a guide to animate straight ahead through.
#daily #animation #tip

16) You can learn theory, and master technique, but the most important ingredient in animation is the joy of creating.

When you love the process of animating it shows in your work.
Unfortunately, the same is true if you find the work is drudgery.
#daily #animation #tip

17) If you can name the 7 Dwarves you’re an animation fan.

If you can name the 12 Principles you’re an animator.

The 12 Principles of Animation are the tools of your trade.
Learn them.
Study them.
Practice them.
#daily #animation #tip

18) When showing your animation reel don’t ask “Can I have the job?” Instead try “What is working? What can be better?”

Showing a recruiter the desire to improve speaks volumes. Plus, you may learn what they look for in a reel. #daily #animation #tip

19) Use STORY/CONTEXT to motivate your animation choices.

Eg. A character excitedly chasing an ice cream truck would have a very different run compared to that same character fleeing a zombie attack.
#daily #animation #tip

20) In animation sometimes LESS is more.

I’d elaborate, but that wouldn’t seem right.
#daily #animation #tip

21) When you got a note on your work- EMBRACE it!

Often people get a note and regard it as a negative.

But, the most successful artists take the note on board and stop at nothing to make the scene between BECAUSE of the note.
#daily #animation #tip

22) When animating don’t pose your character to LOOK like it’s doing something...
Actually MAKE the character do it.

When you apply this approach you can just FEEL it in the animation.
#daily #animation #tip

23) Reference is essential. But it should be just that- reference.

Absorb the material so that you understand it- the mechanics of movement, attitudes, etc.
Then use that understanding to craft your own unique performance.
#daily #animation #tip

24) I don’t always get it right the first time- that’s why I take a few runs at my animation.

It’s often not until I get to the end of a shot that I really get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
#daily #animation #tip

25) Make sure characters SEE a thing before they react.

In real life it can take several seconds before something registers. Delaying this can make the reaction all the funnier.
#daily #animation #tip

26) A secret to generating QUALITY animation?
It’s quantity.

Develop the habit of producing regularly by...
1) Picking a fun idea and keeping it short.
2) Setting a deadline- and STICKING to it.
3) Repeating steps 1 & 2
#daily #animation #tip

27) People ask me “What do I put in an animation portfolio to make it good?”

My answer: “You make a good portfolio once you start taking work OUT”

Once you have created a lot of material it allows you to choose from your very best work- and cut the rest
#daily #animation #tip

28) Use every detail in your animation to emote with- even something as small as an EYE BLINK.

Nervous characters tend to blink a lot and quickly.

If a character is confident they blink slower and less often.

And if they DON’T blink- be afraid.
#daily #animation #tip

29) During dialog when a character stops talking they shouldn’t stop acting.

People are either in their head THINKING of what to say next or they are ACTIVELY listening to the other person.

Remember- acting is reacting!
#daily #animation #tip

30) Animation is like telling a joke. It’s all about ‘set up’ and ‘pay off’.

If I want to animate a fast/frenetic action I’ll make sure to set it up with a quiet moment first.
My favourite way to set up actions is to use CONTRAST.
#daily #animation #tip

31) I love animating HANDS.

They express so much so much about your character...
Are they fidgety? Are they dexterous? Are they clumsy?

Mind how hands move, gesture and handle objects in your animation.
#daily #animation #tip

32) As an artist who has ADD I sometimes find it a struggle getting down to work.

To keep my concentration on animation I eliminate distractions- No YouTube, Podcasts or iPhones.
Do what you gotta do to keep your focus on your work!
#daily #animation #tip

33) You don’t have to be good.

At first you want to do amazing animation. The danger is you can psych yourself out of even starting.

If that’s you then start SMALL and start BAD.

The most important thing is to do something- then you can improve on it.
#daily #animation #tip

34) A cartoon character’s teeth chatter when they are cold- we’ve see it hundreds of times.

Do the work and search for better acting choices that are unique to the character in your animation.
Avoid using tired CLICHES.
#daily #animation #tip

35 A) Got CREATIVE BLOCK?
Try working in a different medium.

I’m not adept at animating in clay or charcoal or markers on cels- so it frees me up to just be PLAYFUL with it.

Like this cool EMBROIDERED animation in the pinned tweet by @AlexisDraws

#daily #animation #tip

36 B) For what it’s worth... working with new mediums this way led me to create characters for a series idea I had.
And that pitch ended up getting optioned.
#daily #animation #tip

36) I don’t just make my acting choices arbitrarily in animation.

When planning a scene try to get your character to motivate the acting. Do this by asking...

Who are they?

How do they feel?

What do they want?

#daily #animation #tip

37) Shoulders are key to crafting expressive body poses.
They have a huge range of movement in real life and are often underused by newer artists.

I like to think of shoulders as the ‘eyebrows’ of the torso.
#daily #animation #tip

38) Everything your character does in a scene must be done with a PURPOSE.

Even if your character is “doing nothing” decide HOW they do nothing.
Don’t just have your characters die on screen or do random movement ‘just to keep it moving’.
#daily #animation #tip

39) Struggling to think of an idea for an animation test?

Keep it simple.

It’s not WHAT the character is doing that needs to be clever- it’s HOW they do it. Focus on performance!
#daily #animation #tip

40) Squash & Stretch is one of my favourite tools to use in animation.

Though it usually demonstrated to exaggerated extremes on ‘cartoony’ characters it should absolutely be used for ALL styles of animation.

Study how much S&S there is in real life.
#daily #animation #tip

41) Squash & Stretch like a PRO.

Pushing the S&S in your poses isn’t always the reason it makes your animation feel gloopy or rubbery.
It is usually because you are staying in it for too many frames.

S&S works best when you FEEL it rather than SEE it.
#daily #animation #tip

42) Feedback on your work is essential for your growth- but only if it’s from reliable sources.

Friends & family will be too nice bc they don’t want to hurt your feelings.
Instead seek critiques from trusted instructors, mentors or industry professionals
#daily #animation #tip

43) Whether animating as a pro or on personal projects- work in STAGES and seek approval at EACH STEP.

I always get sign off at the Ideas stage, Thumbnails, Blocking, Roughs through to Final- ensuring that everything READS CLEARLY and is ENTERTAINING.
#daily #animation #tip

44) As the animator it’s your job to direct the viewer’s attention to where YOU want them to look on screen.

Our eye is drawn to MOVEMENT- so use motion in your animation with intent and purpose.
#daily #animation #tip

45) The beautiful thing about animation is- there ain’t just one way to do it.

It’s not a matter of learning formulas! It’s about knowing HOW things move and your ability to CARICATURE it- the way that only animation can.
#daily #animation #tip

46) The animation industry is a team sport. So be GOOD to work with!

Whether you are in school or a studio- share, help and encourage each other.

My favourite artists are also my favourite PEOPLE. #daily #animation #tip

47) On animating dialog: I have noticed that when spoken inflections go up or down in pitch I tend to accent my character up & down to match.

This might apply to the whole character or just their facial features.

It’s not a rule- but an observation.
#daily #animation #tip

48) When plotting out your poses remember that it’s the spaces between the poses where animation happens.

For broad actions put a lot of space between poses giving your character somewhere to go.
Cluster poses close together for subtler actions.
#daily #animation #tip

49) I treat animation like going to the gym.

At first it can be a hard to push yourself and when you aren’t ‘feeling it’ you’ll want to bail...

But, if you keep at it, it does get easier- and you will be able to look back and see PROGRESS.
#daily #animation #tip

50) Looking for inspiration?

Study different styles of animation than you’re used to watching.

Pay attention to the different approaches to character, timing, design, animation technique and problem solving.
It can be surprisingly eye opening!
#daily #animation #tip

51) Always put a bit of yourself in your characters. Draw on your personal experiences and instincts when animating.

People connect with and remember performances that are unique and true. Avoid doing it the way you’ve seen before- do it YOUR way.
#daily #animation #tip

52) Failure is ok!

When animation is not working it can be frustrating. But stop and ask WHY it isn’t working.
Is it the pose?
The timing?
Not enough anticipation?

Animation is a series of passes on a scene with constant evaluation and adjustments.
#daily #animation #tip

53) Pay attention.

Hours spent at your desk are important. But so is stepping away and actively watching people (and yourself) in real life.

Part of being an animator is observing the world around you. Animation is a performance that caricatures life!

#daily #animation #tip

54) In dark times animation can be a light.

Throwing yourself into the work can be transcendent- that experience you get where you forget about time & space and just create. It’s FLOW

And when you just can’t- watching your favorite anim provides an escape
#daily #animation #tip

55) On Demo Reels:
When recruiting I look for SCENES, not EXERCISES.

A walk cycle is an EXERCISE. It shows an understanding of body mechanics.

Using the knowledge from an exercise to create personality & an entertaining performance- that’s a SCENE.
#daily #animation #tip

56) A lot of us are working from home now.

When your dining room table doubles as your office it can be tough to separate work from home life.

Do your best to keep to SCHEDULED WORK HOURS. Work during those hours, and shut it down when the day is done. #daily #animation #tip

57) Yesterday’s tip was harder for me to follow than I expected.

I am a night owl- I tend to get into the flow at night.

If this is you, recognize when you are getting overtired and stop. It is better to come at it fresh the next morning vs groggy.
#daily #animation #tip

58) Of course, every scene I animate I want to make the best it can be.

But when you try to make a thing perfect it can paralyze you.

Remember, each scene is a stepping stone to the next.
Doing the work today will make you better tomorrow.
Keep steeping!
#daily #animation #tip

Stepping... keep stepping.

59) When presenting ideas to a client/director go with 3 unique takes.

LISTEN to why they chose one over the others. It is as important to know what they like as it is to know what they don’t... and why. #daily #animation #tip

60) A hobbyist will do their art when inspiration strikes them.

A pro does their art everyday, whether they feel inspired or not.

If you want to be a pro, start by treating your approach to your work like a pro... and do it!
#daily #animation #tip