Jumping Toaster Productions

Illustrating Techniques of the ‘Toaster’ Part 5

Animation characters can be broken down to a basic formula. This makes it easier to reproduce and ensures uniformity through the comic strip or film even if there are several artists working on the same project. Starting with a rounded mass with perspective guidelines, you will be able to place the eyes in the correct position just above the horizontal guideline. Using this perspective technique makes constructing the remaining details (eyebrows, ears, nose, etc.) that much easier to place on the face.

Like an actor, the animator/cartoonist must be able to master portraying emotions within their comic strip/film. Without proper emotions the expression and mood of the scene is lost! Through continual practice and use of ‘squash & stretch’ techniques you will be able to portray a wide variety of expressions with your characters.

Here we have Beany in a wide range of emotions incorporating the ‘squash & stretch’ technique. Try to pick out some of the ‘standard’ expressions to create your facial emotions for your character. You may note I used one face to represent ‘yell/laugh/shout’ this is because the facial expression for all three would be similar to one another. You don’t want to get carried away and start creating facial expressions that look similar if one would suit the emotion for the scene! Try looking in a mirror when creating your characters facial expression, you’ll see the different jaw movements and eyebrow lifts for each expression which you can then exaggerate with the ‘squash & stretch’ technique. 

ALL MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHT PROTECTED! Unless otherwise provided in writing from Designer. No person(s) may not make or permit alterations or manipulations of images beyond the requirement of slight or reasonable image enhancement (i.e. alterations of contrast, brightness, color balance, re-sizing, and cropping), consistent the reproductive needs, that do not materially change the integrity of any image. Alterations or manipulations include but are not limited to additions to, subtractions from, or adaptations, alone or with any other material.

Tags: Beany, facial expressions, head construction, squash & stretch

This entry was posted on Monday, July 26th, 2010 at 12:00 AM and is filed under Animation, Daily Comics, Illustrations, Tutorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.