Live streaming 7 on discord | 20220717 (Patreon)

Today's topic is about how to make walking animations. I explained Japanese method that I was taught when I was a beginner.

I think my explanation is not enough and I couldn't do it very well. So for that, I put notes that you must pay attention to learn and get it.

I hope it would help you.

-NOTES-

• OBSERVE ... The movements up and down
• DRAW ... 3 break down poses at 3 points
• TIME ... How long two steps take 

First of all, I have a question to you. What do you do first when you start to draw or make animations?

My answer is to see and make sure how does the movements happen or object itself by watching or by recording in real life. (sometimes watching great animations)

1, OBSERVE ... The movements up and down

As you know by this livestreaming, I'm watching and observing example the movement of walking cycle on YouTube together. 

On walking animation and running animation, we have to make the movement up and down on upper half of body. We call this 上下動/Jouge dou Or 上下運動/ Jouge undou in Japanese anime production.

Walking and running animation doesn't look well (doesn't look walking and running) without 上下動/Jouge dou. It is necessary elemental. 

This is 上下動/Jouge dou.

We always use this Tume-shiji on walking animation in Janapn. (when Genga man leave it to Douga man)

It looks curvedly. 

To make this movement 上下動/Jouge dou, we use Tap-wari.
And this is correct order to do NAKAWARI in this case.

Like this, you must make the movement up and down first.

Pay attention at the position of the Tap holes. As I told you in this video, this case is unusual. Tap holes are also looks curvedly. 

2, DRAW ... 3 break down poses at 3 points

First pose is Obviously above one.

It is important to note that the upper body moves up, but the arms and legs remain the same length. This is why the trajectory of the arms is like a pendulum.

Second position is at when the heel is going to up once.

The heel of the moving forward foot rises once. At the same time, the supporting foot also lowers its toes and touches the ground.

This pose is another important element.
It is really important how natural the movement and pose can be portrayed.

Third break down pose is a little difficult. 

Here you are.

My point here is that the knee position is once higher than the Genga position. Then it goes back to the Genga position again.

This is the basic walking motion. By observing, we also discovered many things. I still have a lot to learn, but please consider this just as an example.

After this, it will be smoother the more another NAKAWARI is added between these NAKAWARI.

This is rough, but it will look something like this.

3, TIME ... How long two steps take

What kind of walk and how fast you should draw walking animations, this can only be determined by actually measuring the time.

For this reason, you should get into the habit of measuring time. Then, write down the timing on the time sheet. The reason why we Japanese animators still use time sheets is because it is easier to understand the timing.

Please watch the live streaming video, which also discusses timing.

To get a sense of timing, please refer to this video. 

3 KOMA, NAKA 3
This is a fast walk, I think. I want to add NAKAWARI one or two more. 

2 KOMA, NAKA 7
It is not uncommon for Japanese TV series to use 2KOMA for walking. It takes a lot of time and money. If there is, it would be 3 KOMA NAKA 5.

3 KOMA, NAKA 4
I think this is the most common timing for a walk, but it's up to you to decide how you want to do it!

Try different things and see!