2D Animator Course

Lesson 1 • History and Evolution of 2D Animation

Traces animation from hand-drawn cel techniques to digital workflows. Establishes context for understanding why modern tools and methods exist.

Lesson 2 • The 12 Principles of Animation

Introduces the foundational principles that govern believable motion. These principles underpin every technique taught throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Core Animation Terminology

Defines essential vocabulary used across all production roles. Accurate terminology enables clear communication with directors, clients, and collaborators.

Lesson 1 • Line Quality and Gesture Drawing

Trains confident, controlled linework and rapid gesture capture. Strong line quality directly improves the clarity of animated poses.

Lesson 2 • Construction and Form

Teaches building figures and objects from basic 3D shapes. Solid construction prevents flat, unconvincing animation.

Lesson 3 • Expressive Poses and Silhouettes

Focuses on creating readable, dynamic poses that communicate emotion instantly. Strong silhouettes are critical for clear storytelling in animation.

Lesson 4 • Anatomy for Character Drawing

Covers simplified anatomical knowledge needed for expressive character movement. Accurate anatomy supports believable weight and action.

Lesson 1 • Setting Up the Digital Workspace

Covers canvas settings, frame rates, and file organisation for animation projects. Proper setup prevents technical errors throughout production.

Lesson 2 • Drawing Tools and Brush Configuration

Explores brush engines, stabilisers, and custom tool settings for animation. Optimised tools accelerate drawing speed and consistency.

Lesson 3 • Exporting and File Formats

Covers export settings for video, image sequences, and project files. Correct export formats ensure compatibility across the production pipeline.

Lesson 4 • Layer Systems and Organisation

Explains layer types, grouping, and blending modes relevant to animation. Organised layers enable smooth handoffs between animators and compositors.

Lesson 1 • Timing Charts and Spacing

Teaches reading and creating timing charts to control motion feel. Precise spacing translates directly into convincing weight and speed.

Lesson 2 • Walk Cycle Fundamentals

Breaks down the mechanics of a standard biped walk cycle frame by frame. The walk cycle is the most common deliverable in professional 2D animation.

Lesson 3 • Straight-Ahead vs. Pose-to-Pose Methods

Compares two fundamental animation approaches and their appropriate use cases. Choosing the right method improves efficiency and creative control.

Lesson 4 • Bouncing Ball and Weight Studies

Uses classic exercises to internalise timing, squash, stretch, and weight. These exercises form the diagnostic benchmark for animation skill.

Lesson 1 • Lip Sync Techniques

Teaches phoneme-based mouth shape assignment and dialogue timing. Accurate lip sync is a core deliverable in character animation production.

Lesson 2 • Facial Animation and Expressions

Covers the mechanics of facial muscle movement and expression arcs. Accurate facial animation is the primary vehicle for emotional storytelling.

Lesson 3 • Scene-Length Performance Animation

Integrates acting, lip sync, and body language into a complete animated scene. Students plan, block, and refine a full performance from scratch.

Lesson 4 • Body Language and Weight Shifts

Explores how posture and weight distribution communicate personality and mood. Convincing body language elevates performance beyond surface expression.

Lesson 1 • Cut-Out Animation Concepts

Introduces the cut-out method and its advantages in production pipelines. Understanding rig-based animation expands the range of projects students can take on.

Lesson 2 • Building a Character Rig

Guides students through assembling a complete character rig from layered artwork. A well-built rig reduces animation time and maintains visual consistency.

Lesson 3 • Animating with Rigs

Covers keyframing rig controls to produce fluid, expressive motion. Rig animation requires different timing strategies than frame-by-frame methods.

Lesson 4 • Rig Maintenance and Reuse

Teaches saving, versioning, and adapting rigs for multiple productions. Reusable rigs are a significant competitive advantage in freelance and studio work.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Effects into Scenes

Composites effects layers with character and background elements cohesively. Proper integration ensures effects enhance rather than distract from performance.

Lesson 2 • Fire and Smoke Animation

Covers the shape language, timing, and layering of fire and smoke cycles. These are amongst the most frequently requested effects in commercial production.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Effects Animation

Establishes the fluid dynamics and timing rules governing natural phenomena. Effects follow the same 12 principles but require unique timing strategies.

Lesson 4 • Water and Liquid Effects

Teaches splashes, ripples, and flowing water using frame-by-frame techniques. Water effects demonstrate mastery of fluid timing and arc principles.

Lesson 1 • Demo Reel Editing and Presentation

Covers reel structure, pacing, music selection, and title card design. A well-edited reel maximises impact within the first ten seconds of viewing.

Lesson 2 • Online Presence and Job Readiness

Covers portfolio website setup, social media strategy, and application materials. A strong online presence multiplies job opportunities in a competitive market.

Lesson 3 • Production Scheduling and Time Management

Teaches breaking down animation projects into trackable milestones. Meeting deadlines consistently is the most valued professional skill in studios.

Lesson 4 • Feedback, Revision, and Quality Control

Establishes a structured process for receiving notes and implementing revisions. Efficient revision cycles reduce production costs and build client trust.