How to get started with hand-drawn animation in 2D game

Hand-drawn animation in 2D games is a technique that creates lively movements and actions within your game. As a result, players can enjoy a unique and engaging gaming experience. If you are interested in this topic, stay with us. In this article, we will explore in detail how to get started with hand-drawn animation in 2D games, helping you to create impressive and captivating animated works.

What is hand-drawn animation in 2D games?

Hand-drawn animation in 2D games is a technique that uses hand-drawn frames to create the movements and actions of characters in your game. Instead of using automated tools, hand-drawn animation brings a unique liveliness and distinct personality to your 2D game.

Hand-drawn animation in 2D games has several characteristics:

Uniqueness and Personality: Hand-drawn animation brings a distinct style that differs from other animation techniques. Each hand-drawn animated work will have its own emotion, style, and identity, making it unique and easily recognizable.
Liveliness and Realism: With hand-drawing, the movements and actions of characters become more natural and lively compared to animations created by software.
Time and Effort: Hand-drawn animation requires more time and effort than other animation techniques. However, the value it brings is worth the effort you put in.
Difficulty: Hand-drawn animation is a challenging technique that requires patience, high drawing skills, and creativity from the animator.

How to get started with hand-drawn animation in 2D games?

To get started with hand-drawn animation in 2D games, you need to have some basic skills and knowledge. Here are 5 basic steps to get you started:

Develop your hand-drawing skills

At the core of hand-drawn animation in 2D games is your hand-drawing skills, which include:

Basic image drawing: Start by practicing drawing basic shapes, objects such as geometric shapes, humans, animals, etc.
Drawing in different styles: Experiment with different drawing styles such as traditional, modern, expressive, etc., to find a style that suits you.
Drawing movements and actions: Practice drawing the movements and actions of characters to prepare for animation.
Using various drawing techniques: Learn to use various drawing techniques such as pencils, pens, watercolors, etc., to create different effects.

Understand animation principles

After mastering basic drawing skills, you need to learn more about the fundamental principles of animation. Some basic concepts to know:

Frame and frame rate concepts: Understand the concept of frames and frame rate to create flexible movements.
Principles of motion: Master the basic principles of motion such as deformation, easing, emphasis, etc.
Sketching and redrawing techniques: Learn how to sketch frames and redraw them to create movements.
Effects and special effects: Learn about animation effects and special effects such as blur, shake, explosion, etc., to enhance realism.

Use suitable tools and software

To create hand-drawn animation in 2D games, you need to use suitable tools and software. Some common tools for you:

Drawing and image editing software: Such as Photoshop, Krita, Clip Studio Paint, etc., to draw animation frames.
2D animation software: Such as Toon Boom, Adobe Animate, Spine, etc., to create movements and animation effects.
Other supporting tools: Such as graphics tablets, stylus pens, etc., to enhance flexibility when drawing.

Our advice is to try out the different software we mentioned above. Then, evaluate which one suits your skills and style best.

Build and develop ideas

After acquiring basic skills, you need to build and develop ideas for your hand-drawn animations. Consider:

Characters and game world: Design and develop characters, landscapes, objects in the game.
Story and plot: Develop stories, plots to serve as a foundation for animation.
Style and aesthetics: Decide on animation style, colors, art suitable for your ideas.
Movement and effects: Plan movements, actions, and effects of characters and objects.

Practice and refine

Lastly, you need to practice and refine your hand-drawn animations. Overall, it’s a long process that requires patience, experience and skills.

Continuous practice: Spend time practicing drawing and creating animations regularly.
Learn from experts: Learn and study from other artists, animators to improve your skills.
Feedback and improvement: Get feedback from others to improve your work.
Actively engage in learning from the community: Participate in animation forums, groups to exchange, share experiences.

Tip and trick with hand-drawn animation in 2D game

Here are some tips and tricks for hand-drawn animation in 2D games:

Utilize keyframes: Keyframing is the foundation of hand-drawn animation. Establish clear starting and ending poses, then fill in the in-between frames to create smooth movement.
Anticipation and follow-through: Incorporate anticipation (a slight movement before the main action) and follow-through (continuing movement after the main action) to make animations feel more natural and organic.
Squash and stretch: Applying squash and stretch to your character’s movements can add a sense of weight and flexibility, making the animation more dynamic.
Overlapping action: Have different parts of your character’s body move at different speeds and times to create a more realistic and engaging animation.
Staging and timing: Carefully consider the timing and positioning of your animation to ensure it effectively communicates the intended action or emotion.
Reference videos: Use reference videos of real-life movements to study the natural flow and timing of actions, which can then be applied to your hand-drawn animations.
Silhouettes and shapes: Pay attention to the overall silhouette and shape of your character during animation to maintain a consistent and recognizable design.
Simplified linework: Use simplified, clean linework for your animations to avoid cluttered or distracting visuals.
Onion skinning: Utilize onion skinning (the ability to see previous and/or next frames while drawing) to help maintain consistency and fluidity in your animations.
Cycles and loops: Create seamless animation cycles and loops to minimize the amount of work required for repeating actions, such as walking, running, or idle animations.

FAQs

How to get started learning hand-drawn animation in 2D games?

Basically, you can start learning hand-drawn animation in 2D games by mastering the basic knowledge of animation, learning to draw, and using appropriate tools.

Do I need to know coding to create animation in 2D games?

It’s not necessary, but knowing programming will help you optimize the performance of your game.

How long does it take to complete a hand-drawn animation in a game?

The time required depends on the complexity of the animation and your skills, ranging from a few hours to several weeks.

How to create smooth movements in animation?

Use programming techniques and apply the principles of motion to create flexible and smooth movements.

Are there any special techniques to enhance animation realism?

Using effects such as blur, shake, explosion, etc., to create attraction and realism in animation.

In Conclusion

Embarking on the journey of creating hand-drawn animation in 2D games is a venture that is both exciting and challenging. It demands passion, patience, and a willingness to learn like an artist. By mastering the appropriate principles and tools, you can turn your creative vision into reality in the realm of 2D gaming. Remember, while the path may sometimes be arduous, the reward of seeing your characters move and interact within your gaming world makes it all worthwhile. So, don’t hesitate to take that first step and begin your exploration into the captivating world of hand-drawn animation in 2D games today!