(0) Completion example

Title "The Sun of Asano Miru"

Subtitle "The Women of the Popon Detectives"

Production Date 2025/4/7-12

Production Time Approximately 8 hours

Software Used Clip Studio (EX)

Size 1920x1080px (192dpi) (Full HD)

Concept Detective "Asano Miru" shows off a happy face like the sun. Something good must have happened.

Explanation/Additional Notes "Asano Miru" is my original character. Also, Asano is called "Asano".

 

 

(1) How to use and prepare animation

1-1 Select Animation under Create New.

 

1-2 Set the size, resolution and frame rate in the animation settings. In this example, the resolution is set to 1920 x 1080px and the frame rate is set to 12 frames.

 

*Frame rate: The number of frames that can be drawn per second.

1-3 Animations are managed on the timeline. There are mainly "animation folders" and "cells".

 

*Animation folders manage cells. Cells are connected within these to create animations.

 

*Cels are animation layers.

1-4 This time, new animation cels are being created on the timeline by specifying 10 cels in the animation folder, between 0 and 27.

 

*New animation cels are located in the top item on the timeline.

 

1-5 This completes the preparation for drawing the rough line art for the animation.

 

 

(2) First line drawing rough: "Draw a line drawing of your favorite movement"

2-1 First, try to imagine an expression and movement that you like. You can also write it down on paper and visualize the expression and movement you want to make. In this example, we are focusing on imagining a happy, sunny face and movements that create a sense of perspective. The more details you focus on, the more energy and time you will consume, but by planning carefully, you will be able to complete a picture that you are satisfied with.

 

 

2-2 By adding onion skinning, the previous cel will be displayed lighter.

 

*You can set which cels to display lighter and how light they are with the onion skin settings.

 

*Onion skinning is available on the timeline.

↑First pose

2-3 It's a good idea to decide on the first pose based on the first cel, as it's easier to see the size of the next cels.

 

2-4 The blue frame represents the part that will be expressed when animated, and by keeping the picture inside the blue frame, even if the picture goes beyond the blue frame, only that area will be displayed. So draw what you want to express within the blue frame.

 

*From time to time, go back to the first cel and reconsider the size. Doing so can also create balance and emotional impact.

 

*Small depictions are suitable for negative expressions such as cringing or loneliness, while large depictions are suitable for positive expressions such as fun or happiness. The opposite can also be expressed.

2-5 If there is a motif that is difficult to draw, refer to the reference material and try to draw it in a simpler way by reducing the number of lines. You can also try to keep the shape in mind. You can also draw the lines little by little so that they overlap, so try to get the general shape of the motif.

 

*A magnifying glass is a triangle around a glass circle. There is a cylindrical rod underneath it.

 

 

2-6 First rough line drawing completed.

(3) Second line drawing rough: "Adjusting the movement and drawing a rough line drawing"

3-1 Once you have completed your first line drawing rough, select "Create a folder and insert a layer" as the first cell in the layer properties by clicking the three lines in the top left.

 

This will allow you to draw layers on top of each other in a single cell.

 

*Perform "Create a folder and insert a layer" on cells 1 to 10.

 

 

↑ First time, lower the opacity of the rough line drawing

↑The first rough line drawing with the opacity lowered.

↑Onion skin of the previous cel

3-2 While checking the first rough line art, make the movement natural.

Lower the layer opacity and start drawing the second rough line art.

Refer to "onion skin" and draw while keeping movement in mind.

 

*Try using the first cel as a reference.

 

3-3 To smooth out the facial expressions, make the G pen thinner and increase the image stabilization.

 

*Draw the hands, magnifying glass, and eyes simply.

3-4 Second rough line drawing completed.

(4) Third line drawing: "Straightening the lines"

4-1 Check the second rough line drawing by lowering the opacity of the layer, and then draw the third clean line drawing on the third layer in the folder.

 

*This will be the line drawing to be colored.

 

4-2 Draw long lines to create smooth curves. If you find it difficult to draw clean lines or are not used to it, use an eraser or opaque color, thinking about how to separate the lines, and finally connect them to make them neater. (See below)

(5) Paint with unique colors using the palette

5-1 Create a new color set and choose the colors you will use. Change only the hue of the color circle so that the hair, clothes, etc. have roughly the same vivid tone. Adjust the brightness and saturation of skin and achromatic colors.

 

*Because the characters use warm colors, they stand out with their lively and bright emotions. Also, because they are vivid, they have a clear sense of power.

 

5-2 When deciding on colors, since this is about emotions, you can try to put your emotions into words specifically, or find the difference in the colors of the emotions you and the other person have. If you don't know, you can also decide on a color based on your knowledge and sensibility. By continuing to gain experience points with knowledge and sensibility, you will want to try other expressions and ways of thinking. There is no right answer when it comes to drawing.

 

5-3 When painting, using the fill function will increase your work efficiency.

 

*It is easier to fill in the gaps using the close gap function. Also, it is a good idea to fill in the areas where the lines are broken by drawing with a pen.

5-4 Coloring completed.

(6) Painting shadows

6-1 Paint the shadows. Create a new animation folder and lower the opacity.

 

6-2 Use black to create shadows under the hair and deerstalker (hat).

 

• Draw the shadow of the next cel according to the movement of the shadow of the previous cel.

 

6-3 Adding shadows gives a sense of momentum and direction of movement. Shadows can create not only light and dark, but also movement and a sense of perspective. That's why I applied a darker shadow to the energetic girl.

6-4　The filming is over.

(7) Apply highlights

7-1 Paint the highlights. Create a new animation folder.

 

7-2 To match the hair texture, use a white Real G Pen to create a shine, and spray highlights to make it look like it is catching light. Also, to create the impression that the character is existing in space, apply a thin layer of spray highlights to the boundary between the body and the white space.

 

• Draw the shadow of the next cel while keeping in mind the movement of the shadow of the previous cel.

 

 

7-3 By painting highlights, the direction of the movement can be conveyed in the same way as shadows. The impression of the facial expression has changed a little.

7-4 Highlight completed.

(8) Effect expression

8-1 Create a new animation folder.

 

8-2 Draw sparkles around it for effect.

 

• Use the pen effect lines, then use white spray highlights to make the sparkles glow.

*By drawing the sparkle, I am able to convey the character's individuality and personality.

8-3　The effect is complete.

(9) 2D Camera

9-1 Finally, we will use the 2D camera to create movement, a sense of perspective, a lively expression, and a photographic look.

 

9-2 The 2D camera folder is located in the new layer for animation by clicking the three lines in the top left of the timeline.

9-3 Create a new 2D camera folder and place the animation folders you have created so far into it.

9-4 Create a keyframe on the first cell in the timeline to adjust the range of the 2D camera. Use the blue frame of the canvas to define the range using the Object Manipulation tool.

9-5 Add a keyframe to the middle cell so that the camera moves diagonally from the first cell to the middle cell.

9-6 Add a keyframe to the last cel so that the camera moves by zooming in from the middle cell to the last cell.

9-7 Completed. (The completed drawing is shown in the summary below.)

(10) Summary

I have explained this from this month's "TIPS" and "Facial Animation". I have drawn animation several times, but it was difficult to remember the operation. However, it is surprisingly fun to draw with "feelings" on the techniques you know about animation, the techniques you want to know, and your own basic drawing techniques. "Feelings" are not limited to animation, but I value them the most. This time, I made an original character of a detective called "Asano Miru". This character is symbolized by a bright expression, so I thought it would be perfect for an animation that expresses facial expressions, and created it by referring to past character materials. Perhaps you have an expression or character that you wanted to express in the past. If you are having trouble drawing animation, try "thinking". You may unexpectedly find something you want to draw or get motivated.

 

Thank you for staying with us until the end.

(11) Video