2D Hand-Drawn ANIMATION CLASS 1

This class aligns with the FLDOE (Florida Department of Education) CPALMS Standard Course – Film 3 Honors (#0107430)  

 $200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

2D Hand-Drawn Animation

This class provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of animation, combining traditional drawing skills with modern digital tools. Students will learn to construct characters using 2D and 3D geometric forms, developing a strong sense of structure, volume, and dimensionality in their designs.

Through hands-on projects *, students will explore the core principles of animation—such as timing, squash and stretch, anticipation, follow-through, overlapping action, and slow in/slow out—to create believable characters, dynamic motion, and engaging scenes. Emphasis is placed on character performance, gesture, and expressive storytelling.

This is a Digital Drawing class.  We use the program Blender which is free to download.

Download link in Supply button above.

Students need to have a drawing tablet or Cintiq with a stylus.

Using the program Blender alongside traditional drawing methods, students will develop the ability to:

Create character designs that demonstrate structure, gesture, and personality

Caricature life and exaggerate movement from the natural world.

Design anthropomorphic characters based on observation and research

Use timing, spacing, and action analysis to enhance performance

Produce animated sequences through linear progression of drawings

 

“Candy Corn” – James -11th Grade (Blender)

$200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

*Projects and exercises include:

Pendulum and ball studies (bouncy ball, bowling ball, balloon drop)

S-curve and C-curve motion like Book Pages and Cat Tails

Smear frames and character takes 

Candle flame and environmental effects

Action analysis in weight lifts, walks, whips, and run cycles

Students will gain a strong foundation in animation principles and the ability to create engaging, performance-driven animation.

 $200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

“Hotdog” (Fat Man at the Fair)

James 11th Grade using Blender

James Accepted into DePaul University

Making Cookies (add milk, eggs, flower, oil, etc.)

Soren – 6th Grade Using BLENDER

More Animation Videos from Class

“Hey You Guys” (Rita Morena sound grab)

Soren – 4th Grade Using FLIPPAD

“NO LIFE ON MARS” using BLENDER

“Weight Lift”- James 11th Grade using BLENDER

Baseball Pitch and Swing by Robert – 11th Grade using FLIPBOOK

“Lion Jumping on a Piano”

Paper Cut-Out stop motion using Blender

Project Based Learning – Six Student Animators (Hand-Drawn)

Tequila Music Video

Golf Swing – James 8th Grade (Flippad)

“Character Turn Around ” Ellie (12th Grade) 

Accepted into Ringling College

3D object created in Blender

2D character juggling 3D prop – James 12th Grade (Blender)

$200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

Weight Lifter

Soren – 6th Grade using FLIPPAD

Introduction of Villian – film project by Robert – 12th Grade (paper)

Accepted into Bradley College

Goofy Magician Pantomime by Katherine – 9th Grade. Paper

Project Based Learning 

Mr. Vinny and Students created a 3 min video for rap artist CHEF WILL

$200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time) 

Effects Animation using Blender

“HAPPY HALLOWEEN”

James – 10th Grade using Blender

Run cycle Example with Hidden Mickey end pose. (Blender)

“Effect Animation – Diver”

James – 12th Grade using Blender

$200/ month

Fridays  3:00 – 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)