December 20th 12pm PST - Character Sheets for Animation with Modern Day James (Livestream)

Key frame vs straight ahead animation?

Recently purchased Richard Williams' Animator's Survival Kit. Is there any other books that you guys would recommend for studying animation?

Question for James: Hey James, as someone who did not go through art college and changed career paths later than others would, what would you say to someone ( for the sake of example is 18 yrs old) who is going self taught in animation and plans to enter the animation industry? apart from that, what would be the best way to take that first step into learning?

Please ask James about polish families, it will be very funny I swear

Do you have some favourite colours, or colours compositions, that you use in your drawings?

Are you actively thinking about perspective, gesture, anatomy, ect. simultaneously or does your mind switch from one to the other as needed?

Whats all of you'all favourite anime?

Do you always use reference (specifically the motion, not a character sheet) when animating and how many steps back/forward do you let the onion skinning go?

Interesting that both visual and musical use the term COMPOSITION...exactly what you guys are talking about. Thinking of composition of a painting compared to composition of a song... very interesting.

Would you recommend getting real good at drawing before start learning animation or a better start even if my art still sucks?

How old were each of you guys when you started drawing?

Question for James: I remember you used to have this "direct drawing" approach. You were one of the few artists that taught that (maybe also Peter Han) and it influenced me a lot. Why did you stop using this approach? Your old approach made everything look so clean and fluid, but for some reason you started doing the same "gestural" thing (not that it's bad, I just loved the clean, flow-y approach you had). Thank you for all of your tutorials and work so far!

Hey, I've just recently started sketching & drawing again after a long time. My sketches are very dull/ lackluster, are there any useful tips on how to get better or improve your work?

How much do you think animation improves your drawings from imagination?

Question I do a lot of studies but I can't draw anything else because I get bored and I can't finish any drawings for my portfolio. I like doing studies, but I get burned out after 2 days of studying and I need to take a week off. Do you have any advice for solving my problem?

Question for all of you guys, How do you balance creating art/illustrations work life with family time/being active/spending time doing other things? I find it so hard to allot time for things and feel guilty for choosing between practicing and doing studies, etc and going out and spending time with friends and family.

Hi, I have a question regarding what to include in a character design portfolio currently a student whose about to enter university so im kinda anxious about being prepared to get a job in that line of work (｡•́︿•̀｡)

I'm curious on the process of choosing color palettes for characters. How much do you usually base it on a character's specific environment, personality, and/or symbolism? And when working on a big animation team are the decisions left up to a designer's choice? Or are there guidelines that have been determined that a designer follows? Thank You!!

Question for James: I remember you used to have this "direct drawing" approach. You were one of the few artists that taught that (maybe also Peter Han) and it influenced me a lot. Why did you stop using this approach? Your old approach made everything look so clean and fluid, but for some reason you started doing the same "gestural" thing (not that it's bad, I just loved the clean, flow-y approach you had). Thank you for all of your tutorials and work so far!

hey sinix are you still using a no screen tablet for your paintings?