Introduction to Anime Animation using Clip Studio Paint
As an aspiring anime animator, having the right tools and techniques is crucial to bringing your creative vision to life. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the basics of anime animation using Clip Studio Paint, a popular digital painting and comic illustration tool. We'll delve into the world of anime animation through the eyes of Dong, a Canadian animator with experience in the Japanese animation industry.
Setting up a New File in Clip Studio Paint
To begin, let's set up a new file in Clip Studio Paint. Create a new file with the following settings:
- Use as: Animation
- Resolution: 1920x1080 (standard for most animation films)
- Frame rate: 24
- Playback time: 48 frames (2-second long video)
The blue frame is the output frame, so make sure to draw inside it. The timeline is located at the bottom of the screen and can be accessed by going into Window > Timeline.
Organizing Layers and Folders
Clip Studio Paint uses animation folders to organize layers and cells. Create a new animation folder and name it (e.g., "A"). Inside the animation folder, create a new folder for each cell (e.g., "One") and a new raster layer within that folder. The folders and layers in the root of the animation folder act as the different cells or drawings in the animation.
Drawing and Animation
Clip Studio Paint offers a variety of drawing tools, including pens, pencils, and brushes. For this example, we'll use the default G Pen at size 4. Start with a rough outline of the character's face and place features such as eyes and mouth. Take advantage of digital animation by editing the drawing after the fact using the lasso tool to grab and move parts of the drawing.
Tips and Shortcuts
To streamline your workflow, here are some essential tips and shortcuts to keep in mind:
- Use the shortcut "P" for the pen tool, but feel free to change it to your liking under File > Shortcut Settings.
- Create shortcuts for "Select Previous Cell" and "Select Next Cell" options.
- Create a shortcut for "Reset Rotation Inversion" (explained later).
- Use the eraser tool frequently, with a default shortcut of "E".
- Use the undo command "Control Z" frequently.
Animation Process
Let's create a simple head turn animation of Tanya from Yojo Senki. We'll limit the animation to 4 drawings exposed on threes. Start with a rough animation phase, keeping drawings loose and rough. Use the animation folder and layer system to organize and manage the animation process.
Digital Drawing and Animation Process
Step 1: Draw Hair and Create Color Set
Draw Tanya's hair on a new layer above the existing drawing using digital drawing tools. Create a color set for the animation by clicking the wrench icon in the color set tab and creating a new set. Add colors to the set by right-clicking empty slots and replacing with the desired color. Use a blue, red, yellow, and light blue color to mark shadows, highlights, and color separation lines.
Step 2: Add Color Separation Lines and Shade
Create a new layer for color separation lines to make the painter's job easier. Use the light blue and yellow colors to shade areas and make it easier to read. Add red X marks to indicate areas that should be left empty and not painted. Label the drawing with a unique identifier (e.g. A1).
Step 3: Create End Pose and Onion Skin Settings
Move further down the timeline and create a new animation cell. Turn on onion skin and adjust settings as needed. Draw the end pose of Tanya looking straight ahead, keeping it rough and using the skull as a base. Flip back and forth between previous drawings to ensure proportions are consistent. Use the lasso tool to fix any incorrect parts. Add hair, shadows, and highlights, and label the drawing (e.g. A3).
Step 4: Plan Timing and Spacing of In-Betweens
Determine the timing and spacing of in-between drawings based on the scene. Create an animation in-between reference drawing (A2) with Tanya's eyes closed. Rename drawings as needed (e.g. A1, A2, A3) and indicate key drawings with a circle. Plan the exposure sheet, including frame counts and loop options.
Step 5: Draw A2 and Refine Drawings
Draw A2, a three-quarter view of Tanya's head with her eyes closed. Use the same techniques as before, keeping it rough and using onion skin. Refine drawings as needed to ensure proportions are consistent. Use the tie-down pass to put drawings more on model for the in-between and cleanup animator.
Step 6: Time Drawings and Review
Time drawings by dragging the free marker in the timeline to match the exposure sheet. Review the animation by selecting the loop option and hitting the play button.
Creating a New Folder and Layer for Tie Down
Create a new folder and name it "Our Tie Down". Add a raster layer to the folder. Select the "Rough" folder and lower its opacity, using the roughs as a base.
Drawing Over the Rough Layer
Draw over the rough layer, focusing on keeping things on model and tightening up the lines. Use the tip of setting the control key to temporarily change the tool to rotate, making it easier to draw curves. Use the reset rotation shortcut to quickly reset the view.
Tightening Up Drawings and Color Separation Lines
Tighten up the rest of the drawings on a new layer. Try to tighten up the color separation lines as well.
Creating New Colors for Shadows
Create a couple more colors for the color set, such as green for hair and orange for skin. Use these new colors to save the shadows on a new layer.
Cleanup and Renaming Drawings
Go back to the exposure sheet and plan out the drawings. Rename some of the drawings, such as the in-between drawing becoming A3 and the old A3 key drawing becoming A4. Create a new folder named "Clean" and add a raster layer to it. Lower the opacity of the "Rough" folder and use it as a reference.
By following these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning anime animations using Clip Studio Paint. Remember to stay organized, use shortcuts, and refine your drawings to achieve professional-quality results. Happy animating!