Module 1 - Basics of Drawing

ANIMATION NCII – Animation 11a
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section: ICT CCS 11A
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado
Basics of drawing
Objectives: At the end of this lesson, students shall be able to:

1) Enumerate the different materials and equipment used in traditional animation, and explain
their importance;
2) Explain the importance of the different criteria in character drawing;
3) Explain the general steps in character drawing;
4) Understand the different criteria that goes into drawing lines and shapes – including solid
drawing; and
5) Improve on the foundations of drawing by performing the drawing exercises.
Materials and Equipment in Traditional Animation

 Light Box
○ Considered as the main workspace of the animator
○ Surface is placed at an angle and is usually made out of wood
○ The rotating disc is made out of translucent plastic
○ Mainly used for clean-up and in-betweening
 Clean-up – process of creating the final line to be seen in the final animation
 In-betweening – creation of intermediate frames between two main frames (keyframes)
○ For traditional drawing: a table or any flat surface where one can comfortably draw on
Rotating disc – translucent plastic

to allow light passage; rotates for
easier clean up
Pegs – where the animation paper

stays in place for clean-up and in-
betweening in case the disc is
rotating
LED light – placed under the disc;

for clean-up and in-betweening;
traditionally made out of tungsten
light bulbs
 Paper
○ Used for creating the frames – from the sketches to the final line
○ Animation paper
 Type of paper most suitable to a light box
 Bigger than most standard bond papers –
usually around 15” (width) x 12” (height)
 Has three holes that would fit into the peg bar
 Thin enough to let light pass through; resilient
enough for erasures
 Sometimes can have crosshairs for precision
○ For traditional drawing: any white-colored (or
light-colored) paper with no lines
 Sketchpad
 Sketchbook
 Bond paper
Page 1 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Pencil
○ Different types of pencils are used for different parts of the animation process
 Sketching – lighter grade pencils, or non-photo pencils
 Clean-up – darker grade pencils (usually 2B); in some animation studios, some lines are
colored to determine what type of coloring / lighting / shading is necessary
○ Each pencil can be categorized according to:
 Material
Graphite / Wooden Pencil Mechanical Pencil
Made with different
Wood with graphite
materials (plastic,
lead inside
metal)
Cheaper than a More durable and

mechanical pencil long-lasting
Consistent sharpness
Sturdier lead
of the lead tip
No need for
Varying lead grades
sharpening
Ideal for shading, Ideal for light

smudging, and quick sketching and clean-
sketching up
 Grade
- Dictates how dark or light the pencil is going to be
- Usually represented with a number followed by a letter (i.e. 2B, 3F, etc.)
- School pencils (pencils used for shading in tests) have another number system: 1, 2, 3
B (black) – softer lead; used for shading

and clean-up
HB/F (fine) – standard; used for rendering

and writing
H (hard) – harder lead; used for

sketching
Higher number means softer lead,

therefore darker lines.
○ For traditional drawing:

 Either mechanical or graphite / wood pencil
 Get a lighter grade (HB, F, 2F, 3F) but not too light; darker grades are not recommended
 Numbers 1, 2, and 3 pencils can be used also (for school pencils – Mongol, Stabilo, etc.)
Page 2 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Other Materials
○ Eraser
 Allows for erasing unnecessary graphite within the page
- Removing mistakes
- Removing guidelines not necessary for the final drawing
- Erasing any graphite smudges (usually made from the hand smudging the graphite)
- Creating highlights by erasing some smudges
 Common types:
- Plastic / Rubber eraser – made out of a plastic or rubber material; used for erasing lines,
guidelines, and significant smudges
- Kneaded eraser – has a clay-like substance; can be molded to different shapes; does
not erase as well as a plastic eraser; used for highlights and more precision erasing
○ Sharpener
 For sharpening the graphite pencil when necessary
- When the graphite breaks
- When it is too blunt to create any precision drawing
 Any type of working and compatible sharpener will do
○ Ruler / protractor / French curve
 Used for more accurate measurements and borders
 Used for guidelines for consistency (head turns, full-body turnaround)
 Used for perspective, foreshortening, and more accurate solid drawing
Criteria in Character Drawing

 Disclaimer and notes
○ Used to guide how the subject teacher will be grading the outputs
○ This is not universal, but it allows one to understand the quality of an output
 Proportions
○ Refers to the sizing of the characters and its parts and elements in
relation to a certain unit
○ This would allow for consistency
○ Unit of measurement is usually the head for the entire body
○ Disregarding proportions make the character that is being drawn
look unnatural; the motions that is required for the character may
not be delivered as well
○ Guidelines (lines and dots) is drawn lightly as it will be erased later
○ Examples of proportions:
 Height of a character is typically 8 heads
 The legs is usually 4 heads long
 Distance between two eyes is one eye long
Page 3 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Use of basic shapes

○ Refers to the use of basic shapes as a fundamental
means of creating a character or figure
 Circles and ellipses
 Rectangles and squares
 Lines connected to one another
○ Creates the initial volume of the figure before rendering
 Volume allows to give the final shape of the figure /
character and make it look two or three-dimensional
○ Allows for better construction
 Makes it easier for one to understand how to
construct it when breaking a figure down to its most
basic shapes
 Makes it easier to remember when attempting to
recreate it
○ Allows for better consistency
 This is important when one is attempting to redraw an existing character (modeling)
○ It must be drawn lightly as it will be erased later
○ Examples of use of basic shapes:
 Head – circle, triangle, lines for guidelines
 Hand – trapezoid (palm of the hand), ellipses (fingers)
 Rendering
○ This is the addition of details to the final drawing to
make it look more realistic and appealing
 Adding of details
 Shading and highlighting
 Texturing
 Coloring
 Adding of special effects
○ Usually takes up the longest time, but the easiest to do
 This is because IF the proportions and basic shapes
are done correctly, then rendering would mostly
amount to tracing or heavily basing it from the
foundations
○ Drawn darker than proportions and basic shapes
○ Helps with the overall appeal of the character
○ Examples of rendering:
 Adding more hair strands
 Adding wrinkles to clothing
 Appeal
○ Refers to how impactful the character and its design is to the audience
 Appeal can come in different ways – including a character’s backstory or personality
 In this lesson, appeal will solely refer to the physical appearance of the character
○ Character design must be simple yet unique
 It doesn’t necessarily mean that the character must look physically appealing
 The character should stand out from the other designs within mainstream media
○ Can be done by adding recognizable details or a unique stylized design
 Tweaking of some details but still following the rules of proportions and basic shapes
Page 4 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
General Steps in Character Drawing

 Skeleton
○ Drawing of the lightest sketches of lines, ellipses, and dots
○ Used for proportion and for stance / posture / figure drawing
 The lines serve as the length of the different body parts
 The ellipses / dots serve as the joints to be moved
 Basic shapes
○ Drawing of the necessary basic shapes over the skeleton
 Circles / ellipses
 Rectangles / squares
 Triangles
○ Used to add volume and the general output
○ Use of some 3D shapes may be done to add the idea of foreshortening
Page 5 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Rendering
○ Finalization of the basic shapes
○ Addition of details to the basic shapes
○ Erasing guidelines and basic shapes
○ Can be the final result
○ Difference to clean-up: the lines may not be final and can overlap each other
 Clean-up
○ Process of creating the final line of the drawing
○ Clean-up is not the same as rendering
 Rendering – dirty / messy / inconsistent lines
 Clean-up – clean and consistent
○ Mostly needs to use the light box for this process
Page 6 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Factors in Drawing Lines

 Control
○ Refers to how one holds an maneuvers the pencil
 Hold / grip – placement of the fingers and the rest of the hand to the pencil
 Maneuver – what moves when using the pencil
○ Can establish other factors when drawing lines
○ Types of Pencil Holds / Grips
Pencil Hold
Description Illustration
/ Grip
Traditional  How most have learned how to grip a pencil
/ Tripod  Tip of the pencil is what makes contact with the
surface
 Good for details as there is a lot of control with the
grip
Drumstick  Pencil is held loosely between the index finger and

the thumb, while other fingers act to stabilize the
pencil
 Allows for the marks to originate from side of the
exposed graphite, instead of the tip
 Good for creating loose marks and laying out the
drawing
Paint Brush  Pencil is held upright and the back edge rests on
the crease between your index finger and the
base of your thumb; same as holding a paint brush
 Tip of the pencil is what makes contact with the
paper
 Used for creating light and delicate marks, making
visual comparisons on the surface, and laying out
composition
Tip Heavy  Midsection of the pencil is held between the

Overhand middle finger and the thumb; pressure is exerted
onto the pencil tip
 Pencil lays almost parallel to the drawing surface,
forcing the side of the tip of the pencil to make
contact
 Forces the use of the shoulder when drawing
 Used for forceful applications of the material onto
the surface and filling in large areas quickly
Inverted  Pencil is held by resting it upon the forefinger and
stabilizing it with the thumb and lower fingers
 Pencil should actually point back towards the artist
 Marks are made with pencil’s tip and backside of
the tip
 Allows to clearly see the marks as they are made
since the hand and the fingers are out of the way
Page 7 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
○ Using the Pencil

 Tip of the pencil
- Sketching smaller basic shapes and lines
- Precision drawing and rendering
- Clean-up
 Side of the pencil
- Sketching larger basic shapes and lines
- Shading a large amount of space in a short amount of time
○ How to Maneuver the Pencil
 Fingers
- Least used way of maneuvering the pencil
- Adjusting the hold in order to move the pencil in more precise positions
- Used for drawing precisely and small details (stitches in clothing, eyebrow hairs, etc.)
- Tensing the fingers can allow for creation of darker lines
 Wrist
- The most common way on how to maneuver the pencil
- Allows for more control and precision, while still covering some space in the paper
- Can make both light and dark lines
- Flicking the wrist can also make feathered lines and make drawing curves easier
- Used for detailing, rendering, and drawing small sketches
- Typically used for writing as well
Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/

drawing-wrist-shoulder-gif-wrist.gif
 Elbow
- Allows for a wider range of drawing compared to simply using the wrist in smaller papers
(i.e. bond papers / sketchbooks / sketchpads)
- Typically creates lighter lines
- Allows lesser control
- Used for general sketching (skeleton) and creation of bigger basic shapes
Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/drawing-

wrist-shoulder-gif-elbow.gif
Page 8 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Shoulder
- Allows for creation of lines in bigger spaces (i.e. blackboard) compared to the previous
ways of maneuvering the pencil
- Typically creates lighter lines
- Allows the least amount of control
- Used for creating lines throughout the entire page
Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/drawing-

wrist-shoulder-gif-shouler.gif
 Pressure
○ Refers to the amount of weight placed on a pencil
○ Can result to lines in varying thickness and lightness
○ When drawing, it is recommended to use as many light lines as possible for the foundational
layers (proportions, guidelines, and basic shapes – even doing the initial rendering stage)
○ How to achieve and train for lighter pencil pressure:

 Use only the weight of your hands to add pressure to the pencil
 Hold the pencil farther away from the tip (extended tripod hold)
 When using a mechanical pencil, use a longer lead and make sure not to break it
 Lift the tip of the pencil further away from the paper surface
 Angle
○ Refers to the types and lines and the approach of drawing them
○ Where the direction of the line comes and where it does
○ Determines the quality of the line
○ Properly ascertaining what line angle to use lessens the number of lines in the paper, making it
less confusing when rendering or doing clean-up
Page 9 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
○ Tips to drawing different angled lines:

 Use as little pressure as possible
 Use your shoulder or elbow when drawing longer lines
 Train your wrist to rotate from different directions instead of rotating your own paper to
compensate
 Practice feathering – adding more pressure at the beginning but having little at the end
 Speed
○ Refers to how fast the lines or drawings are drawn
○ Faster lines tend to create a lighter sketch, cleaner and thinner lines, and tends to be more
consistent
○ There is a need to master the other factors in drawing before tackling this factor
○ Tips for faster drawing:

 Be comfortable with your pencil grip
 For long lines, move your shoulder instead of your wrist or elbow
 Prevent overdrawing – drawing lines over other lines
 Prevent from erasing during a sketch, instead lightly drawing over it
 Use lighter sketching
- This stops one from wearing out from adding too much pressure from drawing darker
lines, therefore drawing faster is not very taxing
Drawing Basic Shapes

 Importance of Measurement
○ Makes proportions look sensible
○ Makes future drawings of the same character similar and not off-model
○ Necessary for modeling
○ Basic shapes are also a means of measurement
 Not following a certain point of measurement makes the character look ‘off’, even when
the same person creates the same character
Page 10 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 Factors when Drawing Basic Shapes

○ Measurement
 Each basic shape can be measured through width and height:
- Width – horizontal axis; how wide an object is
- Height – vertical axis; how tall an object is
 A depth / thickness is added as a third dimension when the shape requires some
foreshortening / change in perspective
 How the basic shape is constructed doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as the width and
height dimensions are followed
 Lines within the basic shape can be added for further measurement
○ Line composition
 Refers to the number, construction, and quality of the lines in order to create the perimeter
of the basic shape
 The number of lines to create the shape must be as small as possible
 At the same time, a basic shape does not have to be created by one line if it sacrifices the
measurements and quality
 The quality of the lines does not have to be perfect (perfectly horizontal, perfectly
rounded, etc.) but should still follow a semblance of the shape
 Examples:
- Circle: create with around five lines or less; the arcs do not have to be perfect but
should still create a semblance of a circle
- Rectangle: create with around five lines or less; it’s okay if there are some extending
lines; the lines do not have to be perfectly straight, but should not be entirely diagonal
either
○ Pressure
 Lines must be drawn as lightly as possible
- This allows for the lines to be corrected easily (erasing lightly / drawing lightly over it)
 Use as little lines as possible to complete the perimeter of the basic shape
- No overdrawing of lines
- It may be confusing when doing rendering
- It would also be difficult to erase when there are too many lines
Page 11 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
○ Speed
 Similarly, it is the last factor to consider
- It is more important to focus on the other factors
- Further mastering the other factors will allow one to naturally get faster at drawing
 Drawing lightly and confidently tends to create a better-looking shape
- This is especially true when drawing circles or ellipses
 Prevent any corrections
- Prevent using erasers when doing the basic shapes
- Only use erasers when there are too many lines and it is distracting
- When correcting, it is better to superimpose lightly with as few lines as possible
 Overthinking and overcorrecting ultimately halts one from doing other parts of the
character drawing
Solid Drawing
 Introduction
○ Solid drawing
 Idea in drawing, illustration, and animation where a shape must be thought of something
as three-dimensional, even when only two dimensions are seen
 Helps with creating consistent volume even when changing the perspective / view
○ Foreshortening
 An extension of perspective drawing and solid drawing
 The size the object is directly proportional on its distance
- If an object is farther away, then it is smaller
- If an object is closer, then it is larger
 Importance
○ Allows for a more consistent volume when there is a change in perspective
○ Allows for realism in the creation of the character and objects, regardless the change in
perspective
 Tips for Solid Drawing
○ Add guidelines to show the vertical and horizontal axis of the entire plane
○ Understand where the guidelines lay within a certain element in the human face / body
○ Have an understanding that everything drawn in paper is a three-dimensional object
Page 12 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Drawing Exercises
 Hand and Arm Stretches
○ Better done before and after every drawing session
 Especially when drawing for long periods of time
○ Different types of stretches may cater to different people and their needs
○ Helps prevent any hand and arm issues in the future (aching muscles, carpal tunnel syndrome)
○ Other considerations:
 Change some elements in the environment (table height, use of chair, etc.)
 Look into proper back and eye support
 Materials and Equipment
○ Scrap paper
○ Pencil, preferably the pencil to be used for drawing
Page 13 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
 For Pencil Grip and Control

○ Fill the page with circles of varying sizes, reflecting the parts of the arm to be exercised
○ The circles do not have to be perfect; it is recommended to overdraw them to save space
○ This is recommended to be done for at least five minutes
 For Line Pressure

○ Draw horizontal lines from edge to edge in the paper. Each line should get darker and darker
as you are able to progress. Make sure to have as many lines as possible, meaning the
differences in pressure must be gradual and subtle.
○ Draw three types of lines:

 Lightest at the start, darkest at the end
 Darkest at the start, lightest at the end
 Consistent pressure (add with the previous exercise)
 For Line Angle

○ Draw long rectangles on the paper. Fill them with parallel lines: vertical, horizontal, diagonal
 Can also be used to help with pencil control
○ Draw a series of parallel lines using the width of the paper but using tapered / feathered lines
 Lines must be darker at the start, thinner at the tip
 Do this by flickering the wrist towards the direction of the line
 Also used to practice line pressure
Page 14 of 15
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
○ Draw curved, tapered, diagonal lines

 Join some lines together to create hair strands / grass
 Also used to practice line pressure and pencil control
References:
 South, H. (2018 Sept 26). 4 Ways to Hold a Pencil and Improve Your Drawings, Sprucecrafts.
Retrieved from https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/learn-how-to-hold-a-pencil-1123296
 Prokopenco, S. (2014 Jan 14). How to Hold and Control Your Pencil, Proko. Retrieved from
https://www.proko.com/how-to-hold-and-control-your-pencil/#.XWP72egzY2w
ACTIVITY 1: Self-check 1
Instructions: Read and analyze the questions. Choose TRUE if the statement is correct; otherwise
choose FALSE. (20 items, 20 pts.)
1. The drawing desk is considered as the animator's main workspace.
2. The animator's workspace is mainly used for illustration and animation.
3. The graphite pencil is more superior compared to the mechanical pencil.
4. A pencil with an F grade is recommended for drawing.
5. A pencil with a 2B grade is not recommended for drawing.
6. A pencil with a number 4 grade is recommended for drawing.
7. The proportions helps with the volume of the character.
8. The basic shapes serve as a foundation of creating a character.
9. Rendering takes up the longest time to do out of all of the general steps of drawing.
10. Any mistakes done during the proportions and basic shapes can easily be corrected in the
rendering stage.
11. The rendered character can be considered for submission for an illustration.
12. When drawing the eyes, it is recommended to use the elbow as a way to maneuver the
pencil.
13. When drawing the skeleton of the body, it is recommended to use the shoulder as a way to
maneuver the pencil.
14. When rendering, it is recommended to use lighter pressure on the pencil.
15. It is better to have lighter lines than darker lines when doing illustrations.
16. Having tapered / feathered lines is recommended when doing illustrations.
17. Speed is the last factor of drawing that needs to be mastered.
18. The two dimensions necessary for basic shapes is the length and width.
19. The most important part of drawing a circle is how rounded it looks.
20. When there is a mistake in creating the basic shape, the first thing to do is to erase it with a
plastic eraser.
How to Submit:
 Answer “WW1: Self-Check 1” under “Week 1 – Basics of Drawing”.
Submission Channels:
 Canvas K-12 LMS (Quizzes)
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ANIMATION NCII – Animation 11a

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

Objectives: At the end of this lesson, students shall be able to:

Materials and Equipment in Traditional Animation

Rotating disc – translucent plastic

Pegs – where the animation paper

LED light – placed under the disc;

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

Cheaper than a More durable and

Ideal for shading, Ideal for light

B (black) – softer lead; used for shading

HB/F (fine) – standard; used for rendering

H (hard) – harder lead; used for

Higher number means softer lead,

○ For traditional drawing:

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

Criteria in Character Drawing

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

 Use of basic shapes

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

General Steps in Character Drawing

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

Factors in Drawing Lines

Drumstick  Pencil is held loosely between the index finger and

Tip Heavy  Midsection of the pencil is held between the

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

○ Using the Pencil

Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/

Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/drawing-

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

Image reference: https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/108/posts/24173/image/drawing-

○ How to achieve and train for lighter pencil pressure:

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

○ Tips to drawing different angled lines:

○ Tips for faster drawing:

Drawing Basic Shapes

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

 Factors when Drawing Basic Shapes

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

 For Pencil Grip and Control

 For Line Pressure

○ Draw three types of lines:

 For Line Angle

MODULE 1 – Ani11a Subject Teacher: Lovely Jenn A. Reformado

○ Draw curved, tapered, diagonal lines

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