SQUASH AND STRETCH JUMP

The feet motivate the action of the jump. Instead of drawing out the entire character, SIMPLIFY. Draw only the feet, legs and the ball shape of the character's body.

Let's draw the first Key position...

The next Key drawing or pose is the ANTICIPATION. Notice the squash or weight shown in the body and legs.

Now, let's draw the "stretch" drawing. This is not a Key drawing, but a BREAKDOWN drawing. A breakdown drawing comes between the keys to help the animator describe the action. Note the downward drag in the feet as the character moves up.

TIP: Look for opportunities to use opposite (opposing) actions.

We follow with our next drawing as the character drifts into the air.

Now we'll ruff in the downward BREAKDOWN drawing. Note the stretch of the body.

TIP: Again we use OPPOSITE ACTION. As he decends, the feet drag up.

He lands on one foot first.

TIP: Squash the foot and show weight in the leg.

As the other foot lands, we squash the body.

He recovers, pushing with one foot.

TIP: By landing on one foot and pushing up on the other, we get what is known as LEADING AND FOLLOWING ACTION.

In the last drawing, Joey returns to an upright position.

Now that the feet, legs and body are completed, we can go back and ruff in the arm positions on each drawing. Next, we will draw in the heads...and finally, his facial expressions, hair, clothes and other details.