follow through and overlapping action
Tex Avery, 'Slap happy Lion' (1947)
Follow through is the termination part of an action. An example is in throwing a ball -- the hand continues to move after the ball is released. In the movement of a complex object different parts of the object move at different times and different rates. For example, in walking, the hip leads, followed by the leg and then the foot. As the hip twists, the torso follows, then the shoulder, the arm, the wrist, and finally the fingers. Although most large body actions start in the hips, the wrist will lead the fingers in a hand gesture, and the eyes will usually lead the head in an action. As the lead part stops, the lagging parts continue in motion. Heavier parts lag farther and stop more slowly. An example is in the antennae of an insect - they will lag behind and them move quickly to indicate the lighter mass.
Overlapping means to start a second action before the first action has completely finished. This keeps the interest of the viewer, since there is no dead time between actions. Overlapping maintains a continual flow and continuity between whole phrases of actions.
Walt Disney once explained overlapping this way, "It is not necessary for an animator to take a character to one point, complete that action completely, and then turn to the following action as if the had never given it a thought until after completing the first action. When a character knows what his is going to do he doesn't have to stop before each individual action and think to do it. He has it planned in advance in his mind. For example, the mind thinks, ' I'll close the door - lock it then I'm going to undress and go to bed.' Well, you walk over to the door before the walk is finished you're reaching for the door - before the door is closed you reach for the key - before the door is locked you're turning away - while you're walking away you undo your tie - and before you reach the bureau you have your tie off. In other words, before you know it you're undressed and you've done it in one thought, "I'm going to bed."
Concentrate on drawing clear, not clean.
Everything has a function. Don't draw without knowing why.
From: Animation Notes by Disney animator, Ollie Johnston
Ask yourself: How is the character constructed? The different parts that go into making a character will move or cycle at different rates based on its construction, or its hierachy. "An object in motion tends to stay in motion. An object at rest tends to stay at rest." What forces are driving the movement. Watch appendages and how the move in relation to the main parts of the body. nothing moves at the same time!!!
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