1.
The punch
Here is where EVERYONE begins, its quite simple as well. These can look really good if you just add the right amount of easing and proper spacing.
Frame 1: Figures 'punching' arm begins to raise up and other arm moves forward slightly figures
Frame 2: Punching arm continues to move up and fold in and other arm continues moving forward
Frame 3-7: Continue as above back bends a little and so do legs
Frame 8: Punching arm shoots forward and forward arm transfers behind figure begins taking step forward
Frame 9-End: Figure eases back into normal position after taking a step forward
Remember, easing is your BEST friend, use it! You can also chain punches. You should also make the punch your own, develop it until it is yours, in this example I added my own movements to it, and it is from a stationary position, so extra frames are required ( WARNING back is a bit stiff, im a bit rusty at the moment )
Kicks
Pretty much the same as the punch, but i have to explain it anyways -.-
Frame 1: Figure is either at a standstill with his legs apart, if not move on
Frame 2-5: The arms move apart, the right foot stays where it is, the right knee bends, the left leg comes forward and stays straight. The spine curves back.
Frame 6-10: Pretend the left leg is an arm. Now animate this “arm” as if it was punching. As the leg comes to the waist of the stickman, start moving the arms back towards each other, and curve the spine in the opposite direction. When the leg is fully extended, leave it like that for two frames to emphasise its impact.
Frame 11-15: Drop all the limbs and ease out
There, a kick. That was fairly easy, now with all things EASE. And as before make it your own! I animate my kicks a little bit faster than the norm as i animate more fast paced so to say.
One hit
One hit is a fighting style most people take up, and to be honest its perfectly fine but is boring and repetitve. All that happens is a stick will get hit, then fall over, then get up hit back, other stick falls over. This is bland and quite frankly n00bish (sorry all you beginners including me O.o) This is okay for practices and the concept of fighting but try to get into chain fighting (see below) ASAP (example will be added soon)
Chain fighting
Ah the joys of chain fighting, this style is great and fun to watch. It simply is hit after hit after hit, the sticks never stops moving until ones lying on the floor bleeding and unconscious. This style simply requires some easing and constant movement on both figures parts. This can get hard as people often forget about one stick but just make sure you move everything and you will be fine.
Slow motion
In my opinion slow motion can differ over frame rates, but thats me.There are two ways i do it listed as below.
1.
What you need to do is simply move the figure less space from the onion skin (the grey thing where the stick was) and then double up that frame. Its fairly easy to do. This may make things look choppy, which i included in my example for i animate on 18-20 fps.
2.
What you do is make the figure move slower, as in space him slowly, like the latter method but without a doubled frame. This is a much smoother result on higher framerates
Thanks for reading, More will be added soon and i will add things from the public if I think they need to be, so comment if you have anything to add!
Cheers,
Wolf3h
