SM: Walk Cycles

Before starting, I printed off from the Internet a basic walk cycle so I could use it to refer to when animating. The first exercise was to produce a realistic normal walk. In the first movements, I made sure that her head was the first thing to move forewords, followed by her hands which would create the build up and anticipation. After these initial movements I then began to move the feet making sure they continued facing straight and kept a good distance apart. 

I found animating the puppet a struggle as some of the joints seemed to get jammed or stuck, or simply didn't move the way they should. Before animating next time I will check and untwist all the joints, because it's frustrating when you find out half way through that one of the joints aren't working properly. This also goes the same for making the joints tight, in my animation my puppet could no longer support itself on one leg. I had to find away of balancing her weight, but it wasn't necessarily the position I wanted her in. 

I think my first walk cycle was successful! In all of the shots her head is leading, she is constantly moving forward. I also think that her strides are very balanced and equal which creates a very smooth curve of when she is at the high point to when she is in the recoil. However it is unfortunate that when I was animating the camera got knocked twice, which makes the whole animation look jolty and unsmooth. 

Normal walk cycle

Learning from last time I made sure that I checked all of the joints and made sure they could all bend easily, as well as supporting weight and holding a pose. For this walk I wanted to make the character look grumpy and angry, I applied the same principles as I did before however this time adding more personality. To get across that she was feeling grumpy, I lowered her head and made her look subtly from side to side, I made her feet stomp more making her feet slap the floor quicker, and I also made her hand swing quicker but with restricted movement. 

I think I did capture a grumpy walk however I could of perhaps added in a few more frames as it seems just a tiny bit too quick. 

Grumpy walk