How ARG! Animates Cartoons - An example by W. Kirk Kennedy

Animating A Juggler

In this example by ARG! animator W. Kirk Kennedy, notice the masterful use of overlapping action, anticipation and follow-through techniques. Like most GIF cartoons, this animation is a "cycle" or repeating loop.

by W. Kirk Kennedy

The clown is tossing the ball with his right hand in cel 7*, catching it with his left in cel 5, and transferring it back to the right hand in cel 3. The cycle has only one toss and catch, yet the clown is juggling two balls, because at least one ball is always held. Can you see the anticipation and follow-through used in each action? Little touches like the tapping foot and the loose hat add a lot of life to the piece.

The finished animation is shown at left. At right is the first color version.

*The word "cel" originally referred to the cellulose acetate (clear plastic material) on which characters were painted. The technique was originated by animation pioneer Winsor McCay.