Mastering Animation: Squash and Stretch

Animation used to take years to master but now a single frame can teach you everything.

Watch how this ball bounces. See that squash and stretch? That's literally

the foundation of every animated movement you've ever loved. Disney built an empire on twelve

principles and this is number one. When the ball hits the ground it compresses, then elongates as

it springs back up. Without this, animation feels dead and robotic.

Every character walk cycle, every facial expression, every explosion in your favorite

anime uses this exact technique. Pixar animators spend months perfecting squash and stretch

on single characters. You can learn it in an afternoon. Download any free software,