This section will cover a walk and run cycle, both fundamental to the art of animation as it uses multiple principles together to create a perfect loop. The examples found show the process of it, Preston Blair’s Run and Richard William’s walk were used to help figure out the basics of each of them then references were use to help fix any of the missing pieces of the two cycles.

There are typically four to six stages of a run and walk cycle, but both have Contact, down, passing pose and up and potentially extras depending on the run.

The endless reference video of a walk showcases a lot of about a walk that needs to be consider when creating it, the way the hips sway and follow the upper body’s twist and the arm motions while traveling between each stage. Arms and Legs always seem to move opposite from each other one moves forward and the other is behind etc, small things like the head following the body, up and down motion and bend of bodies are all important movement factors to consider.

Similar to a walk the run has equal amounts of important details, a lot of similar however a big thing to factor is how when running at least visually feet don’t always touch the ground compared to that of a walk and typically the body is further position forward to emphasis speed and aerodynamics.

The walk animation, a very old timey style of walk with his arms up in a fisticuffs type of gesture, while strolling about. Making sure to use the principles such as arcs, squash and stretch, timing and spacing, easing in and out, overlap and follow through making sure the loop is true.

Follow through and overlap help give the bounce of the ears and the arc of the hips always helps give it a solid bounce and similar helps the feet move correct manner.

This was the first attempt at a running animation and it sadly it’s more like a power walk than a run, as the feet connect to the ground and the movement overall feels a little too slow to be considered a run. Adjustments for this would be needed for it to be considered a run and a big one would be to adjust the back as its currently facing forward. When running the back is typically arc’d forward and not back as it is here. Overall speed too could be faster.

This run was similar to the previous attempts however I adjusted the back, sped up the overall cycle and made sure the legs followed a quick turn around. However it does appear to be a run I think there are minor aspects that are holding it back, mostly the lack of a body sway of overall body movement to help give it a bit of edge on a run compared to a walk.

Compared to previous attempts as well there isn’t a lot of overlapping action and follow through on parts to give it some extra motion during, which might of helped conveyed a sense of speed compared to the results here were ears and the tail are stiff. Something to consider for next time.