Traditional Animation: Composition, Rhythm and Camera
A course by Ezequiel TorresAnimator
A course by Ezequiel Torres, Animator
Learn techniques and tricks to create smooth and original animation sequences
Rhythm is one of the most important elements an animator must take into account in order to capture and hold the viewer's attention. Ezequiel Torres, animation director of Rudo studio, has been experimenting with frame-by-frame animation on paper and digitally for more than a decade, exploring all the possibilities this discipline has to offer.
In this online course, Ezequiel teaches you how to create smooth and original animation sequences. Play with the camera, rhythm, and composition to create unexpected twists and turns within your animation to keep the viewer's eyes glued to the screen.
What will you learn in this online course?
24 lessons & 9 downloads
Connection I
14 minutes, 32 seconds
Inertia
7 minutes, 2 seconds
Key pose, breakdown and timing I
15 minutes, 41 seconds
Types of camera
8 minutes, 38 seconds
Camera flush with the floor
16 minutes, 33 seconds
Composition, rhythm and percentage of full and empty
14 minutes, 9 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Ezequiel Torres, his work, and his role as animation director at Rudo studio. See the influences and animators who inspire him the most before analyzing some Japanese anime and Western animation together.
After reviewing some basic animation principles, Ezequiel teaches you how to create dynamic animated pieces. Work on composition elements with character poses and camera angles through exercises that focus on connection, fluidity, and movement. Then, discover the importance of measuring the percentage of positive and negative space.
Once you have a good grasp on animation theory, it’s time to start with your first sketches. Using your own drawing style, Ezequiel shows you the secrets of bringing your stories to life and setting your characters in motion.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create and animate a character moving through a space of your choice, exploring the possibilities of camera movements in frame-by-frame animation through a series of exercises.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Animators, illustrators, designers, character creators, and anyone interested in bringing their characters to life and finally seeing all those stories they draw on paper in motion.
Requirements and materials
Some basic drawing knowledge is required. Experience in character creation and using perspective is a plus.
In terms of materials, you need a computer with Toon Boom installed and a camera (you can use your mobile phone camera). A graphics tablet is also recommended.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Realmente me ayudo bastante, exelente curso
- 5 months ago
Creo que es la primera vez que de verdad aprendo sobre animar; el curso está maravilloso, la verdad.
- 6 months ago
Super handy not going lie, it will not cover the crazy technical stuff but its enough to get you going, totally recommend
- 8 months ago
Muy bueno!
- 11 months ago
Esse curso é um tesouro valioso escondido na internet. Conteúdo muito enriquecedor tanto para animação como para direção de arte e composição. Parabéns pelo conteúdo e pelo trajetória do Ezequiel. Eu assistia as músicas sem saber que ele animava e um belo dia encontrei um curso legal de animação por aqui, e quando percebi era o cara que animava os vídeos das músicas que eu ouvia... Muito show.
His career and experience culminated in him founding his own studio, Rudo, together with Pablo Roldán. For each commissioned piece, they strive to create animations that hook the viewer. In 2017, their video The Wolf went viral. The work that went into creating the dynamic shots for this video allowed Ezequiel to sharpen his vision of narrative shots, rhythm, and character emotion.
Content
- U1
How to fall in love with the artisan animation.
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Space and time
- Connection I
- Connection II
- Inertia
- Key pose, breakdown and timing I
- Key pose, breakdown and timing II
- U3
Camera
- Types of camera
- Camera flush with the floor
- Composition, rhythm and percentage of full and empty
- Collation and FPS
- U4
Drawing, camera, action
- Sketching the idea
- Back to childhood
- Timing I
- Timing II
- Ready to clean-up I
- Ready to clean-up II
- Ready to clean-up III
- Clean-up I
- Clean-up II
- Clean-up III
- Clean-up IV
- Painted I
- Painted II
- FP
Final project
- Traditional Animation
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for students with intermediate skills who want to deepen their knowledge of advanced 2D animation techniques, composition, visual rhythm, and references from Japanese anime.
It’s recommended to have basic experience in digital animation, familiarity with Toon Boom or similar software, and drawing skills. The course is perfect for those looking to refine professional techniques and concepts.
You’ll learn how to analyze dynamic scenes, use arcs, breakdowns, timing, multilayer composition, motion blur, camera techniques, animation clean-up, and advanced color management—all applied to contemporary professional animation.
You’ll need Toon Boom Harmony and optionally After Effects for effects and editing. A graphics tablet and access to visual references or digital drawing materials are also recommended.
The course teaches how to simplify shapes and choose coherent color palettes to create visual impact and clear storytelling in animations, using practical examples and exercises.
Yes, it covers techniques like sakuga, breakdowns, movement arcs, and composition inspired by Japanese anime, adapted for modern digital animation.
Absolutely. You’ll learn to use advanced Toon Boom tools like guide layers, brush adjustments, frame management, and exporting animated sequences.