How to Create 2D Frame-by-Frame Animation: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Ever Wondered How Classic Cartoons Are Made?

You know that satisfying bounce when a character jumps, or that smooth wave when hair blows in the wind? That’s the magic of 2D frame-by-frame animation — the OG animation style used in everything from Looney Tunes to Studio Ghibli classics. And guess what? You don’t need a big studio to make it.In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create 2D frame-by-frame animation from scratch — whether you’re an aspiring animator, an indie game dev, or just a curious creative.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Here’s a list of tools and what they’re good for. Choose one based on your vibe:

No matter the tool, the core steps are the same!

Step-by-Step: How to Create 2D Frame-by-Frame Animation

✏️ Step 1: Plan Your Animation

Even short clips need a plan. Start by thinking about:

• What are you animating? (Jumping cat? Waving hand? Walking loop?)
• How many seconds long?
• How smooth do you want it?
  Standard is 12–24 frames per second (FPS). More frames = smoother motion.

🧠 Pro tip: Draw out a quick storyboard or key poses so you’re not winging it.

🖌️ Step 2: Set Up Your Canvas

Open your app or software, and create:

• A new canvas/project
  
• Set the frame rate (start with 12 FPS if you’re new)
  
• Choose your canvas size (e.g., 1080×1080 or 1920×1080)

Each frame is literally a new drawing, so don’t go too complex too soon!

👣 Step 3: Draw Keyframes

Keyframes are the main poses — the important “moments” in the motion.

For example:
A wave might have 3 keyframes: hand up → mid-wave → hand down

Draw these first to map out the timing and structure.

🎞️ Step 4: Add Inbetweens (aka Tweening)

Now comes the fun part. Between each keyframe, draw the in-between frames that connect the motion. This makes it look fluid and alive.

💡 Turn on “onion skinning” so you can see your previous and next frame faintly while drawing.

🧪 Step 5: Test and Adjust

Play the animation to see how it flows. Tweak things like:

• Timing (Hold longer on certain frames for emphasis)
  
• Spacing (More distance between frames = faster motion)
  
• Squash & stretch (Add cartoony realism)

Don’t be afraid to redraw! Frame-by-frame means trial and error is normal.

🌈 Step 6: Add Color and Background (Optional)

Once your animation flows smoothly, spice it up with:

• Base colors
  
• Simple shading
  
• A static or animated background
  
• Optional FX (glow, smoke, sparkle, etc.)

Apps like Procreate and RoughAnimator let you add layers for each!

📦 Step 7: Export Your Animation

Time to share it with the world! Export as:

• MP4 or MOV (for video content)
  
• GIF (for social media or websites)
  
• Image sequence (for more editing options)

You can upload directly to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels.

Real-World Ideas to Try

• A blinking chibi character loop
• A dancing stick figure
• A pixel-style game character walk cycle
• A looping weather animation (rain, clouds, fire)
• Your own meme character in motion 😎

Final Tips for New Animators

• Keep it short and sweet (5–10 seconds is plenty)
• Use references — study real movement or other animations
• Practice basic motion first: bouncing ball, blinking eye, waving hand
• Don’t get discouraged if it’s rough at first — every frame helps you grow!

What I can do if have skill in making animation?

If you’ve got skills in 2D frame-by-frame animation, you’ve got a powerful and creative asset that’s in demand across tons of industries. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do or sell with that skill:

Freelance Animation Services

You can offer your animation services on platforms like:

• Fiverr
• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Behance (portfolio)
• ArtStation

Services you can offer:

• Animated music videos (Hand drawn music video)
• Short films or loops
• Twitch or YouTube intros/outros
• Logo animations
• Explainer animations
• Social media content (GIFs, short animations)
• NFT animations

Also read How to Create AI Action Figure: A Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

Now that you know how to create 2D frame-by-frame animation, it’s time to start drawing! Whether it’s a 3-second meme or your first short film, remember: every animator started with stick figures.

The magic happens one frame at a time.