[Meatham]

What's your workflow when starting an animation?

I'm trying out vector art for use in a flash game right now so that would help the most, but I'm interested in hearing it all. Do you start with pencil drawings, move into something like illustrator, photoshop, or inkscape and draw out all of the frames before coloring? When you're coloring, do you use the lineart from before to fill it in, or do you create new shapes to color? Do you do anything special like composite textures in?

Also, would you recommend any dvds/books/community sites like this for 2D animation? I've already got the animators kit and the dvds.

What about styles of vector art? Do you have any that really stand out to you? Seems vector art can have a bad rep because of a lot of flash animations. lol

Thanks for any replies in advance.

[Kirpid]

Animation is all about thinking as far ahead as possible. You begin with story art. Then Storyboards, then keyframes, and last but not least you have tweening. Forget about color and especially texture for a while. Just practice fluid motion. Make your first project a bouncing ball, then a walk cycle. Start simple and get it right.

I strongly recommend the Animators Survival guide to any artist incorporating figure invention into their work. It's an absaloute must for animators. I really don't think there is a decent forum for animators unfortunately.