
Creating 2D Background
by Chad Troftgruben
Start the free chapterThere are many tasks that go into creating an animated cartoon. Character design, rigging, writing, the list goes on. So how can you be expected to take on yet one more task with designing backgrounds? Simple! You watch this course! In Creating 2D Backgrounds for Cartoon Animation we will explore how to create three different backgrounds: basic freestyle, abstract and one point perspective. Each background will bring new techniques and challenges, allowing you to get a feel for multiple approaches. With this course, you will have a strong understanding of how to create, assemble and polish backgrounds for cartoon animation using a wide variety of software!
Course content
Introduction3 lessons
Sketching a Basic Outside Shot6 lessons
Painting a Basic Flat Background13 lessons
- Coloring the Foreground Grass5:13Free
- Punching Up the Background Grass5:50Free
- Adding Color to the Tree6:28Free
- Detailing the Bush7:43Free
- Polishing the Mountain and Castle7:39Free
- Adding Background Trees9:44Free
- Drawing Clouds4:46Free
- Creating Tree Variety4:27Free
- Merging Layers4:02Free
- Smudging to Create Depth of Field5:52Free
- Using Blend Modes for Added Depth7:43Free
- Importing Background to Computer2:28Free
- Using the Background in Animation4:27Free
Painting an Abstract Background5 lessons
Animating an Abstract Background9 lessons
- Assembling File in Photoshop3:151 credit or ad
- Importing the File into After Effects2:201 credit or ad
- Setting Up Blend Modes4:181 credit or ad
- Adding Effects7:251 credit or ad
- Animating a Blur Effect4:021 credit or ad
- More Effect Animations8:311 credit or ad
- Adding Movement5:521 credit or ad
- Exporting the Animated Background4:351 credit or ad
- Importing Background into Animation Software5:541 credit or ad
Sketching a One Point Perspective Background6 lessons
Coloring a Background in Adobe Sketch7 lessons
Polishing and Lighting a Background in After Effects15 lessons
- Grouping Layers for Editing6:101 credit or ad
- Importing PSD File into After Effects3:181 credit or ad
- Using Blend Modes to Add Pop7:541 credit or ad
- Masking the Window6:461 credit or ad
- Painting a Monitor Texture4:151 credit or ad
- Masking the Computer Monitors4:251 credit or ad
- Painting Light Bulbs2:561 credit or ad
- Adding Lights to Shot6:041 credit or ad
- Adding Perspective Based Text7:201 credit or ad
- Polishing Background Elements7:551 credit or ad
- Animating Scene Effects10:551 credit or ad
- Adding Sparks5:361 credit or ad
- Adding Smoke5:511 credit or ad
- Exporting the Scene2:361 credit or ad
- Integrating Scene into Animation3:521 credit or ad