Master lines, shapes, and character proportions. Learn to exaggerate features for comedic or dramatic effect.

Exercise: Draw 5 original characters using different shapes (circle, square, triangle) for body structure.

Tip: Use references but modify features to make them unique and expressive.

Understand complementary, analogous, and triadic color schemes. Use color to evoke emotions in storytelling.

Exercise: Color a single character in three different moods (happy, sad, angry) using color theory principles.

Tip: Limit your palette to 3–5 colors per scene for clarity and style consistency.

Plan sequences, camera angles, and timing. Storyboards help visualize animation flow before production.

Exercise: Create a 6-frame storyboard of a short scene with dialogue or action.

Tip: Use arrows to indicate motion and include notes about character expressions.

Learn software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, Krita, Canva, and Clip Studio Paint for digital cartoon creation.

Exercise: Digitally draw a character and export it in PNG and JPEG formats.

Tip: Experiment with layers to separate backgrounds, characters, and effects for easier editing.

Apply the 12 principles of animation: timing, squash & stretch, anticipation, follow-through, exaggeration, and more.

Exercise: Animate a bouncing ball in 5–10 frames to practice timing and spacing.

Tip: Start simple; even basic motion can feel dynamic if timing is correct.

Focus on unique silhouettes, consistent features, and personality through design elements.

Exercise: Design 3 characters with distinct body types and facial features.

Tip: Use exaggerated expressions to make characters visually memorable.

Learn perspective, depth, and environment consistency for immersive cartoon worlds.

Exercise: Draw a simple 3-layer background with foreground, middle ground, and background objects.

Tip: Use muted colors for backgrounds to make characters pop visually.

Every cartoon needs a story. Focus on conflict, climax, and resolution while integrating humor or emotion.

Exercise: Write a short 3-panel comic storyboard with a beginning, middle, and end.

Tip: Visual storytelling can replace long dialogue; show, don’t tell.

Learn simple effects: smoke, sparkles, motion lines, and speed blur to enhance action.

Exercise: Animate a running character with motion lines and dust effects.

Tip: Subtle effects often work better than overloading the scene.

Create a professional portfolio to showcase your cartoons, animations, and storyboards.

Exercise: Compile 5–10 completed projects into a digital PDF or website portfolio.

Tip: Organize work by theme or skill and highlight your best pieces first.