Drawing Essentials for 3D Animators
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Drawing Essentials for 3D Animators
Details
APPLICATION GROUP 2
Applications Open:
2/3/25
THIS CIRCLE IS PERFECT FOR
- 3D animators looking to enhance their animation skills through drawing techniques
- Artists seeking to improve their understanding of gesture, movement, and character performance
- Early career or intermediate animators wanting to strengthen their foundational drawing skills for better animation
- Individuals interested in integrating 2D drawing concepts into their 3D animation workflow
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Practical knowledge in gesture drawing and visual storytelling to enhance character posing and performance
- Guidance on applying traditional drawing principles to 3D animation
- Mentees will carry a sketchbook and may work on personal shots
- Constructive feedback on your work and progress throughout the mentorship
- An engaging, collaborative environment for sharing ideas and learning from peers
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
- A focused 3D shot mentorship; outcomes are not limited to fully animated shots
- A workshop on breaking into the industry
- A rigid curriculum, exploration, and adaptation are encouraged
- An option to skip drawing; carrying a sketchbook is essential
- Exclusive focus on 3D without considering 2D techniques
- Instant results; Â growth requires consistent practice and dedication
Qualification Criteria
Entry Level (1-2 yrs of experience)
Early Career (3-5 yrs of experience)
Day / Time
Times Per Month:Â TwiceÂ
Day / Time:Â Saturday 10:00 AM
Timezone: EST
* You must meet the qualification criteria AND be able to attend the posted day/time of the circle (please note the timezone posted)
CIRCLE DESCRIPTION
Are you a 3D animator looking to enhance your animation skills and bring more life and depth to your work?Â
This mentorship is designed to help you explore the core principles of gesture drawing for animation–even if drawing is not your primary focus. By understanding how to convey emotion in storytelling poses, crafting performances with strong reference, and empowering yourself to critique your own poses and performance, you’ll have a new set of tools to elevate your shots. This mentorship provides you with approaches to make your work shine with personality and expression while learning how these skills translate into a production environment.Â
In this circle, you’ll discover:
- How traditional drawing principles can be applied to 3D animation to improve character performance, pose, and storytelling
- Techniques to draw or pose figures with better anatomy, perspective, and overall appeal
- Use 2D visual storytelling techniques to plan your shot before animating
- Practical ways to incorporate drawing techniques into your 3D workflow, even if you don’t consider yourself a “drawer”
- How these skills translate into real-world production settings, helping you tackle challenges more creatively and efficiently
ADDITIONAL Application Requirements
Please submit the following as part of your Application Profile:
*(AFTER you click to apply, you must go into your member profile and complete the member-specific portion; these requirements should be submitted through that profile):Â Â
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Animation Reel
- Personal Statement explaining why this circle is right for you
Circle Leader
Shehzar Abro
I’m Shehzar Abro, a 3D animator and educator based in Canada. My recent animation work includes Sausage Party: Foodtopia (2024) and Mia and Codie (2024) for Bardel Entertainment and Relish Studios.
My educational contributions include roles as a Studio Technician for Animation at Emily Carr University and Lab Instructor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, as well as leading my first mentorship circle with Women in Animation in Spring 2025. I also developed and facilitated the microcredential courses “Drawing for Animators” and “Visual Story & Character Development” at Alberta University of the Arts.
In 2022, I directed a 2D animated/live-action short with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. I was a finalist in the Emerging Visual Artist Multimedia Category at the 2024 MARTYS Awards by the Mississauga Arts Council.
I bring technical proficiency in Maya and Unreal Engine for animation.Â
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Current Title: Lab Instructor
Studio / Employer:Â Kwantlen Polytechnic University
