Here’s a formula I used to demonstrate basic animation walk cycles to elementary-age, first-time animators working on a dry-erase board-based projects. Unlike most cycles found in beginning animation texts, this one is just four drawings*, and is easy to reproduce for virtually anyone, regardless of animation experience or drawing skill-level.

*Yes, it doesn’t include arm movements, and it’s technically a half cycle — just one leg steps. Since we’re dealing with stick figures, the legs are collapsed into a single plane and perspective can be ignored. The focus here is immediacy and confidence-building, not technical perfection.

Dave MH

DIY Animation Club co-founder Dave Merson Hess taught and developed animation curriculum for Aurora Picture Show’s youth workshops, 2014-2018. He also started Rush Process, a Gulf Coast-based festival celebrating animators who work with physical media, which ran from 2015 to 2018. Dave is currently an MFA candidate in Experimental Animation at Calarts.