Solid Drawing
Solid Drawing is one of the fundamental principles of animation that shows an artist's ability to create three-dimensional characters and objects on a flat surface. It's like making drawings that look like you could reach out and touch them, rather than flat or wobbly shapes. This skill helps characters look consistent and believable from any angle. When animators talk about Solid Drawing, they mean the ability to draw characters that have weight, depth, and balance - imagine being able to draw a character that looks just as good from the front as from the side or back. It's a bit like being an architect of cartoon characters, making sure they look properly built no matter how they move or pose.
Examples in Resumes
Demonstrated Solid Drawing skills in character design for animated short films
Applied Solid Drawing principles to maintain character consistency across multiple episodes
Trained junior artists in Solid Drawing techniques for 3D-style effects in 2D animation
Typical job title: "Character Animators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Character Animators
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain consistent character volumes when animating complex movements?
Expected Answer: A senior animator should explain their process for ensuring characters maintain their shape and form through movement, mentioning the use of reference material, understanding of anatomy, and techniques for checking volume consistency across frames.
Q: How would you train junior artists in solid drawing principles?
Expected Answer: They should discuss their teaching approach, breaking down complex concepts into simple exercises, demonstrating how to build from basic shapes to complex forms, and methods for helping artists understand depth and dimension.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you approach drawing characters from difficult angles?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for maintaining character consistency from challenging viewpoints, using reference materials, and understanding basic form construction.
Q: Can you explain how you use solid drawing principles in your workflow?
Expected Answer: Should describe their practical application of solid drawing in daily work, including character turnarounds, maintaining volume in movement, and ensuring consistency.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic principles of solid drawing?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of form, volume, and weight in drawings, explaining how basic shapes can be used to build more complex figures.
Q: How do you practice improving your solid drawing skills?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their practice routine, including figure drawing, studying anatomy, and exercises they use to improve their understanding of form and volume.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of form and volume
- Simple character construction
- Basic perspective drawing
- Understanding of primary shapes
Mid (2-5 years)
- Consistent character drawings from multiple angles
- Complex form construction
- Advanced perspective techniques
- Character volume maintenance in motion
Senior (5+ years)
- Master-level form consistency
- Training and mentoring others
- Complex character design
- Advanced anatomical knowledge
Red Flags to Watch For
- Inability to maintain consistent character proportions
- Lack of understanding of basic form and volume
- No knowledge of perspective drawing
- Poor grasp of anatomical structure
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Redefining Team Collaboration in a Digital Workspace
The Art of Selecting Great People: A Leader's Most Critical Skill
Refining Job Descriptions to Expand Applicant Pools: Casting a Wider Talent Net
