After Effects Textures and Mattes - Animation Tutorial

In this after effects tutorial, I break down how I created this animation from start to finish and how I achieved all the effects by stacking mattes and using textures with minimal animation and keyframes. This tutorial is suitable for beginners - intermediate users. Please leave a comment if you'd like me to explain anything I skimmed over.
I'm uploading new motion design tutorials every Thursday!
►Please tag me on Instagram @ben_marriott_ if you've created any characters using the techniques from this tutorial so I can see what awesome things you create and share them on my Instagram stories.
►Link to my Instagram: / ben_marriott_
►Download the project files here: gum.co/QmdYj
I have removed the texture files because I purchased them and are not mine to give, I bought them from aescripts.com/...
► Jake Bartlett's (JakeInMotion) amazing wave warp tutorial: • EASY 2D Smoke & Hair I...
►Find me elsewhere!
I'm available for hire: www.benmarriot...
Vimeo: vimeo.com/benm...
Facebook: / benmarriotti. .
►Music:
Massive thanks to madmomentsgo for providing that amazing music for my intro!
check out his other brilliant work here: bit.ly/2ER0bJF
"Le Grand Chase" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Magic Scout - Farm" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
"Killing Time" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
creativecommons....
~ God bless Kevin ~

[@always_derp]

Hi Ben! Awesome as usual. Do you think someday you can make a video about inspiration or how you create your illustrations, how you decide what techniques to use etc. Thank you for your effort!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! Yes I am definitely going to cover more of that in the future. Thanks so much for the suggestion! :D

[@always_derp]

@@BenMarriott And maybe a video about yourself, how did you started, what was hard for you, how you got your knowledge :) I think you can be an inspiration for many artists and for me as well! I found your channel and watching your videos from Russia . Thank you!

[@obv_design9310]

Dinosaurus dictates most of Ben's decisions :))) 5:57

[@elektroskeptic481]

@@BenMarriott Thanks for the awesome vid! Can you please relink the project files? I'm learning a lot.

[@wdr379]

holy moly dude.. preserve underlying transparency... why didn't I ask myself what this little button was for... for 10 years? It's right next to blend modes.. always closeby always in sight! aaaarg

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, that was my same reaction when I learned! It's hardly mentioned anywhere and I use it all the time now.

[@manuel9409]

@@BenMarriott You sir, are a hero

[@JacobCarlson]

It's been nearly 7 years for me. A whole new world of possibilities has been opened for me!

[@MrJohnturnerjr]

10 years man....10 years for me too....I just saw this video and its hitting hard.

[@GoodBloodGames]

12 years here..

[@AnimatedLessons]

Man, you are really sharing all your trade secrets. RESPECT!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks man! so glad you enjoyed it. More secrets to be spilled soon :P

[@123shansun]

@@BenMarriott You are like DRAW WITH "JAZZA", but for After Effects!!

[@zaraewilkins]

Just want to say thank you so much for making these after effects tutorials. I cant believe how much amazing free education there is on KZbin it genuinely changes people lives. So thank you so much, really looking forward to learning after effects.

[@antoniof1719]

Dude, i've been binge watching your tutorials all day! You are so easy and fun to watch and the crazy part is that i haven't used After Effects once yet.

[@ivang4678]

This has to be one of the best tutorials I've seen, brilliantly explained and paced. Amazing job Ben!

[@sabasgt]

Haven't seen the entirety of the video yet but I just wanted to comment how bloody awesome your intro is, I love everything about it, the style, the music, all the insane types of animations you combined. Really a work of art! Thank you for making all of these tutorials!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! I'm really proud of that into so that means a lot that you enjoyed it :D Thanks for leaving such an awesome comment. I really appreciate the encouragement

[@jannygallegos714]

NO WAY! This thing with Turbulent Displace has totally blown my mind, I'm shocked. Almost cried

[@elliotkim13]

Preserve Underline Transparency is a GAME CHANGER. where have you been all my life???!!?

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, I thought the exact same thing when I first learned about it. :D

[@Maruszan]

Ben, that dinosaur, feather logic can be the case for any argument. Brilliant. BTW, it really goes without saying that how you continually choose to pass on tips and tricks you use in AE freely to the public is so damn dope. As a fellow animator, I know it's nice hearing people respond to your work with such wonder and curiosity. That praise can become addicting and tempt one to never reveal their secrets. Even from other animators. If anyone deserves the praise it should be people like you who freely share these things with the public.

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, dinosaur logic is the best logic. Thanks so much man. That's so awesome of you to see. The response so far has been more than I could have expected. I'm so glad the videos are useful and people are enjoying them. :)

[@ezprocessmanager9221]

I have been using After Effects for 3 years.... I just discovered the Transparancy (T) thing on the left side of Trikmat. Crazy, u are god send!

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, I had the exact same reaction. It was staring at us right in the face :D Thanks for watching :D

[@SB-gy2vx]

Bro you always teach me something. The combination with mask feather + dissolve just bumped my game to another level, thank you so much!!

[@mushrifahmed8107]

OH MY GOD MAN!!! I am just blown away by both your ideas and your technical ability! I mean to be able to imagine something like that and then to be able to execute it! I am just starting off in After Effects so seeing you implement all these different techniques just blows my mind! I mean you are insanely skilled! Massive respect! Oh and thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@lukestarkiller7706]

I just came across your channel, and I am hooked. Your videos are fabulous. You're a great teacher and have quickly become my favorite youtube channel. I'm learning a lot of great stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the awesome support, Luke! Really appreciate it :)

[@hatchali6765]

everytime i watch these videos, the more closer i get to buying your course

[@bearimo2867]

Awesome as always dude. I'm a 17 year AE veteran here and love to keep learning from people like yourself with these great techniques, beautifully employed here. As it's.not node based, AE is often a pain to use (and keep track of) with Mattes so we probably all end up using a familiar tried and trusted method but that then can pigeonhole you into a method that isn't as flexible as others. Seeing you employ track mattes here is such a great way to save precomps and complications down the line. Fantastic stuff!

[@danielaperalta8773]

+10 years without knowing about the T button, i love your tutorials!. Also, I think a tutorial of how you come up with such fun and cool concepts would be worth watching.

[@ShredBundy420]

I dont know how this doesn't have more views, this is amazing omg.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! :D

[@nematurd]

Preserve underlying layers… Just saved me TONS of time. Thank you, Ben.

[@lukas-personal]

Dude all your characters look so trippy :)) the pencil from hand draw style video, this monkey, the droplet :)) fantastic tutorials Ben, love them!

[@ludoviajante]

Hey Ben! It's me again. Really loving your videos, you sir are a legend. Cheers from Brazil!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for the awesome support, my friend :)

[@kushalsv]

Please keep doing what you do man, Amazing stuff! Truly grateful :)

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for watching man! I really appreciate the support. :)

[@bravostudio9240]

I'm addicted to your channel! Thanks!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for watching! So glad you're enjoying them :D

[@AlexandreSoma]

The way you talk about it is so welcoming! Thanks for that!

[@koishisen]

4:27 it did 100% sense for me, im not too used to this kind of vocabulary since I don't speak English as a native but the message you gave was enough to make me understand what was happening, without any doubt you would be the most loved teacher of the class if u were a professor hehe

[@mauroubel]

This is just plain amazing! Can't get enough of your channel and all the knowlegde and techniques you share. Thanks, Ben!

[@a.bettik9309]

You sir are a friggin wizard!

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, thank you :)

[@breakingbeatz]

Wow man, finally some new tips that is not shared yet. Thank you !

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it :)

[@nil_blank]

Two minutes in and I'm already learning things 🙌🏾

[@NatanaelOlivo]

OHMYGOD This is the overlaying mask I have been in dire need of! I really ignored that one for years too man LOL

[@lylahaque281]

your contents and tutorials are seriously rare and that's definitely why i really love your channel ! you're amazing too ❤

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! So glad you're enjoying them :D

[@ItaloMuniz16]

Just adding one more positive comment in this video to reinforce the great work and huge help that you're making when posting those videos. Legit man!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Thanks for the encouragement and support!

[@gregkrazanski]

damn this is gorgeous. a few layers and masking can really go a LONG way

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! I had a blast making this one. All though through, i was like "oh this is looking cool, and I've barely added a keyframe" haha

[@gregkrazanski]

@@BenMarriott yeah honestly i'm realizing if the frame is well designed sometimes it just needs the simplest motion to look great. here's something i did that doesn't really have much motion but i dig it more than most crappy stuff i do instagram.com/p/Buumir-AM4_/

[@cenadj]

oooo... i love this.. you have some super cool never seen before tutorials man..pleaaaase keep them coming.. thanks a ton!!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! That's so awesome to read. I appreciate the support :D

[@matiaspizzoni437]

I wish I could like twice. Superb tips

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much :)

[@agitoart4961]

Hey Ben, so glad I found your channel. your content is clean and concise. I'd be interested in knowing how you go about creating infinite loops (illustrations merging into illustrations) as well as a video about how you got into motion design, your background in animation. Love your stuff! Thanks for sharing your process so openly

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! I'm working on a script for an infinite zoom and infinite loop tutorial at the moment. :D Thanks so much for the support!! :D

[@AjClarkPROJECTJDM]

I was trying to put a watercolour paper texture over the top of an alpha'd video transition effect I created from blooming flower footage & you literally solved my question in the first minute of your video. Can't believe I haven't been using the preserve underlying transparency button before! thank you!

[@mikekarcz2516]

Holy poop! You have great/fantastic tutorials, sir.

[@mikekarcz2516]

Like, seriously, my god, man. Amazing!

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, thanks so much, Mike :)

[@eirendiaz9003]

You're my hero broo! I really appreciate all these fire tutorials you're bringing out!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@tiagocardoso4434]

Awesoooome!! keep up with this tuts, they are simple and amazing!!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much!! :D I really appreciate the support

[@새우-x2s]

I like this type of design style. Thanks for this amazing video

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! :D So glad you enjoyed it

[@jo69123]

Thanks a lot for sharing. I found your tutorials conplicated at first. But now I'm starting to like them a lot :)

[@MUMMI9898]

i just found your channel and i have to say your work is amazing!!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! So glad you're enjoying the videos! :D

[@MUMMI9898]

@@BenMarriott yes i definitely do! i now have to do an animated project in AE and really i have to thank you so much for your tutorials!!

[@worstever5151]

love how you always keep up that high quality of the work! amazing tutorial

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the support

[@zoejiang4372]

once again, so many useful tricks! thank you so much

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! So glad that you found it useful :)

[@Monster95]

You are creative, and love your Step by step process in your videos, I'm gonna be honest with you man that's what makes you special than any designer, Keep it up.

[@mookhi806]

You are a legend! Thanks so much for these incredible tutorials! I was wondering if you'd ever consider doing a Rough Animator tutorial as I'd love to see your workflow. Keep up the amazing work!

[@jobyjob]

Dinosaurs dictate most of my decisions...easily one of the coolest bits of creativity i have ever heard.

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, they make good decisions, you should try to let them decide too! :)

[@mansweghorst7819]

Hi Ben, great explainer video's love to see it. Really inspiring and useful!

[@doodlicious6726]

Awesome and Classy Ben. Thank you for the tutorial. Really helpful and inspiring.

[@manage.creativity]

This style looks beautiful!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! :D Thanks for watching :)

[@brunobergallo8977]

Love your tutorials!! Your work is amazing!

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much! :D I really appreciate the support.

[@Onlymenotfenergi]

WoW that is amazing.. love your work.. really creative

[@gabrielcolmanmusic]

Hi Ben! The way you’re helping me with videos like this is indescribable. Thank you. I’m laughing because you’ve already mentioned the monkey at the start but I always see a white mouse XD until min 7… haha 😂

[@ianaamauba6547]

How groovy!! I love all the layering of textures and using the preserve underlined transparency--I tend to forget that option a lot. I watched Jake's tutorial too! Plus you were on ukramedia, you're a hard working lad with lots of good tips, THANKS!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks you so much! I really appreciate all the encouragement. :) So glad you enjoyed it

[@hakimgraphiks5903]

This is Dope man! Nice & Simple.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much!! So glad you dig it

[@dehengkong9481]

Wow! Thank you Ben! really brilliant tricks and design!

[@BenMarriott]

You're super welcome. Thank you so much for watching! :)

[@designdennis]

Love the design. Thanks for showing your workflow once again!

[@thedebapriyakar]

GODDAMN BEAUTIFUL

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it :D

[@brandonkalyan]

Thank you so much for sharing ben, great tutorial

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for watching! I really appreciate it

[@TheMiguelabad]

Thanks a lot you for these amazing tutorials.

[@143HelloMoto]

Your explanations are amazing! Earned a subb :)

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for watching :D

[@iwasink]

Same here! I can’t believe I didn’t know about your channel until now!

[@dorota_sloma]

fantastic tutorial!!! thanks!!! and "preserve underlying transparency" button - what a discovery ;-)

[@erickotaryana]

Hi Ben! If i wanted to animate the feathered dissolved shadows what would be the best way to approach it? Should i animate the mask path for the loop?

[@MamunsLife]

Thank you for this tutorial Ben, good stuff!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks dude!! :D glad you enjoyed this one

[@PratikParija]

This is another awesome breakdown! Thank you!

[@EnriqShockwave]

Great tutorial dude - thanks for this!

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it

[@diegomarinho1322]

YOU ARE THE NEXT GEN ANDREW KRAMER

[@slideandspin]

Absolutely brilliant, Ben. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and workflow. Cheers!

[@fixmysync]

OOOO! Thanks for the Preserve Underlying Transparency tip!! When you make the eyes, instead of duplicating all those layers, you could make a precomp of the 4 layers -> enable time remapping -> stretch the length of the layer -> add and expression to loop it: loopOut();

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much Mandy! That's a great method. I'll definitely be using that in the future :)

[@nayaaslan2470]

you are so underrated

[@8pimiento]

great tutorial!! so many things to do with these simple effects.. thank you for explaining everything and sharing your secrets! :)

[@BenMarriott]

My pleasure, thanks so much for the lovely comment :)

[@younjin7914]

I am so lucky cause i found your channel🧚🏻‍♀️

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, I'm so lucky to someone awesome like you as a view :) Thanks so much for the support

[@Azuniite]

I've been ignoring 'Preserve Underlying Transparency' for 3 years now. I guess I'll start using it :D it looks very useful

[@BenMarriott]

Haha, I use it much. It comes in handy a bunch :)

[@polinakrg6566]

Thank you for the tutorial. It gave me a lot of inspiration for my project

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for watching! :D I'd love to see it when you're done!

[@agatainventio9464]

amazing! you're such a gem!

[@___KS___]

Super cool 👍😎 thx man 👌

[@arshiagh4600]

Thank you for the tutorials! I have learned so much from you.

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much for watching :D That's so awesome of you to say :)

[@obv_design9310]

Super useful Content, thank you, Ben!!!

[@faiz5423]

Alright that was so freakin cool. I learnt a lot.

[@shaki0d]

WOW! this is awesome , cant wait to try making some of this! thank you !

[@MrWVanNess]

Super well done; huge help. Thanks man!

[@eloimunozaleixandri7992]

Amazing! Thank for share your tricks.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks for watching! I really appreciate the support :D

[@jvelezrobledo]

Thats amazing! thank you so much very cool tips. LOL just found out about the transparency thing too, Love it.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks for watching, my pleasure :)

[@miles.hellyer]

Your tuts are too good mate

[@kassfox8381]

Just amazing!

[@jeaninejansenvanvuuren2236]

This is great! thanks Ben

[@AM-rh8jg]

really cool stuff !

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much :)

[@kaloyandeyanov1434]

Thank you for this amazing tutorial! Extremely useful.

[@daftyunk]

Hey Ben! I love your work so much! I've been directing friends to your tutorials since they're nicely designed, succinct and fun. Would LOVE to see a workflow video for taking photoshop frame by frame and incorporating it in after effects in like "best practice."

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! I cover that a bit in this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpCUpGiIbduMd7c I will definitely be covering more of it in some upcoming videos :) Thanks for watching! :D

[@sihargreaves]

This is so cool. My head started to get a bit hurty when you started doing the blobs ... I don't think I have any assets quick like that to use. But, I understood the concept!

[@MiguelRodriguez-rj5ws]

i came from the chanel "un poco de todo" you videos are awesome bro :)

[@BenMarriott]

Thank you so much, Ronnie :)

[@KeranKeranKeran]

Cool! I love it!

[@sandabogdanas3022]

Nice job ! great tutorial ! Thank you !

[@benpedro80]

love the animation hahaha so funny!!!

[@dalebauer2398]

Dude, I love your shit! Your art reminds me why I love to do this.

[@BenMarriott]

Goddam, thanks so much. That's just amazing to read. :D Thanks for the support and encouragement

[@MapleLeafAce]

I'd like to point out that the number of drop shadows used in this project absolutely MURDERS the preview render speed. I was getting like...2fps preview render speed even on Quarter quality preview lmao

[@manondesources1081]

Crazy! Thanks a lot!

[@IFMstudio]

WOW! 😮 Instant sub! 👍😉

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed it :D

[@eenybean]

This was fantastic. Thank you.

[@BenMarriott]

Thanks so much for the support!