Blender 2D Animation Tutorial for Beginners (Grease Pencil Tutorial)

[@NTyrzi]

Aight. (cracks knuckles) 🤓 5:27 There's an option in the stroke material menu that "fixes" this i.imgur.com/KTuZWhp.png but as you may see, due to the nature of overlapping in vector, you kinda overlap your stroke with your stroke when you have turns. This works better with softer brushes and/or textured brushes. 1 reason I'd use self-overlap is that at some point the stroke is not actually getting thinner pixel-wise but it becomes transparent (you can see that especially in the smiley face's eyes at 9:40 where there is a white hole. That's just the stroke being too thin it relies on transparency, causing some nasty artifacts.), so self-overlap hides those artifacts. 12:05 Funny enough, I never use stroke select mode, I use point select and if I want to select an entire stroke, I select a point and press ctrl+L (selects everything that is linked). Just if someone would prefer that. ALSO ERM ERM editing single points in proportional edit is useful!!!(!!!) 14:09 Just to make this more clear, zooming works the same in any UI space, but the scrollbar drag is an option as well. 26:53 When I told you about that, we noticed that the color kinda matters since the hole started to use the color we chose like in a 2D drawing program that has a "screen" layer blend mode applied. So I came to the conclusion that black color is what you're supposed to use, because black in "screen" blend mode is basically nothing. (I should've shown you an alternative to this hole-fill method where you'd use a layer to mask stuff out just so there are other options to know of.) 31:33 Just to make it more clear: That button actually toggles out every visual aid (overlays) so when that's off, it'll show only the work you've done. Disabling onionskin in this button, you'd go to its dropdown menu and uncheck onionskin. i.imgur.com/JmMQlNZ.png 39:20 The N panel has its uses overall, but I prefer doing object adjustments and keyframes here i.imgur.com/gse43fP.png if you often have the object properties tab open most of the time. (And for a non-shortcut-key-user like LEE, since the N panel doesn't have keyframe buttons, you can add keyframes by pressing these buttons in the object properties i.imgur.com/4cTiAyF.png dot means there are no keyframes in that channel overall, and diamond means it has keyframes somewhere.) 44:41 btw I'd recommend people to use this i.imgur.com/4NLZMfu.png or at least know about it. Because Blender can desync video from the audio when previewing the animation, especially when the scene becomes too performance heavy, this option makes sure the desync won't happen.

[@theeddytor3490]

(Bow) arigato

[@theguyshetellsunottoworryabout]

Thank you so much 🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️ everything's so clear🙂

[@mazander_man]

10/10 ty

[@kukycz30pc12]

40:10 I cant move the camera do you know why?

[@MikeyZUPANduh]

@@kukycz30pc12 don't know if you figured it out, when i had an issue I realized i wasn't in object mode? g to grab as well.

[@MisterHippo.]

This man was probably that smart kid that gave you the answers and explained things u didnt understand better than the teacher

[@aa-tx7th]

lol that would be a sh!t teacher cause this guy isnt any better than anyone else lmao

[@blossomingflower1119]

@@aa-tx7thwhy you watching then

[@kaidie3347]

@@aa-tx7thhater

[@Braxton999Adams]

​@@aa-tx7thbro you have NO idea the fucking idiots that got to pass as teachers in my school

[@SupaElSopero]

​@@aa-tx7thBro, wth this fella did to you?

[@durgeshverma9144]

Is this guy for real??? He explained so nicely A WIZARD

[@ChustBaghira]

He is indeed a Wizard, his voice gave it away

[@justinsjourney3224]

If only people understood that life is actually seriously so much more awesome for everybody when we all root for each other and want each other to succeed.

[@Magnifygrid]

He's not, He is Real Real

[@NovaPlays.officialyt]

I think you are Bot comment before watching the video video but after watching it I totally agree with you ❤

[@BanaKoolit]

yep

[@alterbank]

I'm not even interested in making animations, but I love Blender, and seeing people use it.

[@jessejayjones]

It is a lot of fun! Amazing what people can create with it!

[@anandhg4286]

I'm in this field for about 27 years..I started in 3d in DOS mode..the field of media & animation has come out in leaps n bounds .it's all about creativity & love towards what you do!

[@BanaKoolit]

lolol you are the best

[@salad333]

I came across several 2D animation tutorial videos for beginners, but I found them to be quite challenging to follow. It felt like listening to a scientist explaining complex math to reach Jupiter, and I became frustrated to the point of considering quitting. However, your videos changed everything for me. They provided clear and understandable guidance, reigniting my enthusiasm for learning. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable help you've provided

[@mobilegaminguniversalstudi9924]

Honestly I prefer 2d animation. U have much more control of what you're creating.

[@KYOMUME]

aaa tysm! I've been animating for YEARS but I've only now started using more "professional" animation programs so this is rlly helpful!

[@pierreester1470]

What a useful and complete reference in a single video! Thank you 🙏

[@versedapologue]

Thank you!! I've been in this rabbit hole for hours, just getting more baffled. This is the first video I've watched that explains the operations and tools in context, as you're using them, instead of in a long, confusing, out of context list at the beginning. It all finally makes sense to me. Again, thank you so much!

[@theuricharles7496]

Same experience

[@VisionItTv]

By far one of the best tutorial videos i have ever watched. At no point did i feel lost or helpless

[@jessejayjones]

So glad to hear that! I'm glad this was helpful! 😁

[@ammmoent4709]

​@jessejayjones do you create animation videos for others

[@Butterflygirl659]

@@jessejayjones hi, i need some help, i didn't get past the shading thing because when i copied and flipped the animation the shadow was only in the right place in the first copied and flipped frame, and the right layer and the one with the red-ish line glowed when i selected it instead of just the shadow layer, do you know how to fix it?

[@Tree_Commenter_Real]

I did feel lost

[@global.pradachan]

i was thinking that ""uhhh its 2d animation, really simple"" untill i found that you have to draw each frame inorder to make someone lipsync, truly impressed by your dedication and hard work, hats off to you, 👏👏

[@skinnybuggo]

How did you think it worked before? Maybe i'm not understanding what you mean but you draw each frame in all of animation

[@idchad_official]

I've work with Blender for 3D animation and modelling only and when I start to messing around with the 2D animation features it's hard to work with, better use Krita or CSP for a normal scene, the grease pencil will works best if you use it for action sequence with crazy dynamic camera movements like you see in modern animes since you can animate basic 3d skeleton then trace it right away in the software so it's easier when you will add a small change, you don't need to render it again and then import it, matching timelines and stuff in another software

[@arenana1348]

What do u think about animated cc

[@Zyead_Elhabeshy]

this video made my life easier....it made me more aware of what I'm using, blender is the GOAT in literally everything, your explaining is the best i have seen so far, thanks.

[@astralartz2478]

I'm more interested in importing and manipulating 2d images or parts of them but this is a perfect simple tutorial to allow me to get started. People who make tutorials about this tool drive me nuts with going through every frigging brush and setting. Thanks for your help.

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

Me too, regarding 2D animation. I currently use ShotCut to "animate" static images with key-frames, but would love to learn how to make better looking animation.

[@Curvydad]

Jesse, your sheer enthusiasm and positive energy is remarkable. The video is fucking cool too.

[@kateparker2296]

I have a project for school that uses blender, and I've been putting it off because I dont know how to use it. this tutorial was so helpful and clear, and now I feel confident enough to start! thank you so much!!!!

[@mascarimedia]

One of the best intro to animation and blender tutorials ever - great work - thank you!

[@angelinekoh2076]

Thank you so much for your clear explanation It really helped me. I'm quite far away from really understanding it, maybe 50 per cent, but I'm so thankful your clear explanation helped me! I did go back a bit here and there to rewatch it as I was playing around with Blender. Thank you!

[@karla-pz]

This is a great tutorial! The pace is very beginner friendly (a rare find for sure) + for taking the time to explain every step (instead of just telling us what to do). A true gem :)

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you so much! Really glad you found it helpful 😊

[@TheMimzez]

I've had blender for a while and used it for 3D stuff, but I always felt intimidated by the grease pencil 2d animation aspect of it (not because I don't know how to animate in 2d, I have a freakin' associates in animation lol), but because I couldn't figure out how it worked. I finally bit the bullet and followed along with your video to learn how to use it! thank you for making it so simple! I get it! once I practice more and experiment with integrating 3d stuff I will be unstoppable

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! :D

[@chicken_lollipop]

you have no idea how deeply thankful I am for this

[@raheejkhan7520]

Please keep your tutorials information quality like this i need that for my learning. Loved the video

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you, I'm glad you found it helpful! 😊

[@ironmors]

32:00 If anyone had the problem with edit mode not adding keyframes on the shadow layer - check if you have "mult" option deselected (if it's selected then it won't create keyframes). It's on the right from "Edit mode" dropdown.

[@kilkennyfishblue]

thank you!

[@upsidedownhorror]

You sound very kind and patient, I hope you really are.

[@artworkbyjessi]

Thank you so much for this! I've been so stressed out about how to use blender because I need it for working on my portfolio to apply for design studies and I did not understand it AT ALL. It's sooo much better now, you're a hero!

[@jessejayjones]

I'm so glad it was helpful! :D

[@Neikoknightz]

10/10 tutorial, straight to th epoint and very beginner friendly🔥

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you, glad to hear! :)

[@StarryFaeArts]

This has been the most useful video I've found so far, you're right to the point. Thank you!

[@jessejayjones]

That's what I try for! Glad to hear it was helpful 😊

[@kwantumd]

The stripper pole Z index concept was pretty funny, but that epic lip sync takes the cake, well done! 😂

[@soulirium]

Might be my favorite tutorial ever

[@TochukwuAgbakwuribe]

❤

[@v_4_vish]

you explained it so beautifully. I went through it once and got straight to blender to get started with some 2D animation exploration. thanks a ton for creating such a wonderful tutorial. it covers everything that is required to get a beginner started.

[@jessejayjones]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to say so! :)

[@Tortle-k6g]

This video is in my top 10 honestly, helped me sooooooo much :)

[@nariter]

Yesss!!! I’m so excited to use this tutorial!

[@lukebutnotliang]

bro this video helped me a lot instead of watching other tutorials videos abt blender. This creator teaches so details!

[@jessejayjones]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@auradrifter7779]

Never knew 2d animation was possible in blender. Thank you so much

[@kmlamb85]

Thank you for making a Blender tutorial for beginners that actually is a tutorial for beginners AND applicable to doing work outside of your specific examples. Well paced, well focused, straight to the point, and considerate of your audience.

[@Nevatric]

Thank you so much! I actually managed to upload my first animation on my channel because of you.

[@CertifiedTrollerLLC]

I love how simple this video is unlike every other animation video I’ve seen

[@RobertKelley-v7y]

I'm a complete noob in Grease Penciol, and I'm here to tell you that you''ve done the best tutorial yet. Good work!

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful 😊

[@pineheart]

It is so hard to find a tutorial with decent explanations. You have a true teaching gift, man. Thank you so much.

[@Bananaboy2999]

Thank you so much just got my first drawing tablet for my bday so now i can start doing my dream job

[@ravinosaurus]

4 months late but this tutorial is of huge help in me kick-starting my animation hobbies using blender. you just earned a new sub. wish you all the best

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you for the sub and the kind message, I really appreciate it! :)

[@riiriipaints]

This was one of the best tutorials on blender ❤

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you! I'm glad you thought it was helpful!! 😄

[@anotherfirefly]

Love your voice and the way you present information. Thank you for an awesome video!

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you! I'm glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@SeñorAdmiral]

Wow, After so long i finally know how to use blender. Thanks. You just earned yourself a new sub

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you for subscribing!

[@FfsSamber]

Oh my God 😩 where have you been, I’ve been struggling finding things on my own. You literally God send bless you man!!

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@daydeer9912]

this is the best animation software and the best tutorial ive ever used and watched. blender now seems trival compared to the other software i've learned. thank you so much. i feel like i can do anything now.

[@AttackWaffle]

Is this what all your toutorials are like? Because the way you explained things is absolutely amazing and it actually makes sense. If you do this much depth on all your tutorials, I definitely want to get your course! 💜

[@simplysurfing]

Youre a good teacher. 90% of them are SEE WHAT I CAN DO show off videos as i call them. They just breeze thru just letting you watch them work. Not teaching. They are like low self esteem individuals who never leave their house and get a kick showing off here on youtube as their entire life self validation is only done on KZbin and Insta and FB or whatever. Keep up this method of teaching for newbies. I have 20 years exp with 3ds max and couldn't understand their hit z twice, slide big, click value, toggle zoom, hit BB twice then drag here, see you got a warp force. I WISH YOU WERE REACHING 3d PARTS OF BLENDER TOO. Though im also interested in 2d sketch work. LIKE GIVEN.

[@Minifigure98]

really helpful and completely detail tutorial thanks.

[@Juliyr_]

the best tutorial i have ever seen!! all my questions have been answered

[@jessejayjones]

So glad to hear it!

[@MoneyShifted]

his voice is really good lml perfect for talking to group of kids and teaching them.

[@orewa_AB]

This is the best tutorial. Other tutorials are like "you draw this add colors add shadows" and I was like how am I gonna add colors & shade.

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@MumuMundo]

30:46 You can disable lights globally under the Object panel on the right (square icon): Visibility > Use Lights. I also made a video for 2D artists who want to try Blender. it focuses more on problems that most new users face and how to solve them.

[@jessejayjones]

Oh! Thanks for the helpful tip! :D

[@alphatech21]

Thank you dude. It's much easy than I think. The best animation tutorial I ever watch.

[@SSG2024-z2k]

This is a great animation tutorial, I found it completely by accident when I was looking for how to get the storyboarding addon working. I really appreciate the tips on how to do useful stuff which Blender makes umm.... a bit un-intuitive (like the negative button being used for clicking outside a stroke to fill the inside. I would never have figured THAT out!) BTW, a quick way to open the "data" tab is to click on the "green squiggle" icon next to the object's name in the outliner. This works for any object in Blender - e.g. in the outliner the camera has an icon next to it and when you click on it, the "camera properties" tab will open. 👍

[@Sanguivore]

This is one of the best tutorials I've ever seen! :D

[@Timeofanimate]

Best tutorial that doesn't make me bored ever.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊

[@conrado3391]

This is my first Blender video and I'm so glad it is, loved the tutorial. Thank you Jesse!

[@AlbinHelms]

Honestly, you deserve a like! For me as a beginner this was very helpful. Thank you!

[@WalidDingsdale]

amazing 2D animation walkthrough, everything is explained clear enough. Hope to see such tutorial for 3D animation. thanks for sharing this.

[@manuel.camelo]

Greatest Tutorial EVER about Blender 2d Animation ! Thank You so Much Buddy 🙂

[@jessejayjones]

So glad it was helpful! 😁

[@manuel.camelo]

@@jessejayjones Very digestible tutorial format, as any teaching video should be 🙏

[@junk1000junk]

super clear tutorial

[@realjames1]

excited to see this, especially since the news of grease pencil 3.0, this will be a fantastic resource

[@richterbalmont5747]

For the most part boss. This was just what i needed. Few things i think you could have done to help lessen the information overload. 1 if it dosnts matter now just skip over it, 2 while the extended examples were nice and very interesting they threw a bunch more information that i now had to decide if it was super important or if it was extra credit. 😊 this whole animation thing is new too me. Never touched an animation software tell this. I understand the theory behind what im supposed to do. What i turned to your video for. Was how to change frames while drawing. As unlike say flipcreate that is just a simple + button on an blank square. Blender had no visible add blank frame. So thank you for your time. Ill have to keep you video booked now. 😊

[@rekansalah2940]

bro your explanation is unbelievable ! thank you a lot .

[@nyengster]

Thank you, just made the jumping ball on a background, and this was SOOOO helpfull. im on my new path of doing 3D animation!

[@motivationbyeveryone6950]

i am looking for the blenders 2d tutorial for long time finally I got it and I learned a lot from this video, thank you for this amazing video sir please make more videos like this. ( love from India ).❤

[@happymasala7934]

Best video on animation ever

[@zaho_o0o]

You helped me to learn how to animate in Krita. So appriciate you! Continue do great videos and tutorials. I am very exiting about Blender, too, so thank you for the suprise ❤❤

[@CAPTAINAMERICA-ct2bv]

I had great intrest in animation downloaded the software but doesn't know what to do your tutorial it's just gave me confidence and learnt something useful thank you

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@tankdgamer]

appreciate the advice in this video. really helped me a lot to understand the basics of blender 2d. hope to see more

[@aarauzimbert]

Fantástico Jesse!!! Extraordinaria tú explicación de Grease Pencil en BLENDER.. . Saludos desde Panamá!!!!

[@TactiJosh]

That was the best and only blender video I've ever watched and understood, fantastic explanation!

[@jamesfenby5620]

Mate you explained this so well, my first day and I can now do basic animation. Also great voice too! Very soothing. Cheers from Australia

[@zevbowman7191]

The best tutorial ever. On any subject. ever.

[@tanishqjadhav1806]

22:00 day-01 33:01 day-02

[@nicolonhoplus]

Nice dude! You are always with the good surprises, thank you Jesse! you are a really kind soul ❤❤

[@jessejayjones]

I appreciate that! I'm happy to make these, I love that it gets more people into animation! And Blender has been a lot of fun for me to learn over the years as well! 😄

[@gradeNB]

If you are on Blender 4.2 and you can't find the images as planes addon under Preferences, it is now under the Add tab in Object mode. Click Add > Image > Mesh Plane > Select an image and then Import Image as Planes.

[@pewweper8059]

Thank you.

[@MisteAnimation]

It's about time i learn my next steps!

[@jessejayjones]

Love your work, would be exciting to see what you could do with this!! :D

[@Random_Python]

You literally made blender seem much more simple to me ❤ You just earned a subscriber!!!!

[@princechauhan2869]

VRO YOU GOT MY ALL DOUBT IN THIS VIDEO AMAZING!! 💖

[@marcusancell4416]

What an excellent tutorial. A must for beginning the Grease Pencil journey. The tempo is just right, informative and entertaining.

[@worldselkness2414]

Great tutorial! Well-structured and really informative. Thanks!

[@SpaceTherapist]

Thanks Man this is the best tutorial You save alot of my time keep the work 👍

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@KEESHIACRYSSTELELEDESMA]

MAAANN I'M SO THANKFUL FOR THIS TUTORIAL 😭 YOU JUST SAVED MY LIFE THANK YOUUUU🥺❤

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! 😁

[@cartonebox]

you litterally made my life better. Thanks

[@jessejayjones]

Aw, glad it was helpful! 🤗

[@stefanocattaneo9074]

I downloaded the app three days ago and was able to follow all the explanations. Jessee, you're great!!! Thank you very much!!!

[@jessejayjones]

So glad it was helpful! :)

[@Pepperonipizzaplz10]

If all tutorials were like yours bro I don't know it may just be me but the way you speak makes me motivated lol and for animating motivation is the one thing you need lol

[@NaserJr-el7lb]

I struggled alot yo find a video to teach me and am so happy to say that today i will make my first animation. Simple step but very important yo me and u r the main reason i can do it Thank you alot ❤️

[@amazino]

This is honestly pure gold !❤ thank you so much for this

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! 😁

[@funnyandmusical]

U are a really prodigy . Will be expecting more from you . Don't disappoint

[@64Bits]

Awesome dude! Will share this with my students :)

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you so much for sharing it!! 😁

[@Elephantine999]

This was excellent! Thanks so much for getting me started.

[@jessejayjones]

Glad it was helpful! :D

[@debnilpaul8928]

Couldn't be more grateful... So many thanks to you for this amazing tutorial. After following this tutorial i am getting confident, hope your rest of the tutorials will also help a lot! Amazing work from your side, keep it up 👍👍👍👍❤❤❤❤

[@generalsub7]

Great video! concise and straightforward, subscribed. 🎉

[@rimisaha-do6tp]

I've watched this video 30 times and now I understand. A very helpful video thank you so much it's explained really well.❤️👌

[@concretecuttingnewcastle5714]

Your channel has become a part of my routine.

[@jessewestlund5159]

18:00 It scales in relation to the play head. This had me ready to cry until I realised that.

[@wailfulcrab]

30:48 I typically leaving that on then add a Sun lamp to the scene. This way I can control the brightness of the scene without changing colors on material. Sun lamp can be colored and it will also affect the drawing, so you can easily makes scenes in day light and then sunset but keeping the materials in same color. But for this example its better to be turned off. GP 3.0 should have support for GP objects to cast shadows in 3d space so this option will be a godsend. 48:22 In case of this short animation it doesn't matter, but I'd leave the default Matroska here or render as a PNG sequence first then render it as a video file in video sequence editor. Why? .mkv format has a special property that if your PC or Blender crashes during encoding, the file will be fully closed at the frame when it occurred and you can open it and use it as any other file. If you encode .mp4 and a problem occurs the file will be corrupted and you'll have to start all over. Blender is pretty crash resistant while rendering but in bigger and object heavy projects involving both 2d and 3d objects its better safe than sorry.

[@jessejayjones]

All good tips! Thank you for sharing! :)

[@jirehla-ab1671]

Is it also possible to animate rasterized svg in blender and add easing like in After effects?

[@wailfulcrab]

@@jirehla-ab1671 Grease Pencil can only deal with vector stuff, but you can easily import SVG into it. At first it will be imported as curves, but that can be converted to GP with just right click option. As for easing I don't quite get what you mean by it, but Blender have a function to add automatic interpolation between drawn shapes in menu Draw -> Interpolate Sequence, but number of strokes should be similar and be drawn in the same direction. This is not very complicated example in the video with the ball, but here you only draw ball shape on frame 1, 4 and 6, then automatic interpolation should take care of the rest, you only control the custom interpolation curve.

[@jirehla-ab1671]

@@wailfulcrab like trying to smooth the interpulation & be able to adjust like start slow but ends fast.

[@wailfulcrab]

@@jirehla-ab1671 Then depends. If you draw animation frame by frame, then you can do some basic with automatic interpolation custom curve. If you instead keyframe location/rotation/scale in object mode and animate like that then yes, any time in graph editor. For example movement of the plane with a background in a distance to create parallax or acceleration.

[@outnnester9462]

You're phenomenal at explaining. Keep it up. Great video❤

[@ART-ificial]

Extremely well explained for a complete beginner, thank you, subscribed :)

[@jessejayjones]

Thank you for the sub, and the kind words. I'm glad it was helpful! :)