The 12 Principles of Animation (And How They Make Cartoons Awesome!)

Ever wondered why some cartoons just feel more alive, expressive, and fun to watch (or draw)? It’s not just magic—it’s animation science! The 12 Principles of Animation, created by legendary Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, are the secret sauce behind smooth, engaging, and dynamic character movement.

Even if you’re not an animator, these principles can help you level up your cartooning game—whether you’re sketching characters, drawing comics, or just having fun doodling. Let’s dive into these game-changing animation tricks and see how they apply to cartooning!

1. Squash and Stretch – The Key to Bouncy, Lively Drawings

Ever noticed how a bouncing ball squashes when it hits the ground and stretches when it flies back up? That’s the magic of squash and stretch—it makes objects feel soft, flexible, and full of life.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Exaggerate facial expressions (a face squishing down when a character smiles super wide).
• Add bounciness to bodies (a character stretching tall when surprised).
• Make things feel softer or heavier based on how much they squash and stretch.

Pro Tip: Overdo it! Cartoons are all about exaggeration, so have fun with it!

2. Anticipation – The Build-Up Before the Big Moment

Before a superhero leaps into action, they bend their knees first, right? That’s anticipation—the small movement that prepares the audience for what’s coming next.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Before a punch? Draw a character pulling back their fist first.
• Before a jump? Show them crouching down first.
• In comics? Use an extra panel to show hesitation or wind-up before an action.

Pro Tip: The bigger the anticipation, the more satisfying the action!

3. Staging – Make Sure Your Audience Knows Where to Look

Good staging makes sure your main action stands out. It’s about arranging your drawing so people instantly understand what’s happening and where to focus.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Put the most important thing in the center or in the foreground.
• Use bold poses and silhouettes to make things clear.
• Avoid clutter—keep background details simple so they don’t steal attention.

Pro Tip: A good test? Turn your drawing into a black silhouette—if you can still tell what’s happening, your staging is solid!

4. Straight Ahead vs. Pose to Pose – Two Ways to Draw Motion

Animators have two ways to create movement:

• Straight Ahead: Drawing each frame in order, making things super fluid.
• Pose to Pose: Planning out the key poses first, then filling in the gaps.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Want organic, spontaneous drawings? Sketch freely (Straight Ahead).
• Want a well-structured comic scene? Plan key poses first (Pose to Pose).

Pro Tip: Try mixing both! Sketch loose first, then refine key moments later.

5. Follow-Through & Overlapping Action – Make Things Feel Real

Ever seen a dog stop running, but its ears and tail keep moving for a second? That’s follow-through—things don’t stop instantly! Overlapping action means different parts move at different speeds (like a dress swaying after a twirl).

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Long hair, scarves, or capes? Let them keep flowing after a character stops.
• Running characters? Their arms and legs shouldn’t stop at the same time—stagger the movement.
• Motion lines? Perfect for showing follow-through in comics!

Pro Tip: This principle is what makes movement look natural instead of stiff.

6. Slow In & Slow Out – Smooth It Out!

Imagine a car zooming off—it doesn’t just hit full speed instantly, right? Movements start slow, speed up in the middle, then slow down at the end.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Running? Start with small steps, then big ones, then small again.
• Jumping? Stretch mid-air, then compress before landing.
• Comics? Space out movement lines—closer together for slow parts, farther for fast parts.

Pro Tip: Want more impact? Don’t rush the start and stop!

7. Arcs – Because Nothing Moves in a Straight Line

Look at how your hand moves when throwing a ball—it follows a curved path, not a straight line!

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Make limbs follow natural curves, not stiff angles.
• Use arcs in facial expressions (eyebrows arching in surprise).
• Make action lines flow smoothly, like a character swinging a sword.

Pro Tip: If something feels “off,” check the arcs—it probably needs a curve!

8. Secondary Action – The Little Details That Make a Big Difference

A main action tells the story, but secondary actions add personality!

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• A character shaking their head while talking.
• A cat flicking its tail while sitting.
• A cape flowing while a hero runs.

Pro Tip: Keep the secondary action subtle—it shouldn’t steal the spotlight!

9. Timing – Control the Speed of the Story

How fast or slow something moves changes the mood.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Fast, choppy movements? Feels funny and exaggerated.
• Slow, smooth movements? Feels emotional and dramatic.
• Comics? Use big gaps between action panels for fast pacing, small gaps for slow moments.

Pro Tip: Good timing = good storytelling!

10. Exaggeration – Make It Pop!

Cartoons aren’t supposed to be realistic—so push things further!

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Bigger expressions = bigger emotions!
• Stretching poses = more impact!
• Distorted perspectives = cooler action shots!

Pro Tip: If it looks “meh,” push the exaggeration more!

11. Solid Drawing – Don’t Forget Depth and Structure

Even wacky cartoons need good form and structure to feel believable.

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Use simple 3D shapes (cylinders, cubes) to build characters.
• Think about perspective so characters don’t look flat.
• Make sure poses feel balanced and weighty!

Pro Tip: Even simple stick figures should have a sense of volume!

12. Appeal – Make Your Characters Memorable!

This is what makes characters interesting, lovable, and fun to look at!

How to Use It in Cartooning:

• Use bold, clear shapes for character designs.
• Make silhouettes instantly recognizable.
• Keep things simple but expressive—too many details can make a design weaker.

Pro Tip: If your character is easy to recognize in just a shadow, you nailed the appeal!

Conclusion – Time to Start Drawing!

These 12 principles aren’t just for animators—they’re gold for cartoonists, comic artists, and illustrators too! Try them out, mix them up, and most importantly—have fun with your drawings!

Which of these principles do you want to practice first? Let me know in the comments!