Stretch and Squash

This drawing technique gives the illusion of mass and volume to a drawing.
By stretching a character the animator can create the illusion of weight being moved to different parts of the body.

Notice how the body shape squashes down as the weight is on the floor.

The form is then stretched (and so is the weight more evenly across the body) as the figure leaps in to the air,

exaggerating the action through movement of weight.

Squash is used again to emphasise the peak of his jump symbolising the slowing of direction and showing the movement of weight back to the centre of his body.

As the boy's movement changes direction, a further use of stretch is applied to the drawing to emphasise his fall into the water.

This diagram is an example of how stretch and squash are almost used in balance with each other, to mimic the fluidity of natural movement.

When an object moves, it's movement indicates the rigidity of the object.

object is a hard solid material= less use of stretch and squash applied when animating

object is a malluable/squidgey material= more use of stretch and squash when animating

'The most important rule to squash and stretch is that no matter how squashed or stretched an object gets, it's volume remains constant.'

Nibbs X.