"Stewart" Walk Tutorial with Marc Stevenson

We've uploaded a new Walk Cycle Tutorial, part of our series of online animation tutorials, to support our students' online learning.

The tutorial, recorded by Escape Studios tutor Marc Stevenson, uses the Stewart rig, which is free for download.

Marc Stevenson

Walk Cycle Tutorials Walk cycles are part of the foundation of the study of animation. Animating a walk cycle introduces student animators to the basic principles of human locomotion.

Walk Cycle with "Stewart" by Marc Stevenson
The Walk cycle with "Stewart" by Marc Stevenson can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIDuaRsUZUk&list=PLxIzoEJ0jom0fM2IISbqOsj2UNwg7WJbg

Ways to Animate a Walk - which is best?
One of the most common questions student animators ask when they tackle their first walk cycle is this: is it better to animate the walk cycle "on the spot", as if on an imaginary treadmill, or is it better to animate the character physically walking across the screen, taking two steps? 

Choose Your Method

Walk Cycle from "The Animator's Survival Kit"

Both methods of creating a cycle are effective approaches to the problem of character walks, and at Escape Studios we teach both methods. Both, however, have their advantages and disadvantages.

Watch this five minute video here to understand the difference between the two approaches, and decide for yourself which one suits you best.

Locomotion Resources at Escape Studios

• Animating the ZigZag Walk by Alex Williams
• Learn to animate a basic walk with "Monty" by Alex Williams
• Basic Walk Cycle Tutorial using "Ultimate Walker" with Amanda Costa
• Character Walk Tutorial with "Monty", with Alex Williams
• 100 Ways to Walk with Kevin Parry
• How to stop feet sliding in a walk cycle, with Alex Williams
• Character walks with Houman Soroushnia
• Basic Run Cycle Tutorial with Marc Stevenson
• "Monty" walk tutorial with Marc Stevenson

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To apply for our BA/MArt (September 2020), follow this link. To apply for one of our intensive 3 month animation short courses, click here.