Big Jump has recently added Toonboom to its pipeline. Although the software is very intuitive, we still amply draw into it. I shudder to think that the classical skill of drawing could disappear from the art form of animation. There has been some talk of less pencil mileage to produce animation and while that is true as digital allows for this, one has to admit there is nothing like the aesthetics, appeal and warmth of hand drawings.
Take Disney’s Tangled for example, most of the animation was keyed traditionally before it was passed into digital, and it definitely shows. To date, it’s the ultimate example of Traditional married seamlessly with Digital, cleverly implementing the best of both mediums… now that’s exciting!
I totally agree. I find that any time we make anything ‘easier’, we also loose the talent that goes into it. I remember one time a few months back when I was at at studio and some grad students were getting a tour. One girl remarked ” I hope I don’t have to draw when I am working, that is one of my weaknesess” and she was a graduating in animation that year! (or at least she hoped she was).
I too fall into this trap. I don’t draw anywhere near as much as I should.