How to Make Stick Drawings for Flip Books

Flip through the pages of a flip book to see an animation.

A flip book, the most basic, analog form of animation, is a small notebook with a drawing on every page. When you hold the notebook with one hand and flip through the pages with the thumb of the other hand, the images appear to move. To learn the technique of making a flip book, start by drawing a simple stick figure. Move the stick figure across the frame little by little on each page to animate its movement.

Things You'll Need

• Small unlined notebook
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Draw the stick figure on the first page in the position in which you want to start its movement. For example, if you want the figure to move from left to right, draw the figure on the left side of the first page. Stay far enough away from the binding of the notebook that it will not be difficult to draw the figure on the following pages. A basic stick figure consists of a circle for a head, a straight line for the body, and upside-down "V"s for the arms and legs.

2. Turn the page and create the second drawing. Move the figure only slightly, constantly looking back to the previous page for a reference.

3. Turn to the third page and use the second page for a reference to draw the third image. Move one leg of the stick figure slightly upwards and forwards to create the illusion of walking.

4. Continue using each page as a reference for the following page. Stop and flip through the drawings often to determine whether your character is moving at the rate you want. To slow down the character's movement, add more drawings with smaller changes. To speed it up, make fewer drawings with more pronounced changes.

5. Finish the flip book by drawing the stick figure in its final position on the last page.

Tips & Warnings

• Pressing hard with the pencil as you draw will help you see the lines of the previous drawing on the next page as an indentation. If you prefer to be able to erase and redraw, draw lightly with a pencil so you can erase as needed.

• If desired, you can trace over the pencil drawings with pens or markers after you are satisfied with the motion of the animation.

References

• NGA: Activity: On the Move
• Curbly: How to Draw a Flip Book.

Resources

• DePaul University: Animation Basics