Technique : Squash and Stretch

The squash and stretch technique is a fundamental principle in animation and illustration that involves manipulating an object or character's shape to convey movement and dynamics. It is an important tool for bringing life, exaggeration, and realism to animated characters or objects.

The technique is called "squash and stretch" because it focuses on distorting the shape of an object or character by either compressing it (squash) or stretching it (stretch) to emphasize movement and action. By exaggerating the shape change, the viewer perceives a stronger impact or sense of weight in the animation.

Squash and stretch is used in various ways, depending on the specific needs of the animation or illustration. Here are a few examples:

1. Character Animation: Squash and stretch is commonly used to create the illusion of weight and flexibility in animated characters. When a character jumps or lands, their body can be squashed upon impact and then stretched as they bounce back up. This technique adds a sense of energy and impact to the animation.

2. Object Animation: It can also be applied to inanimate obiects to give them a sense of elasticity or deformation. For instance, a bouncing ball will squash when it hits the ground and stretch when it reaches its peak height. This helps to convey the physical properties and weight of the object. Whereas a bowling ball would not express much squash because of its density.

3. Visual Effects: Squash and stretch can also be used for visual effects purposes, such as creating exaggerations or comic effects. For example, in a humorous or cartoonish animation, a character's facial features could be exaggeratedly stretched or squashed to emphasize emotions or reactions.

The squash and stretch technique has been used by many animation studios, artists, and illustrators throughout history. One notable practitioner is Disney, known for incorporating squash and stretch into their iconic character animations. Their use of the technique adds a sense of liveliness and charm to their characters, making them more relatable and engaging.

Overall, the squash and stretch technique is a powerful tool for animators and illustrators, allowing them to give life and expressiveness to their creations. By strategically distorting shape and form, it conveys movement, weight, and emotion, making animations and illustrations more dynamic and visually appealing.