In this lesson, we learned about scribble-on and how it can be used, as well as improved our artistic abilities by challenging ourselves to draw in limited time slots. Initially, I didn’t have a good idea of what ‘scribble-on’ could mean, but the fact that it included the word ‘scribble’ gave me a clue. It was a small indication that what we would be doing would most likely involve a form of loose drawing or sketching, which was exciting for me as it is a nice break from the heavier learning lessons we have, where a lot of information is taken in at once.
Before the main task, we loosened our wrists a little and stimulated our creative juices with a drawing challenge. We had done this before in class and were all familiar with the chaotic fun that the challenge induces. Non-specific images of different subjects appear on screen for a certain amount of time, during which you have to draw as much of it as you can. Because the time limits are often so short, it can be stressful, but the pressure helps sharpen the mind and concentrate on the overall form and key shapes, rather than the details, which is an important practice.
Drawing Challenge
15 Seconds
30 Seconds
1 Minute
Like last time, the challenge was difficult but really enjoyable. I like testing my drawing speed and having to copy an image within a set time because it gives me a chance to assess where I need to improve. For example, even though we had one minute for the final few, I really struggled with the pine cones. Drawing irregular objects like that is an area in which I have limited experience because I focus on practising the essentials – people. Although, even with the woman with the shocked face, I struggled a bit, because I rushed with the hair and spent too much time trying to perfect it when I should have added more detail elsewhere. I think out of everything I created, my favourites are the man with the tophat, the bird and surprisingly, the landscape. With the first two of my selection, I think I was more accurate with the form, which enhanced what little detail I managed to add, making them far better in terms of appearance. The landscape was a surprising one, but again, capturing the key shapes correctly made it far more appealing. Even with simple, sketchy outlines, you can tell what’s going on and it looks quite good! It just shows how quickly concept art can be made for environments – that was just a 30-second sketch.
Scribble-On
After warming up, we moved on to the main task of the lesson. First, we learned what the scribble-on effect is, and after some examples, tried it ourselves.
The scribble-on effect is a fun tool that can be used to spice up footage. It involves adding motion graphics and emphasis onto footage and animation and is usually created with the brush tool and a paint palette in After Effects.
We were warned to be careful with the paint settings but still have fun with it. After the definition, we were then given some examples of when and how the effect was utilised. As well as the ones we watched, I found an example of my own – a video I instantly thought of when I found out what this effect was.
I think that this style of animation works really well in music videos – particularly ones where there is dynamic choreography. The example above is specifically for TXT’s choreo for Crown and is a brilliant example of how even simple effects can elevate a video. Throughout, little glowing scribbles move and blend in with the movements of the dance, and just add that extra touch that makes the video more unique and interesting to look at. I especially love when it compliments the more visual moves, such as when they make an arrow with their bodies. There is a clear theme and colour palette, and even the elements match; little stars, energy bursts and angel/demon accents appear, sometimes repeatedly, as the song progresses. This helps the video reach a cohesive, energetic outlook.
Here is the other MV we were shown, and I think it’s super funky! You can see how the scribble-on effect can be added in different ways and used in totally unique styles. This one works perfectly with the mood and beat of the song!
Demo
Before attempting it ourselves, we were shown how the effect could be achieved. As always, I followed along taking notes before trying it out myself. It turns out that scribble-on is quite simple to do!
- Import your footage into After Effects and double click on the layer so that it is shifted into its own view.
- Click on the brush tool and go to the panel to the right, where all of the settings can be changed as desired, such as colour.
- The main one to note is the duration. There, you can either choose ‘constant’, ‘write on’ or ‘single frame’ to control how you want the animation to be shown.
The three duration settings were the most important aspects of the demo since they are what allowed us to customize the scribbles we do. Firstly, there is ‘constant’. When this is selected, anything that is drawn on the video will always appear. ‘Write on’ is used when whatever is drawn needs to play with the footage, such as a line that starts at the bottom of the frame and snakes its way to the top. Finally, there is ‘single frame’, which is used the most and is the standard animation method of drawing frame by frame. I was most excited about using ‘write on’ and quickly went to Pixabay to choose a video. There weren’t as many options as I had hoped, but since this was just a practice run, I wasn’t too fussy with my choice.
After this was in After Effects, in its own view, I clicked on the brush and chose a colour using the eye-dropper, picking up the orange from the lady’s accessories. I then started by using an idea from the Hard Times music video. In one part of the song, we see lines trailing from the fingers of the lead singer as she moves her arms and hands about, and I really like the effect it created. I decided to replicate it for the first part of the video. When I started drawing, however, I realised that ‘write on’ wouldn’t work as I had hoped. It did indeed play in the same way it was written but there was no way to get rid of it afterwards. It stayed on-screen, unmoving, unless erased – which wasn’t what I wanted.
I realised that I would be using ‘single frame’ for most of the animation. This wasn’t a bad thing though – it simply meant that the process would take longer. After Effects also didn’t have an onion skin option, which was a little annoying, but it added to that scribble effect, so I worked without it. Bit by bit, I added little lines following her fingers, and after I was done with that, I also experimented with outlining her entirely as she moved. With each frame, I made the gaps between the lines bigger and bigger so that it would look like the line was disappearing in a more natural way.
Another aspect I decorated was her earrings. I think this was overshadowed by the bright white line, but it was still super fun adding the little swirls in her hoops. I didn’t think too hard with what I was adding onto the video, for example, the words at the end were drawn on, really, just to fill up time and try the ‘write on’ duration. Here is the outcome!
This was so much fun to make, and I think the results are really cute and interesting! I was basically just doodling to my heart’s content, using colours from her outfit to make sure the palette was coherent. I could have done so much more though – this effect is really flexible and I’m so pleased to have learned how to produce it. One way in the near future that I can think of using it, is possibly in my creative project. If I decide I have enough time for the film sequence product, I can add animations over the top of my video to make it more interesting and fun.