2dfxanimator,sixtinejames Details
Intro
Class Intro
2D FX Animator, Sixtine James
"VFX is the epitome of 'small but mighty'. Let's elevate your animation sequences with little moments that make a big difference!"
Foundations First: A Structured Path to 2D FX Mastery
Mastering 2D FX animation begins with understanding the fundamentals. This course is designed to teach strong foundational skills while guiding you into more advanced techniques. Using TVPaint, you'll focus entirely on 2D animation, no 3D or live-action footage, because great FX rely on clear principles, not the platform they’re applied to. Whether you want to become a professional or simply explore something new, the goal is to build a skill set that’s adaptable, solid, and rooted in clarity.
You’ll start with the four classical elements: water, earth, fire, and wind. Each chapter breaks down how to animate their unique behaviors with intention, not guesswork. As the course progresses, you’ll take on more complex effects like explosions, electricity, and magical sparks. The lessons are designed to help you understand the physics, timing, and visual language behind each effect so you can animate with both confidence and purpose.
A key focus of this class is learning to think critically about FX. Many artists rely solely on instinct, but here you'll be encouraged to understand the why behind every decision. By building your own FX toolkit and strengthening your creative judgment, you’ll be ready to bring energy and clarity to your work across a wide range of scenes and styles.
A key focus of this class is learning to think critically about FX. Many artists rely solely on instinct, but here you'll be encouraged to understand the why behind every decision. By building your own FX toolkit and strengthening your creative judgment, you’ll be ready to bring energy and clarity to your work across a wide range of scenes and styles.
Class Preview
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03. Water Element
1. Animating falling droplets, splashes, and ripples
2. Creating waterfall FX and simulating interactions with other elements
Class Perks
Special Gift from Sixtine James
5 Technical FX Guides
- PDF guides breaking down key FX principles and techniques to help you better understand and apply them in your own work
20 Ready-to-Use Templates
- Editable templates of animations used in class, provided in TVPaint and video formats for hands-on practice across different software
23 Timelapse Demonstrations
- Instructor-recorded timelapses showing the full creation process of each exercise, perfect for review and visual reference
23 Working Files
- Project files completed by the instructor for every exercise, available in TVPaint and mp4 formats to study closely and reverse-engineer
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
Beginners to FX and animation exploring new skills
Junior artists studying or starting out in 2D FX
FX professionals looking to refine their 2D skills
Expert 2D FX Animator Sixtine James's Portfolio
credit
1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 [Ubisoft x Wizz] "Rainbow Six Siege: Rams Take the Tower Back"
2-1, 2-2 [EA Games x Sun Creature] Apex Legends "Alter: Based on a True Story"
2-3, 2-4 [Marvel x Sun Creature] "The Salem Sister" Prequel Short
3-1 [Netflix x Studio Mir] "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep"
3-2 [Netflix x Sun Creature] "Blue Eye Samurai" Season 1
3-3 [Riot Games x Brunch Studio] "Remix Rumble ft. Steve Aoki" MV
3-4 [Supercell x Sun Creature] "Hay Day" Game Trailer
4-1, 4-2 [Supercell x Sun Creature] "Brawl Stars: Charging Up to the Max!" Animation
4-3, 4-4 [Supercell x Sun Creature] "Dagger Duchess: New Tower Troop" MV
Why Take This Class?
This course offers a focused and versatile approach to learning 2D FX animation. Instead of spreading yourself thin across scattered effects or gimmicky techniques, you’ll dive deep into the essentials, covering a wide range of impactful effects without wasting time on things that don’t serve your growth. Each lesson is grounded in design, motion, and purpose, helping you understand not just how to animate something, but what makes a visual effect truly work.
Beyond learning techniques, you’ll come away with work you can actually show. The exercises and final projects are designed to be polished and portfolio-ready, making them perfect for uploading to your demo reel or sharing on social media. This class helps you build not just skill, but visible proof of your progress—something many training courses overlook.
Taught by Sixtine James, an experienced FX artist who has worked with studios across different countries and pipelines, this course also gives you insight into how the industry really operates. You’ll learn what’s expected from you as a professional, both technically and interpersonally, and walk away with a clearer idea of how to navigate your journey into the animation world.
23 Class Exercises
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Droplet Animation & Timing -
Looping Waterfall Impact
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Earth FX: Ball Drop -
Wall Break with Debris FX
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Torch Flame Animation -
Flame Throwers
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Fire FX: Cigarette Smoke -
Cube Drop with Dust FX
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Smoke FX: Directional Dust
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Basic Explosion Animation
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Car Explosion FX
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High-Rise Building Explosion
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Lightning FX: Arc Types
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Electricity to Enhance Action
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Liquid FX: Viscosity Levels
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Rain Dripping on Surface
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Rain Shot with Character- Design credit: Lena Sayaphoum
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Simple Glint on Simple Surface
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Glint on Complex Volume
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Sparkles on Pixie Dust
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Casting Spell Animation
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Flag Animation -
Wind FX on Clothing
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Wind Blowing on Hair- Character design credit: Bjork
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Full Character CFX Animation- Character design credit: Bjork
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Lo-fi Background Scene Animation- Illustration credit: C
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Blooming Flower Animation -
Avatar Bending Scene: Earth & Fire
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Avatar Bending Scene: Water & Wind
Final Product Example(s)
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Complete FX Scene with Avatar- Part 1: Earth & Fire
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Complete FX Scene with Avatar- Part 2: Water & Wind
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Lo-Fi Background Scene- Featuring the illustration from Coloso instructor & Illustrator C
Instructor
2D FX Animator
Sixtine James
Hi, I'm Sixtine James, a 2D character and FX animator. After graduating from École Émile Cohl in 2018, I spent two years at LTAM in Luxembourg specializing in animation. I started out as a 2D character animator before expanding into FX animation, where I found new ways to bring scenes to life.
I’ve had the opportunity to work on acclaimed feature films like The French Dispatch by Wes Anderson, as well as TV series such as Blue Eye Samurai, along with a wide range of commercials. Collaborating with global clients such as Riot Games, Supercell, Ubisoft, and Netflix has allowed me to explore different styles and pipelines across projects in Europe, the U.S., and Korea.
In this class, I aim to offer an in-depth approach to 2D FX animation suitable for all levels, with gradually increasing complexity throughout the exercises. You'll learn to animate key natural elements, character FX like hair and clothing, and bonus organic effects such as vegetation.
If you're still finding the basics challenging, don’t worry! I've included a full recap of the fundamental principles you’ll need to follow along confidently.
2D FX Animator,
Sixtine James
[Current]
- Freelance 2D Character & FX Animator
- CEO of Studio Sequences Co., Ltd.
[Previous]
- Head of 2D at Brunch Studio
- 2D Key Animator at Studio Mir
- 2D FX Supervisor at Sun Creature
Projects & Awards
[Projects]
2025
- The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender – Paramount
2024
- The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep – Netflix
- Devil May Cry (TV Show) – Netflix
2023
- TFT: Remix Rumble – Riot Games
- Rainbow Six Siege: Ram Takes the Tower Back – Ubisoft
- SoulFighter Cinematic – Riot Games
- Blue Eye Samurai Season 1 – Netflix
- AESPA ""Better Things"" MV – SM Entertainment
Highlights
Class Highlights
Building Strong Foundations: From Simple to Complex Motions
Mastering realistic animation starts with understanding the basics. By progressing from a simple bouncing ball to complex effects like water splashes, explosions, or debris, you'll develop the essential skills to create believable motion. Strong timing and spacing are fundamental—not only for animating accurately, but also for observing the world around you and translating those movements onto your canvas.
Mastering Physics & Weight: Core Principles for FX Animation
Physics and weight are essential foundations on your journey into FX animation, even before picking up the pencil. Understanding how an element’s weight and speed influence its impact, or how texture affects movement, is key to creating believable FX. These core principles shape the way you approach every effect, helping you build the instincts and clarity needed to animate with confidence and intention.
Preparing Your Scene for Professional Workflow
Proper scene setup is essential for working efficiently and delivering your work in a studio-ready format. Whether you're working on a personal project or a professional production, organizing your files and layers from the start will streamline your workflow. It allows you to focus on the creative and artistic aspects instead of getting sidetracked by technical issues later on.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Building Reference and Design SkillsMany people think FX is just about cool movements and capturing the “feeling.” In reality, it’s much more about understanding the essence of your FX, including its physics, behavior, and weight, as well as strong drawing skills. This class emphasizes the importance of observing your environment closely and drawing from life references to build a solid foundation for your FX work. -
Crafting Impact Frames and Dynamic MovementsUnderstanding movement and dynamics is crucial, especially for action scenes. Whether you are adding an impact frame or experimenting with timing and composition, knowing what you want to express through your animation helps make your scenes more compelling. Learning to manipulate the dynamics of your effects will bring energy and appeal to your work. -
Balancing Realism and Magical EffectsMagical effects can sometimes feel abstract, but FX always comes down to two fundamentals: a realistic understanding of the phenomenon and the emotion you want to convey. This class teaches you how to decide on the motion and physics behind your magic and how to translate those ideas onto your canvas, resulting in stunning, delicate, or powerful magical effects.
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From Theory to Practical FX AnimationIn this class, you will learn the theory behind effects and how to put that knowledge into practice. While many overlook the importance of theory, it forms the foundation for creating strong and believable FX. You’ll gain confidence in applying concepts to your animations and develop a deeper understanding of how effects behave in real scenarios. -
Balancing Chaos and Calm in FX MotionTo be a well-rounded FX artist, you need to master a wide range of motion: from calm, subtle effects to intense, action-driven ones. Petals drifting in the wind and soft magical glows are just as important as explosions, debris, or ground breaks. In this class, you’ll learn how to animate both types and explore how they can even coexist within a single scene, enhancing emotional tone and visual storytelling. -
Producing a Complete FX SceneCombining different types of effects into a cohesive, finished scene is a key professional skill. You'll learn how to make FX interact with one another naturally and how to manage each stage of the process, from rough animation and cleanup to final delivery. By the end of this section, you’ll be equipped to handle complete FX sequences with confidence and studio-level discipline.
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Interview with
2D FX Animator Sixtine James
Question.01
What led you to choose this topic or theme?
With the success of Arcane and other recent shows, FX animation is becoming increasingly recognized. However, the educational resources around FX remain limited and often lack quality. As an FX supervisor in the industry, I’ve found it quite difficult to find artists who are genuinely interested in FX—by that, I mean people who take the time to observe and truly understand the physics behind what they're animating. As a result, many can produce decent work, but very few excel in all three areas: animation, composition, and design.
Although I still have much to learn myself, my goal with this class is to help students develop a deeper understanding of the physical principles behind VFX. I also hope to offer a more thoughtful approach to purpose, design, and composition when creating or practicing FX.
Although I still have much to learn myself, my goal with this class is to help students develop a deeper understanding of the physical principles behind VFX. I also hope to offer a more thoughtful approach to purpose, design, and composition when creating or practicing FX.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
What sets this class apart is the wide variety, not only in the topics we’ll cover, but also in the levels of difficulty. I’ll also be sharing an approach to 2D FX that emphasizes not just animation, but drawing as well. Because even if it’s not immediately obvious, creating stunning FX relies heavily on strong drawing skills. Just because you're not animating a human figure doesn’t mean the quality of the drawing matters any less.
Question.03
Do you have any advice for your students?
Practice. Again and again. There will be times when you feel discouraged or like you’ll never figure it out. When that happens, take a breath and step away from your desk. Do something you love. Go for a run, spend time with family or friends, and come back to it with a fresh perspective. We all go through those moments. But if you keep practicing, you’ll eventually find your own way.
Also, lift your head when you're outside. Look around and really observe the world around you. Animation is about translating life into drawings, and the same goes for FX. If you’re not aware of what surrounds you, how can you hope to express it in your work?
Also, lift your head when you're outside. Look around and really observe the world around you. Animation is about translating life into drawings, and the same goes for FX. If you’re not aware of what surrounds you, how can you hope to express it in your work?
Required Programs
This course will be taught using TVPaint, compatible with both the Standard and Pro versions. Students are encouraged, but not required, to purchase the software for an optimal learning experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
