MADE FOR 2D AND 3D
GREASE PENCIL MIXES 2D AND 3D, LENDING A HANDDRAWN FEEL TO ANIMATION AND ILLUSTRATION
Occasionally, Blender’s global community steer it beyond the official 3D pipeline. An example of this is Grease Pencil, which blurs the lines between 2D and 3D. Picture a spectrum. On one end, Grease Pencil helps you create classic hand-drawn animation, using the digital version of traditional tools like onion-skinning, tweening and key frames.
In the middle of this same spectrum is the ability to treat Grease Pencil pen strokes like 3D objects (that’s because they are, in fact, 3D objects). Which means you can modify each line with sculpting brushes until you get it exactly right. You can even use Blender’s material system to create NPR materials for your animations.
On the further end of the spectrum, Grease Pencil allows you to draw in multi-dimensional space. So you can solve perspective problems by, for example, drawing on top of box-modelled or sculpted objects. Alternatively, sketch in 2D along X,Y, and Z axes, leading to a drawing you can rotate.
Most makers mix and match these techniques.
As well as animatics, motion graphics and animated shorts, Grease Pencil is used for concept art and illustration. Look up the unique neon art of French illustrator Dedouze, or check out the brooding technical excellence of Jama Jurabaev for inspiration.