Editing Off-model

{{Short description|Quality of character drawn out of par with the original source material or model sheets}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2013}}

'''Off-model''' is a term used in the [[animation]] and [[visual arts]] industries to describe art that does not match the style, design, or proportions that have been previously established for a given project (i.e. any work that is not on-model). Any kind of visual art can be off-model, so long as it defies the conventions of an established design. Consequently, art can be made off-model accidentally, due to skill or time constraints that may limit an artist's ability to accurately replicate a style. However, off-model can also be an intentional choice on the part of an animator. [[John Kricfalusi]] has argued that off-model animation allows originality and can help a scene come to life, as strictly sticking to poses and expressions as dictated in [[model sheet]]s can be too restricting.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kricfalusi|first=John|title=L.O. 10: Acting: Jetsons 1984 – George Ghoul and Trends|date=22 November 2008 |url=http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2008/11/jetsons-1984-george-ghoul-and-trends.html|lang=en|access-date=2013-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204093053/http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2008/11/jetsons-1984-george-ghoul-and-trends.html|archive-date=2008-12-04}}</ref>

Off-model art is often associated with 2D animation, such as [[cartoon]]s and [[anime]]. For much of the history of 2D animation, individual frames have been hand-drawn in sequence. This task may be [[Outsourcing of animation|outsourced]] to multiple individuals or studios, increasing the chances for the miscommunication of character, environment, or item design. [[Animation studio]]s attempt to limit this issue by distributing model sheets amongst animators, which may include poses or expressions for artist reference.<ref>{{cite web|title=Klasky-Csupo Animation Lessons Part Five: Off Model/On Model|url=http://www.cooltoons2.com/various/artlessons/model.html|lang=en|publisher=Klasky-Csupo|access-date=2013-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223042947/http://www.cooltoons2.com/various/artlessons/model.html|archive-date=2007-02-23}}</ref>

Off-model work may also be the product of artists or cartoonists intending to [[parody]] another franchise but not wishing to incur a lawsuit or commit [[copyright infringement]] by drawing someone else's [[trademark]]ed characters.
[[File:Merrie Melodies - Jungle Jitters (1938) - Door-to-Door Salesman - Character Model Sheet.jpg|alt=A collection of drawings of an anthropomorphic door-to-door salesman dog from the 1938 animation ''Jungle Jitters''. The image shows multiple angles and proportions so animators can avoid drawing "off-model"|thumb|A [[model sheet]] used to achieve consistency within an animation.]]

== See also ==
* [[Uncanny valley]]

== References ==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Off-Model}}

{{Animation}}

{{Cartoon-stub}}

[[Category:Animation]]
[[Category:Animation studios]]