A character design can feature exquisite line work and immaculate lighting, but if the underlying silhouette is muddy, the audience will struggle to understand what the character is doing.
### The Squint Test
When evaluating a keyframe, squint your eyes until interior anatomical lines blur into solid black masses. If the pose still clearly communicates action, balance, and emotion, the staging is solid.
### Creating Windows of Negative Space
Avoid trapping limbs directly in front of the torso. Push hands away from the body, turn the head to profile or three-quarter view, and ensure props are framed against clear background space.
### Use Our Technique Checklist
Audit your own scenes using our interactive [Animation Study Checklist](/tools/animation-checklist/) before proceeding to in-between clean-up.