Do you enjoy and want to get involved with 2D animated short films, music videos, and similar (non-television and film) creative projects? 

These works are often brought to life by the independent artists themselves, or commissioned by producers seeking unique, handcrafted looks.

Even companies like Hermes, Coca-Cola, and Adult Swim commission independent 2D artists to create social indents for their brands.

While it can seem daunting to go the independent route, industry reports show that 2D animation could outgrow all other types of animation in the next five years.

So, if you’re considering becoming an independent 2D animator, especially for projects like short films or music videos, mastering a reliable animation software early on is key to showcasing your talent.

However, learning multiple animation programs can be time-consuming and costly. That’s why we recommend starting with TVPaint, a popular choice among independent animators for its many benefits, which we’ll explore in this post.

Why TVPaint Is Often More Cost-Effective Than Other Options

TVPaint stands out as a one-time purchase product, unlike subscription-based models such as Toon Boom Harmony or Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite.

With TVPaint, you pay once upfront and retain lifetime access to the software without recurring costs (you may have to pay to upgrade your version to the latest however), which is especially beneficial for independent animators who want to avoid ongoing expenses.

As of 2024, here’s a breakdown of the annual costs for some of the top 2D animation software:

• TVPaint Standard: $722 USD (€650 one-time purchase)
• Toon Boom Harmony Essentials: $230.50/year USD (or $29.50/month)
• Adobe Photoshop: $347.88 USD (or $49.99/month)
• Adobe After Effects: $347.88 USD (or $49.99/month)

Although TVPaint has the highest initial cost, it becomes more cost-effective after the second year of use. Unlike Toon Boom and Adobe, which charge monthly fees indefinitely, TVPaint’s one-time payment can save a lot of money in the long run – especially if you’re forking out the money yourself.

Why TVPaint Is Ideal for Developing Your Unique Style

To stand out as an independent animator, having a distinctive style is crucial. Brands are constantly seeking fresh, innovative visuals to refresh their image and captivate their audience.

TVPaint excels in this area due to its bitmap-based painting and animation capabilities. It features a powerful brush engine that allows you to create and customize your own drawing tools. You can import or design your own brush tips, enabling you to achieve a wide range of artistic effects, from watercolor to pencil to marker.

This flexibility lets you produce highly stylized animations that mimic real-life materials and techniques, helping you develop a unique aesthetic that sets you apart.

Additionally, if you’re looking for inspiration or ready-made brushes, check out Gumroad, where many talented artists share their custom brush collections for TVPaint.

Why TVPaint Is Better For Frame by Frame Animation

While frame-by-frame animation isn’t a strict requirement for becoming an independent 2D animator, many independent animators prefer this method due to its ability to create unique and captivating visuals. Frame-by-frame animation allows for a more personal and artistic touch, which aligns well with brands seeking innovative ways to engage their audiences.

TVPaint is particularly suited for frame-by-frame animation, as it is designed with this approach in mind. Unlike other software such as Toon Boom, which emphasizes tweening for TV animation, Adobe Photoshop, which is tailored for illustrations, or Adobe After Effects, which is geared towards motion graphics, TVPaint focuses on enhancing the hand-drawn animation experience.

You may even know that most of the character animation from the film Wolfwalkers was done in TVPaint because of this.

Overall, TVPaint’s UI is also much more intuitive to learn for frame by frame animation.

Get Inspired By These 5 Independent Animators Using TVPaint

Looking for inspiration on what you can achieve with TVPaint? Check out some of our favorite independent artists who use TVPaint to bring their unique 2D animated visions to life.

And if you decide TVPaint may be right for you, check out our comprehensive course on getting started with hand drawn animation in TVPaint.

1) Laetitia Apollonia

Laetitia Apollonia is a 2D animator who is known for their highly stylized and detailed 2D animation work. They have worked with brands like Heineken, Honkai: Star Rail, and even TVPaint themselves.

2) JavaDoodles

JavaDoodles is a YouTube creator who made the leap to full-time animation in 2021 after gaining significant traction on TikTok. Since then, they’ve amassed nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube, 1 million on TikTok, and over 500,000 on Instagram. While JavaDoodles earns from social media platforms, the majority of their income comes from independent animation projects.

3) Zack Lydon

Zack Lydon is a 2D animator and illustrator based in Seattle. He uses TVPaint to work on personal projects which he posts on social media, but has also worked with brands like Adult Swim, Eminem and Snoop Dog, and festivals like Vancouver Comics.

4) Tina Nawrocki

Tina Nawrocki is an independent 2D animator most known for her work as an animator on Cuphead where she hand drew frames and then compiled them using TVPaint. Since then she’s worked on video games like the upcoming Croak, and music artists like Drake.

5) Jack Zhang

Jack Zhang is a animator based out of London, who is known for his retro and nostalgia-inducing 2D style. He takes inspiration from vintage fashion, films, and interior design. In the past he’s worked with brands like MTV, and BBC, and music artists like Coldplay, and Troye Sivan.