I want to practice making realistic, simple and effective animations, such as for clients. But, how do I know what a good project is for someone newer to Blender, and how do I know what's feasible or in-demand? Where can I find animation assignments?
What's feasible and in-demand? Well, before anything else it's an understanding of the basic principles of animation - regardless of what you want to animate. But if realistic, simple, and effective (emphasis on effective) is what you want, then I'd really suggest that you look into Wayne's bootcamp course (after completing the core animation course if you haven't already).
Yeah, bouncing balls will at first glance seem mundane and uninspiring, and that is a fair and valid thought. But once you look past the fact that it's just a ball, you'll realise that you can learn to translate what you're learning onto anything else.
If anything, I think you should complete the first three chapters of the course which by the end cover spacing and timing - which as far as I am aware, are the most important principles to learn.
That's my two cents, and I really think you should take me up on it.
Also Wayne rocks and I think he should be nominated for a melvin ;)
I second the melvin nomination. There is a saying in animation: "Everything is a ball". This is mostly true. Mechanical movements like robots is harder to see it than more organic animation. Squash and Stretch is up there with spacing and timing. I'd say arches are a close second.
Now to your question: Motion study is the best way to get more realistic animation. This next part is more of do as I say not as I do. You have to actually animate things. Failer and messing up are signs that you are learning. So go crazy and fail a lot. If you're like me that's easier said than done. Make sure you have a good handle on the basic.
1. Blender Basics - https://cgcookie.com/courses/blender-basics-an-introduction-to-blender-4-x
2. Animation Basics - https://cgcookie.com/courses/core-fundamentals-of-animation-in-blender
[Optional] I'd recommend this basic rigging, because it help animators understand the rigs they work with and to communicate their needs to the rigger: https://cgcookie.com/courses/core-fundamentals-of-rigging-blender
3. Would be the the bootcamp course Harris ( Yeehawcowboyletsgo ) Points to.
For Motion study:
This YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@endlessreference
As for a good project: Try to convey an action and/or emotion thru animation. You need a character to animate a few options to get you an animatable character.
1. The famous ginger bread man Gus. This uses 2.80 but most of it is still relevant. note: You only need to do the modeling and rigging. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FmwPxEbqYk&list=PLkk11a_3Yul_-4mggNEI29YLB5oKHKW-U
2. You can use Stomp from Wayne's Bootcamp course.
3. You can use Sky from Blender Studio's animation course.(Yes even if you don't subscribe to the studio) https://studio.blender.org/training/animation-fundamentals/5d69ab4dea6789db11ee65d1/
4. You can use any of the free characters available at Blender Studio. They will say free right below the image of the character. Note: Not all have scripts that are updated for Bone Collections. https://studio.blender.org/characters/
5. You can model and rig your own character.
The Project: Choose an actions like a roundhouse kick or dive roll or even walking. Then choose a mood energetic, happy, depressed, sad, etc. Then adjust the action to convey the different moods/characteristic. An example is walking: you start with the basic walk cycle. Then add a characteristic like feminine or Speed walker. You could add an emotion like angry or happy. This video can both be used for motion study and show what I'm talking about: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEoUhlesN9E If you want to do something else other than walk cycle here is his playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEoUhlesN9E&list=PLEMBCmekoZ-N8HEg2zDNM6VfMZUB5IdAQ&index=1
Side Note: With YouTube you can use these hotkeys. While the video is paused you can use the comma and period keys to move left/right 1 frame. J and L to seek 10 secs. Left/right arrow to seek 5 seconds. 1-9 to go to percentage of video. 1 is 10%. 2 is 20%. 9 is 90%. K or spacebar to start/stop play.