Tracer Roughs!

Though it's a bit of an antiquated method, this was my go-to way for fleshing out simple movements, and helped nail down character's style. Often these would live as stacks of printer paper, or, even done in sketchbooks in some of my earlier animation ( enabling me to make an easy flip book out of an art pad).

Usually a set of 10-12 sketches would be enough, but I have some of these that are ridiculously lengthy and were a total nightmare to photograph ( and this is the time before easy iPhone cameras, and usually involved scanning page by page).

Nowadays, it's just easier to grab the tablet/ screen/ Procreate and start sketching in app!