Draw Netflix's Baloney Tony Using Pro Animation Techniques in 45 Minutes

Difficulty: Novice
Time: 45 minutes
Cost: ~$8

Ever wondered how pros make a quirky character feel alive on paper? Director Alex Woo from Netflix's latest animated film has a straightforward way in. His movie explores the surreal realm of dreams through siblings Stevie and Elliot's journey, according to Cartoon Brew. The team grounded their most whimsical character, Baloney Tony, in movement patterns that echo how kids handle stuffed animals, as Woo explained to What's on Netflix. Learn a few of Woo's habits and you get characters that feel fantastical and believable. That sweet spot is where the fun lives.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Character looks too stiff → Fix: Add more curves and offset joint angles, avoid perfectly straight alignments
Problem: Proportions seem off → Fix: Check that the head is roughly one quarter of the total body height and keep limbs cylindrical
Problem: Texture appears too detailed → Fix: Erase back to broad texture zones, suggest the material rather than rendering every pore

Variations & Upgrades

• Simpler version: Skip detailed texturing and focus on big shapes and expression
• Advanced challenge: Draw Baloney Tony in stuffed animal poses, sitting slumped, arms dangling, or mid tumble
• Character series: Design your own food based cast using the same construction, pancake stacks with floppy rims, bacon strips with wavy curves, egg characters with round, bouncy forms

FAQ

Can I use digital tools instead of pencil? Absolutely, the construction principles are the same in digital art programs.
How do I make my character more expressive? Focus on eye size, spacing, and mouth placement. Woo's team emphasized that characters always maintain their identity even when transformed, as reported by Cartoon Brew.