Hey, so I've been facing a slight social conundrum regarding animating...

I guess it's often perceived that art(as in illustration) and animation go hand and hand.
However, this mildly upsets me because under any normal circumstance, I would not consider myself an artist (hence why I use stick figures). I would however, consider myself an animator(2D animator only). But this notion sometimes gets me in awkward situations with more... "artistic" friends.

So I guess what I'm asking is... is it possible to be a good animator, but poor illustrator? Or can animation only be as "good" as your drawings?

and is there was anyone else out there who feels the same pain o.o?

if not... that's cool too :o

It's possible to animate without drawing, with 3D models for example, or with symbol animation, but drawing is still a basic skill that an animator has to have. Professionally speaking, it's not possible. You can have stick animation as a hobby to kill time though.

I'd recommend that you start drawing and painting, if you want to be considered a serious animator.

Animations focus a bit more on movements and less on art. Nonetheless, animating requires some basic graphic designing skills and art skills. I would say that if you are a good animator, you can never be a mediocre illustrator, considering you have to draw all the time to animate, and how you have to take care of body proportions and all that. However, it doesn't mean that you will be an expert illustrator, since all you're going to animate are stickfigures. If you're a good fullbody animator, however, then you're a good artist (I think).
(I sometimes sketch during school hours when there's free time. The whole form consider me a pro artist, although I have to say I'm just decent at sketching. My painting is mediocre.)
(To consider yourself a good artist, you HAVE to ENJOY doing art. Just saying.)

I think there are many examples throughout history of "poor artwork, decent/good animation". By your own admission, you use stick figures in your animations, which is not exactly artistic, but can still be animated quite fluidly and realistically.

Anime is a great example of the divide between art and animation, as older anime tends to prioritize art and detail over animation, whereas most newer series tend to focus on fluidity and overall flashiness as opposed to artwork. Not to say newer series don't look nice, but characters are often built from bases and have indistinct features in order to save time to animate the fancier sequences that we wouldn't have seen prior to the 80s or 90s.

DISCLAIMER: These are, of course, generalizations based on shifting industry trends, and in no way do I mean to imply either that all new anime is all flash and no realism, or that all old anime was highly detailed and/or poorly animated.

DISCLAIMER 2: I should also note that even in the most lazily drawn anime out there, SOME degree of artistic talent is still required to produce it. You just don't have to be Van Gogh.

Lets put it this way, generally, it requires precise craftsmanship and drawing ability to inspire some kind of awe in the audience. However, it is possible, even with poor drawing skills, to really wow the viewer with a great idea, a great story.

One of the greatest contemporary animators, Don Hertzefelt said "It doesn't matter how well you can draw if you know how to tell a story. You can animate a movie about a blue dot that falls in love with a red dot, and if you know how to tell a story, there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house."

I also feel the same pain as you are.

A red dot falling in love with a blue dot... XD wow I totally have to try that now.

I started with animation and got into art. They are not required for each other but they go hand in hand. Usually if you are good at one, you have a better chance at being better at the other. Some artists struggle with animation and some animators struggle at art. It really comes down to whether you are willing to do your best to get better at both.

Not to brag, but I'm average at both...

Quote from m0ntana

Not to brag, but I'm average at both...

I have never seen any art from you, but saying your average at animation on this site (considering the majority are mid to high ranked beginners) is not something to be proud of.