Separate spatial spacing from time spacing
When drawings are far apart, the object covers more distance in the same time and appears faster. Holding the earlier frame longer can suggest anticipation. The most reliable workflow is to settle positions first, then adjust only durations during playback.
Use onion skin as a distance ruler
The immediately previous frame appears stronger and earlier frames are fainter. Instead of tracing every line, compare two or three motion anchors such as a fingertip, object center, or floor contact. Equal gaps read as constant speed, narrowing gaps as deceleration, and widening gaps as acceleration.
Create holds with time, not duplicate drawings
To hold an expression or pause before a turn, extend that frame’s duration instead of duplicating it several times. The timeline stays readable and the intention survives later speed changes.
Applying one duration to every frame is useful for rough previews. It also removes intentional differences, so save the project or note your values before using it on a refined sequence.
Diagnose jitter separately from speed
Slow the playback before diagnosing an uncomfortable motion. If it still shakes sideways, the issue is position. If the shake disappears but the action still feels abrupt, the issue is timing. Align anchors for position problems and lengthen high-change frames for timing problems.