I'm gonna try and explain how I actually animate w/ steps n pictures to maybe make it a little easier c;
*I use P.T. Sai, but if you use MS Paint it won't be a problem. You'll just have to use another program to remove the background for transparency with each individual frame when you're finished.
*Need help coloring? --> [Have an Icon Tutorial]
1- Gotta have that static icon first, saved, shaded n everything. Don't skip any steps for later. Take this static icon to whatever level of complexity you want. Great. You've done that now, and you're ready to animate. Make sure that everywhere there is white in my example icon there is transpar