A method of generating an image enables animating an avatar on a device with limited processing capabilities. The method includes receiving, on a first computing device, a first image; sending, on a data interface of the first computing device, the first image to a server; receiving, on the data interface and from the server, shape data corresponding to an aspect of the first image; and generating, by a processor of the first computing device, a primary output image based at least upon the shape data and avatar data.