small world animations

A Polar Bear in the Snow

I’ve never “advertised” anything on my blog before, but this new picture book by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris is gorgeous, both thoughtful and beautiful. What must it be like to be a polar bear, and where is this polar bear going? In this book Mac and Shawn create a magical starting point, leaving usContinue reading “A Polar Bear in the Snow”

“The Girl Without a Face”

I’m starting work on a new stop motion music video – very exciting – for Max Simpson & Sam Owen, aka Two Dogs and members of Birmingham indie gods Pram. So chuffed to be asked to work for them again! Very much a noir-spooky vibe to this one, hoping to achieve lots of lush, darkContinue reading ““The Girl Without a Face””

Make Your Own Puppet Theatre

I promised a while back to put up a tutorial for making a puppet theatre like the amazing one made for “I Want My Hat Back!” for Little Angel Theatre by Sam Wilde. Then in July I was commissioned to make it by the lovely Magic Carpet Arts in Exeter 🙂 It’s a very easyContinue reading “Make Your Own Puppet Theatre”

Shimmer and Disappear

It’s two years since I made this stop motion video for Brummie music wizards Pram! It was a real blast to make (sorry for the pun! ) So if you didn’t catch it the first time round, take a look now. Enjoy! 🙂

Image-making with stencils

I’ve been experimenting with stencils to create lines and textures in my work recently – the image above is one outcome, and it was all done using torn paper edges and charcoal (see below). I was fascinated during the process how you can create exciting marks and textures with such a simple technique. The processContinue reading “Image-making with stencils”

“Charley says…” BFI kids online

The British Film Institute have put up a collection of films for under-5s online. It’s a real mixed bag! Some of them I remember from childhood – LOTS of public safety films for children, the best ones being the “Charley Says…” series. I’m not sure many 21st Century Children will really enjoy some of themContinue reading ““Charley says…” BFI kids online”

Live Drawing Online Tonight!

I can’t believe I’m doing this, but it is so exciting!! I’m going to be live illustrating today on Instagram 3pm EST – 8pm GMT with the Community Bookstore in Brooklyn, NYC!!! Their children’s books specialist Philipp Goedicke reads classic children’s stories live on Insta every day and invites an illustrator to draw along. IfContinue reading “Live Drawing Online Tonight!”

Viviane Schwarz – Create a Character Video

I love author-illustrator Viviane Schwarz’s work. She’s brilliant at inventing crazy, engaging characters and in this video from the British Library website, she shows you one way of doing this! It’s a wonderfully accessible technique and great for anyone trying to create characters for their book, comic or animation. Have a go! 🙂

Komaneko

Komaneko is an animated cat – who makes animations. Here is the first episode where she tries her hand at making her first-ever stop motion animation. It’s a beautiful and super-cute little film, and there are more available on Youtube

Mary and the Witch’s Flower – Film 4

Available and free to view for the next week on Film 4, Mary and the Witch’s Flower is a charming feature-length Ghibli-style animation with a bit of a Harry Potter vibe going on! Great for some lockdown escapism for kids – and grownup Ghibli fans! 🙂