Sally Sense Mood Board

Really early mood board for Sally Sense!

Lost and Found - Studio AKA

Lovely artwork for all to see in their blog for the film 'Lost and Found' by Philip Hunt at Studio AKA. Inspirational!

Lost and Found up for a Children's BAFTA - 29th November, good luck AKA!

Me and Barry Purves

Me and the amazing Barry Purves at the awards party (very early hours in the morning) BAF. Barry hosted the awards night and it he was great. I was on jury at the festival and really enjoyed it. Barry has a new film out next year. You can see in Barry's hand a signed card which I got at Annecy from Adam Elliot, director of the stunning film Mary and Max and Oscar winner for Harvie Krumpet. I love Barry, he's a great pal!

Still thinking that I need to be doing this 2D!

Snitch - taken on camera phone (not good quality)

Testing camera angles - OK was on my iPhone, but still good to play around with shots while building the puppets!

Just a mock up of the set!

Set Designs for next film

These will be printed as they are are for set of next film.

Bunny and the Bull Trailer

New trailer released for the feature film Bunny and the Bull which Gareth Howell, Andy Chong and myself worked on last summer. Check out the animation in the snow globe by Andy. That was a tough shoot!

The amazing animator Joanna Quinn has an exhibition opening at the National Media Museum this weekend. Go see, her work is amazing!

Sketchbook

I have hundreds and hundreds of sketches to scan in for my PhD and I really don't know what's the best way to digitally present them, so I've been playing around. Going to take longer than I thought!

Butcher

Have been animating this fella for the last couple of days - it's for Bradford Animation Festival stings

Storyboarding

Busy storyboarding for a few days now - it's nice to see it all taking shape so to speak from the script.

Production Design

Variation on set designs - it will be built in paper, quite 2D so that the 3D puppets will stand out more.

Snitch - rough sketch

BAF - Butcher shoot

OK, he has no head on yet! Won't put this on until filming as it's really fragile and I don't want it damaged. The guys were colour/lighing testing yesterday. Really liking it!

Snitch - Redesigns

Re-designs of Snitch (ongoing)

Layout of work in progress for BAF MAN horror!

More work in progress!

Work in Progress

BAF Horror - still work in progress!

Character Designs

For new commission.

What's it like writing a PhD?

Calvin and Hobbes explain it to me!

5 lesson sketches from my evening life drawing classes!

Jenni

I took this many moons ago for a project when I was doing a foundation...12 years ago in-fact. First attempt at photography. My tutor was so impressed that they college entered it in the Independent Photography competition. Didn't even get close, but for first go! Have just scanned it in, needs a lot of touch up as scratched and dotted with dust, but for now I thought I'd stick it on here!

Life Drawing

Selection of life drawings from my evening class, which I find really tough going!

Snippy Snatch

Only started developing this one this morning - have been playing around with colours. Needs some more work on him, but any feedback most welcome!

BAFTA Hopes

Sent this to Marc and Sue who are up for a BAFTA on Sunday. Fingers crossed for Varmints!

Work in Progress

Still experimenting - Mr Snif Snuf and Group Hide Away

Finally coming to terms with live trace in Illustrator - this is very quick drawing to test it!

Twitch

Early character design of Twitch and Snitch - for Sally

Rimpy and Snip

Early character designs for the horror characters of Sally.

Tim Burton producer of 9 - check out the trailer!

Some sketchbook work that I'm working on.

Early sketches - only have pencil and sketchbook with my while I'm away so haven't been touched up. Will do that when I'm back home. Going to make the 2 girls into maquettes to see how they shape up as 3D puppets.

Pat Raine Webb

Such a sad week for British animation this week. The death of Oliver Postgate who filled my childhood with Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine and many more. However, even closer to the heart is the shocking news of the death of Pat Raine Webb. She was wonderful and a huge supporter of all animation across the world and waved the British flag high and proud. My heart and thoughts go out to Margot who has been with Pat for 66 years. You can leave words here

Ms Cage

Character designs for new project - very early designs just playing around with shapes and styles at the moment!

Marc Craste BAF double winner!

The lovely, SUPER talented Studio AKA director Marc Craste (Jo-Jo and the Stars) picked up 2 BAF awards for Varmints. Marc won the Grand Prix and the Audience Award. Varmints is a stunning film which will leave you with such a lump in your throat. Very, very chuffed for Marc, VERY much deserved. He's a great guy. Hopefully it will be out on DVD

Disney Animation

Disney Animation has it's own website!

Quite like the look of Rapunzel

Coraline

Heres a newly released poster for the stop frame animated film by Henry Selick at Laika. I was lucky enough to see the rushes and a tour of the studio over in Portland earlier this year and it looked amazing. Have a couple of friends still over there working on the film, back to the UK early next year.

It looks so beautiful!

Wallace & Gromit Preview

Unique opportunity to see Wallace & Gromit's new short film before Christmas.

Scriptwriting

Have been busy scriptwriting, which I am loving at the moment. Have been referring to Paul Well's Basic Animation Scriptwriting, it's a really useful book. Can be found at Amazon

Suzie Templeton Website

Not sure how long this has been up for - but the lovely award winning Suzie now has a website.

Mary and Max

Here it is! The beginnings of Australian animator Adam Elliot's new feature Mary and Max. I know we are going to be in for a roller coaster of emotions as that seems to be Adams specialty. If your not sure what I mean check out Adams films on Atomfilms. There is a website for Mary and Max, just read the character descriptions 'fish fingers'! Can't wait!

Mary and Max

Couple of things

BAF is quickly approaching - Full festival passes have sold out but I think Friday and Saturday you can buy day passes. Don't forget to book for the producers panel on Thursday night with Paul Wells - going to be a right treat. I'm doing the Power of Animation screening which I'm very much looking forward to.


Also doing the same event at Creative Industries Trafford

Sally early sketches

Very early ideas for Sally

This has just come out by Professor Paul Wells and Johnny Hardstaff. I think though the cover is going to be different from what is on Amazon. Apparently my film 'Beneath' has 10 pages. I haven't seen it yet, but excited, although the film does feel a very long time ago!

Book is by AVA Publishing and is available now at Amazon!

SOC

Ms Pricky

SOC

Some early sketches for Supermodels on Cocaine

Feature and shorts!

Working on a live action feature this week with Gareth and Andy. Doing a short animated sequence for the feature film Bunny and the Bull which is written and directed by Paul King (Mighty Boosh). Production company is WarpX. Just a weeks shoot, but we have to film through the night when the live action crew has finished for the day. The hours drive home in the early hours of the morning is going to be tough. Will post some photos when allowed!

Also in pre-production with Slurpy Studios and Verbal Vigilante Music for a short animated film 'Supermodels on Cocaine'. Very early which storyboards and character designs being flashed around. This should be finished by the end of August, hopefully!

Little Witches

Really early character designs for 'Little Witches'...I stress, very early!

Mary

Nanny Nip

Grrr, would like to nip my scanner through a window! This will have to do for a Sunday afternoon!

Mr Bend

I have no idea, it was just a doodle, he's kind of odd don't you think?

Alice in Wonderland

Think I prefer the middle one - charcoal, although I rushed the watercolour as the rugby is on!

Alice in Wonderland

Quick sketch for Alice in Wonderland, going to try and work it watercolour! Will add that when done.

Cornwall Pics!

Photographs taken at Cornwall

These were my first attempts a photography during my foundation in 2000. Proper dark room prints!

Varmints and Marc Craste

Varmints - illustrated by the fabulous Marc Craste, film due out from book next year. How exciting!

Doodle

Messing with photoshop...again! Started as a doodle while on the phone.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Old sketch work

Just going through old images and thought would put up how I built the set for Hide & Seek!

Madame Tutli-Putli

Glimpse of a trailier at the link, looks beautiful. Anyone seen the film?

http://www.nfb.ca/webextension/madame-tutli-putli/

No Idea - doodle

No idea - just an hours doodle while watching TV, its a bit freaky!

Bradford Animation Festival

Have a thread at this years Bradford Animation Festival - Animation and Comedy, have Nick Park in coversation with Paul Wells and a panel event with leading writers of comedy in animation. Very excited!

Yum Yum Bubble Gum!

Mr Stevie Drumm!

Australia

Trying to get everything ready for our trip to Australia. We are there for just over 3 weeks and we are validating our PR visa. It's been a long time coming - taken nearly 5 years to get to this point. Beyond excitement!

Barry Purves's Book

Cover of Barry's new book which I did a couple of images for, hopefully they were OK. Not due out till later in the year, but it's up on Amazon. Go Barry!

Old Sketch

Going through discs and I found this -think this is a few years old.

The Pearce Sisters

Go take a look at this stunning, stunning film from Aardman and the super talented director Luis Cook! Lucky for me Luis gave me a signed illustration print from the film when I left Aardman.

www.aardman.com/pearcesisters/

Sandman

It's not finished, and I'm still trying to get used to using a tablet!

Sketchbook work

Sketchbook work

Sketches done in charcol in sketchbook.

Old sketches

Now I'm back from Bristol I have been going through my old sketch books, thought I would scan a couple of bits and pieces and put them up!

Quick drawing

I need to either get an A3 scanner, or draw smaller!

Just a quick drawing for Rosemetal - did these ages ago, sadly haven't worked much more on it.

Pirates - character designs

This was a design for Pirates - I only had a day to do them, and really need to tidy and finish, but I know I won't, but I thought I would put some of them up. All done in watercolour!

Barry Purves Book

Barry Purves is coming to the end of his book. Part of this is to ask everyone to contribute an illustration that relates to what they have discussed in the book. I talked about Nightmare before Christmas, so here is my contribution. It was shadow print, photographed and then finished in Photoshop!

What do you think?

I need more sleep

From www.biganimation.com/forum where there is a sketch competition. You have an hour to do a sketch of your choice to the brief 'I need more sleep' - this is my attempt. Its a good idea, keeps you drawing!

Slapped Wrist!

Have had a telling off about not updating my blog - so pushed for time! Anyhoo, been busy and have 3 projects running at the same time. Nursery Crimes is up and running again and we have a year to make it. Also 'Supermodels on Cocaine' is in pre-production - both films with Kelly Ling. And I have begun writing 'Forced Smile' (working title) with the support of some folk that I haven't had permission to announce, but will do soon. As well as all that I am busy with Aardman. The Paul Berry tribute at BAF! went well which also resulted in some oversea invitations next year - so its all looking good. Anyway, hopefully have some art work to put up in the next couple of days - need to get to a scanner!

RSPCA Character

I was asked to design some characters for a RSPCA poster to promote Summer dog competitions, this is just one of the characters..he's going for the 'Most Handsome'!

Halas & Batchelor

Vivien Halas' book 'Halas and Batchelors Cartoon History' edited by Professor Paul Wells had its launch at the Barbican. Lots of key folk there...Bob Godfrey, of course. I got a lovely free copy thanking me for all the artefacts that I pulled from the archive.



It was a good night!


The other book 'Fundamentals of Animation' again by Paul Wells is about to be launched, long time in the waiting. I have yet to see a copy of it, but very excited, apparently there are 4 pages on just me and Aaron!

Annecy Animation Film Festival

Returned from Annecy with lots of contacts and inspiration. It was my first time to Annecy and throughly enjoyed myself, good company, lots of strong coffee and wine and a few films thrown in for a treat. Couple of pics for you, such a beautiful city.

Rosemetal Flies

Illustration for a book of the same title!

Beneath - Object/React

Some stills from the live action film Beneath which I have just completed for Onedotzero and the Victoria and Albert Museum. 19/05/06 which I have just found out has been selected for the the festival and its tour!

Burgley House

Today I went to Burghley Hall, it was amazing. Full of so much history. I've always had a soft spot for Elizabeth I and it was a good feeling knowing she had walked where I was now walking today. Being a film buff it was great to see the rooms that Pride and Prejudice. Recommend a visit to everyone, the guides were amazing, fighting to tell you the history and the legends that surround the home.

Sketches for a film

Storyboards

Two very early storyboards for Hide & Seek

Early Storyboard

Early storyboard for Nursery Crimes

Skin Deep

Skin Deep is a work in progress for an not to pleasent storyline!

Mrs Frynn

Mrs Frynn was a character designed for a film by Kelly Ling

Plug

Plug was a character developed for an animated film 'Imaginary Friends'
2005

Grace

This is an illustration from a film I did during my second year animation degree to a David Bowie track!

Optician