Had the rare chance on Sunday to just doodle. It was a stinking hot warm day and was confined to one room with the air conditioner blasting out cold hair. To warm for the study, so no PhD. I did these.

Serious now, there's no getting away from the excitment of Aardman/Sony Animation's newest sword fighting feature film. Directed by Peter Lord (Morph creator and all round top fella) the film is bursting with Aardman. I can't wait. The film started pre-production while I was there. At the time the Aard's gang were asked to submit work for the film (really early stages). I did, I sent in some sketches (they are on here). I got a T-shirt! I'm excited, I'm excited for my friend Pete who deserves all of the success I hope the film recieves. Best of British, as in they, all who are in the Aardman walls, are the best!

I've been really busy trying to finish the practice part of the PhD, and hopefully it's nearly there. Two weeks could be finish line, fingers crossed. Anyway, just some examples of the work.

Sally, Family and Friends and nasty Snitch.

I've been working on layouts this week. Stuck to the desk, itunes, headphones on and cracked on with it. This is an early layout. Final one is in the pitch storyboard.

So, normally I bark on here about animation, but this time nooooo, this time its about a young musician called Sam Gray who has a new album out called 'BRIGHTER SIDE' I so recommend his album, I've not stopped listening to it. Go get it, it won't let you down!

Been a busy weekend animation wise. Firstly Peter Lord of Aardman Animations completed (offically) the shots for his feature Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientests. Pixar released a new trailer for 'BRAVE' which looks amazing. Its taken a while for me to get excited about a Pixar/Disney release, and this is it I think. I also, for the first time saw a trailer for 'Dr Seuss' The Lorax' which nearly made me cry. Its full of bears and marshmellows, and had me jumping up and down. Please be brilliant!

At the same time the sad news began to twitter and surface that co-founder of Cosgrove Hall, Mark Hall had sadly passed away. Cosgrove Hall was iconic, it filled our childhoods with an array of colours and laughter. They were also responsible for lots of us uncompleting our homework as we sat glued to the box. I thank you Mr Hall, thanks for the vision, the brilliance and for getting kids (and adults).

Hunger Games trailer is out. Have you read the books, worth reading if you haven't, there pretty good. Film due out next March. Some pals over at Rising Sun Pictures are working on it at the moment.

I'm sure everyone has heard about Miles Bullough, Head of Broadcasting at Aardman Animations speaking out about the risk of losing British stop-motion animation to overseas. This is due to there being a 0% tax break for animation produced for television, unlike film which benefits from 15-20% rebate. I'm certain, knowing these guys, that they would only do this as a last resort. They are profoundly proud of being Bristol based and British. How very sad it would be for everyone if it had to a happen. Read more here on BBC News and UK Animation Org

Struggling to accept that its Halloween while its toasty warm outside. So to get me back on track, bit of VINCENT by Tim Burton. My favourite TB moment! Enjoy peeps!

JAMES THIÉRRÉE

So excited to hear that James Thierree is coming to Adelaide as part of the festival in 2012. I have booked tickets. First saw his performance in London and was blown away. He is the grandson of Charlie Chaplin and he is magical. Very happy bunny!

I've no idea why I've drawn a clown, it just started from a doodle. Would like more time, but its late!

I worked some more on the Tim Burton piece, and this is what I've ended up with!

Tim Burton - Living the Dream

I'm not sure how this came about, originally I was doing some messing about with flowers. But at the same time I was thinking of a friend who prepping to get funding, which is a struggle. I remembered how we talked about Tim Burton, next thing this happened. OK, I accept its a bit sixth form art/ foundation. But it was just a mess about.

Bradford Animation Festival 2011

So its that time of year again with a hub of animation film festivals in the UK. I've been involved and attending BAF for over 7 years and this will be the first time I'm not there. Going to be a grand event, go if you can! Big guests include Andy Schmidt from Pixar. I've seen him give a talk at Loughborough University and he's a great speaker. Was luckily enough to go out for dinner afterwards with him and his wife. Super talented and we both agreed that we loved the movie Moonstruck!

Addition to BAF there is Animated Encounters which is held in the capital of stop-motion animation land Bristol. Another great festival headed up by Kieran Argo.

Finally got my name on a credit list of a blockbuster feature lenght. This adds to Bunny and the Bull, and another one that I worked on this year I'm not allowed to mention till the new year perhaps? Hopefully everything crossed saving the biggest for the next couple of years. Excited! Film prayers needed!

I have no idea where this came from, but it started out with me testing new grunge paintbrushes in Photoshop!

Currently using 30 day trial for CS5.1, so far quite impressed, although don't seem to have enough time to have a proper play. Here are some of my quick goes. Apart from the robot which started as a doodle yesterday while I was waiting for a phone call. Not my usual kind of thing. I did work on it some more last night, but it crashed and it went, so this was the latest. Ah well.

I woke up to the sad news of the passing of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Imagine a life without Pixar?  What a huge impact he has had on my life. Thank you. But more importantly is the loss that his family and friends will feel and my thoughts go to them and anyone who is struggling with loss and grief.

Hilly Dank

I had ten minutes before rushing out the door so quickly did a quick sketch on the cintiq21. May work on it a bit more. If I get the chance. Was messing with some of the brushes.

I have a new toy - the cintiq21 which is AMAZING. I'm still testing, but worked on some sketches to see how it works. I really like it. Need some time to work some more, but I think I've found a friend!

Bunnies or Bears?

Testing trees & snow. this is first go, need more time!

Adding more trees and larger snow flakes (can't make my mind up about the trees)!

I was asked to do an article for 'Dope Sheet' and here it is! Dope Sheet

Stanley Pickle

I love this film, glad to see its doing the festival rounds, good luck to Vicky Mathers the director!

Stanley Pickle

Annecy Winner - The Lost Thing the trailer is available on the website. A gorgeous, gorgeous film and I think one of my favourites of the festival.

Annecy Animation Film Festival

Just returned from spending a week at the festival. Had a great time, and felt inspired, exhausted and quite proud to be British!! Will put up my top 10 and the winners over the week as I try to get back to reality!

Marc Craste BAFTA win!

Huge congratulations to the my mate Marc Craste and Studio AKA for the BAFTA win last night for the BBC Winter Olympic TV titles. You will know Marc's work well, he does the Lloyds commercials. Well done chuck!

On my kitchen wall

I did this while at Uni on my kitchen wall. It was floor to ceiling, you can just make out the plug socket at the bottom, gives you some idea of the size of it. Our neighbours kids loved it. It was a shame to have to rub it out when we moved. One day....

Adam Elliot

Adam Elliot has a new website, go check it out and say hello. If you haven't had a chance to see Mary and Max yet, please do. It's possibly one of the best animated feature films you will see. Join the drawing club and Adam will send you a drawing a week!

Barry Purves and his new book

I'm so embarressed by how long it's been since posting on here. So maxed out trying to finish the PhD, the writing, the practice. Anyway, Barry Purves has a new book out, great if your starting out. I'm in there somewhere with my graduation film which is 7 years old! Take a look. Also, for all you Barry fans, he moves to France end of June to make his new film, how chuffing exciting is that!

Will post some artwork soon of a project working on at the moment when given the green light!

Zepped - Charlie Chaplin

Been so busy haven't had a chance to put anything on here. Couple of days ago I was filmed alongside Paul Wells and Andy Chong by a documentary film crew who are making a film about a Charlie Chaplin film Zepped. The film, which includes animation, was bought on Ebay for a couple of quid! It was a fun afternoon, and great to see the footage - I think we were the 2nd group of folk who have seen the animation.

Some further info Zepped

Busy couple of days

Had a great day yesterday at BAFTA with part of the ABAC team. Fab inside, with some amazing Tim Burton style dining chairs! Then a trip to High Wycombe to discuss possible new film. Exciting times perhaps?!

Also, good luck to Coraline and friends based at Laika in Portland on the film being awarded an Oscar nod, in addtion to BAFTA. Best of luck guys!

In Empire Film magazine!

AC, Gareth and myself made it into Empire film magazine from working on the feature film 'Bunny and the Bull'. Kinda cool!

Alma - BAF09 Winner

Here is Alma which won this year at BAF09 which I was on the jury. Available online for a limited time. Really gorgeous film. Go check it out!

Alice in Wonderland - new trailer

I'm soooo excited about Tim Burtons 'Alice in Wonderland'. Here's the trailer!

The Art of Tim Burton - publication

I have been waiting and waiting for this. I was naughty and got one of the 1000 deluxe editions which is hand signed and with a hand sighed Tim Burton lithograph, which is gorgeous.

This book is amazing, if your a Tim Burton fan, a character designer, concept designer or a love of animation this is a book to have. Over 1000 illustrations of Tims with words from folk he has worked with, especially Ian Mackinnon from Mackinnon and Saunders. The book supports the exhibition which is currently at the MoMA in New York, then to Melbourne. Not sure if it's heading this way (UK).

I love it. LOVE IT!

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! THEY WON!!! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDIA AKA and PHILIP HUNT!

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!

What's it like writing a PhD?

Calvin and Hobbes explain it to me!

Tim Burton producer of 9 - check out the trailer!

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

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

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.