Animations Become My Main Gift To Patreon Patrons

Now that I have over 25 years of experience as a professional illustrator, but at the same time am re-entering the commercial market for a second time, I’ve been looking for ways to expand my creativity and tell more compelling stories. Keeping things simple, and the urge to learn, has me passionate about this “stop animation” style I began creating last year. It has so much feeling, because of it’s hand drawn quality and quirky, imperfect motion. Computer programs now practically do the drawing and motion for you when creating slick, clean animations, while this technique is mostly one drawing per frame, 8 frames per second, the same speed as a Super 8 camera.

I want the art I provide for my Patreon patrons to have some use for them; not just be entertainment. The benefit I see these animations having is they can be sent to friends and family for birthdays, holidays, and just to connect. A relevant animated messages is added to the animation and music. I missed making a 2020 holiday animation, because I was in the heat of parenting my two children and preparing for their Christmas, and birthdays (which are both before Christmas). So, I intend next year to make that animation three months ahead of time so that I can complete it in time for my patrons.

I’m still uncertain how my other artistic disciplines created for patrons—landscape drawings and childrens book drawings—will be translated into gifts to patrons. Any suggestions are welcome. I’m still in the early stages of having a Patreon page.

Commodore on Fire

These animations are fun to make, but time consuming. I average about 8 drawings an hour, which means a 15 second animation takes me 15 hours! Some elements, I can repeat, while unique elements need to be drawn one frame at a time. I speed up the process slightly using a program called Procreate on the iPad, then export it to Adobe Premiere. I show a shortened version of my videos to the public on my site and social media, but Patrons get an extended version. So far, I’ve only made 3 of these animations. My goal is to make one a month in 2021. Suggestions welcome and encouraged!

Eventually, I would like to be doing commissioned animations for companies. I think these animations have great potential for conveying stories, and instructing customers on how to use products. Yes, computer technology has far advanced beyond these simple animations. However, what these animations have that CGI and AI do not, is the beauty of the imperfect drawing, and how it can stir emotions in the heart.

These animations come with ambient music that I usually make myself using the Organelle, or music from a musician I’ve collaborated with. “Democracy Returns” has music by the music producer, Pushkar Brand.

Democracy Returns

“Democracy Returns” is inspired by the volatile political situation in the United States. Never in our lifetime has an insurrection on the US Capital occured before, and never in the history of the US has it been encourage by our president. For the first time, we experienced the fragility of democracy and I understood that democracy is not something that we should take for granted. Our former president abused his power, and thankfully the democratic system removed him. The extended version of this animation adds an inspirational statement by the president, Joe Biden, which he made during his inauguration.

Future themes of my animations will not be as seriously political. Now that our country has seemed to move through an intense political situation, I’m ready to move on to other topics I’m passionate about—nature, the environment, health, non-competitive sports, and parenting. Also, it would be nice to bring in some humor—another valuable benefit these quirky illustrations have is the potential to lighten up our day while we are collectively going through these serious times.