My experimental processes
The techniques I use to animate are pretty much described as 'traditional experimental animation'. Each frame is a little artwork in itself. A tiny painting, sketch or embroidery. The process takes on average 5-10 hours to create one second of moving image.
I have experimented a lot over the years, all my learning is through experimentation. Finding my own short cuts and methods was part of the joy.
The freedom to create, move and morph anything I can imagine, makes this time consuming process worth it.
Once I got to grips with the main principles by doing tiny sketchy loops that lasted a few seconds, I moved onto new mediums. I have created a couple of embroidered animations, using my sewing machine to draw with the needle frame by frame. I used photoshop sparsely in a few segments to help speed up the process. Experimentations with collage, clay, colour pencils, knitting and many more.
There are endless ways to animate!
Over the past 4 years, I have created 20+ commissioned animated works for various creatives and companies. Mostly for music videos, moving logo's, title sequences and visual backdrops.
If you are interested in commissioning me to create an animated video for you, please do get in touch for my price breakdown and we can start the conversation.
Belladonna, one of the most deadly plants to exist, yet healing and hallucinatory if used correctly. Way back, witches would use belladonna to reach sensual places of ecstasy, they would experience the sensation of flight, hence where the imagery of a flying witch came from. They were demonised by the church for their ability with plants and its link with sexuality.
So this is created in homage to the lost wisdom of those ancient healers and the ridicule we see surrounding it to this day.
This animation is a combination of 250 hand sketched frames and animated stop motion clay over a gouache painting.
Tara gave me free reign to create what I wanted for this one. Please do listen to her full beautiful and mystical track.
Watercolour Animation stills
Vagalume
The Full Moon Cast No Shadows
The Full Moon Cast No Shadows
Inspired by my recent trip to Brazil, the most magical animals I encountered were the vagalume (fireflies as we call them).
Their garish glow amongst the pitch black, weaving in and out of the forested road sides.
You can find the full animation on my instagram @megenzie
and my process video on @megmckenzie.art
The Full Moon Cast No Shadows
The Full Moon Cast No Shadows
The Full Moon Cast No Shadows
A commissioned animation for Helena Day, for her gorgeously enchanting jazz love song, The Full Moon Cast No Shadows.
Listen to her beautiful track here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2P9v3e7FrOzmAskVUd9ERj?si=81e1eae5f77f4df0