3d & animation

8 Stop Motion Animators You Need to Know

Get to know the people and projects inspiring the works of professional creatives in stop motion animation

Few things say more about an artist than the influences behind their work. Drawing inspiration from the creative community and acquainting yourself with the works of others is one of the best ways to learn. It not only helps you to discover and explore new ideas, it also gives you a better understanding of what gives certain work its cult status.

Experienced animators Lourdes Villagómez and Coke Riobóo (@cokeylourdes) are known for their work in stop motion animation. Here they share eight artists who influenced their practice and continue to be a major source of inspiration today.

Stop Motion: Create Animations with Your Smartphone, a course by Lourdes Villagómez and Coke Riobóo.

Bruce Bickford

A frequent collaborator with Frank Zappa, American artist, animator, and cinematographer Bruce Bickford is known for his surreal works and the creation of grotesque worlds. To build these, Bickford used the claymation technique becoming a pioneer in this stop-motion animation style. Surrealist universes featuring human figures and sets made with clay were a trademark of his work.

Terry Gilliam

Most famous for science fiction movies, many of his fans might not be aware that Terry Gilliam's origins lie in animation. In 1969, he began to collaborate with the British comedy group Monty Python, developing the animated segments that linked the sketches of the series.

For his surreal, irreverent, and experimental style, Gilliam used various techniques including collage, drawing, and cut-out animation.

Ray Harryhausen

A master of special effects in stop-motion animation and the father of dynamation, Ray Harryhausen's work is a must-see for lovers of animation. Among his creations are unforgettable monsters such as The 7th Voyage of Sinbad's Snake Woman, the famous Kraken in Clash of the Titans, and the fearsome Hydra in Jason and the Argonauts. Ray Harryhausen left a remarkable legacy through his work in both animation and horror films.

Panique au Village

Created by Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar, Panique au Village (A Town Called Panic) has become a cult television series thanks to its original use of stop motion and the bizarre, outlandish situations encountered by its protagonists: Horse, Cowboy, and Indian. It became so successful that it was subsequently adapted into a film that became the first stop motion film screened at Cannes Film Festival (2009). It's an unmissable classic from the genre (and cinema in general).

Children’s Television Workshop

Known today as Sesame Workshop, this major US non-profit organization was commissioned to create one of the most iconic children's programs of all time: Sesame Street. With the likes of Jim Henson (the animator who also created The Muppets), experimental animator Jane Aaron, and Pixar animator Bud Luckey, the Children's Television Workshop was not only an icon for children but for the world of animation itself.

Princess Comet

A series from the '60s (sometimes considered the Mary Poppins of Japan), this program has become an archetypal reference in animation. Combining live-action with a wide range of techniques, including 2D animation and stop motion, Princess Comet (Kometto-san) is an unmissable series for those looking to learn traditional ways to animate and create special effects with cinematic techniques that are rarely seen today.

Big Blue Marble

Created to promote intercultural exchange, Big Blue Marble was a children's television series telling stories of children from around the world. Combining live-action with 2D animation and stop motion, the series has become a classic of children's television and a reference for animators.

Gerald Scarfe

Cartoonist and illustrator Gerald Scarfe made history by collaborating on one of the most iconic albums in rock music history, The Wall by English band Pink Floyd. Scarfe participated in the making of the album and the movie featuring psychedelic animations. He also produced the visuals for the band's tours. Scarfe's distinctly grotesque style added a visual dimension to the band that contributed to their huge success.

Are you inspired to follow in the steps of these artists? Why not sign up for Lourdes Villagómez and Coke Riobóo's course, Stop Motion: Create Animations with Your Smartphone, to learn more about their animation heroes and experiment with stop motion techniques.

English version by @acesarato.

You may also like:

- Peter Lord, Creator of Aardman Animations, Shares His Unique Wisdom
- 6 Online Professional Animation Courses for Beginners
- What Is Stop Motion Animation?
- Animated GIFs for Instagram in Photoshop, a course by Andre Rucker

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