Instagram Story Viewer

lucky for a dream in pink and green where the ink bleeds and the sky shimmers.

a hand-made animation comprised of over 2000 paintings. no ai. 

layla is a young girl with an ultra rare condition that can be fatal. she's brave in a way i'd never seen up close. her story was fuel to make a short film in a medium i'd never explored before, in a process that would last for many months.

thankful to have met the amazing @smykenator who made it all possible (go seek out her short film homebird!), which led us to @natcet & @komation17 who lent the film their immense talents. indebted to the supreme @zupryknatalia for such a precious piece of music, long term collaborator @sammasonsounddesign for making it all hum, @louisekimsalter and @dewifonevans who were part of the initial interview which gave birth to it all, my neighbours andrew and izzy for letting us base the animation off of them. im hugely thankful to @cleverpeeps and @simone_irons_brown for their trust and support throughout, and finally, thanks to layla for inspiring us all.

if you're interested in reading about how and why we made it feel free to check out my website which has links to articles about it all.

Writer and Director - ✌
Animation Director - @smykenator
Animators & Painters - @natcet & @komation17
Score - @zupryknatalia
Sound Design - @sammasonsounddesign
Interviewer - @louisekimsalter
Dialogue Recordist - @dewifonevans
Producer, Editor & Colourist - ✌
Production Company - healthy films & @phosphorhouse

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day two at @LebaneseAmericanUniversity with @schoolOfArchitectureAndDesign students brought all the hometown characters together on one life sized charcoal wall.

Different places, different cultures, different childhood textures – all meeting in one shared space. ☝️
The wall became a living map of memories.

What moved me most was how naturally everything merged. Strong marks, light marks, mistakes, doubts, and confident gestures all found their place. Nothing needed to be carried as a burden from yesterday.
Once the students worked together, every line became part of a larger story.

This workshop reminded me again that animation grows through exchange. I learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

Thank you LAU students for your generosity, imagination and willingness to connect your personal identity with your visual practice.🙏🏻👏👍

@lau_sard

#animation #animationworkshop #lebanonanimation #stopmotionanimation #inclusiveeducation #culturalexchange #diversityandinclusion #charcoalanimation #mixedmediaanimation #beirutart

Day one at #LebaneseAmericanUniversity in#Beirut, we began with a simple but very meaningful question: what does your hometown feel like?
Every student created a character inspired by their place – using memories, textures, colours, stories, and the atmosphere they grew up with.

What I love most is that the inspiration didn’t flow only from me to them. It came back to me through their stories, drawings, humour and honesty. Teaching always makes me reflect on how we adapt our practice to honour each person’s identity. Diversity isn’t an abstract idea – it shapes the marks we make and the way we see the world.

Students later placed their animation frames on real textures outdoors, letting their characters meet the environment of Beirut.

Thank you for the openness, the trust, and the courage to explore something personal.

@lau_sard
#inclusiveeducation #inclusiveanimation #animationworkshop #culturalexchange #beirutart #designeeducation #culturalidentity #animatinghometown #lebanonanimation #animation

Day one at #LebaneseAmericanUniversity in#Beirut, we began with a simple but very meaningful question: what does your hometown feel like?
Every student created a character inspired by their place – using memories, textures, colours, stories, and the atmosphere they grew up with.

What I love most is that the inspiration didn’t flow only from me to them. It came back to me through their stories, drawings, humour and honesty. Teaching always makes me reflect on how we adapt our practice to honour each person’s identity. Diversity isn’t an abstract idea – it shapes the marks we make and the way we see the world.

Students later placed their animation frames on real textures outdoors, letting their characters meet the environment of Beirut.

Thank you for the openness, the trust, and the courage to explore something personal.

@lau_sard
#inclusiveeducation #inclusiveanimation #animationworkshop #culturalexchange #beirutart #designeeducation #culturalidentity #animatinghometown #lebanonanimation #animation

Day one at #LebaneseAmericanUniversity in#Beirut, we began with a simple but very meaningful question: what does your hometown feel like?
Every student created a character inspired by their place – using memories, textures, colours, stories, and the atmosphere they grew up with.

What I love most is that the inspiration didn’t flow only from me to them. It came back to me through their stories, drawings, humour and honesty. Teaching always makes me reflect on how we adapt our practice to honour each person’s identity. Diversity isn’t an abstract idea – it shapes the marks we make and the way we see the world.

Students later placed their animation frames on real textures outdoors, letting their characters meet the environment of Beirut.

Thank you for the openness, the trust, and the courage to explore something personal.

@lau_sard
#inclusiveeducation #inclusiveanimation #animationworkshop #culturalexchange #beirutart #designeeducation #culturalidentity #animatinghometown #lebanonanimation #animation

Day one at #LebaneseAmericanUniversity in#Beirut, we began with a simple but very meaningful question: what does your hometown feel like?
Every student created a character inspired by their place – using memories, textures, colours, stories, and the atmosphere they grew up with.

What I love most is that the inspiration didn’t flow only from me to them. It came back to me through their stories, drawings, humour and honesty. Teaching always makes me reflect on how we adapt our practice to honour each person’s identity. Diversity isn’t an abstract idea – it shapes the marks we make and the way we see the world.

Students later placed their animation frames on real textures outdoors, letting their characters meet the environment of Beirut.

Thank you for the openness, the trust, and the courage to explore something personal.

@lau_sard
#inclusiveeducation #inclusiveanimation #animationworkshop #culturalexchange #beirutart #designeeducation #culturalidentity #animatinghometown #lebanonanimation #animation

Day one at #LebaneseAmericanUniversity in#Beirut, we began with a simple but very meaningful question: what does your hometown feel like?
Every student created a character inspired by their place – using memories, textures, colours, stories, and the atmosphere they grew up with.

What I love most is that the inspiration didn’t flow only from me to them. It came back to me through their stories, drawings, humour and honesty. Teaching always makes me reflect on how we adapt our practice to honour each person’s identity. Diversity isn’t an abstract idea – it shapes the marks we make and the way we see the world.

Students later placed their animation frames on real textures outdoors, letting their characters meet the environment of Beirut.

Thank you for the openness, the trust, and the courage to explore something personal.

@lau_sard
#inclusiveeducation #inclusiveanimation #animationworkshop #culturalexchange #beirutart #designeeducation #culturalidentity #animatinghometown #lebanonanimation #animation

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

👏👏Huge thanks to Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 and all amazing participants who joined my Life size Charcoal Animation Workshop yesterday.
We created a beautiful character loop full life, joy and play together.

Grateful for your energy!⚡️
Keep enjoying your process!👍

#festivalofanimationberlin#fab2025 #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotion #animationworshop #animationprocess #berlinanimationfilmfestival #charcoaldrawing

Berlin this Saturday! Lifesize Charcoal animation workshop at @festivalofanimationberlin , silent green, 27 Sept, 15:30
#make your own Character and a looping movement with visible traces!

See you there👋

Image credit: MA Character Animation Course, Central Saint Martins in London. Life-Size Animation Workshop, 2024. #csmanimation

#charcoalanimation #berlinanimationfestival #stopmotion #charcoaldrawing #loopanimation #characteranimation #animationfestival #animationworkshop #lifesizecharacter #mixedmedia #

Berlin this Saturday! Lifesize Charcoal animation workshop at @festivalofanimationberlin , silent green, 27 Sept, 15:30
#make your own Character and a looping movement with visible traces!

See you there👋

Image credit: MA Character Animation Course, Central Saint Martins in London. Life-Size Animation Workshop, 2024. #csmanimation

#charcoalanimation #berlinanimationfestival #stopmotion #charcoaldrawing #loopanimation #characteranimation #animationfestival #animationworkshop #lifesizecharacter #mixedmedia #

Berlin this Saturday! Lifesize Charcoal animation workshop at @festivalofanimationberlin , silent green, 27 Sept, 15:30
#make your own Character and a looping movement with visible traces!

See you there👋

Image credit: MA Character Animation Course, Central Saint Martins in London. Life-Size Animation Workshop, 2024. #csmanimation

#charcoalanimation #berlinanimationfestival #stopmotion #charcoaldrawing #loopanimation #characteranimation #animationfestival #animationworkshop #lifesizecharacter #mixedmedia #

Super excited to be in Berlin this September for Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 🎉

This year I’m on the jury for the Animated Feature Film Prize 👀 and also running a Life-size Charcoal Animation Workshop 🖤✏️ on Sat, 27 Sept at silent green Kulturquartier. 15:30

👉 If you’re in Berlin, come say hi or join in!
More info via @festivalofanimationberlin bio
#FAB2025 #AnimationFestival #charcoalanimationdrawing #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotionanimation

Super excited to be in Berlin this September for Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 🎉

This year I’m on the jury for the Animated Feature Film Prize 👀 and also running a Life-size Charcoal Animation Workshop 🖤✏️ on Sat, 27 Sept at silent green Kulturquartier. 15:30

👉 If you’re in Berlin, come say hi or join in!
More info via @festivalofanimationberlin bio
#FAB2025 #AnimationFestival #charcoalanimationdrawing #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotionanimation

Super excited to be in Berlin this September for Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 🎉

This year I’m on the jury for the Animated Feature Film Prize 👀 and also running a Life-size Charcoal Animation Workshop 🖤✏️ on Sat, 27 Sept at silent green Kulturquartier. 15:30

👉 If you’re in Berlin, come say hi or join in!
More info via @festivalofanimationberlin bio
#FAB2025 #AnimationFestival #charcoalanimationdrawing #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotionanimation

Super excited to be in Berlin this September for Festival of Animation Berlin 2025 🎉

This year I’m on the jury for the Animated Feature Film Prize 👀 and also running a Life-size Charcoal Animation Workshop 🖤✏️ on Sat, 27 Sept at silent green Kulturquartier. 15:30

👉 If you’re in Berlin, come say hi or join in!
More info via @festivalofanimationberlin bio
#FAB2025 #AnimationFestival #charcoalanimationdrawing #charcoalanimation #characteranimation #stopmotionanimation

The next Brighton Animation Club is July 15th and it’s a delight and an honour to share the brilliant @komation17 will be our guest speaker! Ko is an outstanding artist and animator and lots of upcoming animators will have been lucky enough to have been taught by her at Central Saint Martins. She was part of the AR exhibition at the festival this year (the piece on this post) and will be sharing with us her work in charcoal animation. Can’t wait! 🤩
BAC meets monthly in the snug room at the 3 Jolly Butchers pub 7-10pm. You don’t need to do anything just show up, but please note seats often go so turn up at the start if you don’t want to stand!

#animators #brightonanimationclub #animation #brighton #brightonandhove #meetup #motiondesigners #filmmakers #comicmakers #illustrators #animationcommunity #animated #meetups #animationfestival #animatorsoninstagram #handdrawnanimation #2danimation #kohaemin #animationtutor #charcoalanimation #erasureanimation #charcoal #artist #erasure #animatorsoninstagram #csmtutor

#Repost @doasisay.film
The most inspired women director @anapyo who I worked for her amazing film poster design last year.
Please have a look this film”do as I say”
・・・
Poster designed by the incredibly talented @komation17 🙏

Have you watched @tarmovie? A masterpiece of storytelling - fantastically acted and written - reminding us of how equally inspiring and tormented artists and musicians can be. Great stories like this inspired our short film. Make sure to watch it in the cinemas! ✨

#cinemas #tar #doasisay #shortfilm #featurefilm #musicians #poster #music #musicaltheatre #filmposter #posterdesign

#Repost from @theo_scott・・・

Very late post , but it is a great achievement for our small team last year! Thank you for all your supports and opportunity!
director @theo_scott
editor @tom_scarborough
animation @pieroemiliwut and me
music @andymcdonnell

Thanks @britishshortfilmawards for awarding Cuties ‘Best Animated Short Film Award’.
Big up all the cuties in production as well as the ever mighty @filmhubnorth
•
•
•
#illustration #cartoonart #cutues #digitalart #shortfilm #awardwinning #cartoon #poster #design #mfdoom #spiderman

#Repost @theo_scott
Great news for our great team!
・・・
Honoured to have had our lil short ‘Cuties’ win a ‘23 RTS award for animation!! Many thanks to the lovely lot @filmhubnorth @bfinetwork @rtsnetb @royaltelevisionsociety

Big up team Cutie: director and scriptwriter @theo_scott music @andymcdonnell editor @tom_scarborough animation by @pieroemiliwut and myself!

#animation #award #bfi #shortfilm #rts

#Repost @theo_scott
Great news for our great team!
・・・
Honoured to have had our lil short ‘Cuties’ win a ‘23 RTS award for animation!! Many thanks to the lovely lot @filmhubnorth @bfinetwork @rtsnetb @royaltelevisionsociety

Big up team Cutie: director and scriptwriter @theo_scott music @andymcdonnell editor @tom_scarborough animation by @pieroemiliwut and myself!

#animation #award #bfi #shortfilm #rts

#watercolorpainting process #nevergonnabealone #musicvideo @jacobcollier

It was such as mindfulness time for me as an artist who was spending time for these paintings.
Huge thanks to Jacob and
Director @shanchristopher @smykenator

#jacobcollier #watercolorpainting #framebyframeanimation #londonartist #animator #music #art #painting #artist #painter

#Repost @chusiamoros
・・・
Something's cooking🔥🔥🔥
By @komation17 and I
📽: @eliotgelberg
🎶: @vincent_0tt

Thanks to @jacksons_lane for hosting us🌠

#liveanimation #arielcircus #animationperformance #londonartist #handdrawnanimation #performanceartist #watercolourart #inkdrawing #overheadprojector #animator