the origins of animation: how to sculpt your claymation character(s)

Character Design Tips

Created for: The Origins of Animation Unit by Amy Johnson

Step 1

• Watch the video next to this Slideshow.

• Answer the following questions in Microsoft Word and email your responses to [email protected]:– 1. What makes oil-based clay different from most clays?– 2. Why do we use wire as a base skeleton for claymation

characters?– 3. Why do you only want 1-3 characters in your claymation?

• Ms J. will grade your answers and email your grade to you. Once you earn a 100% you may continue with the lesson.

Step 2

• Retrieve your storyboard – Circle each different character one time– Make a note of how many characters you will need– You really shouldn’t have more than 3 main characters (main

characters are ones that you will move arms/legs etc. etc.)– If you have too many characters, re-think your storyboard to

have fewer characters– Brainstorm about how the specifics of your character

• Draw a fully colored drawing of each character. The sketches should be about 4 inches x 6 inches in size.– email to artful.artsy.amy.com or post to Ms. J’s facebook wall– Once you receive approval from Ms. J you can continue on the

lesson.

Step 3

• Assemble your materials. • You will need:

– 1-3 pipe cleaners per character– 1 brick of oil-based clay per character– Scissors (to trim off any extra pipe cleaner ends)– A blank sheet of paper (to protect your working

surface)– Clay tools (plastic knives, ball point pens, actual clay

tools all work)

Step 4

• Review your character sketches and think about how you need your character to LOOK.

• Review the following slides about good and poor character design for inspiration.

Examples of Poorly Designed Characters

These characters have a lot of detail. However, in a very quick stop-motion animation a lot of these details will be confusing to the viewer. Try to keep your characters simple.

Also, remember for this project we are creating NEW characters; not reproductions of current characters.

Image source: http://www.slideshare.net/shines/claymation-instructions-for-the-classroom


This character is not covered with clay. He is also very small. He is not very detailed. This character does not show a lot of fore-thought.



This character is very sloppily put together. It cannot stand on its own and must be affixed to a platform. This character looks as if the artist did not care about the project.



This character is one that already exists. So, while it has an overall neat design etc. it would not be acceptable for this project.

Also, this character cannot stand on its own, and has to be propped up against a cup. You need for your characters to be able to stand on their own.


Examples of Well Designed Characters

This character stands on its own and is easy to view. This means that the viewer can instantly recognize what the character is meant to represent. The design demonstrates a lot of prior thinking about the ultimate creation.


Examples of Well Designed Characters

This character is a little bit sloppy, but has overall good design. The character can stand on its own and is easy to read.


Step 5

• Examine the rubric/grading scale on the next page.

• This rubric will be used to grade your claymation character.

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1

Neatness C is neatly created and is easy to read. Shows forward thinking about C creation. C can easily stand.

C is neatly created and is easy to read. Shows forward thinking about C creation. C can easily stand. There may be some minor design issues such as wobby standing and/or busy design.

C isn’t neatly created and/or is difficult to read. Doesn’t demonstrate much forward-thinking skills.

C isn’t neatly created and is difficult to read. There is little or no effort demonstrated in its creation.

Creativity C demonstrates a strong, thoughtful use of color and/or of the function of the character as it relates to the story board.

C demonstrates a thoughtful use of color and mostly relates to the function of the character as it relates to the storyboard.

C demonstrates a somewhat thoughtful use of color and somewhat relates to the function of the character as it relates to the storyboard.

SB demonstrates only one point of view, there are no notation for sound or music.

Guidelines C demonstrates thoughtful use of appropriate imagery.

C demonstrates good use of appropriate imagery.

C has some questionable imagery.

C has questionable imagery

Finishing C is thoroughly completed and is ready to be shot for stop-animation video.

C is mostly completed. It might need slight adjusting the day of the shooting.

C isn’t completed, but is somewhat close to completion.

C isn’t completed at all.

Step 6

• Form your pipe cleaner skeletons for your characters.

• Tips– Think of the skeleton as a stick-figure of your

character– Don’t make your skeleton smaller than 6

inches or it will be too hard to sculpt– Twist pipe cleaners tight to secure bonds– The colors of your pipe cleaners don’t matter

Step 7

• Review the video above about how to sculpt your character if you feel you need reminders.

• Begin to sculpt your creation. As you work, the teacher (if not taking this class online) will be available to help you.– 1. build your pipe-cleaner skeleton– 2. add your clay and detail work.

• If you are working online and have questions, use the question box above to ask Ms. J questions.

Step 8

• Once your finish your claymation character(s) take a digital photo of it (phone photographs are fine).

• Email the photo of your claymation character(s) to [email protected] or post it to Ms. J’s facebook wall.

• Store your claymation character in a plastic baggie until you need it to shoot your video.

• This concludes the claymation creation portion of the Origins of Animation lesson. The next lesson will be about how to shoot your claymation video! Stay tuned!!

mailto:[email protected]

the origins of animation: how to sculpt your claymation character(s)

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