Handmade Animations from the Chat

A few weeks ago, I started a Chat thread on Substack where subscribers could share their animation work. I’ve been amazed by the response—there are so many inventive, beautiful animations of all skill levels, with new ones being added each day.

I wanted to share a few of my favorites here, but I also encourage you to check it out for yourself. If you’re new to Chat, as I was, the best way to start is by downloading the Substack app and tapping the speech bubble icon 💬. Hope to see you there!

The attention to detail and patience this took is staggering. I probably watched it a dozen times before I noticed the orbiting planet and rocket launch. Such a visual feast. You can see more of his work at alexlester.net.

Allie made this charming stop motion animation using her scanner as a camera. The little note wiggle is a small touch, but it really makes it for me. Also, you can’t go wrong with Mary Oliver.

This is such a deceptively simple idea. I love the drawing style, the various paper stocks, the animals. I could watch this on loop for about three hours.

Such a brilliant use of ephemera: the train ticket, the map, the graph paper… not to mention the beautiful colors.

I love a good in-camera special effect. Elegantly simple (and funny). 🍄

Animation is the perfect medium for making ordinary moments feel magical. I like Marc’s stream-of-consciousness style and his sense of humor.

Meg created this animation by brushing cyanotype chemicals onto watercolor paper then exposing a contact sheet with the footage onto the treated paper. I love the textures and painterly quality. I’m excited to try this process myself soon.

Molly shot this with a Reto camera, an inexpensive 35mm film camera with three lenses that shoot simultaneously. The three photos were then turned into a 3D GIF (aka wigglegram) by quickly cutting between each image. Molly’s GIF inspired me to buy a vintage Nishika N8000 from eBay—same price, but with four lenses(!). Expect more wigglegrams soon. You can check out more of Molly’s wonderful work here.

A matchbox as miniature portal to distant galaxies. I love the concept—and that shooting star.

This may look like a simple animation but there’s so much going on. Look at all the facial expressions Rachel created from just three shapes. Or the way the windblown hair comes to life through pieces of torn paper. It’s a self-contained little drama where every element feels just right. Rachel also runs Animation Pie on Substack—a creative club for anyone interested in learning animation. Definitely worth checking out.

Reshu made this to celebrate the act resting. I love the concept, color palette, and the way the figure draws on the book she’s resting on. Makes me want to draw in a really big sketchbook.

Rohan created this with paper and pen after driving a camper van through rainy Iceland. It feels like a living panel from a graphic novel. He’s managed to pack so much atmosphere into just 12 frames. Rohan is an incredible animator—definitely check out his Substack for more amazing work.

I hope these animations were as inspiring to you as they were to me—and I hope you’ll consider sharing your own animations in the Chat. Thanks, and chat soon!