Animating 3D Artwork
Animation has evolved from early stop-motion and clay-based techniques into modern digital workflows that now include AI-generated motion and automated animation tools. Traditionally, artists worked with physical materials such as clay, paper, and found objects, moving them slightly and photographing each change to create the illusion of motion. Today, those same handmade artworks can be photographed and turned into digital assets, allowing original forms to carry over into contemporary storytelling. Paper mâché, clay, and other three-dimensional artwork bring unique textures and character that translate well into digital scenes, background swaps, and narrative-driven content.
The Process
The process started with creating a physical sculpture, which was then re-positioned and photographed to build a visual sequence. Paper Mâché Man with Boy and Bird was captured in 37 distinct scenes, each showing a different moment in the chase between the figures. These photos were prepared as raw digital files as part of the Digital Collection of Scenes 1–37 available individually and as a collection. The images can be edited, backgrounds removed or replaced, and scenes rearranged using digital tools. They are available individually or as a complete 37-image set, making them flexible for animation, video, and digital storytelling projects.
Inspiration & Meaning
By photographing the sculpture in multiple scenes, the physical artwork naturally expanded into a digital format meant for reuse and reinterpretation. Making all 37 raw images available allows others to build new environments, control timing and flow, or create entirely new stories using the same figures. This approach shows how handmade sculpture can live beyond its original form, functioning both as a finished artwork and as a creative digital resource while still retaining its original character.
See the Paper Mache Man and Boy with Bird Artwork: Paper Mache Man and Boy with Bird Digital Collection of Scenes 1-37
