Idea Development

The initial idea for this animation came to me a few weeks ago while I was sitting through a presentation, feeling a bit bored and letting my mind wander. I started imagining a simple interaction between a teapot and a teacup, quiet and symbolic.

Later, I revisited the concept as a quick warm-up exercise, just to loosen up before starting something else. But as I redrew it, I realized that the simplicity of the idea carried more depth than I expected. That’s when I decided to develop it further and turn it into my final animation project.

Inspiration and Context

This project was inspired by the South African artist William Kentridge, whose work is deeply influenced by politics, history, and collective memory.

For his 70th birthday, Kentridge’s work was exhibited in Dresden, and our class had the chance to visit the exhibition. The excursion left a strong impression, especially the way he connects music and drawing, the rhythm of procession, the emotional depth of portraits, and his use of hybrid figures to explore transformation and identity.

These elements inspired me to experiment with how drawing, erasure, and repetition can express an idea over time.

Concept

My animation is a stop motion film made from 89 individual charcoal drawings, all carefully planned with particular attention to the fluidity and sequence of movement.

Before reaching the final version, I created three trial animations.

The first was an analogue test, where all frames were roughly sketched on a single sheet of paper.

The second was a digital rough sketch, where the frames were sequenced and played as a short video to identify where extra frames were needed or where the movement appeared uneven.

The third version was a more refined digital draft, still composed of simple outlines, but this time the flow of motion felt smooth and natural.

It explores the relationship between parents and children, focusing on how knowledge, experience, and care are passed from one generation to the next.

In the film, this idea is represented through a teapot and a teacup, a metaphor for the act of giving, nurturing, and providing. The sugar cube symbolizes what is passed on: not emotional “sweetness,” but rather the substance of what parents give, knowledge, experience, and the means to grow.

As my father described it:

“El papá le pasa su conocimiento y experiencias al hij@… le da un terrón de azúcar… no bueno. Tiene muchas interpretaciones pero básicamente es lo que los papás le damos a los hijos/hijas… es así.”

The teacup character receives but does not give back, emphasizing the directional nature of parental care, the quiet generosity of giving without expecting return.

Technique and Process

The animation was created by hand with charcoal on paper, then photographed frame by frame. The drawings are intentionally simple, with no detailed background, allowing the focus to remain on the motion and interaction of the figures.

For the setup, I used a plain white wall as the background. Each drawing was attached with two large black binder clips, and the clips’ arms were used to hang the paper on a nail in the wall.

This minimal setup gave the animation a raw, studio-like aesthetic, emphasizing the physicality of the paper and the handmade quality of the drawings.

Sound

The sound used in the animation is “Harmonizing with My Kitchen Fan” by @claireboyermusic.

I chose it because of its soft, nostalgic, and slightly bittersweet tone, which perfectly matched the quiet atmosphere of the film. The sound creates a feeling of intimacy and reflection, echoing the personal and emotional undertones of the story.

Reflection

This project was an exploration of how simple gestures and minimal visual elements can convey complex emotions.

Working frame by frame with charcoal taught me to appreciate the small transitions that build a sense of life and movement.

Ultimately, the animation is about care, legacy, and transmission, how something essential is passed down through small, almost invisible acts.