Ezra Comes to Life

This year, we are going to be going through the books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther on Sunday mornings in our Student Bible classes. I came up with the idea to create some short videos to lead some, if not all, of the lessons. I thought I could use some small sets and do a little stop motion animation as well as live action with props and figures. Since the first lesson starts in a couple weeks (in fact I had to push it back), I am in full speed mode creating the props, sets and figures. I will be using a GoPro for most of the shooting. After I do the first two or three videos, I am going to be inviting the help of some students and adults to help complete the project.

A side goal of working on this for HP, will be that I will make the curriculum available for purchase for other churches. We are looking at about a 26 week curriculum package with lessons, resources and videos.

Here are some pictures of the process so far...

Concept sketches

 

 

Sculpting process...

I used aluminum foil balled up around the end of a nail. The nail will make it so I can turn the figure's head.

Ezra is beginning to take shape.

Esther will be used later on, but here head and figure are almost complete.

I use a heavy steel wire for the armature. The heads can be removed from the bodies so that I can use them for other characters.

 

Ezra's House:

 



Character Design of Moses for Children's Curriculum

Here's a character design for Moses at various stages of his life that I did for an International Children's Curriculum I am working on.

Artist Notes - Done with a 2B Derwent Graphic pencil on Hammermill Color Copy Digital paper (28lbs, 100 brightness)

JUMP VBS character - Science Kids Team





(from left to right) Dr. Y, Mattie, Spike and Nick

  
Here's Dr. Y with his smart team of science kids.  They help Doctor Youngenstein do all kinds of research and tests.  All three love learning about God and the cool things He created!

JUMP VBS character - Doctor Y

Here's one of the characters from the new Team Expansion JUMP VBS curriculum that I have been developing.  His name is Doctor Youngenstein or Dr. Y for short. He heads up a small science team of kid helpers finding answers to perplexing questions.  He loves God and loves science.  Dr. Y believes that science supports the existence of God.  And he's old and can't see very well.

JUMP VBS character - Cosmo the Globe.

Here's the main character from the new Team Expansion JUMP VBS curriculum that I have been developing.  His name is Cosmo the Globe.  He's passionate and loves showing kids where God is working all over the world!