As a self-taught animator, I’ve developed my skills in both 2D and 3D computer animation, often blending in the handmade feel of stop-motion techniques. I’ve had the opportunity to work on a range of creative projects, including animating original artwork from the children’s classic Ivor the Engine for a BBC 2W promo, and contributing to the BBC series The Adventures of Abney and Teal.
Ivor the Engine
BBC Promos for BBC 2W
Squint Films Productions, Cardiff
Written by Oliver Postgate - Art by Peter Firmin
Directed by Ed Talfan
Animated by Davide Arnone and Jim Le Fevre
Image editing Davide Arnone and Ffion Rhys
Originally created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin in the 1970s, Ivor the Engine is a beloved British series about a small steam engine and his adventures through the Welsh countryside.
I worked on three promotional videos for BBC 2 Wales, helping bring Ivor back to life. Our small team scanned Peter Firmin’s original artwork and used Adobe After Effects to animate it in a stop-motion style—preserving the charm of the original while giving it a fresh, modern touch.
The Adventures of Abney & Teal
Ragdoll Ltd. - BBC World Wide
Directed by Joel Stewart
Written by Steve Roberts, Joel Stewart, and Matilda Tristram
The Adventures of Abney & Teal is a British animated children's television show created by Ragdoll Productions. It follows the surreal and imaginative adventures of two close friends, Abney and Teal, on a series of small islands in a lake within a city park. The show primarily targets preschool-aged children and features a blend of 2D and CGI animation, created by writer and illustrator Joel Stewart. It encourages creativity and curiosity in its young viewers and premiered on CBeebies.
From sketch to screen
While working with Ragdoll, I contributed to character design, story development, sequential panels, animation blocking, final animation, and children’s book illustrations for Walker Books.
At the start of production, I focused on creating early sequential design panels—an exploratory phase, when stories and characters were still taking shape. It was a collaborative, open-ended process that required both flexibility and a strong visual instinct. That early creative period helped me develop a versatile skill set I still rely on today.
Sequential design
Initial animation
Animatic
From hand-made soft puppets to 3D Autodesk Maya
The two main characters, Abney and Teal, began life as hand-made soft puppets, photographed in hundreds of poses. Using custom programming, these images were mapped onto 3D models in Autodesk Maya—creating a unique blend of stop-frame charm with the fluidity of 2D and 3D animation.
The Abney and Teal dolls
2D and 3D animation: from animation blocking to final proofs
I served as the point of reference for maintaining animation style and continuity for the lead character, Abney. I created a library of reusable loops and cycles—including several featured in this video, such as walk and run cycles—which helped streamline production and ensure consistency across the team. This resource became a key part of the workflow and underscored my role as a core contributor to the project’s success.
Loops and cycles
Final Animation
The Adventures of Abney and Teal - Episode 4 - The Storm
Picture-book Illustration - Walker Books
After the animation wrapped, I joined Walker Books as illustrator for The Adventures of Abney and Teal picture books.
Working closely with the design team, I adapted the stories into book format—aligning with their needs, incorporating feedback, and staying true to the visual direction of the original series. It was a chance to explore new layouts and formats, and it broadened both my creative and technical range.
The Adventures of Abney and Teal - Walker Books