The Art of Caricature at The Cartoon Museum

Does My head Look Big in This? - The Art of Caricature is now on at the Cartoon Museum in London's Fitzrovia.  Come along and enjoy an exhibition of the best caricatures going back over three centuries. 

The Cartoon Museum is at 63 Wells St in London's Fitzrovia, and is dedicated to cartoons, and the history of cartooning.  The permanent exhibition was curated by The Guardian's Steve Bell.

Political Cartooning is arguably the only art form invented in Britain; The UK was the first country to end censorship in the 18th Century, giving rise to political satire - and a free press.

The Cartoon Museum celebrates cartoons, comics and caricatures, and is the only museum of its kind in the UK.

Introducing "Sweet & Salty"

Introducing "Sweet & Salty", the latest short film created by our second year animation students.  "Sweet & Salty" tells the story of two rival restaurants in a busy town. The film was directed by Oleksandra Zakorodon and produced by Sarina Musab.  You can find "Sweet & Salty" here at The Rookies

Steve Sole Teaches Concept Art September 2026

Steven Sole

This September we welcome back film-maker, designer & visual development artist Steven Sole to teach Concept Art to our 2nd year undergraduate students at Escape Studios. 

Steven Sole joins us from Framestore and also from Tiger Aspect Productions, where he was Art Director on the hit TV series Mr Bean.  

Our BA/MArt in Concept Art and Experience Design focuses on digital design for industries such as games, animation and film, as well as experiential design for branded events, theme parks, interiors and museums.  

Introducing "Pretty in Pink"

Introducing "Pretty in Pink", the latest animated short film created by our second year 2d animation students at Escape Studios, working together as a team. "Pretty in Pink" was directed and produced by Eric Dulieu. 

Cartoon Museum "Young Comics Maestro" Award

The Alison Brown Young Comics Maestro Award 2026 Competition is now open - London's Cartoon Museum is looking for the next big comic artist.  

If you're under 18, send in your very best comic strip (three pages max) to enter the competition and get your work in front of judges from The Beano, The Phoenix, and (of course) The Cartoon Museum.   The deadline for entries is Sunday 23 August 2026.

"Symphony" Wins "Best Animation" in Tamizhagam

Symphony of The Morning Rush wins Best Animation

Congratulations to the makers of "Symphony of The Morning Rush", the latest 2D animated film created by our graduating class of animation students, which has won Best Animation at the Tamizhagam Film Festival. 

Symphony of The Morning Rush was written, edited and directed by Eva Gifford, and produced by Michael Koden.  Emily Davidson was the art director, and Amelie Pignon was the animation director.  The original score was composed by Alexander Lidster. 

Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026

We're hosting a new Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Noon to 1.30pm UK time, taught by short course and MA animation tutor Lee Caller.

Animation Taster  Sessions are a great chance to learn about character and creature animation, and find out how we teach at Escape Studios. 

This Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026  offers an introduction to the art of 3D Animation, exploring what it’s like to work as a professional animator. 

You will learn how to use Autodesk Maya and get a hands-on introduction to 3D Animation techniques. No prior knowledge of Maya - or any software - is required.   

"Unknown" Wins "Best Anim" at Cinematic Film Fest

Congratulations to Escape Studios' animation student Alessia Gori whose short film "Unknown" has won the award for "Best Animation" at the Cinematic European Film Festival. 

Alessia Gori is studying for her master's degree in the Art of 3D Animation at Escape Studios.  

This is Alessia Gori's first film, and her second festival award. 

"Protose" Wins "Best VFX" at Athens Film Festival

Congratulations to the makers of "Protose" which has won "Best VFX" at the Athens Art Film Festival. 

"Protose" tells the story of a meatless steak invention that goes horribly wrong. 

"Protose" was created by our graduating class of students at Escape Studios. 

It was produced and directed by Yusuf Uddin.  Adam Armstrong stars as the chef.  This is the film's second festival award. 

Escape Studios Visits King Bee Animation

King Bee Animation and Martyn Niman

Escape Studios visited King Bee Animation this week, for a one day animation workshop introducing students to the art and craft of animation.

King Bee is located in the historic Elstree Studios in North London, notable for being the location of the original 1977 Star Wars movie.   

Introducing BLISS

Introducing BLISS, the latest short film from our second year animation students at Escape Studios, working together on a group project. BLISS is a satire on modern digital consumerism, and was directed by Cedeal Al-Mawery and produced by Vansh Bhathela.  Axel Camacho was the writer and art director. 

Learn Blender with Escape Animator Thomas Potter

Create Low Poly Characters in Blender with Thomas Potter

Many congratulations to Escape Studios' animation student Thomas Potter whose Blender Modeling Channel now has over 30,000 subscribers at YouTube. 

Thomas Potter has created his own YouTube channel which teaches students how to model low poly 3d characters step by step.  All of Thomas's Blender content is completely free. 

"KattiBao" Wins "Best Super Short" in Florence

KattiBao - An Embrace wins "Best Super Short in Florence

Congratulations to the makers of "KattiBao - An Embrace" which has won "Best Super Short" at the Florence Film Awards.  

KattiBao was a collaboration between students studying the Art of Games, The Art of Animation, and Character Creation.  KattiBao was written, directed and produced by Grace Lam.  Arin Awojobi was the Art Director, and Mia Cliff was the cinematographer. This is its first festival award. 

How Much Do Animators Earn?

How much do animators earn? This 2025 salary guide from the Animation & VFX Union BECTU gives a good picture of the current market rates in the UK.

Salary transparency is something our industry doesn't always do well, so rates cards like this are very useful, especially for junior artists negotiating a salary for a new role, trying to get a realistic idea of what they can expect to earn. 

Note that much depends where you live in the UK. The difference in the cost of living between London/the South East and the rest of the UK is significant.  If you're further away from London, your expenses are usually lower, but salaries also tend to be lower. 

So whether these are good rates really depends a lot on your location.  In addition rates are, of course, lower for junior roles, for folks looking to break into the industry for the first time. 

Escapees Akash Modi, Grace Redi, Allie Maraqan & Matt O'Reilly Join ILM's Jedi Academy

Akash Modi, Grace Reid, Matt O'Reilly & Allie Maraqan

Many congratulations to Escapees Akash Modi, Grace Reid, Matt O'Reilly and Allie Maraqan who are all joining ILM's Jedi Academy as VFX "Padawans". 

Industrial Light & Magic's Jedi Academy is a six month paid internship at ILM, arguably the world's leading VFX house, responsible for multiple hit movies and series. 

Escape Students Visit Blinkink Animation Studio

Escape Studios visits Blinkink - July 2026

Escape Studios thanks animation studio Blinkink for their kind hospitality in welcoming our students for a Studio Tour of their their North London premises.

Blinkink is one of the UK's leading animation houses, responsible for multiple hit films and TV series, and winners of many awards - including an Oscar nomination.  

Animator's Survival Kit in The Animation Library

Animator's Survival Kit

We have recently added more copies of Animator's Survival Kit - our most popular book on animation - to the Animation & VFX Library on the 11th Floor at 6 Mitre Passage.

The Animator's Survival Kit is the standard textbook for animators and the most comprehensive book available for learning animation.  

We now have over a dozen copies of the Animator's Survival Kit (with more on the way) in the 11th Floor Animation & VFX Library at 6 Mitre Passage.  The ASK can also be bought as an eBook download for the iPad.  

"Scars" Wins Best Animation at London Movie Awards

"Scars" wins "Best Animated Short" in London

Many congratulations to the makers of "Scars", which has won "Best Animated Short" at the London Movie Awards.  

The film was a collaboration between our graduating class of students studying the Art of Games, The Art of Animation and Character Creation - working together across disciplines to create a group project.  

Scars was directed by Charlie O'Sullivan, edited by Sam Blackburn and produced by Alex Sparks. Theo Craig was the Editor and Art Director.  This is the film's first festival award. 

Animation Taster Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Noon

Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026 

We're hosting a new Animation Taster on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at Noon to 1.30pm UK time, taught by short course and MA animation tutor Lee Caller.

Animation Taster  Sessions are a great chance to learn about character and creature animation, and find out how we teach at Escape Studios. 

"Protose" Wins "Best VFX" at Makizhmithran Awards

"Protose" wins "Best VFX" at Makizhmithran Film Fest

Congratulations to the makers of "Protose", one of the latest VFX shorts from our graduating class of students at Escape Studios, which has won "Best VFX" at the Makizhmithran Film Festival. 

"Protose" tells the story of a meatless steak invention that goes horribly wrong. 

"Protose" was produced and directed by Yusuf Uddin.  Adam Armstrong stars as the chef. This is the film's first festival award.