How Claymation Works: History, Techniques, and Practical Tips

Animation in visuals is one of the best ways to hold a scroller’s attention. Some styles feel polished or flat, while others lean cartoonish. Claymation is different. From Gumby to Wallace & Gromit to Chicken Run, clay characters bring a unique charm that looks handmade.

Claymation adds visual distinctiveness. You can see shadows, textures, and natural shifts in every frame. Its handcrafted style invites nostalgia. It reminds people of childhood play, craft projects, and physical toys. That connection makes claymation memorable in advertising and storytelling.

In this guide, we will cover what claymation is, its history, and the basic techniques we use at AnimatedVideos.co to create claymation projects for our clients.

What is Claymation and Why It Matters

Claymation is stop-motion animation made with malleable materials, usually plasticine or modeling clay. Animators pose a puppet, shoot one frame, move the puppet slightly, then capture the next frame. When played back, the sequence creates movement. 

The result feels handcrafted, textured, and full of personality in ways computer graphics often lack. Brands use claymation to stand out and to convey warmth without gimmicks.

Brands and creators often partner with animation studios like AnimatedVideos.co to bring claymation ideas to life with professional tools and expertise. If you want the same handcrafted charm and distinctiveness for your campaigns, our team can create claymation that captures attention and connects with your audience.

Types of Claymation

Freeform Claymation

Freeform claymation is the simplest style. Characters or shapes are sculpted directly in clay and animated frame by frame without a rigid internal skeleton (armature). Figures can be reshaped or rebuilt during the process, which gives animators freedom to experiment.

This method is common in short films, experimental projects, and quick sequences where characters don’t need complex or repeated movements. It works well for abstract motion, expressive facial changes, or playful ads.

Benefits:

• Flexible and fast to set up since no armature is required.
• Allows more creative improvisation because clay can be reshaped on the spot.
• Cost-effective for short projects or proof-of-concepts.

Clay Painting

Clay painting is a technique where flat layers of clay are spread on a surface, then altered frame by frame to create movement. Instead of sculpting characters in 3D, animators treat the clay like paint, smearing, carving, or reshaping it to form evolving images.

This style is popular in experimental shorts, title sequences, and abstract storytelling. It is also used in educational content, where visuals need to feel organic and expressive without complex characters.

Benefits:

• Produces a unique, painterly aesthetic not possible with traditional puppets.
• Works well for transitions, abstract visuals, and fluid motion.
• Cost-effective compared to building detailed puppets or sets.

Clay Melting and Time-Lapse Melting

Clay melting animation involves capturing clay as it softens, drips, or deforms, often with the help of heat or pressure. In time-lapse, the process is photographed at intervals and then sped up to show the transformation. Instead of moving characters manually, the clay’s natural changes become the animation.

This style is often seen in experimental films, surreal visual effects, and music videos. It works well for dreamlike transitions, abstract storytelling, or when a brand wants visuals that feel organic and unpredictable.

Benefits:

• Creates striking, otherworldly effects that stand out in both art and commercial projects.
• Cost-effective because it relies on natural processes rather than detailed sculpting.
• Adds visual surprise and unpredictability, which captures audience attention.

Strata-cut Animation

Strata-cut animation uses a block of layered, multi-colored clay. Animators slice into the block frame by frame, exposing patterns or figures hidden inside. The internal designs shift and transform as the slices are removed, creating surreal and continuous motion.

This technique appears in abstract films, music videos, and experimental art projects. It is ideal for sequences where movement should feel fluid, psychedelic, or visually surprising.

Benefits:

• Produces visuals that cannot be replicated by other claymation methods.
• Works well for abstract storytelling and artistic expression.
• Creates mesmerizing patterns that capture and hold attention.

Hybrid Approaches

Hybrid claymation combines clay figures with other animation methods such as 2D drawings, computer graphics, or live-action footage. Clay provides the tactile look, while other media solve technical or stylistic challenges.

Studios often use hybrids in commercials, feature films, and branded content. Clay characters might act in front of digital backgrounds, or CGI may handle effects that are difficult to animate with clay alone.

Benefits:

• Expands creative possibilities while keeping the handcrafted look of clay.
• Saves production time by using digital tools for complex effects.
• Allows smoother integration with modern media platforms and mixed campaigns.

History of Claymation in Brief

Early roots: Stop-motion predates clay as a dominant medium. Filmmakers used dolls, cutouts, and small props. Clay entered the field as modeling compounds (like Plastilina) became common in the 20th century.

Pioneers and milestones: Art Clokey’s Gumby introduced mainstream clay characters on TV. Later, Nick Park refined character-driven clay storytelling with Wallace and Gromit. Aardman Animations turned clay figures into box-office hits and awards. 

Modern era and studio work: Aardman and a handful of specialist studios keep the craft alive at feature length. These projects can take years, involve hundreds of puppet variations, and require frame-by-frame patience. 

Iconic Examples and Where Claymation Shows Up

• Classic titles that shaped expectations: Gumby and the Wallace & Gromit series exemplify personality-led clay storytelling. Chicken Run proved clay features can reach a broad audience. Wallace & Gromit’s feature work won major awards and popularized a distinct British humor in clay form.
• Commercials and brand use: Claymation appears in advertising to signal craft and authenticity. A short clay spot costs more per second than a simple 2D ad, but it returns a memorable brand voice.
• Festivals and art installations: Clay-based shorts screen at animation festivals and galleries. The medium attracts creators who want physical control over every frame.

How to Do Clay Animation: Practical Workflow

1. Plan the story and shots: Write a one-paragraph story. Break it into beats. Create a shot list with exact actions per shot. Each beat becomes a sequence of frames. Keep shots short. Shorter cuts reduce the amount of clay motion you must animate.
2. Storyboards and exposure sheets: Sketch key poses and note the frame count for each pose. An exposure sheet maps motion to frame numbers. This step halves rework.
3. Characters and armatures: For most character work, build an armature: a wire skeleton that holds poses. Add bulk with foam, then sculpt clay over the armature. Duplicate key parts like hands and mouths where you need quick swaps. Puppet variants speed up complex scenes.
4. Materials and tools: Choose non-drying modeling clay or plastilina for long shoots. Use fine sculpting tools, firm wire for armatures, and small clamps. For backgrounds, use matte boards and scale props. For light control, use continuous LED panels with diffusion.
5. Camera, lens, and framing: Use a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or an industrial still camera tethered to a computer. Lock exposure and white balance. Use a stable tripod and a remote shutter. Set focal length for the desired depth of field. Keep the camera fixed unless you plan motion-controlled moves.
6. Lighting and consistency: Use soft, consistent light. Mark lighting and puppet positions with tape. Small variations in exposure wreck continuity. Keep color temperature constant across shooting days.
7. Frame rate and movement size: Most claymation uses 12 or 24 frames per second. At 12 fps, you capture twice as few frames as 24 fps, which saves time, but motion feels less smooth. At 24 fps, you need smaller increments. Move parts in tiny amounts. Test a short sequence to find the right step size.
8. Shooting technique: Make single, predictable changes between frames. Photograph, check, adjust, photograph again. Save each frame with a clear filename convention. Back up often
9. Post-production and editing: Import frames into editing or compositing software. You can use basic editors for assembly and audio sync. For color work and cleanup, use a compositor. For complex cleanup, rotoscope or patch frames. For logo or intros, compare options under top logo animation software when combining clay footage with vector motion.

Without professional equipment or editing software, studios such as AnimatedVideos.co can handle the entire production pipeline, from sculpting to editing.

Budget Markers and How to Compare Costs

Claymation commits hours to frames. Compare line items to estimate cost: pre-production, puppet fabrication, shooting days, post-production, sound, and licensing. Production houses usually charge per finished second. 

When you budget, compare 3D animation cost against claymation rates. 3D often shifts costs to render and modeling, while claymation shifts cost to hand labor. For brand work, this trade-off determines whether you DIY or hire a studio.

Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls

• Small moves, big difference: Move parts in smaller increments than you think. Smaller motion yields smoother playback.
• Lock exposure and white balance: Record camera settings in a log. Reuse settings. Variations create flicker.
• Duplicate hands and mouths: Prepare spares. Swap parts rather than reshaping them mid-shot.
• Mind clay chemistry: Some clay softens under hot lights. Test materials under your lights to avoid sag.
• Manage scope and time: Count frames before committing to a long sequence. A five-second shot at 24 fps needs 120 frames. Multiply that across characters, mouths, and background moves.
• Continuity notes: Mark set coordinates for puppets. Use grid tape on your stage. Keep props in labeled boxes.
• Outsource when speed or polish matters: For businesses or creators short on time, outsourcing to experts at AnimatedVideos.co delivers smoother production without trial and error. Good studios manage puppetry, lighting, frame capture, cleanup, and audio design.

FAQ: Quick Answers

Conclusion

Claymation asks for patience and rewards it with authenticity. The craft reads as human. It performs well for brands that want warmth and a distinct voice. Short projects let you learn the mechanics. Larger campaigns benefit from studio support. 

If you want to test a concept, make a 10- to 20-second spot. Count frames first. If you need production muscle, AnimatedVideos.co can scale the project from sculpt to final edit.