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"His visuals are so distinct. Strange, mesmerising and precise in tone."

Larry Fessenden GLASS EYE PIX

Ashley Thorpe animation logo
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ABOUT 

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Nothing brings a project to life like animation

Over the past 12 years I’ve been asked to animate for a variety of projects in a variety of styles :  Art, animated promos and the eerie TV title sequence for BBC's ‘Uncanny' (shortlisted for a BAFTA craft award), retro titles for SXSW award winning documentary 'Woodlands dark and days bewitched', bringing a 1920s Parisian Grand Guignol theatre to life for 'Theatre of Horrors', old-school paper cutouts on an antique rostrum for Severin's 'Haunted Season' titles on Shudder, an EC Comic inspired sequence for Saturn award winning Hollywood horror ‘Tales of Halloween’, Sergio Leone style titles for motorcycle adventure film ‘Mondo Sahara’ and my multi-award winning animated feature 'Borley Rectory', a rotoscoped culmination of all of my favourite techniques (starring Reece Shearsmith and Julian Sands) which is currently streaming on Netflix, Prime Video and Disney +.

If you have a project – great or small – and you’d like something to help it stand out from the crowd, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

"He has a style unlike anyone else; haunting, visceral and totally compelling. You can’t take your eyes off his gorgeous animation.” – Reece Shearsmith

“Ashley is a creative visionary who can lift any project through his distinctive, evocative and thrilling art." - Danny Robins

I do not use generative A.I in my work and am happy to sign declarations stating such in contracts.

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Art Portfolio

Acrylic. Oil. Digital

When I'm not animating I'm painting.

Here is a selection of both hand painted and digital art created for a variety of clients. I often paint as a break from animation so please feel free to get in touch to discuss a commission.

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STAGEFRIGHT : Inside Number 9

Acrylic and pencil on paper stock. Painting created for West End Theatre program, posters and subsequent UK tour merchandise 2025

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UNCANNY

Digital art created for various seasons of the hit podcast 2023 - present, plus UncannyCon at the Royal Festival Hall 2024

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DAVID BOWIE : Low

Acrylic on canvas. Commissioned canvas for client 2024

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    BETTER TO REIGN IN HELL

    Commissioned book cover for Headpress / Critical Vision. The book also featured a dozen ink illustrations of politicians and serial killers for each chapter heading.

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    THE CRUSH : Tales from beyond the pale

    Cover art for the release of Glenn McQuaid's radio play from Glass Eye Pix 2012

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    MIDNIGHT PEEPSHOW

    Acrylic and digital collage. Poster created for the Midnight Pictures feature. 2022

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      FANGORIA 305

      Acrylic on canvas. Study of Peter Cushing as Grymsdyke for Fangoria Magazine cover 2011

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        FANGORIA 307

        Acrylic on canvas. Study of Alice Cooper painted for Fangoria Magazine cover 2011

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          PETER CUSHING

          Acrylic on canvas. Study of Peter Cushing painted for amusement between animation contracts 2023

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            CHRISTOPHER LEE : Dracula

            Acrylic on canvas. Study of Lee as Dracula painted for amusement between animation contracts 2023

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              RICHARD BURTON : The Medusa Touch

              Acrylic on canvas. Study of Burton painted for amusement between animation contracts 2021

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                JOHN HURT

                Acrylic on canvas. Study of John Hurt painted for amusement after I interviewed him for Fangoria Magazine 2016

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                  Testimonials

                  “Ashley is a creative visionary who can lift any project through his distinctive, evocative and thrilling art. His work on the Uncanny titles sequence contributed hugely to the show’s unique identity and set social media alight with admiration.’ - Danny Robins (Uncanny BBC)

                   

                  “Ashley’s extraordinary work stopped me in my tracks. He has a style unlike anyone else; haunting, visceral and totally compelling. You can’t take your eyes off his gorgeous animation.” – Reece Shearsmith, Actor / Writer (League of Gentlemen, Inside No.9)

                   

                  “Ashley designed and animated the title sequence for our horror anthology Tales of Halloween. It was a fantastic experience working with Ashley. He brought such creativity and passion to the project despite the logistical difficulties involved.  He has such a great eye for the macabre, not to mention an amazing visual dynamic that gave real life to the sequence and helped elevate the entire movie way beyond it’s low-budget roots. He’s a talent to watch!” – Neil Marshall, Director (The Descent, Game of Thrones, Hannibal)

                   

                  "Ashley animated our opening titles, the pop-up book for the American section and the pop art international section. All three of these are completely different styles of animation.  So, he's incredibly versatile. He was great to work with, very familiar with the iconography and the imagery. When I said I wanted the opening titles to look like 'the owl service' he's like 'yep, I got it.' He knew a lot of my references. He was really fast. He's a really creative person and I feel like he brought so much to the film." - Kier La Janisse, Writer Director (Woodlands dark and days bewitched).  

                   

                  “Ashley Thorpe produced what many are describing as the greatest title sequence seen on a British film in the last decade. He is a gifted animator but far more importantly, is a cineaste, an aesthete and an artist. I know that he is without question, my first choice of animator.” – Austin Vince, Adventure Motorcyclist (Mondo Sahara)

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                  "Ashley is a unique and soulful voice within the horror genre."

                  Glenn McQuaid

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                  Teaching animation at the Exeter Phoenix
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                  Teaching

                  As a child glued to ‘Clapperboard’ and ‘Screen test’ (yes, I’m that old), I never thought that I’d actually get the chance to make my own films, let alone help others make theirs. 'Film' was something that definitely happened ‘somewhere else’.

                   

                  The digital explosion has brought previously remote technologies into the home and now the chance to make film and digital content has never been more accessible. I’m a firm believer that everyone should have the opportunity to create what they want.

                   

                  For the past 12 years I have worked with various groups and institutions such as Cinemagic, Into Film and the BFI Academy to help young people realise these aspirations and discover new skills and direction.

                   

                  Film making can teach a variety of skills both creative and organisational. It can train the imagination and hone time management and inter-personal skills. It can be used to build confidence.

                   

                  At the Exeter Phoenix - with my colleague Graham Hayter - I regularly teach a variety of ages the basics of animation. I also work with young people with ADHD and autism to help them unlock their latent talents and find new ways of expressing themselves.

                   

                  I have taught at Primary schools, colleges and Universities, providing both fun introductory lessons and specific software based tuition and can tailor workshops to the needs of the syllabus or award scheme. So if you are an institution that would like to see the benefits of film and animation workshops please get in touch. 

                  Ashley Thorpe animtor

                  To discuss your project requirements or explore potential collaborations, please get in touch either directly or via the form . 

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