Introducing 2D RIG ANIMATION

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I’m thrilled to announce that our animation toolkit just got a major upgrade/addition for 2026: 2D Rig Animation “Digital Animation” has officially joined the lineup at Jeff Balke Studios!

For years, our studio has embraced the timeless charm of traditional cel animation, breathing life into characters one frame at a time. Today, we’re taking that artistry to the next level – blending the expressive warmth of hand drawn design with the efficiency and flexibility of modern digital rigging.  While the characters will be rigged for smoother motion, key elements will remain hand drawn to preserve the authentic, traditional look.

So what does this mean:

  • Smoother character motion: rigs allow us to create fluid, dynamic movement without losing that classic 2D feel
  • Faster production cycles: we can deliver more content, more often, while keeping the high quality
  • Expanded creative possibilities: from slapstick gags to dramatic scenes, rigging opens doors to new styles and experiments
  • Collaborative opportunities: animators and storytellers can now play with a wider range of tools to bring characters to life

This step isn’t about replacing tradition – it’s about evolving it.  Our studio remains rooted in the artistry of hand crafted cel animation, but now we can explore hybrid workflows combining both cel animation and digital animation that make our worlds more immersive, our characters more expressive, and our projects more ambitious.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks of upcoming shorts and clips featuring our new rigged characters.  We can’t wait to show you how Stanley and Friends (and plenty of new faces!) move, groove, and surprise you in ways we’ve never been able to before.

Traditional frame by frame animation will always remain at the heart of our studio.  It’s the foundation of our craft, and no matter how we evolve, this timeless technique will continue to define our work.  We will always animate using traditional frame by frame animation.

NEW Comic Mini Series

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For nearly two decades, I’ve worked as a colorist in the comic book industry, collaborating on hundreds of titles with companies like Marvel, Zenescope, Image, and Storm King Productions just to name a few.  It’s been an incredible ride, and I’ve loved every minute of it.  No regrets, only gratitude.  I’ve learned so much along the way, but one thing always lingered in the back of my mind: the dream of telling my own stories.  Creating my own characters.  Finding my own voice.

Thanks to Sandy at Storm King Productions, that dream became reality.  I got the chance to bring my own world to life in comics with our very first book being Eisner nominated!  That’s no small feat.  We didn’t take home the trophy, but honestly, the nomination alone felt like a win.

Working with Storm King has been nothing short of amazing.  Together, we’ve launched three Stanley and Friends comics (with a 4th coming out early in 2026), and while we’re not quite Mickey Mouse or Spider-Man, we’ve built something that people genuinely connect with and want more of.  So I’m diving in deeper: launching a brand new Stanley and Friends mini-series.

This time, we’re stepping outside the Halloween shadows and into everyday adventures.  The first issue kicks off at a comic book convention where, let’s just say, things don’t go quite as planned. It’s still all-ages, still packed with fun, and perfect for the whole family.

We’re aiming to release the first issue early next year, just in time for our January convention. I’ll keep you posted here and on our Facebook page.

And as for 2026?  Big things are brewing.  I’m pushing past my comfort zone, making moves, and it feels fantastic.  I hope you stay with me on this journey.

Spooky Toons

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It’s That Time Again… Spooky Season Has Arrived!
The leaves are turning, the air’s got that crisp bite, and you know what that means—FALL!  And with Fall comes one of our all time favorite traditions: Spooky Toon Season!  That magical stretch when ghosts, goblins, and ghoulish giggles run wild… and Stanley and Friends get all dressed up in their fright night finest.

The Spooky Toons Have Officially Launched!
You can now grab your favorites online at www.balkestudiosart.com and in person at our live convention appearances.  From now through October 31st, these haunted hijinks are available for a limited time—so don’t ghost us!

Next Stop: DuPage Comic Con – Sept. 6th in Wheaton, IL
Normally this show kicks off our spooky rollout, but Natasha’s Witches brewed up something too good to wait for.  So we’re bringing the full cauldron of creepy cute chaos, including:

  • Matted & Unmatted ARToons
  • Pins
  • Comics (featuring the first 3 spooky adventures of Stanley and Friends)
  • NEW Horror Original Hand Colorings
  • NEW ARToons (fresh from the crypt)

Can’t Make It to a Show? No Problem!
Our online store is open 24/7 for all your Spooky Toon needs.  Just head to www.balkestudiosart.com and stock up before they vanish on Halloween night.

Coming Soon: Spooky Toon Merch!
We’re brewing up a batch of t-shirts and other goodies featuring Stanley and the gang—with sizes up to 6XLT!  Stay tuned for the full reveal.

Bonus Treat: Sneak Peek at Our First Animation Prop!
Swing by any of our convention booths and you’ll get an exclusive look at a prop from our upcoming animated project.  Trust me—it’s a scream.

Want to know where we’ll be next?  Check out our EVENTS page to see if we’re haunting a con near you.

See you soon—and don’t forget to bring your broomstick!

Revamped Blog

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Welcome to the revamped Jeff Balke Studios blog!
This is your behind-the-scenes pass to everything happening at the studio—from current projects to exciting things on the horizon.  I’ll be sharing more in-depth updates here that go beyond the quick blurbs you see on social media.  While I won’t be posting daily (that’s what the Facebook page is for), this blog will be your go-to spot for richer content and studio news.

Why a blog?
Social media is great—it’s fast, fun, and it keeps things moving.  But sometimes, that speed means sacrificing depth.  I wanted a space where I could slow things down and share more thoughtfully.  This blog gives us that room to breathe.

Where else can you find me?
Here are the main platforms I use to stay connected and share content:

  • Facebook – for regular updates and community interaction
  • Instagram – for visuals, sneak peeks, and creative snapshots
  • YouTube – for videos, clips, and hyperlapse coloring sessions

You can also find me on Discord and LinkedIn, though those are secondary for now.