‘Mick O’ Toonz’ animation classes are drawing viewers from around the world

Mick O’Toole from Buncrana has been sharing his talents with thousands of children and adults on his ‘Mick O’Toonz’ animation page.

Alongside the fact the classes are providing an outlet for creativity, as well as fun during lockdown, they are also highlighting the talent of many of its viewers. Mick said he set them up to help the children, who ‘normally do animation classes with me at schools etc.’

“I know there are loads of creative folk about and this is just to help everyone get some fun time squeezed in between school work and boredom. I know from my own wains that they are on their phones too much and gaming, playing Fortnite etc- for me its too much time in their own space, not very good for the mind. Mental health is a massive thing to watch during this lockdown, so I set this up to force teens/wains off the headphones and use this time to sit with their families drawing, commenting and having some fun.”

He never expected the ‘fantastic’ reaction, with regular viewers from Canada, America, New Zealand, Dubai, Isle of Man and all over Ireland. Everyone taking part all tell Mick they look forward to the classes, which are live on Facebook every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 noon to 1pm.

“The results shared to the page are amazing - the students have really shown that with proper, slow instructions they can draw anything. I have had a fair few parents message saying the wain couldn’t normally draw breath, and are amazed with what they are seeing. If all this ignites the passion for cartooning, animating, drawing in just one child or teen, it’s well worth it. It’s a fantastic way to relax, express yourself and with practice they can actually make a living out of doing something they love. That’s what happened for me.”

Mick was ‘always interested in drawing’ but had a ‘few knocks’ in confidence when he was younger. He ‘drifted’ away from drawing until he was 23.

“I was working in Fruit of the Loom and when the place was closing I was offered a position in Ballyfermot College, Dublin, doing an Animation course, this was the year 2000. I had to refuse as I was getting married the following year and had to raise some funds - in hindsight, I should have done it. Fast forward until 2010, I was unemployed for two years and was working on a FAS scheme, which was a godsend. My supervisor Mickey Bradley tortured me into doing a course - any course, just do one - so I went and done my GCSEs in the Northwest Regional College, part-time over two years. That was the turning point. I then went on to the LYIT with my new GCSE paper and done a three-year B.A in Animation, I done a further year doing Honours Animation and this is how I’m in this position today.”

To ‘complete the circle,’ Mick recently gained a part time lecturer position at NWRC. “I get to do what I love. I try to pass my enthusiasm on to the students in Donegal and Derry and of late, further afield. So I really have to thank Mickey Bradley for pushing me on.”

The videos of new and previous classes are on facebook and Youtube, at Mick O’Toonz animation.