Canvas Review (Short Film, 2020)

In “Canvas,” a grieving artist is no longer painting. He watches his granddaughter everyday and sees her joy in drawing, but cannot bring himself to pick up his own brushes again. She is just happy to spend time with him and draw pictures of her family just like he used to.

“Canvas” is animator Frank E. Abney III’s directorial debut. He has an expressive style to his work. The characters in the film sparkle with life, especially in the eye, which is critical for a short animated film with no dialogue. You know exactly what everyone is feeling the whole way through.

The best word to describe “Canvas” is gentle. This is a kind animated short. Its approach to loss and grieving is direct without feeling exploitative.

We know from the start that the artist is facing some sort of struggle. He wakes up, gets in his wheelchair, and goes outside. He stares at his empty easel until his daughter and granddaughter arrive. Their presence brings him joy, and he loves watching her explore her own art. He just can’t do it himself anymore.

We also know that he dreams of his art. The short starts in a different animation style. His dreams are in oil pastel, with all the texture and depth you expect from its waxy form. He doesn’t paint anymore, but he still goes to his easel every day. His house is filled with supplies he leaves out for his granddaughter and he proudly hangs her family portraits on the wall.

“Canvas” does eventually address what is happening in the artist’s life. It’s easy to predict, but that’s a testament to the quality of the storytelling. This style of animated short needs to be clear in its narrative intents or else the audience will be confused.

The artist’s emotional state is emptiness, not overt sadness, though that emptiness feels real to how depression can manifest. He comes alive for his family but shuts down when facing his own lack of productivity. “Canvas” is realistic but not aggressive.

“Canvas” is lovely. The art style is great. The examination of emotions and grieving is gentle. It feels supportive. The stakes in the film are not low, but they are grounded in a sense of reality we don’t typically see in animation.

“Canvas” is currently streaming on Netflix.

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