Michael Ruocco
banner
michaeljruocco.bsky.social
Michael Ruocco
@michaeljruocco.bsky.social
Annie-Nominated Animator/Storyboarder/Oblivious Bon Vivant. Voiced a buzzard. Looney Tunes Cartoons, The Cuphead Show, Helluva Boss, The Day the Earth Blew Up, BoJack Horseman, etc. PORTFOLIO: https://t.co/J7rBd87jJ8
Pinned
New Pinned Post:

- Revamped Patreon page: www.patreon.com/c/michaeljru...
- Ko-fi tip jar: ko-fi.com/michaelruocc...
- Discord server access by donating to Patreon (min. $3 a month)
- Stream schedule coming soon!
Get more from Michael Ruocco on Patreon
creating animated shorts, drawing funny pictures
www.patreon.com
In other news, I keep getting these targeted unlicensed Disney merch ads on Insta using my nearly-15 year old Mr Toad drawing on one of their shirts. Looking back, doing this series of drawings was one of my biggest regrets, knowing how much they’d be stolen and used for such low quality products.
January 22, 2026 at 3:49 PM
The stress of moving has been knocking me down a few pegs on all fronts. Energy, mood, health, sleep, productivity… still got just over a week to go before it’s over. Remind me not to attempt moving again for a very long time.
January 22, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Michael Ruocco
"Walks", a workshop with James Baxter.
45 min video >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=vihI...
January 21, 2026 at 6:53 PM
Prompt from a friend: New Age Girl (with crystals)
January 20, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Did a piece for the David Lynch art show this coming weekend at the CTN Studio in Burbank, curated by @nicocolaleo.bsky.social ! It was fun going outside my comfort zone approach-wise, and learned a lot painting it. Hope to see a bunch of you there!
January 20, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Cream Connoisseur
January 19, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Michael Ruocco
Am I the only one that thinks this cartoon by Charles Addams (the guy who created the Addams family) is legitimately creepy?
January 19, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Sere-NEIGH-de
January 18, 2026 at 6:34 PM
I’ll have a little piece in this show coming up next weekend, with a small handful of prints available! Come on by!
I can't believe #DavidLynchArtShow2026 is almost here!! Saturday, January 24th, 3pm-10pm at the CTN Studio in Burbank! Artwork from 80+ artists around the animation industry! Coffee and donuts! Beer and wine! Music! The David Lynch Foundation in-person! Surprise special guests! BE THERE!! ☕️🍩🌲🦉👍
January 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Toad Trip
January 18, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Reposted by Michael Ruocco
I've been quoting this woman my whole life but didn't learn her name until today.
January 17, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Making the best of it...
January 16, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Michael Ruocco
UPA’s radical mid-century break from Disney realism and its lasting influence on the world of animation have been documented in a new feature coming later this year: 'Animation Mavericks, The Forgotten Story of UPA.'
www.cartoonbrew.com/documentary-...
Upcoming Documentary Tells The Forgotten Story Of UPA Animation
The upcoming documentary examines the artists, politics, and risks behind the studio that broke away from Disney's industry-dominant realism.
www.cartoonbrew.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Saw this on my feed/recommendation bar at the top of Facebook yesterday. That’s my drawing. It didn’t even ask me if I wanted to put it through its filter, it just did it and thought I’d like it. I’m sorry but “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission” doesn’t apply to GenAI, or social media.
January 15, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I think I have a pretty strong understanding of timing & spacing when I animate. I know how to make things “move right”, which is mutually exclusive to draftsmanship. Also knowing general timing, ie how long to hold a drawing/pose for comedic effect, the length/speed of actions to feel organic, etc
Artists, I think we're all too comfortable sharing our imposter syndrome.

I would love to see you step out of your comfort zone and confidently state what you think you're actually really good at.

No self deprecation, just what you think you're the strongest at

Is anyone brave eniough? 👀
January 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Really bummed, I was supposed to go up to San Jose this weekend for my first ever furry convention to see n draw with friends, but I must’ve overworked/overloaded myself with all the moving n got myself sick. Must be like stage health, where my immunity waited for a break to let its guard down.
January 14, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Feels like I carried n moved one metric ton of books to the new place, and I still have a lot to do. I both feel exhausted but also pleasantly surprised I could pull it off despite the shape I’m currently in. It’s a start to getting back on track healthwise.
January 12, 2026 at 7:22 PM
I try to treat art like play; once it becomes just a task or a chore, it’s a lot harder to invest yourself in. I do my best work when I just sort of lock in and not think about anything other than the core feeling of making lines n filling in spaces with them, kinda like doing a jigsaw puzzle.
January 12, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Really cool to learn that they’re adding this short to the “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” line-up! This was the last cartoon I helped storyboard for “Looney Tunes Cartoons” (I say “helped” because my director David Gemmill did the lion’s share of the boarding/writing on it himself).—-
January 12, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I've finally come to the point of moving that I've dreaded most... BOOKS. So many books. Large, thick, heavy, ink-laden books.

Pray for me.
January 9, 2026 at 10:14 PM
I think this'll be my last moving-related drawing for now. Don't mean to drop everything all at once.
January 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Michael Ruocco
The White House wastes no time gaslighting the American people

anntelnaes.substack.com/p/ice-shoots...
January 8, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Heard there was a new Winnie the Pooh film in the works. Man, that sounds right up my alley! Love those characters! Nonetheless, I hope the production goes smoothly and the crew enjoys their time in the Hundred Acre Wood!
January 8, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Still moving house. To avoid this situation in particular, I decided to junk ALL of my furniture. It's not worth the hassle. Nonetheless, it's still hard to let some of these things go.
January 8, 2026 at 7:16 PM