The Only Magazine for Children's Art
Oct 19, 2026
"Tim Burton had such a clear vision of the world he wanted to create."
"Forgive me, Mr. Claus. I'm afraid I've made a terrible mess of your holiday." - Jack Skellington
Though his four-decades-long filmography includes more sentimental entries like 'Big Fish' (2003) and 'Dumbo' (2019), we love legendary writer-director Tim Burton best when he is exploring the darker underbelly of existence, as in 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990), 'Sleepy Hollow' (1999), and 'Corpse Bride' (2005), to name but a few. Yet he was never so clever as with his iconic 1993 masterpiece 'The Nightmare Before Christmas', with which he veritably invented the Halloween/Christmas crossover.
In it, the stylish but wistful "pumpkin king" Jack Skellington essentially decides to move in on Santa Claus' territory - resulting in some rather harrowing drama involving a malevolent, burlap-wrapped baddie named Oogie Boogie. It should be pointed out here that the whole mess of a situation comes about due to a man, Jack, typically ignoring the better advice of a woman, Sally - and we all know how that generally turns out.
More than three decades later Jack and Sally remain popular Halloween costumes because Tim Burton has always had such a magical way of creating unforgettable, and oddly beloved characters. So as October 31 is once again coming fast upon us, we called on another favorite maker of magic, Kathy Barbro, founder of Art Projects For Kids, to get the inside scoop on how you can draw yourself as a Burton-esque character at home or at school.
What is it about Halloween that seems to inspire so much creativity?
Kathy Barbro: I think it encourages creativity by inviting us to ask all kinds of “what if?” questions. What if I dressed up as someone else for a day? What if I turned everything upside down and made things look unappealing instead of pretty? What if I made food that didn't look good to eat? Or decorated my home to feel creepy instead of cozy?
Halloween gives us a chance to look at ordinary things in a completely different way. And when you let yourself turn the usual rules upside down, even for just one day, you're bound to come up with some new and interesting ideas.
Why do you think Tim Burton's work is so beloved by generation after generation?
His characters often make being different feel like something special. That’s an idea many children can relate to, and one that storytellers have explored for generations. Burton has also developed such a recognizable visual style that it’s easy for young artists to try it themselves. Just a pair of big, white eyes with dark shadows around them, along with a mostly black-and-white color scheme, can make a drawing feel instantly inspired by his work.
What is about 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' film that specifically captivates you?
I’ve always admired artists who find something they want to say, figure out how to give it their own special look, and then go all in on it. That’s what I appreciate so much about Tim Burton; he had such a clear vision of the world he wanted to create, and he was willing to put in an incredible amount of work to bring it to life.
I’m especially impressed by his early stop-motion animation, when everything had to be done the old-fashioned way, one tiny movement at a time. I’ve always considered myself a pretty patient person when it comes to making art, but I can hardly imagine having that kind of patience and dedication.
Your lesson gives kids the foundation for drawing Burton-esque characters. Any suggestions on where they can take it from there?
I think one of the best lessons kids can take from Tim Burton is that limitations in art can actually be a very good thing. He took a mostly black-and-white palette and explored it to an incredible degree, creating a whole world that is instantly recognizable as his own. I’d love for students to see that they don’t always need more colors, more materials, or more details to make something interesting. Sometimes, working within a few simple limits is exactly what helps you come up with your most creative ideas.