From Big Screen to Brushstroke: Paint LAIKA’s Worlds with Elle Crée Kits
At Elle Crée, we believe that art should be accessible to everyone—and that creativity is something to be celebrated, not reserved for professionals. That’s why when LAIKA Studios approached us with the idea of creating custom paint-by-number kits inspired by their iconic stop-motion films, we were immediately on board.
What made this collaboration even more special? Both Elle Crée and LAIKA call Oregon home. As two Portland-based creative companies, we felt an instant connection rooted in shared values: artistry, imagination, and craftsmanship. It was a true meeting of the minds (and hearts).
LAIKA’s Vision: From Mass-Made to Artisan-Made
LAIKA, the award-winning film studio behind Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, ParaNorman, and more, was launching a brand-new online shop. Their goal? To move away from generic, mass-produced merchandise and offer fans something more meaningful—high-quality, artisan-made products that reflected the artistry of their films.
That’s where Elle Crée came in.
Turning Stop-Motion Magic into Paint-by-Number Kits
Unlike many companies that use software to convert images into paint-by-number designs—often resulting in complex, pixelated patterns—Elle Crée takes an artist-led approach. Each of our paint-by-number kits is carefully illustrated by hand, with clarity, and “paintability” in mind. We ensure that even beginners can experience the joy of creating something beautiful.
Working closely with LAIKA’s creative team, we translated original concept art into DIY painting kits that capture the spirit and visual style of each film while remaining fun and relaxing to paint.
Launching with Fan Favorites
We began our collaboration with three beloved LAIKA films, each one brought to life in its own paint-by-number kit:
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Kubo and the Two Strings
SHOP THIS KITA peaceful, snowy moment with Kubo and Monkey from Kubo and the Two Strings
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ParaNorman
SHOP THIS KITRetro comic vibes and spooky flair from the well-known Mondo Zombies poster in ParaNorman
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Coraline
SHOP THIS KITA whimsical, slightly eerie view of the iconic Pink Palace Apartments in Coraline
The kits quickly became a hit among fans looking for a meaningful and creative way to engage with their favorite films. Coraline's Pink Palace kit even sold out soon after release!
Encouraged by the response, we expanded the collection with two more kits:
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Boxtrolls
SHOP THIS KITA quirky, detailed, cavern garden scene depicting Fish and Shoe from Boxtrolls
Each LAIKA paint-by-number kit includes everything needed for a successful painting session: numbered outlines on art-quality canvas, pre-mixed acrylic paints, and step-by-step instructions. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, these art kits for beginners are designed to be both relaxing and rewarding.
In celebration of National Craft Month, LAIKA Studios highlighted a collection of crafty items available in their shop—including our Mondo Zombies paint-by-number kit from ParaNorman.
The Boxtrolls paint-by-number kit by Elle Crée, featured alongside other official Boxtrolls merchandise released by LAIKA Studios in September 2024.
Coraline stopped by the Elle Crée workshop during the launch of our LAIKA collaboration—just in time for a visit from Fox 12 News! We loved sharing the story behind our Coraline’s Pink Palace paint-by-number kit and giving a peek into how these designs came to life.
More Than a Partnership—A Shared Creative Mission
This collaboration has been such a joyful meeting of creative minds—bringing together LAIKA’s storytelling magic and Elle Crée’s passion for accessible, artful experiences. But the fun didn’t stop with the kits themselves. To celebrate the collaboration, we created a series of behind-the-scenes videos and playful content to bring these paint-by-number designs to life—from painting demos, to a surprise visit from Coraline herself at our workshop, to a special Halloween stop-motion video where our Mondo Zombies kit comes to life.
We invite you to check out these whimsical moments and see the kits in action—they’re a perfect peek into the creative spirit behind the scenes. And of course, if you’re ready to start your own artistic journey, the full LAIKA x Elle Crée paint-by-number collection is waiting for you.
