What is Cel Animation?

Animation is an art form that has captured the imaginations of people around the world for over a century. There are many different types of animation, but one of the earliest and most iconic forms is cel animation.

Cel animation, also known as 2D animation or traditional animation, has grown by leaps and bounds since it first began. But what is cel animation, how does it work, and what are some inspirational examples?

In this article, we will explore cel animation and take a look at some of the most famous examples of this timeless technique. We will then delve into the history and discover what makes it such a beloved and enduring art form.

Whether you are a professional animator or simply an admirer, this article will provide an insightful look at all things cel animation. Join us as we journey through the magical world of hand-drawn animation!

 

What is cel animation?

Cel animation, also known as celluloid or traditional animation, is a technique that combines hand-drawn and painted images to create the illusion of motion. The name comes from the fact that the images are drawn on clear sheets of celluloid (cels).

Cel animation has dominated cinema for a long time, up until the more modern 2D & 3D animation software used today. Disney primarily used this technique and some artists today still prefer to work this way. Today, the main difference is that the transparent sheet of celluliod has been replaced by digital tools, but the process is mainly the same.

History of cel animation

It is hard to think of a world without animation. Today, most media is comprised of moving images. It might be in the form of advertisements, marketing, gaming or your favourite film! But, It wasn’t until the early 1900s that it was used for the production of animated films. The first cel animation film was created by French animator Émile Cohl in 1908, called Fantasmagorie.

When it comes to understanding the history of animation, Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs always comes up as a prime example. This is because it was a groundbreaking moment in animated cinema. In 1937, Snow White was released as the first American fully-animated feature film.

After this revolution, Disney took the industry by storm producing release after release. Filmmaking Lifestyle says: “Disney’s success inspired other animators to add their own stylistic touches to cel animation, such as rotoscoping, which involved tracing over live action footage with animation cels. To make this process easier, Disney hired Ward Kimball to film all of his shorts with live actors, even if they didn’t appear in them.”

In the decades that followed, cel animation was behind some of the most beloved and iconic animated films of all time. The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are all great examples of cel animation. Before we take a look at 8 examples of cel animation, let’s learn a little bit more about the process.

The process of cel animation

Cel animation is a long and intense process and requires a certain set of techniques and tools to create, but everything always starts with a storyboard.

In this initial process, the animator will start to sketch out the animation scene by scene. This is typically done in sync with a soundtrack. The whole purpose of this is to plan ahead and make sure everything flows throughout.

Once the storyboard process is complete, the animator can then move on to making each drawing into individual cels. Individual characters, props and background elements are then traced onto the celluliod, special paints are used do to this.

Once each cell has been painted, they are stacked on top of each other over a static background, such as a painted landscape or set. The general process is to alter the cels every 2 frames to give the illusion of movement.

After the photography stage, where all the cels are captured in sequence, the images merge together in quick succession for the final production. When played back, this becomes what we all see as moving image!

Examples of cel animation

Now that you know what cel animation is and the techniques and tools used to create it, let’s take a look at some inspiring examples of cel animation.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

First on the list is the already mentioned Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Released in 1937, this Disney classic was the first full-length animated feature film set an example for all to follow. The film was revolutionary for its time, featuring lifelike characters and beautiful backgrounds.

Fantasia

Another Disney film makes the list, and it won’t be the last! The 1940 film “Fantasia” was a merge between beautiful animation and music. The film is notable for its use of experimental animation techniques, such as multiplane cameras and special effects, and its combination of classical music and abstract visuals.

Bambi

Bambi is one of Disney’s masterpieces. It stood out, especially for its storyline as it resonates with the audience through the emotions the characters conveyed. Released in 1942, it still pulls on the heartstrings of people of all ages today with its captivating and hard-hitting storyline.

Alice in Wonderland

In 1865 Lewis Caroll released his famous novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland which was later turned into an animated film by Disney in 1951. Surprisingly the initial release was not a big success. A lot has changed since then and it now has its own following and pop culture in the modern day, spawning many modern remakes.

The Little Mermaid

Disney’s 1989 classic The Little Mermaid was based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. It is still praised today for its catchy soundtrack and lovable characters. It went on to win two Academy Awards and grossed over $211 million worldwide.

Beauty and the Beast

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is another inspiring example of cel animation. The film was released in 1991 and won two Academy Awards. Later in time a broadway show and live-action remake were created.

Aladdin

Aladdin is based on the Middle Eastern folktale One Thousand and One Nights, also known as Arabian Nights. Disney released the film in 1992 and it was noted for being the first Disney animated feature to use CGI and cel animation extensively.

The Lion King

Hakuna Matata! The 1994 Disney classic The Lion King is a beautiful example of cel animation. The film was produced using traditional hand-drawn animation and features a variety of animals and beautiful scenes of Africa. Grossing over $1 billion worldwide and winning two Academy Awards, It has become one of the most beloved animated films of all time.

 

Conclusion

Cel animation is an iconic technique in the world of animation that has been used for over a century. Classic feature films have been created using this time-consuming, artistic process, but since the advent of computer-generated imagery (CGI), it is not used now as the standard.

We have studied the history, delved into the process and explored some inspirational cel-animated films, so we hope this blog post has given you some insight into the world of cel animation.

If you want to pursue a career in animation, we recommend looking into Big Creative Education’s Animation and Next Gen Academy course.