Traditional animation, also known as hand-drawn or cel animation, has been around for over a century, and it still holds a special place in the hearts of animation lovers worldwide. You’ve probably seen it in Disney classics or even in films from studios like Studio Ghibli. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And why does it still matter today, even with all the new digital techniques available? Let’s explore this timeless art form.
What is Traditional Animation?
At its core, traditional animation is all about drawing each frame by hand. Animators create a series of drawings, each slightly different from the last, and when these are shown one after the other at a fast pace (around 24 frames per second), they come to life and create the illusion of movement.
You might also hear the term “cel animation” tossed around. This comes from the word “celluloid,” the transparent sheets animators would use to draw the frames. These cels were then placed over painted backgrounds and photographed, one by one, to form the full animation sequence.
The History of Traditional Animation
Traditional animation has a rich history that spans over 100 years, evolving from simple optical toys to the complex, detailed works of today.
The Early Days
It all started with devices like the zoetrope, invented in the 1830s. This spinning device made sequential images appear to move, laying the groundwork for animation. But true animation as we know it didn’t kick off until the early 1900s.
In 1908, a French animator named Émile Cohl made what’s considered the first animated film, Fantasmagorie. It was a short film where a stick figure character interacted with changing objects. It didn’t have much of a plot, but it showed just how creative animation could be.
The Golden Age
The 1920s to the 1950s is often called the Golden Age of Animation. This was when big names like Disney and Warner Bros. became animation giants. Walt Disney, in particular, changed the game with innovations like:
- The first synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie (1928)
- The use of the multiplane camera for depth in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- And advanced animation techniques that brought characters to life with incredible detail and personality.
This period saw animation grow from basic black-and-white cartoons into full-length, colorful feature films with deep storytelling.
The Modern Era and Digital Influence
By the 1990s, computer animation started taking over, and many studios moved away from traditional hand-drawn methods. But it hasn’t disappeared entirely. Studios like Studio Ghibli in Japan still create beautiful, hand-drawn animated films like Spirited Away (2001) and The Wind Rises (2013).
Nowadays, traditional animation is often combined with digital tools. Some animators use digital techniques to streamline the process but still keep that classic, hand-drawn look.
How Does Traditional Animation Work?
Creating a traditional animation involves several detailed steps, each requiring specific skills.
- Storyboarding
First, animators create a storyboard. Think of it like a comic strip that shows the basic flow of the story, with key moments and transitions mapped out. This helps animators plan out the scenes before they start working on the full animation. - Voice Recording
Before animators start drawing, voice actors record their lines. This allows animators to sync the movements of the characters with the timing of the voice acting. - Animatic Development
After the voices are recorded, the team creates an animatic, which is a rough version of the animation with the storyboards timed to the voice recordings. This helps spot any timing or story issues early on. - Design and Timing
Next, the design team creates reference sheets showing how each character looks from different angles and with different expressions. The timing directors analyze the animatic and create exposure sheets to map out every frame of action. - Layout
Layout artists decide the camera angles, lighting, and character placement for each scene. This step sets the visual foundation for everything that follows. - Animation
The main animation happens here, with different roles like:- Key Animators: Draw the big moments, or “keyframes.”
- Inbetweeners: Fill in the frames between the keyframes to smooth out the motion.
- Clean-up Artists: Refine the drawings, making them neat and final.
Traditionally, animators worked on paper with registration holes to make sure the frames lined up correctly.
- Ink and Paint
In the past, cleaned-up drawings were transferred to transparent sheets (cels) and painted on the back. Today, digital tools are often used for coloring, but the original hand-drawn process is still key. - Compositing and Camera Work
The final step involves photographing or scanning the frames against their backgrounds. This used to be done with a special camera set up above the artwork, but now most studios scan the images and do the final compositing digitally.
Types of Traditional Animation
There are a few different types of traditional animation, each with its own style.
- Cel Animation: This is the most common form, where drawings are made on transparent sheets (cels) and placed over backgrounds.
- Rotoscoping: Here, animators trace over live-action footage frame by frame. This technique was used in early Disney films like Snow White and more recently in movies like A Scanner Darkly (2006).
- Cutout Animation: In this method, characters are made from flat materials like paper or fabric. These pieces are moved slightly for each frame to create movement. South Park began with cutout animation before switching to digital methods.
Traditional Animation vs. Digital Animation
While digital animation is now the standard for many studios, traditional animation still stands out for its unique qualities.
- Direct Artistic Control: In traditional animation, animators have a hands-on connection to their work.
- Distinctive Visual Style: Hand-drawn animation has a warmth and charm that digital animation often struggles to replicate.
- Production Process: While digital animation can streamline many tasks, traditional animation allows for a more personal, artisanal touch.
Hybrid Approaches
Today, many productions blend both traditional and digital techniques. For example, some hand-drawn animation is scanned and colored digitally, or traditional principles are applied using digital tools.
The Future of Traditional Animation
Even with 3D animation dominating the film industry, traditional animation is still relevant. Here’s why:
- It offers unique artistic expression and styles.
- Independent animators find it accessible.
- There’s a nostalgic, timeless appeal to it.
- It’s especially beloved in places like Japan, where studios like Ghibli continue to produce amazing hand-drawn works.
Famous Examples of Traditional Animation
Traditional animation has given us some of the most iconic films:
- Classic Disney Films:
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
- Pinocchio (1940)
- The Lion King (1994)
- Studio Ghibli Masterpieces:
- My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
- Spirited Away (2001)
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013)
- Independent and Artistic Animation:
- The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
- The Secret of Kells (2009)
- Loving Vincent (2017), which used rotoscoping and had 125 artists hand-paint every frame in the style of Van Gogh.
How to Learn Traditional Animation
Interested in learning traditional animation? It’s a skill that requires practice and patience. Here’s how to get started:
- Learn the Basics: Animation relies on principles like timing, weight, and exaggeration. Start with simple exercises, like animating a bouncing ball or walking cycles.
- Use the Right Tools: You can use lightboxes or animation discs for paper animation, or digital tablets and software like Adobe Animate for digital tools.
- Explore Resources: Take online courses, watch tutorials, and join animation communities to improve your skills.
Final Thoughts
Traditional animation is more than just a technique—it’s a form of artistic expression that has stood the test of time. Even as digital tools continue to evolve, the magic of hand-drawn animation remains a powerful and captivating part of the animation world. Whether you’re watching a Disney classic or a modern Studio Ghibli film, you can always appreciate the dedication and creativity behind the frames.