What is cel animation?

Cel animation is a type of traditional animation that involves creating each frame of an animation on separate layers of transparent celluloid sheets, known as cels.

The process involves drawing each element of the animation – characters, backgrounds and other objects – onto separate cels using specialized pens and inks. These cels are then laid on top of each other and photographed frame-by-frame with a camera, creating the illusion of movement.

Cel animation was widely used in the early days of animation and was popularized by animation studios such as Disney, Warner Bros, and Hanna-Barbera.

Today, cel animation has largely been replaced by digital animation techniques, but it remains a popular medium for both independent animators and studios looking to achieve a traditional, hand-drawn look.