How Are Original Drawings Created in Animation Studios?

The animated films and series we love whether Disney masterpieces, the emotional works of Studio Ghibli, or the cult classics of the '80s and '90s are the result of a complex and fascinating creative process. At the heart of this process are the original animation drawings, essential pieces in the production of animation. Let’s take a behind-the-scenes look at animation studios to understand how these unique works come to life.

 

Step 1: Story Development and Storyboarding

Everything begins with an idea. Directors, screenwriters, and artists collaborate to bring a story to life, often in the form of a script. However, to visualize this story, artists create a storyboard.

A storyboard is a series of drawings, arranged as panels, that break down each scene. It serves as a visual blueprint for the entire team, helping define:

  • Character movements;
  • Camera angles;
  • Scene pacing and transitions.

These drawings, though simple and often sketched, are crucial in laying the foundation for animation. They allow teams to identify potential issues before moving on to more expensive production stages.

Step 2: Character and Background Design

Once the storyboard is approved, the next step is to design characters and backgrounds in detail.

  • Character sketches explore poses, expressions, and movements to capture their unique personality and style.
  • Background concepts define the environments in which the story takes place. These drawings can range from simple sketches to highly detailed artworks.

This stage is often overseen by art directors and lead animators, who ensure that all visual elements remain consistent with the overall vision of the film or series.

Step 3: Traditional Animation and Key Drawings

In traditional animation techniques, each movement is broken down into a series of still images. Lead animators first create key drawings, which mark the most important moments of a movement (e.g., the start and end points of a jump).

These drawings are then completed by in-betweeners, who fill in the intermediate movements to create a smooth sequence. Each second of animation can require up to 24 individual drawings, a testament to the patience and talent of the artists.

Step 4: Cel Animation and Coloring

Once the drawings are completed, characters and animated objects are transferred onto celluloids, also called cels. These transparent sheets allow characters to be superimposed onto backgrounds, avoiding the need to redraw the scenery for every frame.

  • The character outlines are traced onto the cel, often in ink.
  • Colors are then added to the back of the celluloid to prevent the outlines from being obscured.

The result is a perfect layering effect, where each cel corresponds to a specific moment in the animation.

Step 5: Final Assembly

The painted cels are then combined with background drawings to create final compositions. Each scene is photographed frame by frame using special cameras. This step brings the animated sequence to life, as seen on screen.


The Artistic Craftsmanship Behind Every Drawing

Each original drawing from this process is a unique artwork, reflecting the collective effort of numerous artists. Whether a storyboard sketch, a key drawing, or a painted cel, each element embodies the essence of traditional animation.

In animation studios, these drawings are not just tools for production; they are artistic pieces that capture the imagination and expertise of their creators. Thanks to them, fantastic worlds come to life, one drawing at a time.

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