Animation Studio

Animation art is unique in the art world because it was not created for the purpose of being a painting or a drawing. The artists, known as animators, were creating a film where the story line, movement and personality of the characters were of the highest priority. It takes thousands of paintings and drawings to complete a film or cartoon. Each one employs the same amount of skill, perspective, and point of view that exists in any work of art.

As a collector, you not only enjoy a fine work of art, but you are inviting a beloved character; such as Mickey or Bugs, to come and live with you. These characters have brought so much joy and laughter to the world.

The computer has dramatically changed how animation is created. Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid” (1989) was the last classically animated film. Much of the art that was created to make a film, is no longer being made. Animation art that was used in the production of a cartoon or film is becoming rarer.

A brief glossary of animation art: Animator's pencil drawings are drawings of the characters. These plot the characters movements during a particular scene. Once these drawings are approved, they are transferred to the celluloid to create the painting. Production animation cel is the painting on celluloid. The painters carefully hand paint each piece from the back of the cel. These are the one of a kind paintings that were actually photographed to create the film or cartoon short. Hand-painted limited edition cel is the painting which is created from the drawings and is painted in limited numbers. Each of these are created exactly the same way as a production cel, the difference being that this is not the actual cel that was photographed for the film. These cels are numbered the same as limited edition prints. Sericel is a silkscreen or serigraph on celluloid that recreates a scene or character from a cartoon or animation film. This is created in an edition.

Need an appraisal for your animation collection? Our appraiser is accredited with the International Society of Appraisers.