What is Traditional Animation

Defining Traditional Animation

Traditional animation is a technique where each frame of the animation is drawn by hand. Animators sketch thousands of individual drawings that, when played in sequence, create the illusion of movement. Think of it like a super-complex flipbook!

This process is also known as 2D animation, referring to the flat, two-dimensional visuals that define the style.

How Does It Work?

Storyboarding
Before animation begins, artists create a storyboard—essentially a visual script. This lays out the narrative, timing, and key camera angles.

Keyframes & In-betweens

• Keyframes are the main poses in a scene.

• In-betweens (or tweens) are the drawings that connect those poses, making the motion fluid.

Clean-Up & Inking
Once rough sketches are approved, they’re cleaned up for clarity. Traditionally, these were then transferred to transparent sheets called cels and inked.

Painting & Color
Artists would paint the back of each cel with vibrant colors. These cels were then placed over a painted background.

Photography
Each cel was photographed frame-by-frame using a special animation camera. It took 24 individual frames to create just one second of film.

A Brief History

Traditional animation dates back to the early 1900s, with pioneers like Winsor McCay (Gertie the Dinosaur, 1914). But it was Walt Disney Studios that truly elevated the art, producing the first full-length animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937.

From the golden age of Warner Bros. cartoons to Studio Ghibli’s emotional masterpieces like Spirited Away, traditional animation became synonymous with timeless storytelling and craft.

Why Is It Still Relevant?

Although much of the animation industry now uses digital techniques, traditional animation remains a beloved and respected form. Here's why:

• Artistic Expression: The hand-drawn nature gives it a personal, emotional quality.

• Cultural Value: It reflects decades of visual storytelling traditions around the world.

• Foundation for Modern Animation: Even digital animators study traditional methods to master timing, movement, and expression.

Some modern productions still use traditional methods or blend them with digital tools to preserve the look and feel of classic animation.

Traditional vs. Digital Animation

Conclusion

Traditional animation isn't just a technique—it's a testament to the patience, creativity, and passion of artists who bring drawings to life, frame by frame. As long as stories need telling and imagination needs illustrating this classic art form will never go out of style.