Cel learning (Patreon)

I've been very eager to attempt using actual painted cels in a project, and this past week has been hugely rewarding for testing things out.For those new to this method, its a traditional form of animation which was primarily used for 2d animating prior to computer-assisted methods becoming the industry norm. A transparency sheet known as a "cel" would have initial sketches traced onto it in ink and then be painted on the back to allow for color to fill the transparent forms. 

This would then be placed on top of a background.

Millions of these babies would be used to create motion pictures and tv shows. Your favorite old traditionally-animated cartoon was made of a billion reverse paintings!(I get real jazzed about this.)Anyways, I've always been extremely passionate about this form of animation for forever and it's been an incredibly rewarding week of experimenting, and I look forward to implementing it!(for those looking to try this out, I found that regular black gel pens work best on the proper side of inkjet transparency film (these are a pretty penny, but you can definitely get a LOT of use out of a couple sheets if you cut them into quarters like I did above.) Inkjet absorbs the gel pen ink instead of having it just rest on top to smear. I used plain white acrylic paint for the backside painting. With the proper type of transparency sheet both dry rather quickly. )

Trying to currently develop a method of scanning the cels with a green sheet behind them to have better manipulation of the placement of the animation. This is working so far in spades. Eager as hell, guys.