Collecting Animation Art

Collecting Animation Art is a great way to own piece of history while reliving childhood memories. During the process to create an animated feature, there are several unique items created and used such as character models, storyboards, drawings, and cels. Cels (short for celluloid, which refers to the material used) are the final step in the animation process. Animators' character drawings are copied onto the celluloid sheet then and then the character is painted in. The clear cel is then placed on top of a background image and one frame of film is taken. It takes between 16 and 24 cels to create one second of film.

Animation cels used in the production of an animated future are the most collectable piece of animation art because they are one of a kind and feature characters in full color. The most sought after cels usually show a main character from the feature for which the cel was produced. They also usually depict the character in a full body pose with their eyes open (even animated characters blink!).

However, production cels are not the only type of cels which are offered as collectables. Many studios also make available non-production cels that are created simply to meet the demands of collectors. Because production cels are one of a kind, it's difficult to find one with Mickey Mouse from Fantasia or Snow White being kissed by her prince. And if you were to find one of these cels, expect to pay several thousand dollars. And with the supply of original production cels far fewer the demand, studios sometimes create and offer cels that depict famous characters, perhaps in a scene from a classic film, in either limited or non-limited editions. These non-production cels were never used in the production of a feature, and are offered purely as collectables and often at a price that's substantially less than the cost of a production cel.

As with any art, you want to ensure you're getting an authentic piece. The best way to do that is to buy from someone knowledge and that the certificate of authenticity that accompanies the art is issued by someone you trust. Most studios such as Disney and Warner Brothers offer animation cels for sale directly through an art distribution program. And there are many galleries and specialized animation art dealers from which to acquire animation art. Sotheby's and Christie's auction house have sometimes had auctions which contain production art and have even hosted dedicated animation art auctions.