Comics World Comic vocabulary Movie theatre Movie-Stars' caricatures Main index	As you first look into collecting Animation Art, you may find many of the descriptions we use difficult, if not impossible, to decipher. This is a list of terms you are likely to encounter as you explore the world of animation art collecting. As you consider collecting animation art, as with any purchase, it is important you understand exactly what you are dealing with. While this glossary is by no means definitive, it should give you a firm background in the semantics of Animation. What Would You Like To Learn More About: Cels \| Original Production Cels \| Limited Editions \| Sericels \| "Publicity" Cels Cel "Set Ups" \| Animation Drawings \| Storyboards \| Model Sheets \| Backgrounds GiclΓ©e Prints CEL A broad term that encompasses most types of animation art. In its strictest interpretation, a cel is the plastic sheet, either cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, that animated characters are painted on. In practice, the term cel has come to mean that plastic sheet in combination with the outline and coloring of a character, object, and/or special effect. Outlines can be either hand-inked or Xerographically transferred to the sheet of plastic. Those outlines are then filled with color, either by hand-painting or a serigraphic process, to complete the cel. 12 or 16 Field These terms are used to describe the size of a particular cel. They come from the size of the "field" of view of the camera photographing the artwork. For rough use, consider a twelve-field cel roughly 10"x12", and a sixteen-field cel approximately 14"x16". The actual framed size may differ ORIGINAL PRODUCTION CEL These are the cels actually used in the production of a cartoon. They can have either Xerographed or hand-inked outlines, and are hand-painted at the studio. These cels are one-of-a-kind pieces of art, and their rarity makes them highly sought after by collectors. Because these cels were created to make an actual cartoon, each cel is a component part of a larger movement. Different cels from the same scene may be more or less desirable depending on a variety of factors: size, profile and expression of the character, any damage to inking or paint, and overall visual appeal. LIMITED EDITION CEL As with production cels, limiteds can have either hand-inked or xerographic outlines, and are also hand-painted. The major difference, as its name implies, is that the limited editions are created in limited quantities, generally in runs of 250 to 500 cels. Because of these small edition sizes, limiteds can also be very collectible. Some limiteds are exact reproductions of the frames of the film they represent. Others are based on contemporary interpretations of classic characters or scenes by their animators- Chuck Jones limiteds, for instance. Limited editions are always hand-numbered on the cel, and many are signed by the artists. SERICELS Sometimes called serigraph cels. The serigraphy process involves silk-screening each individual color to the cel, one at a time. Every distinct shade is a separate screen, and a separate pass in the procedure. As a result of this fine art operation, each color is flawlessly reproduced. Sericels are also created in limited quantities, typically 2500 to 5000 pieces. Because of their larger edition size, sericels are the most affordable type of animation art, ideal for the beginning collector. PUBLICITY CEL A cel, usually hand-painted, not actually used in a film or created for collectors, but made for publicity or promotional purposes. CEL SET-UP A combination of cels presented together. If the combination of cels match exactly, it is referred to as a KEY SET-UP. ANIMATION DRAWING These are the original, one-of-a-kind drawings, penciled by the animator, that cels are eventually made from. Drawings can be rough, or the more refined CLEAN-UP drawings. Sometimes, set-ups are available with matching drawings and the cel that was made from it. STORYBOARD DRAWING A drawing or story sketch made for the storyboard, which conveys visually the plot and action of a scene or shot. The storyboard serves as a preliminary guide for the artists. MODEL SHEETS Drawings, or studio reproductions of a character in a variety of actions used as reference by the animators during production. BACKGROUNDS Boy, is this a can of worms. We will try to cover the major types of Backgrounds you are likely to encounter, and what they mean. Original Production Background This covers a wide range of backgrounds that are original paintings, and were used in the production of a cartoon. It is important to note that it does not necessarily mean it is the same production that the cel is from. It may not even be from the same studio as the cel. If you see this term used, you will want to know what production the background is from. Key Master Set-Up This is the ultimate set-up, and the most rare. A key master set-up combines the original cel, or a key set-up of cels, with the background they were originally photographed over. When framed, this will look exactly as it did in the actual film or short. Presentation or Hand-Painted Background This type of background was specially prepared to complement the cel by an independent artist. Generally, it will be in the style of the original. Although it may enhance the visual appeal of the set-up, it adds little value or collectibility to the cel (unless the artist is famous in his or her own right). Reproduction Background This is the most common type of background. It is, as the name implies, a copy of a background. The reproduction can be by color xerox, lithography, serigraphy or photography. In many cases, it is a reproduction of the original background. GICLΓ@E PRINTS Creating GiclΓ©e fine art prints requires the utmost care and attention to detail. Harvest Productions, LTD., who produce all of the GiclΓ©e's for Linda Jones Enterprises, customize the color settings for each image so that each print is truly what the artist had in mind. The French term "GiclΓ©e", literally meaning "spray of ink," is used to describe these prints. Four precision nozzles spray up to a million microscopic droplets per second on to fine art paper. Then, each piece of paper is individually hand-mounted. Displaying a full color spectrum, the prints are lush and velvety, capturing the subtle nuances of the original artwork. Back to Comics World & Movie Theater Back to index

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As you first look into collecting Animation Art, you may find many of the descriptions we use difficult, if not impossible, to decipher. This is a list of terms you are likely to encounter as you explore the world of animation art collecting. As you consider collecting animation art, as with any purchase, it is important you understand exactly what you are dealing with. While this glossary is by no means definitive, it should give you a firm background in the semantics of Animation.

What Would You Like To Learn More About:

CEL

A broad term that encompasses most types of animation art. In its strictest interpretation, a cel is the plastic sheet, either cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, that animated characters are painted on. In practice, the term cel has come to mean that plastic sheet in combination with the outline and coloring of a character, object, and/or special effect. Outlines can be either hand-inked or Xerographically transferred to the sheet of plastic. Those outlines are then filled with color, either by hand-painting or a serigraphic process, to complete the cel.

12 or 16 Field

These terms are used to describe the size of a particular cel. They come from the size of the "field" of view of the camera photographing the artwork. For rough use, consider a twelve-field cel roughly 10"x12", and a sixteen-field cel approximately 14"x16". The actual framed size may differ

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION CEL

These are the cels actually used in the production of a cartoon. They can have either Xerographed or hand-inked outlines, and are hand-painted at the studio. These cels are one-of-a-kind pieces of art, and their rarity makes them highly sought after by collectors. Because these cels were created to make an actual cartoon, each cel is a component part of a larger movement. Different cels from the same scene may be more or less desirable depending on a variety of factors: size, profile and expression of the character, any damage to inking or paint, and overall visual appeal.

LIMITED EDITION CEL

As with production cels, limiteds can have either hand-inked or xerographic outlines, and are also hand-painted. The major difference, as its name implies, is that the limited editions are created in limited quantities, generally in runs of 250 to 500 cels. Because of these small edition sizes, limiteds can also be very collectible. Some limiteds are exact reproductions of the frames of the film they represent. Others are based on contemporary interpretations of classic characters or scenes by their animators- Chuck Jones limiteds, for instance. Limited editions are always hand-numbered on the cel, and many are signed by the artists.

SERICELS

Sometimes called serigraph cels. The serigraphy process involves silk-screening each individual color to the cel, one at a time. Every distinct shade is a separate screen, and a separate pass in the procedure. As a result of this fine art operation, each color is flawlessly reproduced. Sericels are also created in limited quantities, typically 2500 to 5000 pieces. Because of their larger edition size, sericels are the most affordable type of animation art, ideal for the beginning collector.

PUBLICITY CEL

A cel, usually hand-painted, not actually used in a film or created for collectors, but made for publicity or promotional purposes.

CEL SET-UP

A combination of cels presented together. If the combination of cels match exactly, it is referred to as a KEY SET-UP.

ANIMATION DRAWING

These are the original, one-of-a-kind drawings, penciled by the animator, that cels are eventually made from. Drawings can be rough, or the more refined CLEAN-UP drawings. Sometimes, set-ups are available with matching drawings and the cel that was made from it.

STORYBOARD DRAWING

A drawing or story sketch made for the storyboard, which conveys visually the plot and action of a scene or shot. The storyboard serves as a preliminary guide for the artists.

MODEL SHEETS

Drawings, or studio reproductions of a character in a variety of actions used as reference by the animators during production.

BACKGROUNDS

Boy, is this a can of worms. We will try to cover the major types of Backgrounds you are likely to encounter, and what they mean.

Original Production Background

This covers a wide range of backgrounds that are original paintings, and were used in the production of a cartoon. It is important to note that it does not necessarily mean it is the same production that the cel is from. It may not even be from the same studio as the cel. If you see this term used, you will want to know what production the background is from.

Key Master Set-Up

This is the ultimate set-up, and the most rare. A key master set-up combines the original cel, or a key set-up of cels, with the background they were originally photographed over. When framed, this will look exactly as it did in the actual film or short.

Presentation or Hand-Painted Background

This type of background was specially prepared to complement the cel by an independent artist. Generally, it will be in the style of the original. Although it may enhance the visual appeal of the set-up, it adds little value or collectibility to the cel (unless the artist is famous in his or her own right).

Reproduction Background

This is the most common type of background. It is, as the name implies, a copy of a background. The reproduction can be by color xerox, lithography, serigraphy or photography. In many cases, it is a reproduction of the original background.

GICLΓ@E PRINTS

Creating GiclΓ©e fine art prints requires the utmost care and attention to detail. Harvest Productions, LTD., who produce all of the GiclΓ©e's for Linda Jones Enterprises, customize the color settings for each image so that each print is truly what the artist had in mind. The French term "GiclΓ©e", literally meaning "spray of ink," is used to describe these prints. Four precision nozzles spray up to a million microscopic droplets per second on to fine art paper. Then, each piece of paper is individually hand-mounted. Displaying a full color spectrum, the prints are lush and velvety, capturing the subtle nuances of the original artwork.

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