During November’s Open Studio, participants explored the process of inking and painting as it was done for hand-drawn animated films up until the early 1990s.
At the Walt Disney Studios, an entire department of artists was tasked with inking and painting. After an animator completed an animation drawing, it would be sent to the Ink and Paint Department. There, it would be traced in ink onto a piece of clear celluloid, or a “cel”. The cel was then flipped over, and applied with paint on the opposite side.
The work was incredibly meticulous and required a very steady hand and good eyesight. Inkers and painters also needed to work quickly – partly because there were so many cels to produce, but also because the paint would streak if it dried during application.
The paint was created in hundreds of shades and was often specially fabricated for specific characters. Many colors of paint were named after people who worked at the studio, and it was a great honor to have a particular color of paint named after you!
Activity: Ink and Paint
What you will need:
· A character to trace – you can use a coloring sheet, an image from a picture book, or an original character that you sketched yourself
· A clear transparency
· A paperclip
· A fine-tipped permanent pen or marker
· A sheet of black construction paper.
· India ink, assorted colors
· A fine-tipped brush
1. Place the transparency over your character. Paperclip the two sheets together.
2. Carefully trace the outline of the character with the fine-tipped permanent pen.
3. Wait a minute or so for the ink to dry. Then flip the transparency over and place it on a sheet of black construction paper. Paperclip the two sheets together. This will help you see the paint as you apply it.
4. Apply the paint to the appropriate spaces using a very fine-tipped brush. A little bit of paint goes a long way! Apply only small amounts of paint at a time to avoid bleeding and streaking.
5. Allow the paint to dry for at least one hour. Once it has fully dried, flip your transparency back over to reveal your completed character.
Open Studio is a drop-in program that occurs during the first two weekends of each month in the Learning Center from 1pm to 3pm, and is free with museum admission. Next month, join us to explore storyboards and concept art!
Alyssa Carnahan
Open Studio Coordinator
at The Walt Disney Family Muesum