Cel shading

A bold technique

For a while, I have been focusing on practicing an artstyle called celshading.

Cel shading is a type of non photo realistic rendering art style designed to make 3D computer graphics appear to be flat by using less shading color instead of tints and shades. A cel shader is often used to mimic the style of a comic book or cartoon and/or give the render a characteristic paper-like texture.^[1] There are similar techniques that can make an image look like a sketch, an oil painting or an ink painting. The name comes from celshade which is short for celluloid, clear sheets of acetate which are painted on for use in traditional 2D animation.^[2]

In digital art, one technique that has gained immense popularity is cel shading. Cel shading is a unique and artistic rendering method. This method has made its mark in various forms of media, including video games, animation, and illustration.

In this article, I will provide a comprehensive overview of celshading. By the end, you will be familiar with the history of cel shading, cel shading techniques, cel shading applications, and the creative magic it brings to the digital canvas.

With my experience, I didn't understand celshading until a few years ago. I had to learn to shade without blending, and make sure the shadows were obvious. The core difficulty lies in achieving the distinct, flat, and high-contrast look characteristic of cel shading. This requires a precise understanding of light and shadow, and careful application to avoid an unfinished appearance.