Hand-drawn 2D
Quick Summary
A traditional graphics production method where computer automated processing is replaced by the manual labor of artists — sketching each successive static frame (typically occurring at a ratio of 12 to 24 drawings per second of animation).
Hand-drawn graphics: All characters and backgrounds are hand-drawn independently frame by frame, creating a characteristic classic, non-linear art style.
What is Hand-drawn (Frame-by-Frame)?
The process of creating traditional hand-drawn animation (Hand-drawn 2D) honors the absolute level of aesthetic craftsmanship — because it refuses to use artificial skeletal deformation animation (Skeletal animation). This means that, for a character to simply wave hello, the art team must draw from dozens to hundreds of complete paintings at consecutive angles to create smoothness.
The colossal iconic example of the insanity of this form is the Cuphead project. The development team had to create over 50,000 independent hand-drawn images on paper and watercolor to faithfully recreate the rhythmically looping “Rubber-Hose” animation style of 1930s Hollywood. While this art stream demands enormous cost and time, it always creates an extraordinarily special emotional weight and artistic permanence that never fades — equally exemplified by the masterwork Hollow Knight.