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In the movie [_Ponyo_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponyo), the backgrounds
(the clouds, pictured below) are not done in a typical anime style. Instead,
they are much more lifelike and 3D.

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/JcMvW.jpg)

What is the technique used to do this? Is this used in other films or series?


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2013-03-20T03:33:49.947
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anime-production ponyo
What technique is used to draw the lifelike backgrounds in the movie Ponyo?


Those are good old hand-drawn backgrounds. Here's a part of [an
interview](http://www.ghibliworld.com/suzuki_toshio_interview.html) with
Suzuki Toshio, executive producer and former president of Studio Ghibli
(emphasis mine):

> During this decade CG _[computer graphics, - singerofthefall]_ came up and
> we realized that it enables us to make expressions richer when using it as
> supplement of regular cel _[sic!]_ animation. On the other hand a new
> problem appeared. The progress of computing tech is so fast that it isn't
> easy to catch up. If a movie at one point is made by the highest tech, it
> will become outdated soon. There is one more point. We tried CG on Howl’s.
> For example, the legs of the castle were made by CG. However, it didn't seem
> very natural to me and I told Miyazaki that his skill was better than that
> of a computer. He accepted it and quit using CG after that. Hence the latter
> half of Howl’s doesn't include any CG. We now know CG has both its plus and
> minus sides. So the theme of this movie is as the story: simple. The visual
> effects are simple as well, while on the other hand **it needs very hard
> working because of the drawing all it by hand.**

It is also mentioned [here](http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/aug/14/us-
film-hayao-miyazaki-081409/):

> Miyazaki, whose films include "Princess Mononoke," "Howl's Moving Castle"
> and "My Neighbor Totoro," has used computer animation to embellish hand-
> drawn images. But before "Ponyo" went into production, **he shut down the
> computer-graphics department at his Studio Ghibli, opting to work solely in
> hand-drawn images.**

And finally, from
[this](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/6911264/Hayao-Miyazaki-drawn-
to-perfection.html) article:

> He insisted he still uses a pencil to draw his animated characters and
> backgrounds: “Currently computer graphics are used a great deal,” he noted,
> “but it can be excessive. I think [animation] needs the pencil, needs man’s
> hands drawing.”

I would recommend you to check some of Makoto Shinkai's works (if you haven't
seen them before) the quality of the animation and backgrounds there is
stunning.

**Update** : There is an artbook called "The Art of Ponyo", which contains
sketches hand-drawn by Miyazaki. I don't own it, but you can take a look at
it's reviews [here](http://www.parkablogs.com/content/book-review-art-of-
ponyo-cliff-sea), [here](http://cdn.halcyonrealms.com/animation/the-art-of-
ponyo-part-i-storyboards/) and [here](http://cdn.halcyonrealms.com/anime/the-
art-of-ponyo-part-ii-concept-and-background-art/). The book includes both
pencil and watercolor drawings, including characters, backgrounds, etc:

> Usually I use poster paint to create the backgrounds; then I color the base
> in a pale color, adding subtle hues and shading on top of it. This time,
> with Ponyo, I added things like tints or detailed expressions with colored
> pencil on top of what I drew with poster paint...


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