Animation Cel Paint
Opaque water-based paint
ArtCel® Anime Color (cel paint) is made for painting the reverse side of clear blank cels. Once dry it is water-resistant, and it is formulated to resist cracking even on flexible cels.
- 12 main colors, 88 in all
- From small to large volumes, all in pouches that store well
- Order online, or buy at our Shibuya shop in person
Anime Color products
Choose a color number to order
All 88 colors
Color numbers and swatches
Color numbers
LRR-84F is an example: a hue family plus a number. The chart gives the Munsell value of each color.
Former names
For some colors, the names used for earlier cel paints (Aka, Kimidori, etc.) are given as former names.
Wet and dry color
Freshly applied wet paint looks lighter than it does once dry. Check colors after they dry.
Properties made for cels
How it differs from ordinary paint
- 1
Paint the reverse, view from the front
An opaque paint that hides the color beneath. Applied to the reverse of the cel, it shows from the front as an even area without smudging the outlines.
- 2
Water-resistant when dry
Once dry it is water-resistant and does not readily dissolve on contact with water.
- 3
Flexible, resists cracking
Formulated so the dry paint resists cracking even on blank cels that bend.
Mixing & Storage
Mixing and storing colors
Colors outside the 88 can be made by mixing Anime Color paints. Keep mixed paint in an airtight container so it does not dry out, and you can add more of the same color later.
FAQ
Can I paint cels with ordinary gouache or acrylic paint?
With some ingenuity it is not impossible, but the paint may peel after drying, show through, or crack. ArtCel® Anime Color (cel paint), made for cel painting, gives a stable finish.
How many colors do I need to start?
It depends on what you paint, but the 12-color trial set is handy for a first palette. Missing colors can be added one at a time.
Can I check the colors in the shop?
Shibuya shop visitors can pick up the actual products and choose. Note that paint in its container is wet, so it looks lighter than it does once dry.
Do you ship overseas?
Anime Color ships within Japan only. Purchases from abroad and international shipping are not possible under any circumstances. We also cannot ship via forwarding services or virtual addresses. Inquiries about this will not be answered.