Collecting Illustrator Art: A Spotlight on Original Characters and Animators
Collecting Illustrator Art: A Spotlight on Original Characters and Animators
Written by: Christian Answini | Senior Fine Art Specialist
Animation has always blended storytelling and visual artistry. Before the digital age, every cartoon you watched was built frame‑by‑frame using hand‑drawn sketches and painted cels. Each cel is a one of a kind painting created by a studio artist to be photographed over a background painting to form a frame in the finished cartoon. Because these production cels were used in the creation of films and television shows, they are highly sought after by collectors; they capture a tangible moment of pop‑culture history and can fetch strong prices depending on character and scene. Original artwork connects collectors emotionally to the characters and stories that shaped their childhoods, while also serving as unique cultural artifacts. Our upcoming Collectibles Auction celebrates this tradition by offering bidders a curated selection of original illustrator art.
Why collect original cels and sketches?
Collectors gravitate toward original illustrator art for several reasons. Animation cels are miniature paintings; the colors and line work are created by skilled animators, not machines, giving each piece a distinct feel. Owning a production cel or an artist’s sketch allows fans to display a piece of the creative process, many cels still bear registration holes, scene numbers and studio markings. As the industry shifted to digital techniques in the 1990s, the supply of new production artwork dwindled, making earlier cels rarer and driving demand. Beyond investment potential, original artwork offers personal enrichment: the textures and imperfections provide a more intimate connection to the artist, and the work becomes part of your family’s story.
A hand‑drawn Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz
#436 • Charles Schulz Original Drawing
The highlight of our upcoming collectibles sale is a hand‑drawn ink sketch of Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz. The piece features the beloved Peanuts protagonist holding a heart and is signed by Schulz; it is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and measures approximately 18.25 × 15 inches when framed. Schulz, creator of the Peanuts comic strip, is widely regarded as one of the most influential cartoonists in history. Fellow cartoonist Bill Watterson has noted that Peanuts defined the modern comic strip, citing Schulz’s minimalist drawings, honest humor and careful character development. Owning an original Schulz drawing offers collectors a chance to display a personal connection to a comic strip that has resonated with readers since its 1950 debut.
Other original animation cels in the sale. Alongside the Schulz sketch, several hand‑painted animation cels will be offered, each with a Certificate of Authenticity. These cels capture beloved characters from television and film and would make a unique addition to any collection:
Jonny Quest – A limited‑edition cel featuring Jonny Quest and Race Bannon, hand painted and signed by series creator Doug Wildey.
Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show – An original production cel from the 1980s television series, presented with a facsimile background. The cel includes a COA.
Linus & Lucy – Another 1980s production cel featuring the beloved Peanuts siblings. It comes with a COA.
Warner Bros. – Marvin the Martian and friends – Multiple Warner Brothers cels depict Marvin the Martian—sometimes alongside Bugs Bunny, capturing classic mid‑century antics. These cels are accompanied by certificates of authenticity.
Daffy Duck by Chuck Jones – A signed cel from 2000 featuring Daffy Duck, created by legendary animator Chuck Jones. This smaller piece includes a COA.
#448 • Warner Brothers Marvin the Martian Cel
These cels represent a cross section of animation history, from the space age adventures of Jonny Quest to the slapstick humor of Marvin the Martian and the quiet charm of Peanuts. Each one is a hand painted frame from a specific scene, making it the only version in existence. Whether you’re just starting an animation art collection or adding to an established gallery, these pieces offer nostalgia, artistry and a direct link to the animators who made these characters household names.
#424 • Warner Brothers Virgil Ross Bugs Bunny Drawing
Final thoughts
Illustrator art bridges the gap between fine art and popular culture. Cels and sketches capture the imagination in a way printed reproductions cannot; each brush stroke reflects an artist’s hand, and each frame preserves a moment in storytelling. This segment of the Collectibles Auction celebrates this artistry by showcasing a signed, original Charlie Brown drawing by Charles Schulz and a selection of one of a kind production cels. These items offer collectors the chance to own a “moment in time”, a tangible piece of the stories and characters that continue to inspire audiences today and a rare opportunity to acquire them through our Collectibles Auction.
