How are backgrounds made?

[dark-water-dragon]

For many years I believed that backgrounds were made from watercolor paints. I questioned that after getting my first original background. However it did look like watercolors were used for the most part. Now I question if watercolors are used that much. I have just received a bunch of Bleach backgrounds from Yahoo Japan and some of them are unbelievable to me and do not look like watercolors at all. Chalk looks to be the primary medium for these background with some paint and some airbrushing. A friend of mine who dabbles in art was unclear on what the background were primarily made from. I was wondering if any one would help. I will be putting some of these backgrounds up soon in my gallery if you want to look.

[Sky Rat]

It always looked like gouache or acrylic to me, but I don’t actually have any idea, heh.

[Killua]

It really depends on what's called for by the artist's vision of what the background should look like. I'd say most of my backgrounds are watercolor based, but I do have a few that are chalked. I think paint is probably avoided because it's not flat and that would show up when being photographed for animation.

I should note that most (if not all) of my chalked backgrounds come from shows in the CG era. My watercolored backgrounds are from the cel era. I wonder why this is, if it isn't just a coincidence.

[dark-water-dragon]

I should note that most (if not all) of my chalked backgrounds come from shows in the CG era. My watercolored backgrounds are from the cel era. I wonder why this is, if it isn't just a coincidence.

That makes a lot of sense to me. I believe the one watercolored background that I have is from the cel era and the Bleach backgrounds appear to be chalk. However my Naruto backgrounds are not as easy to tell. It looks like a mix of watercolor and chalk. It could be that each medium has its own desired effect and that it what they base it on. I will upload those backgrounds sometime today or this evening so you can see for your own eyes.

[Shampoo]

All the ones I own are gouache (basically a heavy,
opaque version of watercolors) with prisma color pencils,
and pen work ontop.

Like Killua mentioned, it depends on the series and the
stylization and atmosphere they are trying to achieve.
I imagine some of the wispier, ethereal bgs are done
w/ some airbrush work to make it look delicate and featherly.
^_^

[Kaona]

Nicker Poster Colour from the Nicker Colour Co (gouache, just like Shampoo said), colored pencils and ink.

Gouache that contains chalk as its white pigment (for opacity) will give the background a chalky finish.

[dark-water-dragon]

The backgrounds have been added. Sorry for some of the scans. My scaner is small and it kind of blurred a little.

http://dwd.rubberslug.com/gallery/maste ... esID=41495

[ginga123]

most of the ones i have are hand painted acrylic.