toonshaded

Toonshaded is a term used to describe a visual style in digital art and animation that mimics the appearance of traditional hand-drawn cartoons. This style is characterized by bold outlines, flat or limited color palettes, and a lack of realistic shading or texture. The aim is to create an aesthetic that is immediately recognizable as cartoony and often evokes a sense of simplicity and playfulness.

The key elements of toonshading include thick black or dark outlines around objects and characters, which help to define their shapes clearly. Instead of gradual color transitions found in realistic rendering, toonshaded art typically employs distinct color blocks. Shading, if present at all, is often simplified into hard-edged shadows or a few distinct levels of brightness, rather than smooth gradients. This technique is sometimes referred to as cel-shading, referencing the cels used in traditional animation.

Toonshading has found widespread use in video games, animated films, and various forms of digital illustration. Its appeal lies in its ability to produce visually striking and stylized graphics that can be both charming and easily readable. This style can also be computationally less demanding than photorealistic rendering, making it a practical choice for certain applications. The recognizable look of toonshading has made it a popular choice for projects aiming for a distinct and stylized visual identity.