Klaus Animation: How a Hand-Drawn Film Found a New Kind of Light

When Klaus arrived in 2019, its animation stood out straight away. The Netflix feature looked warmly familiar, with expressive characters and richly drawn backgrounds, yet its images had a depth and glow that many viewers associated with computer animation. The result was a film that celebrated traditional 2D animation while finding new ways to make it feel vivid and dimensional.

A hand-drawn story with a distinctive look

Directed by Sergio Pablos and produced by his Madrid-based studio, SPA Studios, Klaus tells a reimagined origin story for Santa Claus. Its visual style supports the film’s central themes: kindness, community and the gradual transformation of a bleak northern town. Snowy landscapes, lamplight and the warm glow of Klaus’s workshop all help shape the atmosphere.

The characters and settings were created through 2D drawing. Rather than relying on a conventional 3D look, the filmmakers used digital tools to add carefully controlled lighting and a sense of volume to the hand-drawn images. This approach gave faces, clothing and objects more depth while retaining the distinctive line and movement of drawn animation.

How the lighting works

Lighting is a key part of what makes Klaus animation so recognisable. In traditional 2D animation, artists can suggest light and shadow through colour and painted effects. For Klaus, the team developed a system that could apply lighting effects to the drawn characters, helping them appear to occupy space rather than sit flat against the background.

The process combined artistic decisions with digital technology. Artists still shaped the characters’ expressions, poses and performances, while the lighting system helped create highlights, shadows and a stronger impression of form. The technology did not replace the drawing; it gave the artists another way to enhance it.

Why the animation feels so expressive

The film’s appeal is not just a technical achievement. Its characters move with clear, readable gestures, and their faces convey emotion with a few well-chosen changes in expression. The animation gives each character a distinct presence, from Jesper’s restless impatience to Klaus’s quiet strength.

That expressiveness is paired with a strong sense of visual contrast. The town begins in muted, cold tones, while warmer colours gradually appear as its residents begin to connect. The change in colour and light mirrors the story’s emotional development, making the look of the film part of its storytelling.

A bridge between traditional and digital animation

Klaus demonstrates that digital production does not have to mean abandoning hand-drawn animation. Its technique combines the flexibility of modern tools with the character and charm of 2D artwork. Instead of trying to make the drawings look exactly like live-action or fully computer-generated imagery, the film uses technology to strengthen its own visual language.

The approach helped Klaus reach a wide audience and earned it a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards. More broadly, the film renewed interest in what hand-drawn animation can achieve when artists and technical teams work together.

The lasting appeal of Klaus animation

The lasting impression of Klaus comes from the balance between craft and feeling. Its lighting and digital effects are striking, but they never overshadow the characters or the story. The film feels both classic and contemporary: rooted in the traditions of drawn animation, yet shaped by tools that allow artists to explore new possibilities.

For viewers interested in animation, Klaus is a compelling example of how a familiar art form can evolve. Its images are not simply hand-drawn or digitally enhanced; they bring both approaches together to create a world that feels warm, expressive and uniquely its own.

 

Mastering Klaus Animation: 8 Essential Tips for Creating Expressive and Immersive Scenes

1. Use hand-drawn shapes to keep characters expressive.
2. Combine 2D drawings with subtle 3D lighting.
3. Add soft shadows to give scenes depth.
4. Keep character movements clear and readable.
5. Use warm colours to create a cosy mood.
6. Vary line weight to add texture and focus.
7. Make snow feel lively with layered effects.
8. Let light and colour support the story.

Use hand-drawn shapes to keep characters expressive.

Using hand-drawn shapes helps keep characters in Klaus expressive and full of personality. Subtle variations in line, silhouette and proportion make each figure feel individual, while flexible forms allow artists to exaggerate gestures and facial expressions. This gives the characters warmth and emotional clarity, preserving the charm of traditional 2D animation even as digital lighting adds depth to the finished images.

Combine 2D drawings with subtle 3D lighting.

Combining 2D drawings with subtle 3D lighting can add depth and atmosphere without losing the charm of hand-drawn animation. Start with expressive, carefully designed artwork, then use gentle highlights and shadows to suggest the shape of characters and objects. Keep the lighting restrained so it supports the drawings rather than overpowering them, preserving their linework, colour and distinctive style.

Add soft shadows to give scenes depth.

In Klaus, soft shadows help give characters and settings a greater sense of depth without losing the warmth of the hand-drawn style. Subtle shading beneath a character’s chin, around folds in clothing or across a snowy landscape can suggest shape, distance and gentle lighting. Keeping the shadows soft avoids harsh contrasts, helping each scene feel dimensional while preserving its inviting, illustrated look.

Keep character movements clear and readable.

In Klaus, character movements are kept clear and readable so viewers can follow each action and emotion without distraction. Deliberate poses, expressive gestures and well-timed movements help bring the hand-drawn characters to life, making their personalities easy to understand and the story more engaging.

Use warm colours to create a cosy mood.

Warm colours can help give a scene in Klaus a cosy, welcoming mood. Soft amber light, rich reds and gentle golden tones make interiors feel snug and inviting, especially against the film’s cool, snowy landscapes. Use these colours thoughtfully to draw attention to important details and create a sense of warmth, comfort and connection.

Vary line weight to add texture and focus.

When creating animation inspired by Klaus, vary line weight to add texture and guide the viewer’s attention. Use bolder lines around important characters or foreground shapes, then finer, lighter strokes for subtle details and distant elements. This contrast can make a scene feel more layered and expressive while helping key expressions and actions stand out.

Make snow feel lively with layered effects.

To make snow feel lively in Klaus-inspired animation, combine several layers rather than using one uniform effect. Vary the flakes’ size, speed and direction, and let some drift close to the viewer while others cross the distant landscape. Add occasional gusts, swirling trails and subtle changes in opacity to create movement and depth. Keep the snowfall responsive to the scene’s lighting and mood: softly glowing flakes can warm a quiet moment, while denser, faster snow can make a blizzard feel more dramatic.

Let light and colour support the story.

In Klaus, light and colour do more than make each scene look beautiful: they help tell the story. The town’s muted, chilly palette reflects its gloom, while warmer tones gradually emerge as kindness brings its residents together. When creating animation, use changes in lighting and colour to reinforce mood, highlight important moments and reflect how characters or their world are changing.