Castle Art Appraisal

Original Rough Sketch for 'Castle in the Sky' by Hayao Miyazaki

This item is identified as an original rough sketch by Hayao Miyazaki for the animated film 'Castle in the Sky' (天空の城ラピュタ), released in August 1986 by Studio Ghibli. The sketch is presented within a dark brown to black wooden frame with a visible black mat board, creating a stark contrast with the light-colored paper of the artwork. The overall dimensions of the framed piece are not specified, but the sketch itself measures 235mm x 350mm (approximately 9.3" x 13.8"). It appears to be a single, preliminary drawing featuring an animated character, likely a protagonist, depicted in a dynamic pose. The character is rendered in grey pencil or graphite, showcasing the expressive and fluid lines characteristic of initial concept art. The visible portion of the sketch indicates a youthful character, possibly Pazu or Sheeta from the film, with a round face, large eyes, and wearing what appears to be a cap. The drawing style is clean yet loose, reflecting the early stages of character design or animation sequencing. There are no obvious signs of significant damage, tears, or discoloration on the sketch itself; its condition appears stable given its age. The frame and mat also seem to be in good condition, although the lighting makes it difficult to assess minor scuffs or dust. There are no visible maker's marks on the frame, but the significance lies in the attribution to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, which lends immense historical and artistic value to this unique piece of animation production history. The craftsmanship of the sketch is indicative of high-level animation pre-production, focusing on capturing character essence and movement.