the invention is an improved apparatus and method for the automatic coloration and / or shading of images , and especially images utilized for presenting animated motion pictures . display means are provided , preferably at least one display for displaying monochrome line drawings and one for displaying color images . graphical imput means , for example a data tablet , are provided , having a coordinate system adapted to effect display on the display means of characters defined by coordinate points selected by an operator . means are provided for storing the coordinate points of at least one enclosed area of the coordinate system , this storing means typically including a portion of the data base of a computer system which stores the coordinate points of the lines drawn by the operator . these lines typically define a plurality of enclosed areas , such as the areas of a drawn character or figure . means are also provided for storing an operator - selected position reference , called a &# 34 ; seed point &# 34 ;, for each enclosed area . further means are provided for storing an operator - selected color - defining parameter associated with each of the seed points . in this manner , the operator defines the coloration of each area , the seed point defining the area to be colored and the color - defining parameter associated with the seed point being determinative of the color with which the area will be filled . means are provided for scanning the coordinate points within each enclosed area , the scan for each area initiating from a position which depends upon the stored position references , i . e . the stored seed points . finally , video frame storage means are provided for storing the selected color - defining and / or shading - defining parameter for each of the scanned coordinate points within each enclosed area . in this manner , the video frame storage means will store the operator - selected parameter for each enclosed area , this operation being performed automatically after selection of the area and the desired color .