Character Design and Drawing For Complete Beginners

Master the art of character drawing and design for comics, games and animated films

Created byDanan Thilakanathan

Last updated 12/2017

English

What you'll learn

Plan and develop interesting characters.
Design and draw realistic and appealing human characters with believable anatomy.
Produce modeling sheets which will be useful to a 3D modeler.

Course content

7 sections • 57 lectures • 6h 40m total length

Introduction3:38
In this video, you will be introduced to the course, what we will cover and the main benefits of enrolling in this course.
The Importance of Anatomy2:54
In this video, we will briefly discuss the importance of human anatomy when it comes to designing and drawing characters.
Creating Appealing Characters1:58
In this video, we will briefly discuss the creation of appealing and interesting looking characters.
Set Yourself Free1:19
In this video, we will look at freeing ourselves from being restricted by rules and to let the inner artist shine within you.
Exercise: Draw What You See1:56
In this video, we will walk you through your first exercise: Drawing what you see.

Setting Up Your Drawing Environment3:54
In this video, we will set up our drawing environment.
Drawing Software1:54
In this video, we look at some drawing software that you can use to start drawing characters.
Downloading and Installing Krita2:57
In this video, we will download and install the open-source digital painting software Krita to our computer so that we can get started with digital painting.
New Canvas In Krita4:55
In this video, we will open up Krita and setup our canvas. We will look at some important parameters that can define how your final image is rendered.
Shortcut Keys In Krita4:07
In this video, we will discuss some of the most important shortcut keys that can help speed up your workflow as a digital painter and make digital painting more enjoyable. We will also look at how you can define your own shortcut keys.
Using A Tablet In Krita5:22
In this video, we will learn about the benefits of using a pen and touch tablet for digital painting in comparison to a mouse. We will also recommend some useful pen and touch tablets that are available in the market today.
Exercise: Setup your Drawing Environment0:42
In this exercise, you will be setting up your own environment for drawing characters.

The Importance of Construction Lines14:14
Construction lines are the foundation to every drawing. In this video, we will look at how construction lines can aid us in drawing realistic characters.
Realistic Human Proportions (Part 1)8:42
In this video, we will delve closely into the ideal human proportions for a generic character. Part 1 of 2.
Realistic Human Proportions (Part 2)6:36
In this video, we will delve closely into the ideal human proportions for a generic character. Part 2 of 2.
Character Variations - Men and Women (Part 1)8:03
In this video, we look at the differences in proportions between men and women. Part 1 of 2.
Character Variations - Men and Women (Part 2)8:03
In this video, we look at the differences in proportions between men and women. Part 2 of 2.
Character Variations - Children6:08
In this video, we study the proportions between babies, toddlers and young children.
Character Variations - Elderly5:21
In this video, we study the proportions for the elderly.
Character Variations - Skinny and Fat3:37
In this video, we study the proportions between skinny and fatter people.
Exercise: Character Variations1:42
In this exercise, you will have a go at drawing the construction rig between different types of people.

Understanding Human Anatomy2:23
In this video, we provide a brief introduction to understanding the human anatomy.
Realistic Eyes19:54
In this video, we study in detail how to draw realistic human eyes.
Realistic Nose5:59
In this video, you will learn how to draw a realistic nose.
Realistic Mouth8:52
In this video, you will learn how to draw a realistic mouth.
Realistic Ears13:15
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic ears.
The Head - Eyes9:01
In this video, we will start off by drawing the outline of the head and we will be adding our eyes to the head in correct proportion.
The Head - Nose2:17
Following on from the previous video, we will be adding the nose to our face in correct proportion.
The Head - Mouth2:07
Following on from the previous video, we will add the mouth to our face in correct proportion.
The Head - The Full Face5:23
Following on from the previous video, we will add the ears to our face in correct proportion and we will end with the completed head.
The Torso6:51
In this video, we will cover what is involved in drawing a realistic torso.
The Torso - Chest6:01
In this video, you will learn how to draw a realistic chest in correct proportion.
The Torso - Neck5:33
In this video, you will learn how to draw a realistic neck in correct proportion.
The Torso - Abdominals12:50
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic abs.
The Torso - Back16:33
In this video, you will learn how to draw a realistic back in correct proportion.
The Arms3:13
In this video, we will look at what is involved in drawing realistic arms. We will also look at the basic construction rig for the arms.
The Arms - Upper Arms4:50
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic upper arms and we also look at the muscles involved in the upper arm.
The Arms - Lower Arms4:33
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic lower arms and we also look at the muscles involved in the lower arm.
The Arms - Hands14:13
In this video, you will learn the process involved in drawing realistic hands.
Exercise: The Full Arm15:34
In this follow-along exercise, we will create the full arm in various angles.
The Legs - Upper Leg7:11
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic upper legs and we also look at the muscles involved in the upper leg.
The Legs - Lower Leg7:04
In this video, you will learn how to draw realistic lower legs and we also look at the muscles involved in the lower leg.
The Legs - Foot15:03
In this video, you will learn the process involved in drawing realistic feet.
Exercise: The Full Leg13:37
In this follow-along exercise, you will create the full leg in various angles.

Designing Interesting Characters1:09
In this video, we will provide an introduction to the design of interesting and appealing characters.
What Is Your Style?2:44
In this video, we will look at how to discover your own unique style when it comes to character design.
Character Attributes6:47
In this video, we go in depth in planning our character design. In order to create impressive character designs, we need to get into the head of our character and truly understand them. We look at the characters background, personality and goals.
The Brainstorming Tree7:28
In this video, we will look at the brainstorming tree. This is one way of planning character design and is a fun and effective way with coming up with cool character designs.
Using References2:49
In this video, we discuss the importance of references when designing interesting characters.
Color1:08
In this video, we will briefly look at color in character design.
Exercise: Brainstorm Your Own Character0:48
In this exercise, you will create your own brainstorming tree for your own character.

The Genius Professor - Part 116:21
In this video, we will be planning and designing a genius professor character. Part 1 of 2.
The Genius Professor - Part 211:45
In this video, we will be planning and designing a genius professor character. Part 2 of 2.
The Cute Baby14:19
In this video, we will be planning and designing a cute little baby character.
The Menacing Villain - Part 118:33
In this video, we will be planning and designing a menacing villain character. Part 1 of 2.
The Menacing Villain - Part 214:05
In this video, we will be planning and designing a menacing villain character. Part 2 of 2.

Requirements

None. We will be using the drawing program Krita, but it isn't essential to use the same.

Description

Have you ever wanted to draw awesome looking characters? But have no idea where to even start?

This course will help you develop skill and techniques needed to design and draw interesting and appealing looking characters, similar to the way it is done for comics, games and animation films. The course is loaded with tips and tricks which I've personally discovered in my own journey and of which you would rarely find in other courses and books.

What's in this course?

You will start off by learning the basics of human anatomy and realistic human proportions. You will then learn how to convert that boring realistic human into something more interesting and appealing that could be used in a film production pipeline.

Specifically, this book will cover:

Realistic human anatomy and proportions.
Designing different character styles.
The steps to designing realistic and appealing looking characters.
A number of exercises to help you gradually create your own unique character designs.
3 follow-along projects where you will see the creation of characters in real-time.

With over 50+ lectures, there's plenty of useful tips and tricks designed to help bring out that inner artist within you.

Who is the course for?

The course is perfect for any beginner interested in designing and drawing characters. Everything will be explained in a simple to understand manner. You don't need to have any formal background in the arts or even medicine.

You could be a 3D modeler wanting to get into character development. You could be a story writer wanting to get into creating comics. You could be a game developer wanting to concept out characters for games. Whatever it is, this course can be that first step to helping you reach your goals in a short amount of time.

We will be using the free drawing software Krita in this course, but it is not essential for you to use the same as well. You can use a pen and paper if you wish.

What is the expected outcome of the course?

By the end of this course, you will have gained skills and techniques needed to draw awesome looking eye-catching characters. These skills will be useful and can help provide a headstart if you plan to become a character designer one day.

You will be able to brainstorm and plan out a character design. You will also be able to realistic characters with believable anatomy.

You will also be able to develop character modeling sheets if you are a 3D modeler.

This course will continue to expand in future.

Who this course is for:

Beginners interested in learning to draw characters.
Anyone who wants to learn the bare basics of human anatomy as needed for an artist.

Character Design and Drawing For Complete Beginners

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction5 lectures • 12min

Setting Up7 lectures • 24min

Realistic Human Proportions9 lectures • 1hr 2min

Understanding Human Anatomy23 lectures • 3hr 22min

Designing Interesting Characters7 lectures • 23min

Character Design Projects5 lectures • 1hr 15min

Summary1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: