Character Design for Beginners (Full Online)

This virtual workshop does not only show you HOW to draw characters, but also help you transition to the Digital Art world. Learn the basic functions and features of any digital art software and start drawing on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. We will teach you the fundamentals of character drawing from sketching with shapes, creating clean line work, and maximizing your digital art software’s features for coloring and shading.

The workshop will be led by Jay Pillerva, author & illustrator of Quinn and the Metropolis and Quinn Beyond Bounds.

Method of Teaching

This course provides live instructor-led demonstration and discussions, student engagement and hands on exercises using Zoom. When necessary, students will complete exercises after-class to be submitted before the next one.

Requirements

Any drawing software that has a brush library and allows layers and blending modes.

For PC:

• Adobe Photoshop (Paid)
• Clip Studio Paint (Paid)
• Autodesk Sketchbook Pro (Paid)
• Krita  (recommended) (Free)
• Medibang  (Free)

For Tablet:

• Procreate (Paid/iPad Only)
• Autodesk Sketchbook (Free)
• Infinite Painter (Free)
• Ibis Paint (Free)

What will be covered

Drawing with Basic Shapes

Learn the fundamentals of drawing with basic shapes. Study your favorite characters and learn how they are drawn and constructed.

• Hand and Wrist Stretches
• Overview of Basic Features Found in Drawing Software
• Activity: Breaking a Character into Basic Shapes
• Drawing Exercise: Spheres, Cubes, Cylinders, and Cones

Character Creation

Create your own unique characters with basic shapes. Add physical details like hair, clothes, and facial features to give them their own look.

• Activity: Character Creation with Basic Shapes
• Presentation: Original Character Sketches
• Drawing with Layers
• Activity/Assignment: Line Art/Refined Sketch of Original Character

Coloring and Layers

Discover different brushes in your chosen drawing program and bring your characters to life with color.

• Color Harmonies
• Exploring Different Brushes
• Coloring with Layers
• Activity: Coloring Your Character

Shadows and Highlights

Add depth to your characters with shadows and highlights. Breathe personality into them with their own story.

• Light Source
• Blending Modes for Shadows and Highlights
• Activity: Adding Shadows and Highlights to Original Character
• Sharing: Who is your character and what is their story?

Benefits

1. Includes certificate of completion
2. Lifetime Free Refresher  (You may attend again the same course,  free of charge, on a space-available basis.)
3. Alumni discount