Prompt
Draw one of your own characters in 3-5 contrasting styles. You can reference styles from TV shows and movies if you like. Experiment with shape language and story elements to create the different styles.
Examples
James, Steen, Crissie, Robyn, Tamara
Living Library Blog
This blog has production artwork from movies and shows that are hard to find online, including some documentaries (we recommend the Atlantis one)
Inspiration
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Looney Tunes, The Flintstones, The Prince of Egypt, The Jetsons, Aeon Flux, The Triplettes of Belleville, Rick & Morty, Wallace & Gromit, Akira, The Boy and the World, The Illusionist, Kirikou and the Sorceress, Fantastic Planet, Persepolis, Yellow Submarine, (The Beatles) Moomin, Peanuts, Pogo, Calvin & Hobbes, Popeye the Sailor, The Ren & Stimpy Show, The Boondocks, Song of the Sea, The Rabbi’s Cat, Children of the Sea, Samurai Jack, Little Lulu, Astro Boy
art media
Use any art media.
Recommended traditional art media
ballpoint pen, dip pen, brush pen markers, colored pencil, pencil, India Ink, Drawing Ink, Concentrated Watercolor, Rapidograph pen, alcohol brush pens, Fineliner Pens, Copic markers, Felt tip pen
Recommended software
Procreate, Krita, Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool SAI, Adobe Fresco, MediBang Paint, Gimp
Badass Women in Character Design
This video discusses strong female characters in the context of animated films and comics, talking about their narrative arcs in the context of stories.
Topics explained include talking about the relationship between a character’s visual look and their background and personality, and how this is facilitated in several animated films and comics. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Cat Huang.
Pen & Ink + Photoshop: Character Design
This video is a demo of the entire character process using pencil sketches, a quill pen with India ink, and Photoshop to add color.
Topics include discussing the importance of writing your own original stories in order to inspire original character designs. See how the personality and narrative of a character develops from scratch, and how story affects decisions on the development of the character.
Demo led by Guest Teaching Artist Julie Benbassat and Teaching Artist Cat Huang.
