Any children's book illustrators (or general illustrators!), how can I improve my character design? :)
I'm wondering what is a good strategy or direct tips to further develop my characters, whether in this specific style or just in general? Also just general feedback is welcome! It's so useful to get other creative's feedbacks and to check any blindspots :) Thank you!
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- Hi LizzieI like to dabble in illustration but I mainly work with graphics, having said this here are a few tips I play around with to at least help me when I'm stuck drawing characters.Hope they help ;)Imagine you've got the fun job of dreaming up a fluffy, gigantic creature straight out of your imagination. But where to start? How about a quick Google search for a real critter that fits the bill? Say, a bear! Not that you're aiming to sketch a bear, mind you. It's just that checking out bear pics can give you some handy pointers on how to nail that big, furry vibe for your made-up beastie.Keep it looseDon't sweat the small stuff at the start of your character-making adventure. Let your pencil wander and see where it takes you. Jot down a few notes at the top of your page describing your character, maybe something like "clever lad, age 10," or "cheeky mouse with a grin." That way, you're following your pencil's lead while staying true to your vision.Stick to the basicsWhen it comes to sketching, keep it simple with circles and ovals. Save the nitty-gritty details for later. A big oval for a body, some stretched-out ovals for limbs—easy peasy. Need a hat? Square it up. Want to show off a funky haircut? Triangle it is.Less is moreRemember, you don't need a ton of lines to convey emotion. Stick to single strokes whenever you can. It's a neat trick that packs a punch in your character's expression.Go bigIf you want to pump up the personality? Exaggerate the features. Make the big ones even bigger and the small ones even smaller. Shrink those ears down to tiny nubs or stretch that grin from ear to ear, and jazz up the accessories!EyesBelieve it or not, even a couple of dots can speak volumes. You don't need to go all-out with detail to get your character's emotions across. Just focus on those eyes—they're the real chatterboxes of the face!
- Nothing beats absorbing the work of the best in the industry, especially historical work like a sponge. And do it with a critical eye. The internet makes it easy.
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