Welcome!
Each Wednesday check this blog for a strategy, process, or reflection for illustration with the iPad apps ProCreate or Affinity Designer. This Wrap Up is for a class I took with the Alexandra Fintová, Artmother on Skillshare: Character Design For Beginners – Create Your First Human Character.
As you can see in my final character, the process takes a stylized approach to creating a character. You can see my process and link to the class here: Auntie Rosie.
My Steps
Following the lesson and process in the class, I was able take Alexandra’s example and develop my own character.
I started by practicing the familiar ball and stick human proportions, trying different body shapes and styles.
Next, I chose one of those that I liked and created a mind map about this character to help me consider the details of the character and pose. Alexandra modeled this with her own poses and mind map.
Thumbnails of my character in different poses helped me think of details for the mind map.
Thumbnails with details and different colors to flesh out the character came next.
With a grey values layer on top in “Color” mode, I chose the colors that worked best.
I chose the one on the far right to ink, shade, and texture with the Artmother’s set of brushes from the class. I spent quite a bit of time on the hair– as an elder, Auntie Rosie needed a bit grey, plus all the shading around the face. I’m very pleased with the result. I believe her class pushed me into better confidence which I have built up with character classes from Jennifer Nichols, Calvin the Drifter, Lisa Bardot, and Charly Clements.
Auntie Rose: Spunky nature lover, gardener, careful listener, and lovingly watching in case the young ones need guidance.
Try it
It takes a lot of practice to draw people, so I do recommend taking classes from different artists and just keep trying!
I recommend the class with the Alexandra Fintová, Artmother on Skillshare: Character Design For Beginners – Create Your First Human Character. And, for links to mentioned artists, see Artists Resources page. I am thankful for each and every one of them for sharing the techniques the practice with has greatly improved my characters.
And please– share with #warmup4art the classes that helped you and your work so we can all enjoy your learning too! I look forward to your sharing and tag me at @42Sheri.
I wonder, if I draw a line... 