Creating Captivating Characters: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Dive into the world of character design exploration with this video, where we explore different techniques and tips that everyone should try. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, this video will provide inspiration and guidance on how to push your creativity to the next level. Watch along as we delve into the art of character design and unleash your imagination!

Drawing is a skill that most people wish they could do but they immediately put themselves in the category of "Oh, I could never do that." I want to take this time and welcome you to my channel: Draw Sessions.

I've been drawing all my life and have had the privilege of working both for AAA game studios and also movies. I have taught foundation drawing at the University of Cincinnati and it's time now to give back. I understand the frustrations of learning art in general but specifically, drawing. My channel is dedicated in helping absolute beginners, intermediate artists, and industry veterans - all wanting to improve their drawing skills. Please like, subscribe, hit the notification bell and comment below if you're finding this channel helpful in your journey of becoming an artist.

#drawing #art #education #fine #art #sketching

[blue-eyeswhitejesus]

You're like the Bob Ross of creature design.

[BTT]

I was the same kid Bobby...printing out and writing out all the combos and fatalities, and was made fun of for it...little did I know there were artists making a living creating these worlds.

[jimmyjoe]

I think one of the biggest things I learned when it comes to sketching is being okay with making bad work, instead of trying to make every sketch perfect. I try to make my first sketches bad *on purpose* to get all the bad energy out, so-to-speak.

[leonardoperez]

Never knew how to draw, never searched to learn, don’t know how I got here, but I fucking loved the video!

[JustGaming]

I'm not personally afraid of clowns but knowing some people who are afraid of clowns, it's something about the uncanny valley of clown makeup that makes the clown's face seem "not quite human." Guess some people are just more susceptible to it, maybe they saw a clown at a young age when you're still learning what a human face is, and seeing a clown just throws a terrifying wrench into it.

[Novastar.SaberCombat]

Storytelling is a HUGE process. There are so bloody many aspects to it, most people wouldn't understand. I just finished the 4th book in my series of six (2021-2026). What does that mean? In this case, I outlined, wrote, developed, edited (yes, all types), formatted, designed, and published ~600, 000 words (4 books of 6). Additionally, there are 350+ non-A.I. illustrations distributed within those four books. It was an *INSANELY DIFFICULT* endeavor. Books five and six launch over 2025 and 2026, but I gotta be honest with y'all... it's been bloody exhausting. I don't know anyone else on the planet who has done what I have (alone). I can't say that I'm surprised by that, either.

[Pingwatt]

I never thought I would enjoy someone talking this much. I love spending time watching you playing around and the way all your characters were put together piece by pieces was so fun.

[oddaciousne]

Im in a tattoo apprenticeship, and i had not drawn in a decade. So i fummbled a couple of times at the star, but only a few months later, I'm wow-ing my mentors. Catching up to my old skill level so quickly has been a huge cofidence boost.

Enjoying these vids because the really do help.

[dramatictiming]

I've been so scared to start designing my characters because I wanted to be able to draw what I see in my head right away, but I think I'm just going to start anyway 😈🤘

[Ryan-jige]

When I aimlessly draw, the things that come out always lack a soul. It is hard (not impossible) to put a soul to a drawing even if it was inspired by things that follow my other drawings. Inversely, I have a working story to create molds for characters. When I hear or see certain words, different tones in music, even looking at characters in anime and going over how could one of my creature contend with that based on the predefined rules of my creatures, those inspirational points and or challenges give reason for my characters to exist, and thus I build the design around the soul. The second process is terribly slow, but after a year I have a binder with over 24 drawings in it, and I don't dislike any of them or doubt I did a good job. Not all of them are finished, they don't need to be, because they each have a personality, a story within the larger story I've made. None of them come out the way I imagine them, but most of them still encapsulate the original image, even some of the very rough sketches. This process seems backwards to what you recommended.

[auroisflying]

Right now I'm rediscovering the process of drawing randomly. For too long I tried to be too logical and precise while drawing and I was never satisfied! Really liked what you said here

[pinecrustjuise]

For a long time I have been gearing myself up to venture a single developer video game side hustle along with my 9 - 5 job, I love to draw but a lot of my style is very abstract, I had no idea how I would ideate the look and feel of the characters, in a cohesive and practical way to digitally model, I was only rough working with rough ideas in my head to begin with. This process you explain is exactly what I needed to figure out the look and feel of the art style I will later digitally implement. I have many many years to go on this ourney I have barely began, but this right here is how I choose to start. Thank you.

[casanva]

the truth is, i needed this somehow, absolutely nothing was pressuring me to draw but staring at a blank sheet of paper over and over again lost on what to draw or just getting frustrated for not doing it right felt annoying until i saw this video on this rainy night almost appearing as if the world was telling me "hey i think you need this", i made a few drawings scribbling, i thought it wouldn't work much but somehow over time my mind relaxed from all this frustration just to let go of my hand and invent things that i didn't think i would do, if i could i would thank you very personally, sincerely

Maybe if I like some of them I'll invent enemies for my silly D&D campaigns, or do that card game I've been thinking of, or create things for that made-up series/movies I have in my head that maybe one day will become reality

... geez, too much so sorry but hey! you inspired me after all! once again thank you!!

[DavidHilton]

I took my sketchbook to Dragon Con 20 some odd years ago to show artist…and they made a comment on how all my characters looked stiff and I need to work on that. Great advice, didn’t even realize that was an issue.

[ErrorMochi]

I just stumbled upon your videos and I had such a revelation and breakthrough in my art! I am the type of person who always draws from the same silhouette, so seeing your videos really helped me! I was hesitant at first for trying this type of trick to do it, but I definitely do NOT regret it!!! Love your videos! Will definitely go through other videos!! 😊💕

[zeleniamoon]

That laugh when creating the feminine character with the axe spoke volumes to me!☺

[amberakart]

Hello! I've been watching your channel for a couple weeks now I think. Even joined the discord, which I am still reading through. But for now I must say this: I have been drawing my entire life, and I've consumed so many tutorials, and had many art classes, but I have never had anyone say some of the things I have heard you say during your drawing sessions.

Like in this one, it was about just making the line work even when you put it in the wrong place. I feel like your videos are full of nuggets of advice like this that I needed to hear when I was younger. I've always wanted to be a professional artist, and currently I work as a Graphic Designer, with some illustration work. However, it was YOUR CHANNEL that has finally helped me gain a little more confidence about my line work. I have been sketching thumbnails with ink pens in my little sketchbook with your videos on, and listening to you while you are sketching, and I am so happy with all my results!

Turns out, you can't just go buy some confidence at the store. So, I'm not sure where people get confidence. But I will say this, forcing myself to use an ink pen for sketching like this is life-changing. So um.... Thank you sir. Much gratitude for all your videos. <3

[hiram]

while watching this video i was doing the map of my game, then bobby said "you have no idea of what you're drawing and then you end up liking it" and i looked at the map and realized that it was actually geographically correct and that it could tirn into a supercontinent that makes sense! i'm actually shocked that all the continents of the map match perfectly without even thinking about it

[Lonewolfnocub]

After almost 20 years I am planning on getting back into my natural ability; Drawing (Mostly a Penciler). It's back to the basic's for me. I was drawing well into my 20's, between some emotional issues and trying to discover who I am, I had quit at about 23 years of age. Now that I find out who I am and what I can do with my natural ability I want to try to do my own Comic Book. Going to be a short amount of time before I can afford a sketch book again, but ill be watching video's like these while I am re-learning everything I used know. Prehaps along the way I'll get even better. One of the negatives I always heard was that you couldn't be an artist for an industry if you keep your hand on the paper while drawing, Now that I am viewing many artist's I find that they themselves draw the way I do. . I think it's time to get rid of the negative things I've heard that stopped me from continuing my practice.

[ThomasWoodhouse-yl]

been following a few of your lessons for the past couple of weeks and i just wanted to say how much more I've improved because of your studies, more specifically the fabric and skull anatomy videos were substantial to my own growth. the way you're able to explain things and break them down for beginners like myself really attests to the level of teaching quality you provide!