Introduction to Character Design: The Most Important Elements with Tom Bancroft

How to sketch

• The three (most important) elements of character design
• Rotating your character’s head in space
• Simple and complex shapes
• Breaking up the characters’ clothing into a stronger design
• Asking questions of yourself

Lesson 1:

• What is Character Design and how does it fit into the process of animation, video games, and illustration?
• Start your character design with a reason, an idea and a personality
• The basics – How to hold your pencil and asking questions.
• SHAPE Based character design
• The fundamental lesson of character design: it is made up of three concepts: Shape, Size, and Variety.
• Now introduce the concept of adding SIZE and VARIETY to your shapes.
• What about character style? Do I need one? How do I get one?

Lesson 2:

• Tom Bancroft will create sketches and walk the artist through his thought process
• Suggestions for the artist on how to continue forward with the project to take it to final.