Character Lab 101: Design an Awesome, Original Fantasy Character
Create and draw superb, original characters that are strong, memorable designs you can draw in your graphic novels, traditional comics, or digital animations.
Michelle Baker
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(90)
What's included
6 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. THIS CLASS RUNS ON HOMEWORK EFFORT In Character Lab, you are expected to participate in assignments and turn in work for instructor evaluation in a timely fashion VIA UPLOADS. We will not be regularly sharing all work over zoom during each class. Our class time is for instruction and some preliminary drawing time. We will share works in progress now and then; not regularly. You should anticipate an average of 40 minutes of homework each week.Assessment
Feedback for each learner will be provided in a combination of verbal and written formats.Class Experience
STUDIO & LECTURE TIME This is a long-duration 75-minutes class. I will present & instruct, then learners have time to work during the class. It is part lecture & part studio time. They will most likely need a little more "homework" time to finish up the tasks after the class concludes. GOALS OF THIS CLASS • To improve drawing skills that are specific to character creation. (something very different from drawing a realistic portrait) • To understand what design elements make certain character designs better than others • To incorporate shape language and color palettes that emphasize the traits of a character’s personality • To improve final rendering qualities of drawing (this means neat, clean and polished work) • To exercise patience and commitment to the design and development of an art concept over a few months Class 1 Conceptualizing & Roughing out the Character Board Designing a Unique but Repeatable Character (Minimalism vs Detail) Class 2 Shape Language, Line Language & Style Body Exaggeration Class 3 Facial Expressions & Exaggeration Body Structures & Gestures (Human & Creature) Class 4 Wardrobe Design Detailed look at tricky Body Parts (ie: Hands/claws/feet/wings/feathers…) Class 5 Adding Accessories & Significant Objects Review & Finalize Your Character Style Board (Key Snapshots, Palettes, etc.) Class 6 Student Showcase Presentations SETTING EXPECTATIONS My learners are my “customers” (as are their parents) and I want happy customers. : ) I find the happiest customers exist in situations where expectations meet up. The below points are to help you determine if CHARACTER LAB will be a good fit. WHAT WE WILL CREATE This class will require each learner to design, develop, refine and finalize ONE singular, original character spawned from their own imagination. [Q:] Can I use a character that I’ve already dreamed up? [A:] Yes...but you will need to be very open minded and flexible. If the instruction ends up having you make significant changes to your character’s existing design, (spoiler alert: it WILL) how upset will you get? How attached are you to your character’s current design? You might find it better to go in fresh with something you’re very flexible with. If you feel your character is already pretty much “done” and “in your style” to the point that you won’t change it, you’ll definitely be an unhappy customer and more importantly, will not be learning much. In that case, it's a good idea to create a friend or sidekick or arch-nemesis for that character. [Q:] After I start, can I change my mind and make a new character? [A:] You will be working through a step-ladder process. Think of it like a board game. Imagine pulling a card that says “Go back to square one and complete all those other exercises again.” That’s my way of saying, “Yes you can change your mind. But there is a consequence.” It’s like starting to build a house, scrapping it and starting over… you will start OVER… and sometimes that’s the best choice. What will NOT be allowed here is the development of MORE than one character at one time. [Q:] May I work Digitally? [A:] Yes, but characters must be drawn as 2-Dimensional art. 3D modeling is not allowed. You may also work traditionally with pencil or ink on paper.
Learning Goals
BASIC LEARNING GOALS OF THIS CLASS
• To improve drawing skills that are specific to character creation. (something very different from drawing a realistic portrait)
• To understand what design elements make certain character designs better than others
• To incorporate shape language and color palettes that emphasize the traits of a character’s personality
• To improve final rendering qualities of drawing (this means neat, clean and polished work)
• To exercise the practice of commitment and refinement, become comfortable with the process of doing something repeatedly until it is mastered.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
It is my objective to keep the visual content in my class PG rated. That said, my classes tend to naturally attract learners who have a passion for fantasy art, science-fiction, and at times, even horror. Characters who have scary or grotesque features or carry weapons often make appearances and this is typically okay. I do allow a certain level of this, yet I am watchful of the content and the context in which it is presented. I do reserve the right to re-direct any learner who is focusing too much on violent undertones or whose characters are lewd or inappropriate as deemed by my personal judgment as an artist, a teacher, and a parent.
Supply List
Your learner may work digitally if they choose, or they may prefer a large sketch book with pencils, colored pencils, or markers. Character design DOES require color, so please be prepared to eventually add color one way or another. Black Ultra fine point Sharpies are nice for this or another brand of black fine liner pen. Berol Prismacolor pencils are great for color work.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined September, 2019
4.9
90reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Notre Dame College
In my classes and clubs, Character Design tends to be a very popular theme. Fantasy characters often have swords, lasers, light sabers, clubs, other weapons, magic amulets, potions, or they may have strange bodily features like fangs or claws or robotic parts.
I am not opposed to allowing students to share illustrations of this nature.
It is ok for a drawn or animated character to be holding a weapon IN A NON-THREATENING POSE. Context is key.
HOWEVER.... it is NOT allowed or acceptable to present works showing ACTS of lethal violence or excessive gore. For example: a character can be in a dynamic action pose, throwing a punch or using a shield, but it is NOT okay for a student to present a work that shows a particularly violent attack by one character on another. This can sometimes be a bit of a "gray" area but I want to recognize, here, that DRAWING SKILLS should always be the focus of what we create and share, rather than expressions of violence or excessive gore.
It is VERY important that my class members exhibit respect and sensitivity to one another. What might be "cool" to one could potentially be an upsetting emotional trigger to another person. We do not want to create an upsetting environment.
We're here to have fun, be creative, be social, and get better and better at drawing.
If ever a learner is upset by any presentations, I beg that they reach out to me privately so that I know as soon as possible.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$197
for 6 classes2x per week, 3 weeks
75 min
Completed by 8 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
4-10 learners per class
