How I design characters.
A Moose, a Racoon and a Pika
How I design characters from a picture book text.
I. Read the text and sketch or write my impressions
I make a style map, to give myself some parameters to stay within, the narrower the better.
I do research and find reference. I learn about the subject both intellectually and visually.
I draw the subject from reference
Then I imagine each character, with out reference, and draw them over and over. I think mainly about shape and particularities on the character. For example a Pika cuts grass and stores it for the winter, so I gave it a grass hat. A moose has a hump so I gave it a backpack.
At some point one of those drawing might stand out. I hone in on that one, maybe redraw it a few time
Once that rough sketch feels believable, I take it into procreate and add line work, texture, light and shadow. Here’s a video of step 7.
Very nice Adam! I need more black and white in my portfolio, loved how your white accents really made things come to life <3.
Also, very interesting read about your process to get there. I don’t make as many sketches, I think, but I love the idea of sketching your way to get there!