CHARACTERS DESIGNS

Developing Characters & Making Them Diverse

Developing diverse characters can be increasingly difficult for some. Have you ever drawn a few original characters and after you put them side by side and realized that you've drawn different characters that look the same? We've all been there. But how do you stop it? What do you focus on? Here's an easy way to remember the most important points:

Shape

Lines

Open

Position

Expression

SLOPE

Shape

© Ryann Jensen

Each character you have should have a different base shape. My example to the left has circular shapes to her figure. Maybe another one of your characters uses squarish shapes, or triangular. Some characters may be made of squares and rectangles, depending on their features. Sketch out shapes and try to figure out what works best for the character you're wanting to design.

© Ryann Jensen

Lines

Lines define your character. Do you ever draw a character and think "this doesn't look right?" Your lines probably need to be changed. Lines go right along with shapes. I mean, they make up shapes, so that's obvious! but when you lay out your shapes, you'll have to change them to be more anatomically correct.  Lines define what you're character is doing, thinking, their expression, their form, their everything. Think carefully about your lines. Don't just throw them on a page when you're developing a character.

Open (Minded)

© Ryann Jensen

You might not know this, but having an all-white group of characters is boring. Not everyone on this planet is white. In fact, there are more people of color than there are white people. So all of your characters shouldn't be white. Not all of your characters should be physically fit. People of color, disabled, different genders, different sexuality, etc., they are all existing in this world today. Include them. 

© Ryann Jensen

Position

Setting your character in different poses or placing them in different situations can be an easy and fun way to build character. Draw their whole body in different poses. If a pose doesn't fit your character, move on. If it does, keep it! Use it as a reference. Add other characters to the scene. Maybe you'll be able to develop more than one character at a time!

Expression

© Ryann Jensen

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Here's a hint to expression: don't be afraid of wrinkles! Placement of wrinkles can change the expression of a character without making them look "old." Eyebrows hold the most emotion in expression, and the eyes are a focal point. They go hand and hand. You also have the mouth, which can be twisted and turned. Have your character bare their teeth, or chew at a pencil. Let your creativity flow with expression!