Service Description

This class is designed for young creators with a story to tell and characters to develop! In Design Characters: Illustrate Your Book, students will learn the essentials of character design, from the basics of shape language to finalizing characters that align with their manuscripts. Whether students are crafting their first book, comic, or graphic novel, this course will give them the tools to bring their original characters (OCs) to life. Taught by a seasoned illustrator in the industry, this class provides expert guidance to help students refine their artistic skills and bring their stories to life. Over the course of six weeks, students will dive deep into character development, exploring facial expressions, body language, and character interaction with props, all while refining their designs through live feedback. This is the first class in the **"So You Want to Publish a Book"** series, setting a foundation for future courses in backgrounds, world-building, and storytelling. In this **6-week class**, students will learn the principles of character design and how to create compelling, original characters for their stories. Each week will focus on different aspects of design, from shape language and proportions to character interaction with props from their manuscripts. **What will be taught?** - Fundamentals of character design: shape language, expressions, and poses. - Refining character sketches through proportion, gesture, and facial expression. - How to add personality through clothing, color, and accessories. - Character interaction with props to emphasize personality and storytelling. **What topics will you cover?** - Shape language and its impact on personality. - Drawing expressions and body poses that match a character’s personality. - Exploring gesture and movement to show dynamic character interaction. - Finalizing character design with details, color, and props from their manuscript. - **Week 1:** Introduction to character design basics, including shape language and initial rough sketches. - **Week 2:** Refining character sketches to match visual style and personality. - **Week 3:** Drawing facial expressions and body poses. - **Week 4:** Finalizing character designs with details, clothing, and accessories. - **Week 5:** Creating sketches of characters interacting with props. - **Week 6:** Presenting final character designs for feedback and critique.