Welcome to the ultimate guide to 10 must-know Character Design courses! Whether you’re a budding artist looking to bring your characters to life, an animation enthusiast aiming to master the art of storytelling, or a seasoned professional seeking to refine your skills, this comprehensive list has got you covered. From top-notch online programs to renowned universities offering specialized courses, we’ve curated a diverse selection that caters to all skill levels and interests. Get ready to embark on a creative journey that will unlock the secrets of character design and pave the way for your success in the world of animation, gaming, and beyond!
Step into the captivating realm of character design with our handpicked collection of 10 courses that promise to ignite your imagination and elevate your artistic prowess. Whether you aspire to create endearing characters for video games, evoke emotions through animation, or simply wish to refine your storytelling abilities, this list covers it all. With offerings from prestigious institutions, renowned artists, and leading online platforms, each course is designed to equip you with the essential skills and techniques needed to craft unforgettable characters. No matter where you are in your artistic journey, these courses are the stepping stones to unleash your creative potential and carve your path in the fascinating world of character design.
1. Concept Art: Character Design & Worldbuilding – A course by Even Amundsen
In the course “Concept Art: Character Design & Worldbuilding,” taught by Even Amundsen, an illustrator, character artist, and content creator, you will explore worldbuilding principles to create compelling characters. With over 12 years of experience in concept design, Even teaches how to use color, texture, lighting, and layers to bring captivating protagonists to life, each telling a story at first glance. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or looking to enhance your character design skills, this course offers 19 engaging lessons and 25 downloads. Unlock your creative potential and enroll now to access the course and embark on an exciting journey of character creation!
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2. Fantasy Character Design in Procreate – A course by nkole
Unleash the boundless creativity within you with the course “Fantasy Character Design in Procreate,” presented by nkole, a renowned Character Designer and Illustrator. Join this best-selling course with 100% positive reviews from over 10,000 students and dive into the depths of your imagination to craft original character designs using Procreate. Nicholas Kole, whose expertise includes working on iconic franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog, Crash Bandicoot, and Spyro the Dragon, will guide you step by step through his creative process, transforming your ideas into extraordinary heroes. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, this course’s 21 lessons and 15 downloads will equip you to breathe life into your fantasy characters. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a master in the field and design captivating characters that tell a story of their own.
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3. Character Design for Animation with Photoshop – A course by Caio Martins
Master the art of bringing animated characters to life with the course “Character Design for Animation with Photoshop,” taught by Caio Martins, an acclaimed Illustrator, character designer, and storyboard artist. This best-selling course with 98% positive reviews from over 17,000 students will take you on a journey through the entire character design process, from understanding the briefing to creating a model sheet using Adobe Photoshop. Learn how to express character emotions naturally by combining colors, shapes, and volume, and explore various techniques used by Caio in his work for studios like DreamWorks, Netflix, and Disney Jr. Whether you’re an artist or illustrator looking to enter the world of animation, this course offers 19 comprehensive lessons and 20 downloads to equip you with the skills needed to create captivating character illustrations. Basic knowledge of drawing and Adobe Photoshop is recommended, and you’ll need a sketchbook, pencil, eraser, and a computer with Photoshop installed. While a graphics tablet is optional, it can enhance your experience. Apply the techniques learned digitally or in any medium, analog or digital, and embark on an exciting journey to design characters that will captivate audiences in the world of animation.
4. Stylized Character Illustration: From Reference to Drawing – A course by Tasia M S
Unlock your artistic potential in character illustration with the course “Stylized Character Illustration: From Reference to Drawing,” led by Tasia M S, a talented Illustrator and Character Designer. Delve into the magical world of fantastical characters and learn how to design captivating digital illustrations that tell compelling stories. Inspired by her fashion designer mother, Tasia’s passion for drawing started at a young age, leading her to collaborate with prestigious names like DC Comics, Mubi, WarnerMedia, and HBO.
Through 12 enriching lessons and 26 downloads, Tasia will guide you from creating mood boards and rough sketches to adding final details, transforming a simple reference into a stylized character brimming with life and meaning. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, this course offers a wealth of knowledge to improve and deepen your character illustration skills. The course project is to create a fully developed illustration of your original character, making it an excellent opportunity to put your newfound skills into practice. Whether you work with Procreate software on an iPad with an Apple Pencil or prefer traditional paper and pencil, this course is for anyone of any artistic skill level seeking to enhance their character illustration expertise.
5. Drawing Appealing Characters with Personality – A course by Magdalina Dianova
Unleash your creativity and master the art of character design with the course “Drawing Appealing Characters with Personality,” led by the talented Character Designer, Magdalina Dianova. This best-selling course with 92% positive reviews from an impressive 35,000 students will take you on an exciting journey into the world of dynamic character design. Explore the intricacies of expressions, poses, clothing, and more to breathe life and personality into your characters.
Magdalina Dianova, renowned for her work with DreamWorks TV and 3dtotal, will guide you through 18 engaging lessons and 12 downloads. Learn the art of storytelling through your characters’ appearance, mood, and identity. From anatomy and color schemes to clothing and gestures, this course will equip you to create charismatic protagonists from start to finish. Whether you work digitally using Procreate or prefer traditional drawing methods, this course is designed for beginner and intermediate artists seeking to refine their character design skills.
The course project is to create a character sheet showcasing different poses and outfit designs, reflecting the unique story of your character. Whether you’re just starting your artistic journey or seeking to enhance your existing skills, this course offers valuable insights into character illustration that will captivate your audience.
6. Digital Illustration: Create Manga Characters – A course by Catalina Carlesi
In this course, “Digital Illustration: Create Manga Characters,” led by renowned illustrator and cartoonist Catalina Carlesi, you will learn to bring expressive manga heroes to life using digital tools like Procreate and Photoshop. Discover techniques to create charismatic characters rich in light, color, shadows, and intricate details, and tell captivating stories through their clothing, accessories, and environments. With 15 lessons and 25 downloads, the course covers human figure anatomy to finalizing detailed illustrations, enabling you to build fantasy worlds with ease. No prior knowledge is required, only basic digital illustration skills and access to Procreate and Photoshop. Ideal for art enthusiasts and fans of Japanese illustration, this course is an unmissable opportunity to enhance your manga character design skills.
7. Illustration for Comics: Anatomy of a Superhero – A course by Ariel Olivetti
Illustration for Comics: Anatomy of a Superhero is a best-selling course by Ariel Olivetti, an experienced Illustrator and Comic Book Artist. The course teaches students how to draw superhero anatomy for comics, focusing on proportions, skeletal structure, muscles, and dynamic poses. Through 16 lessons and 23 downloads, students will learn to create powerful and expressive illustrations of superheroes, conveying their true strength and abilities. The course is suitable for illustrators, visual artists, and comic book enthusiasts who want to enhance their character design skills. Basic drawing knowledge is required, and students will need a pencil, paper, and eraser for the course. The final project involves creating a full illustration of a human superhero figure, from the skeleton to the muscle groups.
8. Digital Painting of Characters in Photoshop – A course by Fernanda Suarez
Learn digital painting techniques and create captivating character portraits with the “Digital Painting of Characters in Photoshop” course by renowned digital illustrator and character designer, Fernanda Suarez. With 97% positive reviews and 3224 students, this course covers fundamental concepts like light and shadow, rendering techniques, sketching the human figure, and creating stunning color palettes. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or want to enhance your digital art skills, this course will help you bring your characters to life on the screen. Join now and unlock endless opportunities in character design and illustration!
9. Anthropomorphic Character Creation – A course by Félicie Haymoz
Learn the art of Anthropomorphic Character Creation in this bestselling online course by Félicie Haymoz, an acclaimed Character Designer and Illustrator known for her work in animated films like Fantastic Mr. Fox. With 100% positive reviews and 3960 students, this course delves into the creative process of designing animal characters with human qualities and distinct personalities. Master watercolor and digital illustration techniques on Photoshop, explore animal anatomy, and bring your enchanting characters to life. Whether you’re an illustrator looking to enhance your skills or simply want to have fun improving your drawing and painting abilities, this course is a must!
10. Digital Portraits: Draw Female Characters in Natural Light – A course by RaidesArt
Learn the art of creating striking digital portraits with a focus on lighting effects, textures, and natural details in the course “Digital Portraits: Draw Female Characters in Natural Light” by RaidesArt, an acclaimed Illustrator known for her captivating portraits of strong female characters. With 100% positive reviews and 1558 students, this course covers the basics of drawing faces digitally, adding realistic lighting effects, and incorporating natural elements to enhance the mood. From mood board creation to mastering the interplay of light and shadow, you’ll discover the secrets to illustrating expressive and captivating female portraits. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, this course is a perfect opportunity to refine your digital portrait illustration skills!
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