Quick Sketches (Showing Contrast in Character Design)

Created a few quick sketches for a character design course I’m teaching.

Taking and breaking stereotypes in shape can yield some interesting character designs. Below I have a ‘typical’ villain, tall and menacing. To the right, I have the same character in a shorter body. The character is still a villain, but his diminutive stature makes for potential comedy.

Below: Short villain vs. tall and chubby oafish, balding super-hero.

If you want to try something different, try distorting or varying the proportions of various body parts in your character’s anatomy. (Draw a large body with small feet and hands, for example.)

When designing multiple characters, try to play around with the shape silhouettes. Variety is the spice of life, and makes for interesting looking characters. We should also be able to tell something of the character’s personality through shape.

Hope you enjoyed the sketches!

-Krishna