Pushing Concepts Using the Same Basic Shape
Ever fall into a rut where you’re trying to draw a new character but just don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you’re not feeling to satisfied with what you’ve come up with and you want to look at your character design with fresh eyes? Or maybe you’re new to drawing and want to explore a bit.
Here’s a technique that may help you out:
Start off with a very basic shape. Keep it simple. I this case, I went for something that resembled a kidney bean. Then, look for faces within the form. Things that you may want to try in your exploration of this technique is to vary the height of the eye line from character to character. Also, try varying the location of the eyes themselves (i.e. keep them really close together, or move them far apart). Change up the noses, hairstyles and eyebrows, too! Vary the subject – draw old men, babies, dogs, cats, etc. This is the part where you let your imagination run wild!
You’ll be surprised at the variety of characters you’ll come up with, using the same basic shape. Your assignment is to take the same basic shape I have and create your OWN characters. Feel free to link to them in the comments below so we can see how you did.
-Krishna
These beautiful and intelligent people wrote
Tell me what you think!
Jose Gonzalez
April 16, 2010 at 6:06 amThis is the kind of thing I get into. I usually do the 1) nonesensical scribble/doodle 2) work it into something that makes sense. That’s the typical thing most doodllers do. But, this idea of taking the same shape (or doodle) and going through different creative iterations with it, is a great exercise. This is something one can try at one sitting, or various times during the day. Interested in what different times of day will inspire to do on the same doodle. Great idea for a creative exploration exercise, Krishna!
Krishna
April 16, 2010 at 6:28 amGlad it’s helped, Jose! Looking forward to seeing more of your artistic explorations!
Rene van Belzen
April 16, 2010 at 6:29 amI’m not sure what you’re trying to tell us here.
As I see it, the position of the eyes determine the basic shape. The eyes are in eye sockets, which are part of the skeleton. Change the position of the eyes, change the underlying skeleton, which in turn changes the basic shape. Same applies to the other parts of the anatomy.
It could just be that I’m not a concept artist and have to work really hard (my hands hurt from all the sketching) to get a single character design. Working from basic shapes (which I tried many times as an exercise, suggested in books about comics drawing) makes my characters look “dead”, constructed.
Krishna
April 16, 2010 at 7:25 amRene, it may be the line weight you’re using. The thing to remember is that you’re not drawing a line – you are drawing a form. One thing I tell my classes when approaching drawing in general is to draw large and draw with the entire arm – not just the wrist. Another factor (which I’ve seen affect an artist’s line) is how they hold the pencil. I hold the pencil differently when I draw vs. when I write text. Just my $0.02.
Krishna
April 16, 2010 at 7:30 amTo address your point – the shape (aka the bean) is the same. It does not change. The elevation of the eye line and other features will provide the artist with different characters that can be designed using the same shape. So while, you’re correct – the eye position will affect the underlying skeleton, the basic shape for the head remains intact. Again, this isn’t *the* way…just *a* way.
Your mileage may vary. :)