Drawing & Character Design

Your characters are the heart of your animation, and this section is all about bringing them to life. We’ll cover everything from basic drawing skills to designing characters with personality, appeal, and purpose. Whether you’re sketching on paper or designing digitally, you’ll learn how to make your characters stand out.

A split image compares two drawing styles: on the left, a dynamic comic-style superhero with a speech bubble saying "I WILL STOP YOU!" and bold lines; on the right, a character turnaround sheet showing a girl in an orange shirt and beige skirt from five different angles, illustrating a more neutral and consistent animation style.

Drawing for Webcomics vs Drawing for Animation

Drawing for webcomics isn’t the same as drawing for animation. This post breaks down the differences—clarity vs consistency, detail vs economy—and shows you how to adapt your art for each medium.

A collection of black-and-white sketches depicting people and dogs is pinned to a wall, each drawing accented with colorful sticky notes containing handwritten reminders. Colored pencils and pens are scattered across the desk below the sketches, creating a creative and artistic workspace atmosphere.

Why Drawing from Life Helps Your Animation

Drawing from life trains your eye for timing, weight, and appeal. Use quick daily gestures and simple routines to make your animation breathe.

An illustration features three cartoon characters: a smiling young girl with short brown hair, a man with dark skin, glasses, and a flat-top hairstyle, and a woman with fair skin and straight red hair wearing a green turtleneck. The background is blue with abstract shapes and dots. On the left, text reads, "What is 'Appeal' in Character Design?"

What is ‘Appeal’ in Character Design?

Appeal isn’t just “cute.” It’s clarity, rhythm, and personality in the design. Learn practical steps—shape language, silhouette, contrast—to make characters instantly readable.

A colorful digital illustration featuring a cheerful cartoon character with dark hair, wearing a yellow sweater, blue pants, and white sneakers, leaping energetically with arms outstretched. On the left side, bold white text reads: "5 ways to add life to your character poses." The background is blue with geometric shapes scattered around.

5 Ways to Add Life to Your Character Poses

Flat, stiff poses can make your characters feel lifeless. Here are 5 simple techniques to add flow, energy, and storytelling to your character drawings.