You may think that creating a cartoon character is a very difficult and complicated process, but it's not really like that! Create a character design by noting a list of distinctive characteristics and traits, studying other character designs for inspiration, and choosing features, colors, and accessories that reflect their personality. Sketch a character and add details to complete and bring it to life, or use a design program to create a character so you can share your own cartoon character with the world!
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Method 1 of 3: Creating a Design
Step 1. Study other character designs for inspiration
Research your cartoon character design by studying other characters or animation styles that you like. Take note of the distinctive features, line quality, color schemes, and other artistic styles used to accentuate the character so you can include those elements in your own designs.
- Read comic books that feature stories with characters so you can see how each character changes with different emotions, angles, and actions.
- Find a cartoonist whose style you like and observe the character designs to get inspired when creating your own character designs.
Tip:
Check out different types of animation that you're not familiar with such as comic strips, Japanese anime, classic television cartoons, and other styles for ideas.
Step 2. Write a list of interests and character traits you want to include
Brainstorm character designs by noting a list of hobbies, interests, and traits/personalities that the character should reflect. Write the information on a piece of paper and bend it until you find the main characters you want to appear in the character.
- The character's personality can guide you in shaping your character's appearance.
- For example, if your character is a soccer player and likes to tell jokes, his appearance will be different from a character who enjoys reading poetry and listening to classical music.
Step 3. Make a list of traits that you can overestimate your character
Determine the key details that characterize the character's character or personality. When shaping or packaging a character, think about the features that can highlight his personality without needing to be verbally mentioned or described.
- Cartoon characters are usually designed with anatomy or body parts that are larger than the anatomy or parts of the human body in the real world. The details and characters are shown in an exaggerated and dramatic way.
- For example, if your character is a nerd and shy, his eyes may always look empty and droopy.
- Exaggerated details can illustrate character traits without needing to verbally describe them. For example, a broad chest and a large jaw can make your character look strong and bold, without having to explain the character explicitly.
Step 4. Choose distinctive details to make the character more unique
Use specific features and details to differentiate your character from other characters and bring out their personality. You can also use common attributes, traits, or “stock” characters to define your cartoon style (e.g. The Simpsons' yellow skin) so that people can easily identify your cartoon character.
- Find a unique way to describe your character's eyes or hair.
- Use features to define characters. For example, your character may have suffered injuries as a child when his parents were kidnapped by the mobsters and he has a distinctive scar on his face as a reminder of the traumatic event.
- The added details don't have to be significant to the character. You can include elements or something about yourself in the animation (eg your favorite hat or shirt as a child).
Step 5. Choose a color that reflects the character's personality
Dark colors and patterns reflect characters with fluctuating or evil moods, while light and vibrant colors make characters look cheerful and warm. When designing a character, consider the colors and patterns you use to describe him (eg hair, clothes, skin, and eyes) so you can illustrate his personality.
- Try a character's skin tone with a distinctive color to accentuate his mood and temperament. For example, a character's skin can look red when he's angry, or pale green when he's sick.
- You can also “fight” your habits by showing your evil character in a variety of bright colors like pink, yellow, and other cheerful colors.
Step 6. Add accessories to the character to accentuate the character
The objects that a character uses or carries can indicate his mood and personality. Make a list of items, clothes, objects, or other objects that your character uses so you can include them in the animation.
- For example, your detective character always carries a magnifying glass or wears a khaki trench coat.
- Use details to reveal the character's personality. If you create an introverted character who loves music, he will always be seen wearing headphones. For a very arrogant character, you can portray him as someone who often sees himself in a small mirror.
Method 2 of 3: Draw Cartoon Characters
Step 1. Save a list of the main details that you want to include
When starting to draw a cartoon character, always carry a list of descriptions and features (or features) that you want to appear in the sketch for reference. Keep lists on your desk as you work.
- You may notice that some traits or features just don't match when the characters are drawn, and this is not a problem!
- Having references helps you not to "get off track" while you're creating a character.
Step 2. Sketch the shape of the character using pencil and paper
Begin the process of creating a cartoon character by having a basic body shape, such as a round shape for a fat character or a flat shape with sharp lines for a very skinny character. Take a piece of paper and a pencil, then make a thin sketch of the character from the shapes. Don't create thick or deep lines so you can easily erase and revise rough sketches.
Use a notebook or sketch paper to sketch the characters
Tip:
Feel free to delete the sketch and start over! It may take some time for you to successfully draw the character according to the picture in your head.
Step 3. Add details to the sketch to expand or complete the drawing
As the character begins to take shape, add some key traits that make the character more realistic. Use a pencil to draw (thinly) the features, objects, clothing, and other details that characterize the character.
Use "affirming" features and objects to highlight the character's personality (eg reading glasses for a nerd or a sword for a warrior)
Step 4. Fill the face in the sketch
Your character's face will be the most prominent and distinctive part. Add the nose, mouth, eyes, ears, and any other parts of the face that you want to include. Give an expression that matches the mood and personality of the character.
For example, if you're creating an optimistic character, add a big, cheerful smile to his face
Step 5. Add shading or shading to the lines to add depth to the character
Refill the sketch lines and make them look fuller. Use shading or shading to add depth and dimension to the drawn character.
Erase markers or light scribbles on the sketch to make your drawing look more presentable
Step 6. Color the sketch and add shadows to bring the character to life
Choose paints and colors that match the style of the cartoon character. Add color to the sketch to bring the characters to life!
- For example, watercolors are suitable for cartoon characters who seem to come from a magical or dream world, while colored pencils are more suitable for comic strip-style characters.
- Use colored pencils as a practical and easy medium for coloring cartoon characters.
Method 3 of 3: Using Design Programs to Create Characters
Step 1. Select a program or website to create the character
Find out which program best fits your needs. Paid programs like Adobe Illustrator are more complicated to learn, but can provide more professional results and are very easy to modify. You can also take advantage of free apps and websites to quickly and easily create cartoon characters.
- Search the internet for free apps and websites that you can use. Some popular options include Cartoonify, Animaker, and Toonytool.
- Programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDRAW, and the like may require you to follow a tutorial first in order to use them properly.
Step 2. Sketch the character on paper, then scan it to a computer or digitally draw the character
To convert a cartoon character into a digital animation that you can manipulate using a design program, you can first draw it on a piece of paper and scan it into a computer. You can also draw characters directly in the design program. Create digital characters and enter them into a design program so you can add color, shadow, movement, and other effects.
Some programs offer templates for heads, faces, eyes, arms, and other body parts that you can add to complete your character
Step 3. Color the characters digitally using a design program
Design programs or apps offer many color options to choose from and add to character sketches. Go through the available options and choose the color you feel best fits the character.
Most design programs allow you to modify color options so that you get the specific color you want
Step 4. Add effects to digital characters using a design program
Most design programs allow you to enrich your character by adding shadows, highlights, filters, and other effects. Choose the effect that best suits the character and style, then apply it to the sketch!
Choose a filter that adjusts brightness, contrast, and color to produce a color effect that enriches the appearance of the character
Tip:
Use a design program to add movement to the character to make it look more dynamic.
Step 5. Upload the cartoon character to share it with everyone
One of the advantages of using a digital design program is that you can quickly and easily share drawn cartoon characters. Send characters to friends and family after you've finished drawing them, or create a complete comic strip or graphic novel that you can send to a publisher.
- Save the cartoon character by selecting a save option from the “File” menu so that you have a copy of the image file on your computer or device.
- Share created cartoon characters with friends or family on social media, or upload images to your blog.
- Look for publishers that accept submissions if you want to submit a cartoon that has already been made for publication.
