Storytelling Through Characters: An Industry-Led Character Design Course

Dive into the art of creating compelling, visually striking characters with Leslie Tran, a seasoned freelance concept artist and illustrator. This comprehensive course is designed to equip artists of all levels with foundational and advanced skills to craft memorable characters that tell stories and captivate viewers.

Throughout this immersive program, you'll explore core design principles—such as shape, color, line, expression—and learn how to combine technical skills with storytelling mastery. Whether you're aiming to expand your portfolio, enter the entertainment industry, or sharpen your creative abilities, this class offers hands-on guidance, real-world insights, and plenty of fun.

What You Will Learn

• Fundamental Design Theory: Master the basics of shape, silhouette, color schemes, and expressive gestures.
• Storytelling Through Art: Learn how to communicate unique character stories visually.
• Character Construction: Develop skills in anatomy, stylization, and pose design.
• Color and Composition: Craft compelling color palettes and balanced compositions.
• Line Art & Rendering: Understand when to use detailed line work versus soft rendering for different artistic styles.
• Presentation & Portfolio Creation: Discover how to showcase your work professionally and build an eye-catching character sheet.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Weekly Curriculum Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction and Costume Design Fundamentals

• Overview of course structure and objectives
• How to gather and organize reference materials
• Introduction to costume design for characters
• Live demo: Drawing and dressing characters from reference with Q&A

Week 2: The Power of Design Theory

• Why design principles matter in character creation
• Practical demo: Applying basic design theory to character sketches

Week 3: Harnessing Shape & Silhouette

• Creating impactful character silhouettes
• Demo: Designing characters solely through shape language

Week 4: Color Theory & Palette Selection

• Using color schemes effectively to evoke mood and personality
• Live coloring session: Applying color theory to character designs

Week 5: Anatomy, Gesture & Dynamic Drawing

• Key anatomy concepts for believable characters
• Gesture drawing techniques for expressive figures
• Demo: Combining anatomy, gesture, and stylization

Week 6: Stylization versus Realism & Expressive Art

• The importance of stylization and expression
• Demo: Balancing realism and stylized art techniques

Week 7: Line Art & Rendering Techniques

• When to use clean lines versus painterly rendering
• Demo: Achieving polished finishes using line work and rendering

Week 8: Presentation Skills & Portfolio Development

• How to showcase your character designs professionally
• Creating engaging character sheets and portfolios
• Demo: Crafting a visually appealing character presentation

Course Details

• Duration: 8 weeks, every Saturday
• Starting Date & Time: August 19th, 3 PM - 7 PM EST
• Format: Weekly 4-hour live sessions (includes a 30-minute break)
• Skill Level: Suitable for beginners to advanced artists
• Participation Tiers:
  • Active participants: Receive personalized feedback
  • Spectators: Observe class discussions and ask questions at the end of sessions
• Recordings: Available within 24 hours after each class for review anytime

Materials Needed

• Any drawing medium/software compatible with Photoshop or digital tablets
• A Wacom Cintiq or similar drawing tablet highly recommended
• Prepared references or images to work from