SkillShare – Draw a Circus of Characters: Exploring Body Shape and Proportion

About This Class

Do you want to learn how to draw characters quickly and easily?

I can show you how by using simple shapes.

First in a three-part Body Works series and designed for beginners and seasoned artists alike, this class walks you step-by-step through the character design process, guiding you through every aspect of drawing your own set of circus inspired characters.

During the classes you can shadow me as I produce a set of characters for a ‘real’ project – an unpublished YA (young adult) manuscript – and take you through my thinking and design process, giving you tools and tips to apply to your own characters. This class offers drawing demonstrations, worksheets, offering inspiration along the way, giving you every opportunity to draw the best circus act in town!

In this class you will learn:

Body proportions
– how to draw the ideal body at various ages
– what can go wrong

Body Shapes
– how and why shape is used when designing character
– how a set of characters evolved across time and media
– the importance of making a first (and lasting) impression

The process
– how to draw a set of characters from simple shapes to a finished drawing

Materials

A4 Paper or an art pad.

‘Staedtler Mars Technico’ clutch pen with refillable blue and carbon (normal pencil) leads. This set also comes with a sharpener. I’ve had my set for 20 odd years…so a brilliant investment.

If you don’t want to go to this expense, just use a blue colored pencil and a ‘regular’ lead pencil.