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ThirdPotato β Tutorial- Character Variety
Published: 2009-10-02 07:12:46 +0000 UTC; Views: 23773; Favourites: 285; Downloads: 277
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Description
This was a redline critique/tutorial of ~OtterGrl 's two characters, Deli and Ricky, as requested by the artist.This tutorial covers very quick and basic things to consider in character design. You have to create unique silhouettes. I always tell people a character's face should be definable even without hair. Can you shave your characters bald, and still tell the difference between them? Same thing goes for the character silhouette. It strips them of their details, down to just their outline shape.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ/BUY Eric Goldberg's Character Animation Crash Course This is NOT just a book on animation, but EVERY character designer, ESPECIALLY cartoonists, should OWN this book, and reference it well. It's written by the guy who drew Disney Aladdin's Genie. Even if you go "Well that's not my STYLE," the information covered in this book is a NECESSITY to all character designers! I highly encourage everyone to go out there and buy it like now.
Anyway I apologize, my art isn't to snuff in this but it's just, again, a quick and simple guide for some things to consider! Download to full view
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Comments: 64
Indeed. ^.^
Heck even if they do a certain animal. Some animals have subspecies and some do not.
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Thank you very much for this tutorial! ;u; Is very helpful, because I have a lot of problems about character variety...
Well, I'm thinking if I do a "humanized" version of two characters, but, if both have a similar personality?
In their "normal" forms, they're both cute and "chubby" appareance, with a childish personality.
Is "OK" to do them with similar body type and face? The differences in the humanized version should be extreme or subtle (not counting the hair, color pallete, facial/body features like scars and clothing)?
Is a question that comes to my head after reading that.
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Well the same rules apply for humans and anthros, as far as the subtlety of difference, it really depends on personal style. If you're going for a realistic style, go for subtle differences, but even real people have very differing features.
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This is so awesome! I have an OC Snicker, but I only use Sonic style. I want to use a cartoony style of my own, and you're really inspiring for me!
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I kinda have the same issue. I've changed my style for most of my things, but one group of my characters falls under the "looks too much like Sonic" list, and I can't seem to find any other style I like for them :/
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I suggest adding slight variations and changes to their designs. I'm sure you'll find a new way to draw them that you'll enjoy ^^
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Thanks for all the comments! I'm glad to be of service n.n
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NO problem. You're a really great cartoon artist!
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I have two twins characters.
About the twins i have this doubt. I want to keep them identical in silhouette, with minor differences (the way they dress) because they are identical twins, but people think i should make them more different. Is an idea i don't like. Identical twins are indeed identical, i can give them different clothes and posture (not different haircut. My twins have the same haircut), But can i keep silhouette of identical twins almost the same?
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Yeah, I'd say keep the silhouette the same, and the features. But like you said, change the posture. The very posture of the character can change their entire silhouette. Even if they have near-identical personalities, there are going to be differences. Let's say, for example, that they're both outgoing. Well maybe one is more physically spazzy-outgoing, so he'll stand impatiently, wily, limbs out. Maybe the other one is outgoing but more like an adventurer outgoing. So he might stand more confidently, poised, bold. Hopefully this helps a bit!
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OH SNAP SON. I'm going to link to you from the anthro part of my unique character tutorial.
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Oh yeah? Got a link to your tut? I'd like to see it too n.n
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Here's the whole thing:
[link]
I really ought to finish it. >>
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Awesome series! Very cool X3
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Ever since I saw this tutorial, I got to thinking about a couple of my characters who's head shape and muzzles look almost the same. Perhaps maybe you could do a critique on them?
But only if you're not busy.
Croc: [link]
Fenris: [link]
I'm curious to see what you can do. Now again, you don't have to do this.
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Sure thing, man! I'm honored you came to me n.n [link]
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You should make cartoon books! Your tuts are a lot more helpful than most books I've seen :3
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Aw thank you so so very much! 8D It means a lot coming from you!!
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Your tutorials are always insightful. You know they are majorly helpful dontcha?
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AW gee whizz, Mikoo! Thanks a load!! <3
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Well now realizing I've been doing that
Thanks for making the tutorial
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n.n I'm glad! Thanks!
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YES YES YES Finally someone grabs the bull by the horns and tells it how it is!
I always get asked what makes a good character design and it also translates into character dynamics. I often find myself imposing a lot of personality into a character's design-- I mean, it my biggest influence. But what is interesting is capturing multiple facets of a personality in design.
Because personality alone as an influence can be too predictable.
For instance, a snobby poodle. You would expect a turned up nose and something that defines wealth. But what would make the character more interesting is if these traits were more indirect.
Maybe my Mr. Hollingsworth is a good example of this. On the outside, he is as cold as a stone, but inwardly, he can be very emotional and sensitive. Thick eyebrows and a bullish neck portray his masculinity, while his large docile blue eyes and long eyelashes hint at his inner sensitivity. Curly hair for the quirkiness...thin ankles and wrists indicate he does have weaknesses, just not always exposed
I need to get my hands on that book. So far I have "The Animator's Survival Guide" by the dude who animated "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" Good stuff!
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Yup XD Preachin' to the choir. But ja, I own that one too X3
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Wewt, I'll second Kotora's "beating people over the head with this" phrase, lol. Even though I'm kinda' guilty of the same thing... *shifty eyes*
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Aw thanks, Crev!
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OMG! This helps so much! xD
I wasn't really a cartoony (lol? cartoony?) person until I met you!
I'm more of an animΓ© guy.
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Aw kheke I'm glad to hear n.n
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Yah! It's good to have one of these. I'm into anime style, but I've just resonantly started drawing semi-realism which gives me so much more different face types. c:
I've been also trying to try cartooning so this helps me get a good look at some different types of body parts. C:
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Awesome! I'm so glad to hear. When I got out of the anime style, I did caricatures, because it reeeaaally pushed me out of my comfort zone
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That must've been hard doing such a big jump in styles like that!
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This is grand! I can so see you doing one of those how-to cartoon books. You're loads better than a lot of the ones I've seen.
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Sweet! more pointers on character developement! ^^ 
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It's hard to tell, it would depend on personality
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WELL, he's normally real calm and layed back and such. More a lover than a fighter. It looks like he's high all the time, but he thinks (like me) that giving your soul basically to such a poisoning thing is just down right NOT right. lol
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Great job! i love how clear and concise it is and the way that you've critiqued and showed change but without being accusative or derogatory (like omg this is horrible, and this is how you have to fix it because this is just. . . ugh) sort of thing 
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LoL Thank you so very much!! n.n Ja, I like to give out redline critiques, because I feel it can help a person more when dealing with a specific piece rather than verbally just saying what's wrong. XD
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erm, I don't know if it's applicable for my type pf work, but would you be willing to do one for my piece Re'Lan? I'd greatly appreciate it if you could do so. if not, that's fine, I can definitely understand since it's not exactly your style and you are fairly busy, especially with the webcomic and all. Anyway. . . . jΓ‘
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Howdy, well Sure, I'll send you a note about it
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Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou!!!!!!! :glee:
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We need to beat people over the head with this thing, seriously. It's awesome of you to do this!
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