Whether for animation or to gain followers or to gain popularity within your Etsy shop, whatever the reason, building a character Portfolio is a crucial thing for the creative field.
While I don’t plan to get into character design for animation any time soon (though how fun does that sound?) I still plan to build a character portfolio. I don’t know yet if I’ll even post it on social media or through my website, but simply for my own pleasure.
I love coming up with new stories to daydream about and what the different characters are like. What are their stories? How do they grow through the events that I imagine for them? Why are they the way that they are and what part of me is influencing them?
Brainstorming random stories is one of my favorite ways to spend my time, even if I don’t plan to write them. The designing of a character is equally just as fun.
One thing to include in your character design portfolio is drawing the same character from different angles, with all sorts of expressions. How does their face scrunch when they’re thinking hard, how do they react to different emotions?
Another thing to include is your characters interacting with other characters. How they stand, what they do with their hands, etc.
Drawing your characters in a specific location is super fun! Especially when we’re dealing with fantastical elements, then your drawing can include anything you want!
Don’t be afraid to add variety too! Experiment with different styles! Draw different characters from movies or books as you would see them, or try your hand at a more realistic style. As you draw your characters your own style will eventually be revealed, whether you see it or not.