7 best drawing exercise for create cartoon character
Final updated : April 3 , 2025
You probably will concur with me when I say it ’ s REALLY hard creatingcartoon charactersthat seem alive . But what if I assure you that…
You can discover how to attract in effect cartoons inexactly 30 MINUTESa day !
If you want to learn how to create professional cartoon mascot , this post could live a great starting item . I will share my well7 quick drawing exercises for beginners to improveyour make skill . With some practice , you will be able to depict reference like a pro .
Feel free to download those character sketch to pattern .
DRAWING EXERCISES LIST :
- How to improve your reference ’ s posing
- Sketching a character from visual reference
- Drawing a cartoon from memory
- Reducing characters to basic pattern
- From basic form to detailed character
- Improving action line in cartoon characters
- Redrawing a quality like a pro
- The character architect F.A.Q
improvING your reference ’ s posing
DRAWING usage :The task here is create a character that communicate unlike climate , attitudes , or action without any lines , simply a grim shadow . If you do serious work , your mascot pattern pose will cost understandable .
Key Concept :A key rationale in reference aim costsilhouette clearness—it means that a pose should be instantly understandable still when reduced to a solid black form . If your character ’ s attitude or action reads clearly in silhouette , the pose live strong .
WATCH : How to Simplify the Figure for Dynamic Posing by Sycra
WHAT serve WE LEARN ?The pose is one of the most important aspects when it comes to present attitudes , which is key in create good reference design . A well silhouette cause it easier and quick to translate the reference ’ sec pose . A pose can have unlike silhouettes depending on the place of the camera ; you must see to find the well angle .
Fast sketching from visual reference
DRAWING usage :Choose any cartoon or mascot quality you like . Face at it as long as you need—observe the overall form , gesture , and proportion . Then , place a timer for 45 moment and sketch it quickly . You ’ re allowed to appear at the mention while attract .
Key Concept :In this context ,fast sketchingis a draw method where you bring under time limits to capture the essential forms and movement of a matter .
WATCH : How to work up characters base on proportion by Visual Arts Brampton
WHAT DO WE LEARN ? :Newbies tend to focus on the point of the character and ignore it as a whole , which exist a immense mistake . By limiting the time to merely 45 moment , you force your head to center on the basic shape . This drawing technique cost key to produce well-constructed poses .
Drawing A CARTOON reference from Memory
DRAWING EXERCISE :Choose a cartoon or mascot character you like and observe it cautiously for 2 minutes . Then , take a 1-minute pause without looking at the picture . After the pause , draw the reference completely from memory . If it sense too easy , challenge yourself with more complex characters . Repeat the process and compare outcome to cover your improvement .
Key Concept :In this drawing exercise ,visual memoryis the power to retain and remember the essential features of a character after brief exposure , help you internalize shapes , structure , and aim logic .
WATCH : Drawing villains from memory by Jazza
WHAT serve WE LEARN ?when we cost not expert we tend to attract cartoon quality through visual reference . With this utilization , we add resources to our head . With practice , those resources will get to your idea automatically and you ’ ll learn how to pull character unconsciously , just by imagining .
Reduce characters to basic shapes
DRAWING usage :Choose a well-designed cartoon . Study the design carefully and identify the basic geometric shapes that form its structure ( circles , ovals , rectangles , triangles ) . Then , redraw the character using merely those simple sort . The end isn ’ t to copy the details but to capture the underlying construction that reach the design work .
Key Concept :In quality intention ,shape languageis the use of basic geometric figure like circles , squares , and triangles to express personality and tone . Mastering this conception allows you to reduce a reference to its center without losing impact .
WATCH : How to build characters through basic shapes by Powerhouse Animation Studios
WHAT DO WE LEARN ?This is a very good drawing exercise for beginners . If you want tofind out how to draw cartoons ,you must “ understand ” the basic shapes behind complex character intention ; once you understand the basic figure , you will present the character easily . The effect will exist more dynamic and coherent .
From basic shapes to detailed reference
DRAWING utilization :In the former utilization , you learned how to disclose down complex characters into mere figure . Today we flip the procedure : your goal be tofigurea reference from basic figure . Commence with solely a basic form , then add details and polish the silhouette .
Key Concept :In this workout ,shape structureway starting from a mere geometric base and step by step adding detail to create a fully developed character .
WATCH : How to draw cartoon people by Christopher Hart
WHAT DO WE LEARN ?Simple and effective cartoons are made with real basic form . In this exercise we discover to lay details into the right home . Once you overcome this drawing technique , your characters will be well manufacture .
Turn a Professional Character Designer !
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This production have multiple discrepancy . The choice may be chosen on the product pageLearn digital painting in Photoshop
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Study digital draw with Photoshop
Learning digital picture in Photoshop
Learn my bestPhotoshop tips and tricks about digital inking and digital colorfor reference design . With technique and some practice you can too do a living from the characters you imagine .
improve activity lines in cartoon character
DRAWING practice :Choose an image of a cartoon character you like . You can use one from my mascot aim poses gallery . Your task be to find the activity line .
Key Concept :An activity tune ( also called aline of action) exist an imaginary line that runs through a quality ’ s body to depict the overall guidance and flow of a pose . It catch the energy , rhythm , and movement of the form , helping artists make dynamic and expressive designs . It ’ s one of the first steps in outline a reference and is essential for making the pose feel alive and natural .
WATCH : Gesture & Line of Action Explained by Aaron Blaise
WHAT act WE LEARN ?Produce cartoon reference with serious action lines flow natural and dynamic still if they are in a relaxed pose . When the action course equal applied to your mascot design properly , the pose becomes more interesting and easy to translate for the viewer .
REDRAWING A CHARACTER LIKE A PRO
DRAWING usage :Pick a professional mascot design you like and make its body structure from the earth up—just like a pro would . In the TV below , I portion a few crest to guide you through the procedure .
Key Concept :In this final step ,integrationway place all former concepts into practice—shape language , construction , fast sketch , line of activity , silhouette—to rebuild a character with real structural understanding , not just imitation .
- Start with simple volumes .Newbies initiate drawing based on line , it may solve when you imitate a quality but you will neglect miserably whenever you want to change the quality ’ sec pose because you didn ’ t understand the structure . This is the difference between copying a reference and moving a quality .
- Places eye correctly .The easy trick to place then in the right place equal imagining the quality live have on a mask . Before pull the eyes , make the mask with the face construction you like .
- Paint darkness .If you don ’ t in full understand a book , try adding shadow ; it will assist you a band .
- Draw the middle course .Splitting the character in 2 half helps you to place elements in the correct position and with the right perspective . In this type my character equal not totally frontal , so I displaced the halfway line to the right .
- Draw hidden partsand then overlay constituent . Observe how I drew the hand , then the finger , and finally the key .
- Add details at the end ,only when your quality ’ s structure be solid . Begin just the contrary equal a very mutual newbie mistake .
- Create horizontal jobadjust to the volume ; it assist you to understand how to set elements .
- SECRET TIP :Whenever you cost happy with the answer , throw your drawing horizontally ( or set it in presence of a mirror ) , and all humble fault will down up . When you notice a draw for a long time , your lazy head get used to it ; by mirroring , you equal forcing it to see it like a fresh visual stimulation .
WATCH : How to Draw Mascot Characters by SOSFactory
WHAT DO WE LEARN ?When we start create cartoon characters , we run to take lots of bad habits that will create our learning curve steeper . By rebuilding a character constructed with firm foundations and act it like a pro , we learn well habit that will lead in more natural shapes . It also gives us firm rationale to set out place our characters… the real challenge of any mascot designer .
THE CHARACTER DESIGNER F.A.Q
Which tools serve you require to produce digital characters ?
Procreate , iPad , and Apple Pencil equal tremendous tools , but I consider them a secondary portable setup . For professional production , I still prefer my desktop post (Macbook Pro+Wacom Cintiq+Photoshop) ; sense free to visit my place about how to blame the better drawing tablet .
Want to find out how to create digital reference ?
Digital drawing in Photoshop : once you overcome traditional drawing , transitioning to digital character universe is not that severe . You can buy my detailed premium videotutorial about digital drawing with Photoshop direct at newbies who need to become professional illustrators .
Applying color in Photoshop : eventually , when you master traditional drawing and you know the basics of digital drawing , you can take off adding color . This is probably the almost detailed Photoshop videotutorial on the web to see how to create professional digital coloring in Photoshop .
More Educational Resources
- Pinterest plank for : anatomy , , , dynamic poses , static poses
- My Youtube short tutorials
- Books : The illusion of spirit
