How to design characters

After posting Let’s Make a Manga! Part 2 on creating characters, I realize it focused mainly on the written part and not the actual designing portion. So, this week I decided I would make a post on designing character’s outfits, hairstyles, and so on.

I would also like to give a big thanks to all of those who have been supporting me! It means so much to me!

Hairstyles

The first things you should consider when designing hairstyles for your characters are this:

  • What time period are they in?

  • How do you reflect the character’s personality through their hairstyle?

When designing hairstyles, you should draw a sheet that has the character’s head in several different angles. (without the hair) Then, make a few copies of it. Next, come up with three or four designs you like and choose from that.

When I designed my character Sayuri for a manga I am working on, I went through several different drafts before I decided what I really wanted.



Designing Clothes

For the costume part, try to make it match up with the hair of the character you’re using. (Meaning same time period) Try going on something like Pinterest for ideas on character design- you’d be surprised at how many cool designs there are.

When you have a basic idea of what you want your character’s costume to look like, draw it out on the character and see if it works or not. Remember to never go with your first design if you think it could be better!

The image above is concept design for a character I am creating.

And that’s all for now! If you would like a part two delving deeper into the concept, please let me know in the comments section!!!

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Drawing myself as a genshin impact character

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Drawing my gacha character