[Course]clazroominstructor,yujiyuan Details
In-Depth Look
- SECTION 01
Course Introduction
01. Meet Your Mentor & Course Overview- Overview of the course and learning goals - Introduction to the instructor's experience and background
02. The Magic of Character Design- The role of character design in storytelling, games, and animation - Differences between realistic, semi-realistic, and stylized character design
03. Why Colors & Painting Matter in Design- How color, shading, and texture impact design choices - Introduction to industry-standard software and digital tools
- SECTION 02
Foundations of Animal Character Design
04. Building Blocks: The Power of Simple Shapes (Crocodile)- Unlock the secrets of form by simplifying: Crocodile - power & flexibility - Head & Jaw - Strong bite, fixed upper jaw, gripping teeth - Spine & Body - Stiff but flexible for twisting - Legs - Short, muscular, can crawl or sprint - Tall - Long , powerful, used for swimming and balance - Gesture drawing for natural and dynamic poses
05. Building Blocks: The Power of Simple Shapes (Bird)- Unlock the secrets of form by simplifying: Bird - Build for Flight - Head & Beak - Light skull, strong break, flexible neck - Wings & Shoulders - Modified arms for flapping and gliding - Legs & Feet - Adapted for perching, gripping, or swimming - Gesture drawing for natural and dynamic poses
06. Building Blocks: The Power of Simple Shapes (Mouse)- Unlock the secrets of form by simplifying: Mouse - Small & Agile - Head & Teeth - Small skull, sharp front teeth for gnawing - Spine & Body - Flexible, allows squeezing into tight spaces - Legs & Paws - Quick legs for jumping, front paws for grasping - Gesture drawing for natural and dynamic poses - Mouse: Small-scale anatomy and exaggerated movement potential
07. The Anatomy Cheat Code: Stylization Secrets (Crocodile)- Key skeletal structures and how they affect movement - Crocodile - Strong & Elongated - Head and Jaw: Triangle shape for powerful bite - Body & Spine: Long oval with a slight curve for flexibilty - Legs: Short cylinders for strength and stability - Tall: Tapered, segemented shape for balance and propulsion - Simplifying anatomy for stylized character design - Ensuring characters remain recognizable at a glance, even in simple form
08. The Anatomy Cheat Code: Stylization Secrets (Bird)- Key skeletal structures and how they affect movement - Bird - Lightweight & Build for Flight - Head and Beak: Small oval + triangle for beak - Body & Spine: Teardrop shape for aerodynamic form - Wings: Long curves attached to a circular shoulder - Legs: Thin, straight lines for perching or gripping - Simplifying anatomy for stylized character design - Ensuring characters remain recognizable at a glance, even in simple form
09. The Anatomy Cheat Code: Stylization Secrets (Mouse)- Key skeletal structures and how they affect movement - Mouse - Small & Flexible - Head & Nose: Rounded oval + small triangle for snout - Body & Spine: Soft bean shape for a compact body - Legs: Short curved lines for agile movement - Tall: Thin curved line for balance and flexibility - Simplifying anatomy for stylized character design - Ensuring characters remain recognizable at glance, even in simple form
10. Expressions & Attitude: Bringing Animals to Life (Crocodile)- How facial features and body language convey emotions - Crocodile: How to bring emotion into a "rigid" face - subtle changes in eyes, brow, and mouth - Designing expressive animal faces with basic emotions
11. Expressions & Attitude: Bringing Animals to Life (Bird)- How facial features and body language convey emotions - Bird: Expressing personality through break shapes, head tilts, and feathers - Designing expressive animal faces with basic emotions
12. Expressions & Attitude: Bringing Animals to Life (Mouse)- How facial features and body language convey emotion - Mouse: Big eyes, small nose, and exaggerated ears for maximum cuteness - Designing expressive animal faces with basic emotions
- SECTION 03
Sketching & Refining Your Characters
13. The Secret to Iconic Animal Characters- Combining references and imagination - Finding inspiration from real-life crocodiles, birds, and mice while pushing stylization
14. Pro Sketching & Line Art Techniques- Cleaning up rough sketches for clarity - Understanding line weight for visual impact - Creating dynamic, confident lines - How to avoid stiff or lifeless sketches - Ensuring crocodile scales, bird feathers, and mouse fur to remain expressive and natural
15. Dressing Up: Adding Accessories & Storytelling Details- How props and clothing enhance character personality - Adding details that suit a cunning crocodile, elegant bird, or adventurous mouse
- SECTION 04
Introduction to Digital Painting & Coloring
16. Tools & Smart Workflows- Overview of brushes, layers, and blending modes - Recommended software for beginners
17. Mastering Colors: The Psychology of Palettes- Simple color theory for beginners - Choosing harmonious color palettes for characters
18. Painting Textures: Fur, Scales & Feathers Like a Pro- Techniques for painting soft, rought, and reflective textures Crocodile - Rough & Reflective Scales - Base Texture - Use a rought brush for bumpy skin - Detailing - Add cracks, ridges, and subtle scale outlines - Shading - Strong highlights on wet glossy areas for reflectiveness Bird - Soft & Layered Feathers - Base Texture - Start with soft gradient colors - Detailing - Use short, curved strokes for layered feather effect - Shading - Light and subtle for a soft, fluffy appearance Mouse - Fine & Fluffy Fur - Base Texture - Soft brush for smooth undercoat - Detailing - Use thin, quick strokes for wispy fur strands - Shading - Light blending for a soft, voluminous effect - How lighting affects different surface materials - Layering textures for a believable final look - Common mistakes when rendering fur, scales, and feathers
19. Light & Shadow: The Key to 3D Depth- Applying light and shadow effectively - Using rim light and bounce light to enhance realism - Different lighting setups for dramatic effects - Making characters feel three-dimensional & detail
- SECTION 05
Finalizing & Presenting Your Character Art
20. Step-by-Step: Bringing It All Together- Step-by-step process of painting a full character - Refining edges, textures, and final touches - Checking proportions and consistency before finalizing
21. Beyond the Canvas: Presenting Your Art Professionally- Background tricks that complement your character - How to present your art for social media, portfolios, and clients - Understanding art industry expectations
22. The Next Step: Growing as an Artist- How to continue improving after the course - Building a strong habit of daily practice - Exploring different styles and finding your voice - Where to find inspiration and learning resources