[Signature]illustrator,guweiz Details
Intro
From Beginner to Industry Giant,
Class Intro
Illustrator, Guweiz
Learn all about the essential basics of character illustration that you'll use throughout your entire career!
Functional Fundamentals That Will Last You a Lifetime
Marking the first step in Guweiz’s Signature Series, this class is packed to the brim with only the most functional skills you need to confidently begin your character artist journey.
Guweiz vividly recalls the bittersweet journey of doodling his first character designs, moments of inspiration often interrupted by frustration and doubt. Now, looking back on over a decade of growth, he can clearly pinpoint the lessons that helped him break through the confusion and self-doubt. These lessons, which he calls “Functional Foundations,” are the non-negotiable first step toward whichever path you are headed.
In this class, “Functionality” means achieving two goals in one stroke: creating characters that are not only visually appealing but also grounded in strong fundamentals like anatomy, proportions, and features that make them feel authentic and professional. Discover just how far this crucial lesson can take you, with Guweiz as your trusted guide.
In this class, “Functionality” means achieving two goals in one stroke: creating characters that are not only visually appealing but also grounded in strong fundamentals like anatomy, proportions, and features that make them feel authentic and professional. Discover just how far this crucial lesson can take you, with Guweiz as your trusted guide.
Roadmap
Guweiz's Signature Series
Class Preview
Still Not Sure?
Check Out Guweiz's Class Preview!
01. Orientation
1. Basic self introduction
2. Class overview
3. Overview of full series
4. Goals of class
2. Class overview
3. Overview of full series
4. Goals of class
Class Perks
1st Class of Guweiz's Signature Series, Here Are the Exclusive Benefits.
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Unlimited Access to18 Comprehensive Lessons -
Access the full processPSD Files to All Class Demos -
To incite further growthGuweiz's Notes and Class Slides
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Practice makes perfectExercises to Follow and Draw Along -
Start with the right toolsBasic Brush Pack -
Celebrate your progressDigital Certificate of Completion
* Certificates are issued upon completing 90% or more of the course progress.
* Please request your certificate through the Coloso Help Center.
Class Material Details
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Class Slides and Exercises- 19 Slides for Chapter Outlines and Learning Points
- Annotations and Notes Made During the Lessons
- Directed Exercises to Follow the Lesson
-Character Structure Breakdown
- Measuring People
- Resizing a Character
- Identifying Key Surfaces
- Draw Along - Using Reference
- Practicing Drawing the Torso
- Practicing Drawing the Midsection
- Practicing Drawing the Legs
- Draw Your Character (Front View)
- Draw Your Character (Side View)
- Draw Your Character (Back View) -
Brushes & Reference Pack- Simple and Clean Brush Pack That’s Easy to Use for Beginners
- Medium Hardness Round Brush for All Basic Painting and Shading Needs
- Pencil Brush for Textured Lines and Extra Flavor
- Basic Eraser to Help with Smooth Drawing
- All Diagrams and Useful References Used During the Class -
In-Class Working Files- All psd. Files in Full Res. For Student Reference
- All Finished Illustration(s) Created for the Class
- Demonstration Sketches and Drawings
Recommendation
Who Should Take This Class?
Beginner Artists
who are new to character illustration and want a clear, intuitive approach to proportions and anatomy.
Aspiring Character Designers
seeking an exclusive deep dive into the character creation process and insights provided by Guweiz.
Learning Artists
who want to reassess and rebuild their character fundamentals to ultimately gain tangible results.
Illustrator Guweiz's Signature Series
Expert Illustrator
GUWEIZ's Portfolio
There are no shortcuts when it comes to fundamentals,
But Guweiz shows you the ones that really matter.
Everyone starts somewhere, and Guweiz is no exception. He chose to start this series with a focus on fundamentals because he knows firsthand how pivotal they are for growth. For beginner artists striving to move past the "beginner" stage, mastering the right skills, in the right way, is not an option, but a must. With a straightforward, practical approach, Guweiz proves to you just how much a solid foundation will change your entire game.
But is this class only for beginners? Not at all. It’s equally valuable for those who want to reassess and sharpen their fundamentals. If you’ve ever questioned, "Is my foundation strong enough to reach my artistic goals?", this class is designed with you in mind. From deepening your understanding of anatomy and proportions to mastering character perspectives from every angle, this class delves into all the nooks that will scratch your brain like no other.
Class Exercises
12 Hands-on Challenges that Bring Character Fundamentals to Life
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Character Structure Breakdown -
Measuring People -
Resizing a Character
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Identifying Key Surfaces -
Draw Along - Using Reference 1 -
Draw Along - Using Reference 2
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Practicing Drawing the Torso -
Practicing Drawing the Midsection -
Practicing Drawing the Legs
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Draw Your Character (Front View) -
Draw Your Character (Side View) -
Draw Your Character (Back View)
Final Product
3 Views of Your Character
Highlights
Class Highlights
Must-Have Functional Fundamentals for a Character Artist
This class is a must for anyone aiming to reach a professional level as a Character Artist. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate artist, without solid grounds to stand on, you cannot expand and explore your potential to its fullest. Guweiz, a self-taught industry giant, offers this class as a reliable stepping stone you need to elevate your character illustrations to an industry-standard level.
Using References to Your Full Advantage
Reference is a powerful tool that offers valuable information, allowing you to learn rapidly and effectively. This class emphasizes the strategic use of reference materials in character creation, focusing on techniques such as extracting key visual information, identifying and applying facial landmarks, analyzing proportions, and understanding various viewpoints. Learn how Guweiz breaks down references into actionable elements, enhancing both accuracy and creativity in his character illustrations.
Crafting Simple Characters, But with Precision
Even the simplest of characters demand a wide range of foundational knowledge and precise execution. This class deconstructs the entire process, covering anatomy, proportions, and body mechanics, as well as viewpoints and perspective. You'll gain a thorough understanding of baseline structures, including techniques for mapping facial landmarks and refining silhouettes. Leave this class knowing exactly how to manipulate these elements to draw characters with distinct physical traits, giving you the tools to illustrate with consistency and confidence.
Instructor
Illustrator
GUWEIZ
Hi everyone, I'm GUWEIZ, a professional artist who has been drawing for 11 years.
During this time, I've also had great opportunities to work freelance for various big names in the games and publishing industry, such as Bandai Namco, Guerilla, and Harper Collins, as well as engage in fruitful collaborations with many more independent businesses and artists. I am also the author/artist of two art books, [GUWEIZ The Art of Gu Zheng Wei] 2020 and [World of Guweiz] 2023, alongside being a key contributing writer for 3dtotal's great instructional books such as Color and Light (2022) and the upcoming Perspective and Depth (2024). These experiences have helped me immensely in developing my communication skills to share my knowledge better.
Without a formal art education, much of my art journey has been dedicated to finding my own way to showcase my ideas. As such, the focus of my energies has always been centered on making original art and creating a fictional world from my imagination. It's an incredibly satisfying but challenging journey that has taught me a lot about the process of making art and overcoming obstacles. I hope to be able to share this experience and knowledge with you here.
Illustrator, GUWEIZ
[Current]
Freelance Illustrator
[Previous]
- Bandai Namco: 2021.08 - 2021.12 Freelance Concept Artist
- Gamefreak: 2021.12 - 2023.11 Freelance Concept Artist
- Square Enix: 2018.05 - 2018.10 Freelance Illustrator
- Mynet: 2016.07 - 2018.05 Freelance Illustrator
- Harper Collins: 2017.05- 2017.07 // 2020.08 - 2020.12 Freelance Cover Illustrator
- PIXIV: Pixiv Visions 2021, 2022 Participating Illustrator // Drawfest 3: 2022.05 Instructor
- Guerilla: 2018.05 - 2018.10 Freelance Concept Artist
- 3dtotal: Color and Light (2022) Perspective and Depth (2024) Contributing Writer
Projects & Awards
Solo Exhibitions:
2022 Light in Darkness (By Hanada Gallery, @Ginza Tokyo)
2024 Luminous (By GAAAT, @Harajuku Tokyo)
Art Fairs:
2023 Art Fair Asia Fukuoka (By Hanada Gallery, @Fukuoka)
2024 Art Stage Osaka (By GAAAT, @Osaka)
Art Books:
2020 [GUWEIZ The Art of Gu Zheng Wei]
2023 [World of Guweiz] by 3dtotal
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Taking Advantage of ReferencesLearn how to use references effectively to extract valuable information. Understand how to analyze your reference material critically, breaking it down into digestible components to incorporate realism and consistency into your artwork. -
Constructing Fundamental Structures of CharactersBreak down characters into their simplest shapes and forms, using techniques that Guweiz has developed and applies to his own character works. Master the building blocks of anatomy and spatial relationships to create structurally sound characters, preparing for more complex poses and compositions. -
Managing ProportionsWork with proportions to tweak, adjust, and refine your character’s presentation. Learn standard measurements, such as head-to-body ratios, limb lengths, and joint placements. Practice adjusting proportions to fit different body types or stylized characters while maintaining anatomical correctness.
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Basic Facial AnatomyA comprehensive guide to understanding facial proportions, planes, and key features, such as the placement of eyes, nose, and mouth. Learn how to measure distances and use facial landmarks to create symmetry and balance. -
Basic Body AnatomyThis class offers a beginner-friendly breakdown of body anatomy, focusing on its functional application for character design. You'll study the key skeletal and muscular structures, including the torso, pelvis, and limbs, and learn how these parts connect and influence body form. Emphasis is placed on practical techniques for creating stylized characters that maintain anatomical accuracy. -
Drawing from the Front, Side, and BackLearn to think in 3D by practicing how to draw characters from front, side, and back perspectives. Explore how different viewpoints reveal unique aspects of the character’s form and proportions. Gain technical insight into shifting perspectives while maintaining consistency, which is essential for dynamic and versatile character illustration.
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Interview with
Illustrator, GUWEIZ
Question.01
Is there a specific reason why you chose this specific topic/themes?
Starting to draw can be the hardest part for many aspiring artists — everyone may have different end goals, but a good start can make a difference between frustration and a great first impression. The purpose of this class is to give aspiring character artists a simple and clear look at what it takes to illustrate and design characters.
Question.02
Could you please share how you started your journey in the industry?
I started off just doodling like everyone else! It just so happened that I had nothing much else going on at that specific period of time to distract me from drawing — and the momentum never stopped. As my skill level increased, so did the amount and quality of work available to me.
Question.03
What do you think is the most important trait(s) to success in your industry?
A really important skill or aspect is the ability to keep on thinking about the minutia of each piece you create and find ways to improve upon it each time. If you're able to do this consistently, it will just be a matter of time before success finds you.
Required Programs
This course will use Clip Studio Paint, Adobe Photoshop, and Procreate.
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
