Illustrator Kuro Details
Intro
Class Intro
Illustrator, Kuro
Character Design Tips to Expand the Range of Styles That You Can Use
Kuro’s illustrations span a range of genres and he has a huge fanbase. He specializes in designing game characters with three-dimensionality in mind and balancing clients’ wishes with the overall art of the game.
In this class, learn step by step starting with the fundamentals of figure drawing. You’ll learn methods that give your art versatility and range of expression, as well as illustration techniques to make your characters stand out, while designing four male and female characters.
In this class, learn step by step starting with the fundamentals of figure drawing. You’ll learn methods that give your art versatility and range of expression, as well as illustration techniques to make your characters stand out, while designing four male and female characters.
You will learn essentials for character design, like basic anatomy for art and drawing techniques. You’ll learn fundamentals of drawing the human body, including body composition, the differences between drawing hard muscle and soft flesh, male and female figures, and the structure and shape of the hands and feet, all taught in an easy-to-understand way so you can apply them to your art.
You’ll also learn a method to give your art style flexibility, which is important not only for improving your skills but for expanding your originality and range. You’ll gain knowledge and the theory behind intentionally changing styles, which is difficult to do just by instinct. Lastly, using the skills you learned, you’ll practice creating character illustrations that stand out by sketching, creating a composition, posing, and choosing colors. See the tricks of the character design trade to expand your artistic range by learning from Kuro at Coloso!
Through examples, you will analyze the components that make illustrations work, such as lighting, composition, tone, and dominant colors. You’ll also take a detailed look at how these elements are used in illustrations by looking at videos of previous works. Learn the process of completing an illustration from the initial sketch to finishing touches, to create your own professional, atmospheric illustrations.
Only at Coloso!
You’ll also learn a method to give your art style flexibility, which is important not only for improving your skills but for expanding your originality and range. You’ll gain knowledge and the theory behind intentionally changing styles, which is difficult to do just by instinct. Lastly, using the skills you learned, you’ll practice creating character illustrations that stand out by sketching, creating a composition, posing, and choosing colors. See the tricks of the character design trade to expand your artistic range by learning from Kuro at Coloso!
Through examples, you will analyze the components that make illustrations work, such as lighting, composition, tone, and dominant colors. You’ll also take a detailed look at how these elements are used in illustrations by looking at videos of previous works. Learn the process of completing an illustration from the initial sketch to finishing touches, to create your own professional, atmospheric illustrations.
Only at Coloso!
Class Perks
Get These Coloso Exclusives
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Unlimited Access to All 21 Videos -
Learn the Secrets to Controlling Your Drawing Styles to Expand Your Range and Develop Your Individual Style -
Includes Psd Files for Four Character Designs
Expert Illustrator Kuro's Portfolio
6 Class Exercises
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Fundamentals of figure drawing -
Apply your knowledge to character design -
Create orthographic drawings with three views
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Tips for drawing different characters with the same theme -
Practice techniques to modify your own style -
Draw a character based on an existing design
Instructor
Illustrator
Kuro
Hi, I’m illustrator Kuro. I work in character design and illustration, mainly for the gaming industry.
Based on my own experiences and the things that helped me solve my problems, I created this class focused on skills you can use regardless of your style, work environment, and tools. I hope it can help artists who are thinking, “I don’t know how to apply what I know about art to my illustration,” or “I want my style to evolve, but don’t know how to do it.”
I’m still learning myself, but I think that sharing my knowledge can help others who are struggling with their art.
Illustrator, Kuro
[Current]
Illustrator
Projects & Awards
[Game-related works]
KuruKuru Princess: Tokimeki Figure Mezase! Vancouver
Main character design and illustration
GachiTora! Abarenbou Kyoushi in High School
Character illustration
Cross Tails
Character design and illustration
Fire Emblem Heroes
Character illustration
Tenka Hyakken: ZAN
Character design and illustration
TOKOYO: The Tower of Perpetuity
Official MOD creation
[Graphic Novels]
Tokyo 7th Sisters -episode.Le☆S☆Ca-
Tokyo 7th Sisters -episode.The QUEEN of PURPLE-
Illustration
Extended Fantasy World
Character design and illustration
Kusozako Cinderella VTuber Wo Produce Shitemita
Illustration and character design
Highlights
Class Highlights
Learn to apply art fundamentals like human anatomy and basic drawing skills to your illustrations
When you do character illustration, knowing anatomy and having solid drawing skills are great strengths. In this class, you’ll learn how to apply the basic art knowledge needed for illustration production to your drawings.
Develop the skill to give your drawing versatility and control your art’s style
You may hesitate to change your style because of fear you’ll lose your individuality. However, knowing how to change your art’s style and expanding your portfolio is important not only improve your skill, but also for developing your range and originality. This course will teach you how to improve your versatility.
Design four male and female characters and make them stand out
You’ll get hands-on character design practice by drawing four different characters, male and female, and you’ll see how much fun drawing different characters can be. Using the characters you’ve designed, you’ll practice drawing techniques methods at the same time.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Foundational human anatomy for artKnowledge of human anatomy is a prerequisite for this class, and it will be explained in a easy-to-understand manner starting from the basics. Study the proportions of the human figure, center of gravity, and the construction of the hands and feet, all of which are essential to character drawing. -
Differences between male and female characters, and how to differentiate hard muscle and soft fleshThe skills to differentiate gender and physical attributes are strengths as a character designer. In this class, you’ll study male and female figure drawing and practice how to portray hard muscle and soft flesh. This is essential for character design. -
Applying your knowledge of human anatomy to charactersTo help you see the relationship between your studies and actual character creation, you’ll explore specific procedures based on the task of changing characters proportions.
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Use your foundational art knowledge to modify a character’s styleBroadening your drawing style is important to show your originality and expand your range. You’ll see how you can control multiple images by applying the fundamental knowledge you have to character creation. -
Experience the character design process firsthandBy explaining the character design process with hands-on exercises, you can gain practical skills like workflow tips, create three orthographic views that focus on three-dimensionality, and see how to come up with design ideas. -
Have fun while creating multiple charactersBy drawing multiple characters based on themes, you can improve your skills while having fun designing and drawing.
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Curriculum
Curriculum
In-Depth Look
SECTION 01. Introduction
01. Self-introduction and class overview
- Self-introduction
- Details
02. Objective of this class
- Importance of design versatility when you draw characters
- Techniques you can learn in this class
- Who this class is for
SECTION 02. Fundamentals of human anatomy
03. Understanding human body structure before drawing a character
- Why do I need to know anatomy before designing a character?
- Resources that can help you in this class
04. Understanding overall body structure
- Basic construction of the human figure
- Rough body proportions and center of gravity
- Difference between hard muscle and soft flesh
- Difference in physique between male and female figures
05. The structure of hands, feet, and the face
- Basic structure and outline of hands and feet
- Facial structure
- Using reference materials to draw hands and feet
SECTION 03. Apply your knowledge to a character design
06. Applying art knowledge to characters
- Turn a sketch and anatomy knowledge into a drawing
- Draw lines while thinking of the solid object they represent
07. Applying anatomical knowledge to characters
- How to apply anatomical knowledge to characters
- Make the drawing your own by changing the proportions
08. Making different characters and designs
- How to use the method of changing proportions
- Differentiate characters by changing proportions
- Differentiate designs by changing proportions
SECTION 04. Character design practice 1
09. Practicing female character designs
- Design a character using what you learned in sections 2 and 3
- Create character concept art using a theme or prompt
- The importance of finding the appropriate reference materials
10. Character design techniques 1
- Discussion of character design techniques while we draw
- Demonstration of character design
- Simple explanation of the theories behind stylization and color scheme
11. Three orthographic character drawing
- Focusing on three-dimensionality while drawing three views of a character
- Check the balance of the face from the side and front view while drawing
- Correcting a drawing that was done by instinct alone
12. Creating another version
- Create another version with same subject as the first drawing
- Changing body type, clothing, hair style, etc.
SECTION 05. Character design practice 2
13. Practicing male character design
- Draw a different character based on the one drawn in section 4
- Draw a character based on a different subject from section 4
14. Character design techniques 2
- Demonstration of character design
- Drawing multiple characters based on one character
15. Drawing three views like we did in section 4
- Further explanation of drawing different characters while we draw them
- Change the facial features of the character we drew in Section 4
- Different characters drawing practice
16. Creating another version
- Create another version with same subject like we did in section 4
17. Reworking the drawings
- Rework the four designs drawn in sections 4 and 5
- Explanation of design modification techniques
- Practice finding and fixing weak points in the design
SECTION 06. Summary of what we covered so far
18. Practicing techniques to change your design’s style
- Changing the style of characters drawn in sections 4 and 5
- Section 3 review and practice
19. Drawing character illustrations
- Things to watch out for when turning a design into an illustration
- Sketch, sketch, and sketch some more
- While sketching, think about a composition and pose that suits the character
20. Illustration techniques
- Explanation of illustration techniques
- Choosing colors
- Modify a character’s face while checking the character design
21. Summary
- Summary and closing thoughts
*The release date of this class, curriculum images, and associated content can be changed without prior notice.
** Class videos may be seperated for a more streamlined viewing experience
Interview with
Illustrator Kuro
Question.01
In creating this course, what are your strengths as an instructor, and what makes this class different from other classes?
In this class, we will explore techniques for taking control of your drawing style that are not often taught in character illustration, where originality is highly valued. While it may be tough for some, in character design work, you often need to match someone else’ art style. This is essential to expand your range and expressiveness. Although it’s important to maintain your originality, if you’re limited in what you can do, it will hold you back and lead to stagnation. I believe it’s important to have the ability to adapt and find a range of styles within yourself, rather than searching for them, to foster your originality.
Question.02
What is the most challenging aspect for those studying in this field, and how can this course address and resolve challenges?
I think many people, including myself, have run into the problem of wanting to change their art’s style, but not knowing how to initiate that change or how to put their knowledge of art theory to practical use. Even if you have been drawing for a long time, you may think your art style became outdated as trends changed. This is a very difficult issue and is hard to solve by yourself, especially for those who put their own artistic sense and preferences first. I hope this class will help you solve those problems by knowing how to change your style through understanding and theory.
Question.03
What were some of the difficulties you encountered in your studies, and what efforts did you make to solve them?
I am still studying drawing, and the most difficult part for me was to mentally overcome drawing in a different style to my own. I thought of art and illustration as totally different things, so I didn’t know how art knowledge would apply to illustration. I was able to solve this problem by taking art classes and seeing the work of animators who draw a variety of images. I could improve my skills this way. However, this issue is not often mentioned, and I hope the class can help you to deal with this.
Question.03
What is your opinion of the job prospects and future of the illustration industry?
The current market is tough in terms of working conditions, and it can be demotivating for those wanting to break into character design or illustration. I’m not sure what will happen in the future, but things may not improve for some time.
But it’s easy to admire artists who draw original work using innovative techniques, and many people enjoy and appreciate every detail of their artwork. Having fundamental techniques and knowledge at your disposal definitely has a positive effect on your artwork.
Those techniques and that knowledge will be your strengths when it comes to professional competition. Also, they should help you to keep drawing and to enjoy drawing. I believe the techniques and knowledge you internalize will serve you well in the future. I hope this class will help you solve problems you currently have or get you motivated to do more.
But it’s easy to admire artists who draw original work using innovative techniques, and many people enjoy and appreciate every detail of their artwork. Having fundamental techniques and knowledge at your disposal definitely has a positive effect on your artwork.
Those techniques and that knowledge will be your strengths when it comes to professional competition. Also, they should help you to keep drawing and to enjoy drawing. I believe the techniques and knowledge you internalize will serve you well in the future. I hope this class will help you solve problems you currently have or get you motivated to do more.
Required Programs
This course will use
- Clip Studio Paint
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the course.
