Lilla here. Today I’m sharing Part 2 of the FREE #MATSprep illustration assignment I created for you to get you warmed up for Bootcamp Special: Character Play.
Today you’re going to find out exactly how easy it is to create winning characters for some of the hottest art markets right now. Children’s books and toys and games are both huge markets for illustrators – but you could also license your characters for products like gift, stationery, partyware, apparel, fabric, greeting cards and more. (One of our students recently landed a gig illustrating children’s food packaging after taking Bootcamp Special: Character Play – read more here.)
What’s more, this course really is for all levels – and it’s just £99 (2approx. $126)!
Win a free place in class!
First I need to remind you to join me and my brilliant Bootcamp Special teachers, Zoë and Riley, in a FREE live Zoom event on the first day of class, Monday, April 7th, at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST!
Zoë and Riley are both incredible teachers who are a joy to learn from as well as having huge amounts of information to share, and I know we’re going to have a great time. Join us – scribble a note on your hand now so you don’t forget!
Meet your teachers! Join me, art agent Lilla (left), brilliant children’s book art director and picture book author Zoë (center) and smash hit game creator Riley (right) for a FREE Zoom and you could win a FREE place in class!
Here’s Part 2 of your FREE illustration assignment!
For Part 1, you drew some crockery – if you missed it, catch up here. Now, you’re going to turn your cups, bowls and plates into characters simply by drawing faces on a few of them! This turns them into characters that can be used in children’s books, toys, games and more. Isn’t it incredible how easy it is?
Make fabulous art for your portfolio, like this by Make Art That Sells student Claudia Marianno.
Fun fact: Creating characters works in any style and any medium, and all levels are welcome, plus knowing how to dream up new characters can be huge for your creative career, because it covers so many markets!
Tip #1: Think about including a variety of facial expressions. Why? Because showing a variety of emotion in your character shows the book publisher or art director that you can handle moving your character throughout the text, with all the variations in mood and tone.
Art by Make Art That Sells students Bindy James (left) and Saskia Diederichsen (right). Check out the different expressions Bindy creates just with different eyes, and consider adding accessories like Saskia’s headband and eye glasses.
Tip #2: Let your quirky personality shine through. Don’t be afraid to use humor in your art. Character design is a great way to demonstrate your fabulous kooky self to an art director or client!
My ceramic face bowl! See how that side-eye makes the emotion?
Tip #3: Try experimenting with different eyes to see the difference they can make to the mood of your art. Here’s a ceramic bowl I made (above).
Creating a character can be as simple as adding a face to an object – and it can get you a ton of work! Look at all those dreamy art markets! Sign up now.
As ever, don’t forget to share your art so that I can see what you do. Share it online tagging @makeartthatsells and using the hashtag #MATSBootcampPrep so I can find it easily. I’ll be looking!
I hope that now you’ve learned how simple it can be to come up with playful new characters, you’ll want to dig deeper in Bootcamp Special: Character Play. Zoë and Riley will give you tons of inspiration and advice, with fresh new texts every month, plus insider tips and a little bit of input from me too. Join us!
Here’s a cute exercise shared by illustrator Katie Vernon: making kooky characters from cut up pieces of paper and googly eyes!
- Monday, April 7th: Create some gorgeous eye-catching art for your illustration portfolio while learning just how easy it can be to create winning characters in Bootcamp Special: Character Play!
- Monday, April 7th: Don’t miss the amazing lively Zoom with me and fabulous Make Art That Sells teachers Zoë and Riley on the first day of Bootcamp Special: Character Play! Join us at 12 noon EST/5 pm BST and you could win a FREE place in class!
- Monday, April 14th: What would your career look like a year from now with art agent Lilla’s guidance and help? We’re so thrilled to announce small group mentoring with Lilla in her brand new Inner Circle. Spaces are strictly limited but there are still a few spaces left – find out more and sign up here.
Lots of love
