Learning how to create characters is fantastic for your art career!
Here’s why:
1. You can get tons of work.
You can license your characters for children’s books and toys and games (plush toys, play sets, card and board games and so on) of course, but there are lots of things that you probably haven’t even thought of – clothing for kids and adults alike, cushions, bedlinens, tea towels and oven gloves, phone cases: basically anything you can decorate.
2. Let your personality shine
It’s a great way to show an agent or art director that quirky, unique personality of yours. Whether you’re witty, dreamy, playful, nerdy or whatever else, the characters you dream up will reflect that.
3. You can create characters no matter what level you’re at
A character can be as simple as a stick figure or putting eyes on a sock or a lamp.
Make eye-catching art for your children’s book illustration portfolio, like this by Make Art That Sells student Sue Attwood.
Q. Say what? What even is a character anyway?
A. We’re glad you asked. Essentially, a character is anything with a face: put eyes on a crayon, a car, a potato (extra eyes!) and you have a character. And of course some characters already have faces: horses, bunnies, people.
Learning how to create winning characters can be easier than you think! Find out how with our fantastic teachers: children’s book art director Zoë and game creator Riley. Sign up here. Products agented by Lilla Rogers Studio.
This is why characters are so important for getting work in so many markets, and why learning how to create characters (or learning how easy it can be to create characters) can give a huge boost to your creative career.
And all of that is why we created our next LIVE course, Bootcamp Special: Character Play. You’ll join brilliant children’s book art director and picture book author, Zoë Tucker, and smash hit game creator, Riley Wilkinson for three fantastic months where you’ll learn to create winning characters kids and adults will love, and crank out some gorgeous eye-catching art for your portfolio. Plus Lilla will join Zoë and Riley for a lively live Zoom event every month!
Two huge children’s markets in one!
In this one-of-a-kind course, you’ll get a taste of two of the biggest children’s markets for your art: book illustration and toys and games.
You’ll use the exclusive text from Zoë to create a beautiful spread for children’s book illustration, then transform it into a game or toy pitch with guidance from Riley, like these by Tina Burke.
First, you’ll get an exclusive mini-text from picture book author Zoë, plus supporting downloads to help you start to focus on your unique character, including a gorgeous Character Inspiration Board created for you by art agent Lilla. Then smash-hit game creator Riley will show you how you can use your character to create one of a kind toys, games, play sets, and more, ready for licensing. And every month you’ll finish up with a live event with Zoë, Riley and Lilla.
Zoë told us: “The whole course is focused around creating your own cool characters that will work in books, the toy market and lots of other products and markets. It gives you the all the basics you need to get started, and if you’re interested in learning more then you can dive into Illustrating Children’s Books or My Toy Pitch.”
Q: Why should someone take this course? Why do I need it?
A: Zoë said: “When I was younger, I never knew my job existed. I think a lot of people are like that. I didn’t quite understand what Riley did until a few years ago, when we worked on this course together (don’t tell him!). I think students sometimes don’t know all the cool stuff they can do with their art, and in this new Bootcamp course we hope to show them another angle, something new and accessible to them as another revenue stream. Hopefully this course will inspire and excite students about the possibilities around them. And it should be a lot of fun too!”
Art for class by Make Art That Sells student Jean Ruth.
Riley added: “Feeling stuck or bored? Bootcamp is exactly the fix. Just like a personal trainer who tells you to do those push ups, Make Art That Sells Bootcamp keeps your creativity in shape and refreshed! As a creative director in the toy industry, I crave motivation and seek it out. As a former Make Art That Sells student, I took the courses to keep making art, and working alongside other artists helps you become a better artist. Plus the children’s market needs your art! You’ll get character and toy assignments that add variety and interest to your work.”
Learn how to present your art so you can sell it in two huge markets: children’s book illustration and toys and games. Art for class by Make Art That Sells student Kerrisa Treanor.
Plus you’ll get something every Monday for 12 weeks that will brighten your day, enthuse and inspire you, and give you something playful and positive to focus on. And in the current climate, what could be better than that?
Want in? Class starts Monday, April 7th – find out more and register here. Plus look out for a FREE two-part warm up exercise and class taster coming up soon!
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
